I've been putting my scale away lately, versus leaving it on my bedroom floor (in the same spot). My weight overnight (On a day I only ate about 1300 calories and was not filled with water) jumped up to 320, from about 314. I couldn't figure out WHAT happened! So, after a few days..I noticed that when I left my scale on the floor overnight, in the morning it was back down a few pounds (Once again not a water weight difference).
Does this mean, when you move your scale, it can jump up a few pounds? And if so, which is my real weight, when I move the scale then weigh myself, or weigh myself after my scale has "settled" for several hours.
Nothing else makes sense to me.

well first let me make a huge suggestion. Stop weighing daily. The daily fluctuation of weight will torture you. Weigh the same time, same place the same way once a week. For example, i weight first thing tuesday am, right as i wake up, after going to the bathroom and naked. This way the variables are taken out of the equation. I even weight on the same tiles (silly but i do). I'm not really sure if a scale "settles" but constant moving of a scale can cause it to be off balance. Sometimes it helps if you check your scale occasionally with an accuarte weight or calabration system. But i always leave my scale alone...its in a place in the bathroom that it's not in the way.

It's an electronic scale* If that makes any difference. I just don't see how moving it can alter the reading.

Hey AngelsEulogy,

I don't know about all scales... but clearly yours likes to stay in one place. So, leave it in one place if you can. Then you won't have to try to figure out what is the "real" weight.

It's the difference, not the absolute value, that is important. If you always weigh in the same way, at about the same time, then that's close enough to keep track of your losses.

Jay

If it's a matter of seeing it and not being able to resist the urge to step on it, leave it put, but cover it with something. Out of sight, out of mind.

My electronic scale has to be recalculated if it is moved. Which means you step on it, let it settle, step off, and let it go blank, then step on it again. I usually step on mine like 3 or 4 times and take the number I like best.

An electronic scale still works in essentially the same way as a non-electronic scale, so in some cases, when it is moved it needs to be recalibrated. I think however, if your scales changes really bother you I would say only weigh in once a week. It would actually give you a better idea of fat loss rather than the changes in water weight that is reflected the most in scales...just something to consider.

My electronic scale came with instructions regarding recalibrating it if it is moved. It absolutely makes a difference.

Is your bedroom floor carpet or a solid surface like wood or tile? Scales should always be on a firm surface for the most accurate results. A scale on a carpet will usually read light.

Just another reason why the scale should not be the number one way you look at your success. How you feel, changes in your measurements, changes in your lifestyle and exercise habits should all be more important than the scale.

Weird, when I put my scale on my carpet, it read 5 pounds heavier than it did on the bathroom or kitchen floor.

However, when the scale was in its box (I tested it before I bought it), it told me 5 pounds LIGHTER, which made me sooo happy. Then, I placed it on my bathroom floor and saw roughly the same weight the Publix scale said (minus, like, three pounds because I was nekkid!). I was disappointed.

I swear, scales are EVIL! I'd leave it in place and make sure that you're weighing under the same conditions (time of day, hydration level, etc)
I'm one of those that MUST weigh daily for motivation, so I understand if you don't want to wait 7 days to see where you are.

Cassie, that's exactly how I am. I always weigh in in the morning/afternoon after I wake up and go the bathroom, so it's never a water weight issue.
And I do use my scale on hardwood floors, never carpet. (I always thought it was crazy how using it on carpet can affect it so greatly!).

Yeah, I leave mine in the bathroom on the tile...I don't even wanna see what my weight may be in other rooms--ha!
But yeah, I have to weigh daily...going 7 days without just makes it easier for me to go another 7 days...then another 7, then another 7...well, you get the picture.

I always weight daily too, after using the bathroom after waking and before I eat. I read somewhere that this is a good idea because then you can change eating/exercise habits earlier as soon as you see a small gain rather than a week or two later, when you might have more gained (and thus, more to lose). I wouldn't recommend it to people who obsess though, and get depressed over a tiny gain.

Hmmm...my scale changes like from minute to minute. I am going to try leaving it in the bathroom where the kids can't touch it and see if that makes a difference. Good idea!