Not sure what to believe

[basketballbelly]

Ok, I purchased a battery yesterday and put it in, totally expecting to see the same numbers I am seeing in the gym. My scale weighed me in at 274lbs, which means that after day 7 of being completely clean, getting the percentages correct and exercising I've gained about 2lbs. My stomach is exactly 2 inches smaller, my arms can lay flush against my body (one of my first indications of losing) my chest looks smaller, my hands are smaller, however, I am still in the same clothing. The scale in the gym weighed me in last week at 264 TEN LBS LIGHTER!!!!! I don't know what to believe. I want to think I've lost, but am I fooling myself again, I'm feeling discouraged for the first time...I mean really discouraged. What have I done to myself that all this work has not produced any weightloss at all...I don't want to have surgery but I refuse to carry this weight around any longer, I was giving myself a year to get it off but I'm working on my second month...the scale does not normally do this to me, it has been my cheerleader for so long, but going this long with a weight gain...is it possible? I weigh everything and put it in fitday everyday...as much as I hate doing it...could the use of phentremine a couple of months ago have ruined my chances of losing? I can't be fat forever...I just can't.

I'm sorry all, I'm not throwing in the towel and have no desire to cheat, I'm just bummed, I completely expected to see a great number this AM. I guess I will go to Walmart this AM and jump on one of their scales to see if maybe it is the scale, but I think I'm grabbing at straws.

bbb

[stephbob]

Re: Not sure what to believe

You should try to stick to one scale, because you will find that different scales will give you different results. I dont know why, but my gym weighs me in at about 5 lbs more than my home scale, so I just stick to what the one at home says. If I'm losing weight according to that, I'm losing weight regardless of what the actual weight is. What makes a small difference for me too is weighing on my home scale on the same, flat tiled surface all the time. If I move my scale from one place to another, from tile floor to carpet, I can gain up to 10 lbs! Of course, I'M not gaining the weight, its just the scale lying

My gym also measures me as 5'2" when I'm 5'4"! I spent months very, very confused about how tall I was lol

Also, it is essential to measure yourself as well as weigh. I've not read all your posts, so I'm not sure if that's something you're already doing. But I think it would almost certainly show you as losing inches because you know your body, and as you said, you have your own little ways of monitoring weight loss, like arms flat at the side. Don't always rely on the scale! If you are losing inches but not lbs, then you'll see a whoosh in weight loss soon, but whats important is that you are shinking, not that some numbers on a scale show different.

[Georgiana]

Re: Not sure what to believe

Different scales will show you different numbers. It is better to use the same scale every time. If you weighed on the scale at the gym before starting and that scale tells you you're down 10 lbs, then it is probably telling the truth.

[EverLosing]

Re: Not sure what to believe

Different scales, different numbers! My doctors scale is always around half a dozen pounds higher than my scale. I get p*ssed every time! Don't worry. You're doing great. Hop on the scale at the gym and see what your actual loss is. And MEASURE. It's sooooooooooooooooo important. I've gone weeks with no scale movement but lost inches all over. It'll help you keep your head to have more than one measure of success, I promise!!

[chinadoll]

Re: Not sure what to believe

I agree. I have two scales at home and they differ by five pounds. The gym scale is probably a better scale than an at home one. If you can recalibrate your home one to match the gym by resetting the zero then they will match and your at home readings will be more accurate.

[imagood1]

Re: Not sure what to believe

What I did was the last time I was at the doctor I came right home, got on my scale and put it to the same number as his was...I have the old dial type scale - not a digital one. This way I know I'm weighing the same at both places. It makes my life much easier when I don't weigh 5 - 8 pounds differently.

Another thing you can do is put a 10 pound bag of something (flour, sugar is all I can think of right now) on your scale and see how "off" it is.

[basketballbelly]

Re: Not sure what to believe

What I did was the last time I was at the doctor I came right home, got on my scale and put it to the same number as his was...I have the old dial type scale - not a digital one. This way I know I'm weighing the same at both places. It makes my life much easier when I don't weigh 5 - 8 pounds differently.

Another thing you can do is put a 10 pound bag of something (flour, sugar is all I can think of right now) on your scale and see how "off" it is.

Good idea! I will do this tonight.

bbb

[iamran]

Re: Not sure what to believe

Hi basketballbelly! I would bet that you are losing fat and gaining muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat. You have dropped inches! I think you are doing fine!

[basketballbelly]

Re: Not sure what to believe

That *&^%$ scale weighed me in at 277.5 this AM! That was first thing ing he AM with no clothes on! TMI I know but I was soooooo good this past weekend, I really cut my calories and walked quite a bit, and I'm up 3lbs on that *&^%$ scale!!!!!!

I'm almost afraid to get on the one at the gym, it should not matter how much it is off, if it is a gain, it is a gain...

[BFGarner]

Re: Not sure what to believe

Weigh yourself once and only once a week.
Make sure it is the same time (the am is the best)
Same conditions (after you pee as little clothing as possible)
USE THE SAME SCALE EVERY TIME

Dont worry about the actual number you see. Just track the + or - and you will be fine. Scales very from place to place, but this will solve that b/c you know how much you lost so it wont matter what the number is.

[basketballbelly]

Re: Not sure what to believe

The number means the world to me. I'm doing this to lose weight not to look at + or _. I don't understand the logic in that.

The problem is not what I'm doing, the problem is a broken scale that I must replace.

The scale in the gym has me at 263 today, down 1lb from last Wednesday I'm just thrilled.

bbb

[Georgiana]

Re: Not sure what to believe

The number means the world to me. I'm doing this to lose weight not to look at + or _. I don't understand the logic in that.

The problem is not what I'm doing, the problem is a broken scale that I must replace.

The scale in the gym has me at 263 today, down 1lb from last Wednesday I'm just thrilled.

bbb

Okay, this might be a stupid question, but... you are putting the scale on a solid surface when weighing, right? Just checking... a 15-lbs difference is a lot.

[stephbob]

Re: Not sure what to believe

The number means the world to me. I'm doing this to lose weight not to look at + or _. I don't understand the logic in that.

The problem is not what I'm doing, the problem is a broken scale that I must replace.

The scale in the gym has me at 263 today, down 1lb from last Wednesday I'm just thrilled.

bbb

Well, the logic is that you're not gaining 15 lbs in the time it takes you to get from the gym to your home. Who cares if it starts at 277, if you weigh 275 next week, for instance, you've still lost 2 lbs, no matter which scale you use, you're still losing the same amount of weight

[Lacypie]

Re: Not sure what to believe

Do not let it get to you basketballbelly, i have had the same depressing things happen to me, but don't let it throw you off. Really. I constantly have to remind myself, that the scale is not the only thing that should solidify your results. Your measurements and the feel of your clothes should be enough to tell you that you are indeed headed in the right direction. It took us a long time to get as fat as we did, and it takes even longer to take it off. I constantly have to remind myself to be patient with myself and just keep plugging forward towards your goals. Another thing.. you may want to try only wieghing your self once a week. I get absolutely obsessive about the scales, and it can and does drive me a little crazy at times. I have my boyfriend hide the scales and put them out for me once a week. otherwize I am jumping of and on them everyday all day. Nuts for sure. Know in your heart of hearts , that you will make it this time, believe in yourself !

[BFGarner]

Re: Not sure what to believe

The problem IS what you are doing. You are using 2 different scales. You can use one or the other, but not both. And as for weighing yourself two days in a row. You are going to drive yourself insane and the general consensus of this site would suggest not to do daily weigh ins. Also, judging by this post and previous posts you seem to be very sensitive about ANY weight gain. Weighing in once a week will help calm you from freaking out everytime the scale goes up a pound or two.