Weighing yourself regularly can help you to lose or maintain weight, and has been shown to be a great incentive to keep you eating sensibly and striving for an ideal weight. Once a week works better for some, as small weight fluctuations from day to day can be discouraging. Others find it helpful to do a daily weigh-in. It comes down to doing what works best for you as an individual. First thing in the morning is the best time to weigh yourself. A healthy, plant-based diet plus regular exercise plus getting real about my weight has proven a successful formula for me!
Digital vs. Mechanical Scales
The best home scale I’ve ever used, and one that’s really consistent and accurate is the EatSmart Precision Plus Digital Bathroom Scale.* You just step on it — no tapping or turning on — and it gives you an accurate weight. This is the one I use, and find it completely satisfactory and reliable. And because it has just one glossy surface, it’s easy to keep clean.
Mechanical or analog scales have small pieces, like springs and levers, that can over time become worn out over time and display your weight inaccurately — usually less than what you really weigh. The more weight you’ve put on the scale over time the more likely it is to display the wrong weight. That’s why many of us are surprised by the more accurate weight we see on the medical-style scale at doctors’ offices and gyms — and we don’t like what we see!
Digital scales work off of a microchip and ‘electronic response,’ but they also have springs. There are fewer pieces that can fail and less small pieces inside that can break or slip out of place, which allow the digital scales to be more accurate. Some find it better to have a big digitally displayed number instead of a dial. A lot of newer digital scales will record personal information you’ve inputted, like previous weights, height, gender, etc – so if there is more than one person using the scale it will read the weight more accurately.
Whether you use a mechanical or digital scale it always comes down to ‘you get what you pay for.’ Be sure to place your scale on a firm floor and don’t move it, as this will ensure a more consistent weight. Personally, I’d like to know if I’ve gained a pound or two over the course of a day. I find it easier to lose that tiny bit of extra weight than five or ten or more pounds at a time. A good, accurate scale helps a lot.
* This post contains affiliate links. If the product is purchased by linking through this review, VegKitchen receives a modest commission, which helps maintain our site and helps it to continue growing!
- Read more reviews of products for healthy living in VegKitchen’s Product Guide.
Venia | Organized Bites says
My husband bought us a Withings digital scale this past summer. It wirelessly transmits my weight and body fat to an app, so I can track my progress. I'm loving it.
Nava says
Nice! I like this sort of thing. I'm married to my Fitbit!
Michaela says
While I don't agree on weighing every day (it is just too discouraging), every 5 or 7 days work quite well. And digital is the only way to go. Had a digital scale for the past 5 years and would never go back to regular.
Get some graph paper and chart it, put a dollar in a jar for every pound lost, and make sure you take a before picture. Because when you look for one eventually, you will find that you always stood at the back of the crowd. (Talking from experience!)
Debbie Garcia says
I find it helpful to weigh myself more frequently than once a week. It really helps me understand what causes my weight to fluctuate. It can be so motivating to see the scale go down in small increments!
Lynn says
I find digital scales frustrating as they tend to give you 3 or 4 different readings if you step on it that many times in a row. Maybe its because they are highly sensitive, but I'd rather go with a mechanical
I don't need high tech do dads. All I want is to know my weight
Jamie says
Nice post shana!
but have to go with Michaela on this. It's really demotivating to see that all your efforts have resulted in less or no results.
And also the fact that these digital scales have so many technology embed in it makes me even wonder why does their reading aren't perfect all the time.
However, I would suggest anyone to go with digital scales instead of analog. A simple search will tell you why Digital is far better than analog.
Beth says
After my husband gave me a digital scale, i started to become conscious about my weight. It made a good effect though and I'm even more determined to lose weight.
John Mahoney says
I agree that weighing yourself regularly can help you be more motivated to eat healthily. It makes sense is you keep close track of your body you would have the motivation to exercise and find the best diet to give you the results you need. It also pays off to find a scale that can keep track of you and would help you get the results you want.
Buddy says
I find it helpful to weigh myself everyday to keep myself on track. When I only weigh myself once per week, I find that I'm less in tune with my body's nutrition and fitness levels and it is easier to slack off on my goals. Do you agree?