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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Why can't I get a consistent reading on digital scales?

10 replies

QuimReaper · 25/04/2016 10:31

In our old flat I had a cheapo ten-quid set of scales which gave different readings in the kitchen and bathroom.

Chucked those out, moved house and just last week got a £70 pair (in the sale) and have the exact same problem! The bathroom has big enough tiles that all four feet can be on the same tile without any being in the dips, so I can't really understand why, when I rotate the scales 90 degrees or move the scales one tile over, the reading can change by up to 5lbs.

I've also tried them on the downstairs floor, which has admittedly seen better days but I thought it might be more solid, but no dice.

It's so frustrating! Obviously I might have just got a dud (and they're going straight back) but these ones had excellent reviews and nobody else seems to have this problem.

I was so looking forward to the Moment of Truth on Saturday after a very hard week's dieting, and still don't know how much I sodding weigh Sad

Is it the scales? The floor? Something else? Any ideas?

OP posts:
Lucked · 25/04/2016 10:32

Keep it in the one position so that the results are consistent.

SoakedinBleach · 25/04/2016 10:36

Mine do this!i take the best of three Grin

QuimReaper · 25/04/2016 10:38

Lucked I wish I could but our bathroom is miniscule, you'd have to stand on them to brush your teeth!

OP posts:
QuimReaper · 25/04/2016 10:39

Soaked is it just a problem with digital scales, do we think?

OP posts:
QuimReaper · 25/04/2016 10:39

Obviously I am choosing to believe the 4lb loss Grin

OP posts:
SoakedinBleach · 25/04/2016 11:21

I have no idea, they aren't cheap ones either!

twobambinos · 25/04/2016 12:56

Mine are the same. I could stand on them 3 times and get 3 different readings. I have a pair of old fashioned non digital ones that I use as they are more consistent sorry I know not much help

QuimReaper · 25/04/2016 14:29

I am beginning to think an old fashioned pair with a dial is the only solution!

OP posts:
lougle · 25/04/2016 15:04

I had this! We bought a fancy set of scales that do BMI, water%,fat%, etc., but even changing the angle you were leaning at when you stood on them changed the weight drastically. I could lean back slightly and lose 2kg or lean forward and gain 2kg,etc. So I went back to our bog standard digital scales. They are consistent no matter where our how often I weigh.

QuimReaper · 25/04/2016 15:08

I'm baffled this is a problem for so many people. I'm always hearing people say "I've lost half a pound this week" etc., I thought I was the only one who couldn't ever say for certain.

Are scales just basically a con? Confused

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