A good scale to recommend?

M

MCunningham

Cathlete
Fellow Catheites,

Alright, people. I've fallen WAYYY off the wagon in the last 4 months or so, and I'm really bummed about it. I had lost about 40lbs in 2008, which was awesome, but I ended up gaining most of it back in-- get this-- 4 months! How awful, huh? It's really a bummer to think about, but the fact is that I'm not getting any younger and I need to get my rear end in gear and quit making excuses.

Which brings me to the point of my post. For my original 40lb loss, I joined Weight Watchers. My problem with WW is that, although I love the accountability aspect of being a member of a group like that, the women in my group were all much older than me, didn't believe in exercise, didn't WANT to exercise, etc. I just had nothing to look forward to going to the group. I didn't "bond" with any of them, I didn't look forward to talking with them or interacting with them. The only thing I was there for was the scale.

So... if I decide not to rejoin WW, what kind of scale should I buy? I need recommendations of accurate, easy scales. The last one I bought was WAY off, and I could never really rely on it. I'm "eh" towards the body fat ones because I don't believe they work, and the fewer "gadgets" on it the better (I'm a technophobe).

I am just hoping that you guys might have good recommendations on a good, reasonably-priced scale that I can use to chart my progress as I get back on the wagon here.

Help? Please?

MC
 
I have a Taylor brand scale, and it has the body fat tool (which is totally inaccurate). As far as its pound accuracy, I guess it's as accurate as any scale. Remember, the scale doesn't show if you're losing fat, muscle, water, or a combination of all three. No scale is totally accurate as to what you really weigh, and the readings will vary greatly depending on your hydration levels, time of day, amount of glycogen in your muscles...

If you are going to buy a scale, I would recommend getting a very basic digital scale, and using its readings to show gain/loss trends rather than living and dying by the numbers it gives each day. Have your body fat taken, and take measurements. These are the numbers that tell the true story of how you are doing. Re-test and re-measure every 4-6 weeks, and don't sweat the numbers on the scale.

Good luck!

Jan
 
Hi MC:

I'm with you on the WW dealio... I hated the actual meetings and like you didn't connect with any of the women there... and indeed my group was mostly older ladies who did not exercise either! I ended up quiting the WW meetings and opted for the Online version, however, apparently the un-accountability factor has lead me to fall off the WW Wagon as well, again... for the third time...

However! There is hope and will definately be cleaning up things in my eating starting tomorrow... I use a couple areas to track my eating.. www.fitday.com has both an online free version you can use to track your food intake and exercise and gives you some nice feedback and stuff... OR they have a downloadable version (was $20 for everything when I bought it, but don't know what it is now) that allows and tracks weights, measurements, more reports, nutritional data, allows you to keep a min/max on a wide veriety of nutrients...

Also, there is Cathe's Nutrition Manager and at $10/month, or $99/year is a nice change and gives you "grades" on how your menus compare to nutritional guidelines... I liked it OK, but will not be renewing my monthly subscription...

But as far as a scale goes, I use a digital scale that registers tenths (in .2 incriments) by Tanita... it either gives you Lbs or Kgs, and that's about it! nothing fancy, but does have a digital display that requires a battery, but we have had ours for 3-4 years and have not had to change it yet...

I would suggest to pick ONE day to weigh though... I have a tendancy to get caught up in the daily rollercoaster of what my weight is and lose sight of the fact that you will always fluctuate, even at your most fit!

I'm starting on the same 40 lbs you have found! I lost it about 6 years ago before meeting now DH, and he has fattened me up with all his cooking UGH! So my new reality starts tomorrow! Hang in there!
 
I have a Weight Watchers branded scale made by Conair that I've had for three or four years now. I've been very happy with it. I got it at Linens N Things which, of course, is not an option now, but I imagine Bed, Bath, & Beyond carries them, too. Mine is similar to this one from the BB&B site, but is not a body fat scale. I'm sure you can find them pretty much everywhere, though, including Target.


 
Dani-- bless your heart! I know how you feel on the weight gain with meeting DH. When I met my husband in Jan 2001, I was a size 8 and weighed about 150 (I'm 5'9"). Fast forward 8 years (6 years of marriage) and I'm a size 18 and weigh around 230. I've gained 80lbs in 8 years! Ugh!

Anyway, thank you for the Tanita recommendation. I'll check it out. :)

MC
 
I got it at Fred Meyer and think it was about $40 or so... I would think that any place like Target, Walmart, BB&BY would have something simliar...

funny how we get really fit when we are single and "looking" for a man, but when you find one and they cook! It's all over but the crying! LOL! so, you see, it's all HIS fault! I would hate to hurt his feelings and NOT eat what he cooks right? HA! let the pain begin!
 
We actually have an amazingly accurate scale. Unfortunately, it's rather old and I don't know if Sunbeam quality is still the same today. It's a simple, digital, step-on scale. I've tested it every possible way. It agrees with all of my doctors' scales and the gym scale. My 10 lb. dumbbell always weighs exactly 10 lbs. on this scale. My DH had it when I met him 12 years ago, so, yes, OLD. But as accurate as a scale can be. I don't know if that helps at all. I read that Sunbeam owns Healthometer, so maybe that's helpful.

Oh, speaking of scales, I saw something really odd yesterday. A woman at my gym came into the ladies' locker room wearing a big winter coat, scarf, gloves, etc. and HEAVY BOOTS and got on the scale. I don't know a woman alive who would weigh herself with all that extra stuff on. Strange, huh?
 
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Just like a husband- I want a scale that tells me what I want to hear!!!!

Nancy- I never even thought to weigh my weights!!!! Great idea

ellie
 
elliemom said:
Just like a husband- I want a scale that tells me what I want to hear!!!!

Nancy- I never even thought to weigh my weights!!!! Great idea

ellie
Click to expand...

Ellie: I don't think "get off me you fat cow" counts as something I want to hear from a husband OR a scale!!
 
Just a suggestion:

There are a myriad of checkins here that post both on exercise and eating habits. They are not like the Weight Watchersgroup you mentioned, but are typically more the type that may help you stay accountable if that is what you are looking for.

I like the fact that we all fall off the wagon at times and there is so much motivation and acceptance for our "humanness" that it has really helped me this year.

I post on "Damage Control" and we have changed our "direction" a few times. Recently most of us have had a hard time with food so we touch bases on that in addition to our workouts.

Drop in if you want to give it a go - otherwise there are loads of others there and most do not mind newcomers.

Good luck - the forums are definitely the place for encouragement and motivation !
 
Most gyms and health clubs (24 Hour Fitness, Bally's, etc.) have people that will do it using the skin calipers, which is a fairly accurate method.
 
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