Bathroom scales

[Dr Jekyll]

I've found that if I weigh myself multiple times, even just 30 seconds apart, the weight can vary by half a pound or so, and not in a consistent direction. EG 14st 6.6, 14st 6.2, 14st 6.4 the other morning.
Given that losing 2lbs in a week is good going this seems odd.

Why does this happen? To track weight gain/loss over time should I take an average or just the one reading every time to be consistent?

Or do I just need better scales?

[loggo]

Weigh once a week.

[Animal]

How accurate are your scales? Could just be down to variance within the scales themselves? Are you measuring yourself in exactly the same spot each time? I know that if I weigh myself in one part of the bathroom I'm up to 1kg heavier than in the 'good' spot!

[Dr Jekyll]

I am using the same spot, just stepping off and back on. I suspect the scales are more precise than they are accurate, reading to a fifth of a pound but perhaps measuring to within half a pound.

[Sporky]

Animal said:

How accurate are your scales? Could just be down to variance within the scales themselves? Are you measuring yourself in exactly the same spot each time? I know that if I weigh myself in one part of the bathroom I'm up to 1kg heavier than in the 'good' spot!

Same here - and it can very when moving the scales as little as 2cm. They're consistent in any given spot though, so I line them up with a particular tile's corner.

[king arthur]

You need better scales, but they're never going to be totally consistent.

[GrantD5]

Your weight can fluctuate so much. Try weigh yourself before eating etc in your boxers only, if you really want to know, you can weigh yourself daily and then get an average for the week.

But you may find it get a little obsessive and if you dont see results you want....

[Dolf Stoppard]

Measure twice and record the average. I've got some Withings scales and it automatically uploads the readings to the app. Although since lockdown started I've piled on the pounds so I just now get on once and hope for the best!

[millen]

I use a set of cheapo Lidl digital scales. Very consistently I've found that if I step off, then on again after the display has vanished, the second (and any subsequent) reading is 0.9kg lower than the first. Couldn't be bothered to take them back but perhaps a common design fault? Second reading was more consistent with traditional scales in gym.