For quite some time, I’ve wanted to explore the perplexing world of bathroom scales. Many people frequently inquire about them, and there seems to be an air of mystery surrounding their readings. When the numbers are higher than we expect or when they don’t budge at all, we begin to doubt their precision. Conversely, when the numbers are surprisingly low, we’re skeptical once again. It’s maddening to think about which scale is truly accurate, especially when every ounce feels significant.
Scales invoke a sense of dread and frustration. Yet, despite our disdain, many of us find ourselves stepping onto them day after day, allowing that number to dictate our mood and self-worth. So, is there a definitive answer to which scale provides the most accurate reading? Can we ever truly know our weight?
Curious to find out, I designed an experiment. First, I gathered ten different scales. As I was hosting a brunch for my sister with my cousin this past weekend, I asked each guest to bring their scale (though I assured them it had nothing to do with the brunch).
My first question was: Why do I weigh significantly more at the doctor’s office or during an afternoon weigh-in? To answer this, I weighed myself every morning for a week, consistently recording the same weight. However, during the experiment, which took place around noon on the same scale, my weight registered 3 pounds heavier. I was dressed, had consumed coffee and cereal, and had even worked out, which indicates that our weight fluctuates throughout the day. This doesn’t necessarily mean that one scale is more accurate than another.
I then lined up all ten scales and stepped onto each one in succession, recording the weight displayed. I used my bathroom scale as the reference point since it’s the one I rely on most. Here are the results:
- Scale 1: My scale, my weight (or so I believe)
- Scale 2: 2.7 pounds lighter than my scale (the easiest weight loss I’ve ever experienced!)
- Scale 3: The same as my scale
- Scale 4: 0.3 pounds heavier than my scale
- Scale 5: 0.2 pounds lighter than my scale
- Scale 6: 0.4 pounds heavier than my scale
- Scale 7: 1 pound heavier than my scale
- Scale 8: The same as my scale
- Scale 9: 2 pounds heavier than my scale
- Scale 10: The same as my scale
It’s clear that there’s no definitive “right” or “wrong” scale.
At the suggestion of one of the guests’ husbands, I placed a 45-pound weight on each scale to determine which was the most accurate. The expectation was that the scale reading 45 pounds would be the most reliable. However, none of the scales displayed exactly 45 pounds—readings ranged from 44.5 to 45.8 pounds. Interestingly, the scale that showed the heaviest weight did not match the one that I weighed the heaviest on.
I may not be a scientist, but I know that I’ve allowed the number on the scale to control my thoughts for too long. It’s time to reclaim our power from the scale, which occupies too much mental space that we can’t afford to lose. That figure doesn’t define us, and it never will.
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In summary, my experiment with ten scales revealed that weight readings can vary significantly, and no single scale can be deemed the most accurate. We must remember that our self-worth is not tied to the numbers we see on a scale.