Human error can cause a lot of things to go wrong in your
life. You may leave the stove on with a boiling pot of water, put the car in
drive when you want to reverse, or use a tool incorrectly. In my case, it was
the incorrect use of a tool, the weight scale.
Since January 1st, I’ve been on this journey to
have a healthier lifestyle. I signed up for a gym membership on campus, found a
workout buddy, and changed most of my eating habits (it’s the sweets….). In the
beginning, I wrestled with whether I would buy a new scale versus my $10 dial
scale from Wal-mart. I had concluded that that scale did not know how much I
weighed since it was reading I weighed 10 lbs more than I actually weighed.
Imagine my dismay when this past weekend, I gave in to the desire for a new
scale because that same dial scale now read I weighed 40lbs more than my last
known weight!!
I’ve been told several times before that muscle weighs more
than fat. Indeed my dilemma could be that I’ve been dutiful in my workouts that
it was all muscle weight. However, let’s be real…40lbs of muscle? So I hopped
over to Meijer’s (the Michigan version of Wal-mart Supercenter) to buy a new
scale. This one measures body fat, muscle, Cal-max (the amount of calories
consumed to maintain current weight), and a few other things. Now I’d get an
index of how much I weighed. Of this I was certain.
I lost 30 lbs…?
I stared incredulously at the scale for quite some time. The
range between weights was 70 lbs. What made the whole fiasco humorous to me was
the average of these weights actually gave me my last known weight. I planned
right then to make a return trip to Meijer. The only thing that saved the scale
from being returned to the shelves to collect dust was one of my roommates.
While preparing to walk out the door I happened to mention to her my situation
and she asked me one simple question: “Where are you using the scale?”
“In my room” was the reply to which she followed with a
tidbit that I would have never known in 1000 years unless someone had told me.
I should use the bath scale on the tile floor of the bathroom rather than the
carpeted floor of my room. The carpet throws off the readings. I admit, I was
skeptical and abashed. When I tried the scale, indeed it gave me the correct
readings, and so did the dial scale. It was such a simple oversight.
I kept the
second scale because I’d like to know that even if I don’t see visible changes
in my weight I can see some change within my body somewhere. I find it better
to know that my actions are producing results, and that I am achieving my
goals.
Starting weight: 199lbs
Goal weight: 170 lbs (high school weight, lol)