HI,
I was wondering what is the best scale to go by for an accurate weight? Is it true that you weigh more on a doctors scale? If so what is the difference?And for home use what is better-a digital or regular.I have both and notice a few pounds higher weight on the digital. My regular one is old though so maybe it's not right!!
The brand I see recommended most often (but I don't have one myself) is Tanita.
All scales are different. Even among my doctors there is a 13 (yes, thirteen!!!) pound difference! And those are all those heavy duty scales where you pull the weights across that are supposed to give such accurate readings.
When properly calibrated and checked, the Doctor's type scale is very accurate. My experience with digital scales is they become less accurate with prolonged use, some types quicker than others.
I usually go by how my clothes fit and how I feel before I look at the scale. But I know we live in a world where the weight number is looked at very closely. The scale can mislead you because of normal, daily weight fluctions that are not related to diet. That's why I also only weight myself once per week. Even if a scale is inaccurate, at least you have a baseline number and can compare weight loss progress off the first reading.
the best scales are the weights and measure kind and the larger the plate surface area is compared to you standing on it, the more accurate i believe. As those lil ones can flucuate quite a bit depending on where and how you stand on them. The best way to measure is to be consistant with the one you're using to notice the change.
I definetely think that there is a difference between Doctors scales and home ones--I also have like a 13 lb difference between the 2--I know the Doctor's has to be off--- my kids are just about right on my home one!-- It might also be that my Doctor's scale is probobly older than i Am!!!
When I was pregnant I went to see my doctor and I weighed 165 lbs...a half hour later at the hospital I weighed 159. (I had not even gone to the bathroom)
As Robert said, even if the scale is not calibrated accurately, you can still get a baseline measurement and track your progress.
But I believe my scale -- a Taylor digital scale -- is pretty accurate. It was hard, but I got my two year old cat to sit on the scale long enough to get a reading, and the scale said she was 6.5 lbs, and I know for sure she is no more than 8 lbs. Yes, she's a skinny little cat!
But my friend tried to tell me that my scale was 10 pounds off, but then I told her, "If this scale is 10 pounds off, then my cat would really weigh 16.5 lbs", and even she knew that couldn't be true.
Also, remember to weigh yourself on a flat, hard and even surface. Placing the scale on a carpeted surface affects the accuracy.
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"I don't like him." - Why? - "I am not equal to him." - Has any human being ever answered that way? -- Friedrich Nietzsche<p>[This message has been edited by justink80 (edited 08-08-2002).]
Recently at my local supermarket I saw a blood pressure machine so I sat down to test my BP. Anyway it was a lifeclinic brand model and when I finished taking my blood pressure it asked me if I wanted to see my weight, I was surprised so I tried it out and what you do is you still sit in the operatic and put your feet on a little bar under the seat. It is very accurate because on my Doctor's scale I weighed exactly the same. Not only does this machine give you your blood pressure and weight if you put in your height it tells you your BMI as well, at the end of the testing you can even print out your results, and this is all for FREE. Go to lifeclinic.com to find one nearest you. I hope I don't sound like a commercial but this machine impressed me so much, every Monday morning I go and test everything and print it out and keep the printout for my own health records. Once again, it's free <IMG SRC="http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif">
