Why does my scale fluctuate so much?

[mopeyy]

On Friday (weekly weigh-in day), my scale said 10stone 6lb. Previous Friday was 10.10. I checked yesterday and it's back up to 10.10. I haven't eaten more and have kept within my deficit. I always move the scale a few times to get an accurate reading. Does anyone else have this problem?

Yes although It’s not my scales that fluctuate, it’s my actual weight. I reckon I can hold 7lbs of water- if i weigh myself after a really long run I can be 7lbs lighter than before my run. Unfortunately if you’re prone to water retention your weight will fluctuate wildly and different things will cause it- salt, heat, exercise, dehydration….

It has nothing to do with your scales! Weight changes from day to day depending on bowel content and hydration levels. If you want to see whether you are losing weight, weigh yourself everyday at the same time and in the same state of (un)dress and look at the general trend over time.

It’s usually water not fat. All kinds of things can affect how much water you hold. Lack of sleep, periods, exercise, salt. After I went on a trip with flights a lot of walking and more salt and carbs than I usually would eat I gained a fair bit the first time I weighed myself when I got home, but nearly a week later it’s all gone and I’ve dropped down further than I started. Measuring your body with a tape is usually more reassuring

Don't move the scales, make sure they are in the same spot when you weigh. I line mine up with a certain tile on floor

Completely normal! As already said, there are so many components of scale weight other than body fat.

It's more helpful to take a weekly average of a daily weight or a two week trend or use measurement instead or as well as scale weight.

If you are confident that you are in a calorie deficit then keep going!

Also weigh yourself twice as when I bought my scales the instructions said that you should step on, let it settle, step off and then back on and re-weigh and that is your correct reading! It’s like it needs calibrating each time. There is often 2-3pounds difference between my first and second reading, but the second one is the correct one (and shows a definitely downward pattern… have lost 22 pounds since jan).

(Sorry lost 26 pounds since jan! Not important but wanted to correct myself!) 🤣