Since early October when I hit 263, my scale has indicated a slow gain despite continuing to restrict and exercise. I became discouraged and took a diet break for a couple of weeks (Halloween candy didn't help) with the goal of maintaining for a while, but hopefully not gaining, but according to the scale, was 270. 7 lbs gained since the first of October. Then one morning I hit a high of 274. I looked at myself in the mirror and didn't believe it. So I bought a new scale to be sure. And the new scale read 262 lbs! I hadn't gained at all, in fact I lost a pound.

I confirmed by putting the scale in the cold garage for an hour and it read 279! Putting the scale in front of the heat vent until it was about room temperature made it read closer to correct, even a little low (259.) That's a 20 lb difference, just by 30-40 degrees.

It still doesn't make sense, and I have no theories why this could be. Just happy to be back on track. Hoping to hit the 250s by the end of the month.

*currently aiming a blow dryer at my scale and waiting hopefully*

;-)

Congrats on the loss! I had no idea this could happen, what kind of scale do you have?

i've never heard of this before and never would have thought to check! now i wonder if that's what's wrong with my scale! because it always sits on the COLD bathroom floor and it does get COLD at night, where our inside temps drop to 50 before the furnace turns on

It's an Everweigh digital, I would guess more than 10 years old? Can't find the model number, but I've had it for a while. It seemed pretty consistent and didn't have that annoying "memory" that some newer scales have. Little did I know that it only seemed correct because the temperature in the bathroom has changed so gradually over the months. And yes I am curious to find if I'm not the only one with a wonky scale

Temperature and humidity can affect digital scales. A good read is
http://scoobysworkshop.com/how-to-we...lf-accurately/

He put 2 scales in the refrigerator and they weighted an extra 2-3 pounds using a dumbbell compared to before the refrigerator.

Ps. Just adding he used 102lb dumbbell. Wonder if it would be off more by heavier weight.

That is very interesting. I've never heard of that before. The furnace in my house doesn't turn on until it's below 50 too. Though I recently compared my home scale with the Dr's office and the Dr's was a 1.7 lb lower difference. So I guess in my case I wouldn't worry to much.

It is possible for the number on the scale to be affected by temperature, texture of the floor beneath it, tilt of the floor beneath it, moisture, the way you stand, etc.

I'm currently trying to learn to use the scale as a guideline and not give it too much credit. To read the number as, "Well, your weight is around X number, give or take a few pounds." It's kinda tough. But there's so much that can affect the scale or daily weight that has nothing to do with fat loss. I'd rather not spin out over water fluctuation or a chilly bathroom floor. Rather than try to account for all that, I'm trying to go on whether I've been on plan or not, and realizing that the scale may vary based on any of the above factors.

But yeah, it's kinda wonky how that happens, isn't it?

It reminds me of my cousin who plays the violin. He complains that when temperatures/moisture levels fluctuate, the strings loosen, the knobs lose tension, the bridge shifts, and a host of other issues that cause sound problems.