Bought a new scale and my weight is much higher than I thought

[sandy259]

My mechanical scale had been acting up for a bit, when I stepped on it, it would read zero but then if you went back on your heels a banged it forward a few times it would register a weight, it varied wildly but I presumed that the highest weight it was giving me 97.5kgs was my weight (I'm 5 foot 7 for context)

I've been working hard on losing weight and I thought I was about 30kgs from my goal weight of 70kgs.

I've been working hard on my diet and fitness and I can see the changes in my face and body and wanted a more accurate weight measurement so I decided to treat myself to a new scale as a reward for completing couch to 5k (I'm not running 5k yet, I'm running running for 30 minutes which is about 4k for me) and I've just weighed myself for the first time on the new digital scale and its telling me my weight is 130.4 kgs.

I have no reason to doubt that the weight the digital scales are giving me is wrong (measured on a flat surface the same place I was using my old scales) I'm just bloody depressed, I've gone from having to lose 30kg to having to lose 60kg.

I was really thinking that I was making progress and 30kgs to lose seemed so achievable. I bought a size 18 Reiss dress online as a treat for half way through c25k and I was so happy when it arrived and it fit beautifully and I thought I wasn't too too far from my goal and now I've discovered I'm over 20 bloody stone.

Theres no one to be cross with except for myself for making bad choices with eating over the years, I'm just sad that what I thought my achievable goal was now feels even farther away

Are you sure that the new scales are right, OP? It sounds a bit unlikely that you would be a size 18 at over 20 stone but I guess it’s possible. Also that’s a LOT of weight for the scale to be wrong by. Would be the equivalent of me thinking I was 9 stone and really being 14 stone. I know many are in denial about weight gain but not by so much, given you’d already lost weight by the time you weighed yourself so would have started even higher. Could you weigh yourself at Boots or something?

I agree, that’s an enormous disparity. In a very similar situation with scales I was about 3kg more on the new set, which was gutting enough. In normal circumstances I’d suggest a visit to the GP where scales will be calibrated and you could have a chat with them but Boots is a good idea given the Covid situation.
Really well done on the C25K. 4km in 30 mins is a great time.

Do you live with anyone you could ask to hop on the scales and check they’re not wildly out?
I agree that over 20 stone and a size 18 doesn’t sound likely for your height (I’m 5’4 around 9st and a size 12-14).

Unfortunately I live alone so I can't even get someone else to try them out. I think boots might be a good shout when I'm next in town but I'm worried I am deluding myself and I am actually that heavy.

I needed some new workout stuff and had picked up a 14-16 tshirt in primark this week by accident instead of 18-20 and I tried it on when I got home and I realised I had bought the wrong size and it actually fit and wasn't ridiculously tight and even though its stretchy clothes, I felt really proud of myself. I know nothings actually changed but I feel like I put on that amount of extra weight over night

Same height, I've just got down at 90kg but was 97kg after Christmas and am 16 top and 18 bottoms. I think the scales are wrong! Is there anything in the instructions about zeroing them? Can you try them on another hard floor like the kitchen, mine don't like the rough tiles in the bathroom.

There’s no way on earth you’d be 130 kilos and able to fit a Primark 14-16. Hopefully you will get this sorted out and it will feel like you lost all that weight overnight! Also, keep going. No matter what it says on the scale, you can see results and can see yourself getting healthier.

I think they must be faulty. Definitely try them somewhere else.

Don't let them upset you, you have done really well - scales are mean.

So am I right in thinking you thought you were 11 stone but you are 20 stone? ( my head doesn't compute with the kgs)? I'm 5,4 and now just under 11 stone and in a size 12. I'm sure that's disappointing but it seems there was a whole load of denial going on too. However you have made the first steps so that's great. Cut out sugar and watch the kgs drop away. Running won't make you lose weight it will be lowering calories that does that.

97 kg is just over 15 stone. 130 kg is over 20 stone.

I also think the scales are faulty. I am similar in height to you and am in Mumsnet bootcamp edging down from 99 kilos. I wear an 18. No way could you be that heavy and fit into those clothes.

Another person here really doubting you'd be that different to what you thought. I'm a similar weight around a 100 kg and while I could put on maybe 5kg and be in denial there's no way you could put on nearly a third more body weight and not notice. Also you sound a similar size to me which would fit with the 97kg.
Will be interested to hear your update!

Casino, good to do the maths properly before taking a shot at someone! And exercise is not the biggest part of weight loss but a really important one as it will help to change your metabolism and body composition. Running is also really, really good for mental health; depression is linked to poor food choices a lot of the time. So why put someone off?

I also think the scales must be wrong - I'm same height and 20 stone and a size 22. I would not be able to fit into a Reiss size 18.

I'd send them back as faulty and order another set of scales.

I genuinely think they're wrong.

Maybe take a couple of photos in a mirror front on and side on and post here (without face)...I'd definitely be able to tell if you're 20 stone or 15 stone as there's a big difference in body shape between those weights (I've been everything from 9stone to 20stone multiple times!)

Obviously you might not want to which is totally fine but it's another option of checking which is right...

Alternatively if you have a Boots near you, you could try their scales which are always pretty accurate.

Have you got some food items you know the weight of? Flour, sugar etc? Put a few of them on the new scales.

I can't thank all of you enough for your support, I really needed it.

The results are in and the scale in boots says 98kg!!!! (I had breakfast so I think the 97.5 on the old scale was an accurate weight).

The new scale seems to measure things like flour or dumbells accurately it just seems to be me it had a problem with. When I got home I checked it again and it still said 130.4kg and then when I went in to the body analysis its giving me a body fat of 17.6%, I think in order to be that weight and have that little body fat I'd need to be a body builder. Will be returning it to Salter tomorrow

So pleased you’ve had good news and good luck with the weight loss. You’re doing brilliantly.

Excellent OP! Good luck with getting it off. I was just 4.6 kgs lighter than you when I started and I’m 10 kilos down so far! You can definitely do it.

I'm so pleased for you. You're doing brilliantly!

Hurrah! I feel relieved for you

Our old mechanical scales used to under-report by 5kg so I would get on them when I couldn't face the real number on the digital.

I'm trying very hard to lose weight too, and am down from 96 to 92.5 at the moment, it is such hard work and you treasure every 100g lost.

Digital scales are very accurate but they do need to be set properly. When you put them down on the floor or move them you need to lean on them hard with say one arm, then let go (check your instruction booklet for the exact way to do this) - anytime they are moved they need to be reset like this or they will not be accurate.