I wasn't very happy with my scales. They aren't digital and seem to shift easily making it hard to get an accurate weight. So after reading that many people are happy with their Con-Air Weight Watchers scales, I picked some up tonight. I am a bit devastated by the difference.

When I started on my old scales, standing flat footed, they said 280. As of this morning, they said 241. That was a weight I was feeling really good about. I knew there was going to be a difference with the new scales, but I had no idea it would be so much. I just got on them and learned I am 260.2 pounds. Almost 20 pounds more than I thought. I'm having a hard time fighting back the tears.

I'm wondering if I have still lost as much as I thought I did. Would this mean I really started at 300 and have still lost 39 pounds?

Also, feel free to share any similar experiences.

You have still lost the same amount of weight, unless you managed to gain 20 pounds on your way home from the store

Don't be discouraged, you have still lost 39 pounds!! That's awesome. Just keep going, because no matter what the number says, you have still worked hard to get that weight off.

I'm sorry you are bummed, what the scale says means a lot even though it shouldn't always. My best guess is that you did start at 300 and have lost 40 pounds which is awesome! For right now I would try to focus on how you feel being 40 pounds lighter rather than what the scale says. Give it a few days and you will get used to the new numbers even though they are now higher. You never know either maybe the scale is wrong so if possible weigh somewhere else and see what you get. Good luck!

Thanks to the both of you! The initial shock of the new number has worn off and I'm taking it a lot better. I am going to weigh on the old scale one last time then on the new one so I can know exactly how far apart they are (I failed to do that earlier) then adjust my numbers accordingly. I am still proud that I am sticking with a diet for the first time and I do feel a lot better since starting.

Thanks again, it really means a lot to hear from people that know what I'm going through.

Go you!!! I was in a similar position as you when I got my digital scale last in Sept. I weighed 161 on my old analog scale and when I got on the digital scale, it read 168 - still incredibly depressing even if it's not a 20 lb difference. Ugh. I started to take it slow and steady after that with consistent diet and exercise. I'm PMSing now, so my weight is 164, but I did manage to get it down to 161 a few weeks ago so it's DEFINITELY possible!!!

Wow, what a shock that must have been! But no matter what, you still have lost 40 pounds. That's a great effort!

Keep on going--adjust your numbers according to the new scale--you're doing great!

Jay

Yah that would be a bummer all right! However, I agree with the others... you STILL have lost a huge amount of weight so just focus on the positive and don't let the bad ole numbers get you down!!! I have been thinking about getting a better scale but maybe I don't WANT to, ha!

I had the same thing happen when I bought my new scale. And to make matters worse, the amount that the old one was off wasn't fixed. The heavier the person, the more "correct" is was. So for my dh, the difference was only about 2 pounds, but for me it was much larger. I was tempted to keep my "feel good" scale, but that was just delusional

You've done great- look at how far you've come! It's pretty unlikely that any scale other than a new medical balance is 100% correct, so just use it as a measurement of progress

Mel

I had the same thing happen to me because I was reading the balance at the gym incorrectly. I thought I started at 168 lb -- 5 lb heavier than I had been for most of my adult life -- and was all confident that I could easily lose that. A couple weeks later, I realized that I was reading the scale incorrectly, and I was actually 188. I felt like a total idiot. That sinking feeling was horrible, and I'm sorry you had to experience it, too!

The thing is, as time passes, the weight comes off anyway... Those extra 20 lb are just an extra amount of practice at this lifestyle that is going to have us fit and healthy. I'm glad you are over the initial shock, too. The important thing here is that you've lost so much weight already, and you'll continue to lose more. Be proud!!!