Regular exercise is an essential component of keeping weight in check. And weighing yourself routinely helps.
Personal trainer Allen Aranzamendez says its important to use a scale in conjunction with an eating regiment and an exercise plan.
"So based on what that number is on the scale, I can determine what I'm going to be later on that week as far as exercising and eating."
Consumer Reports tested 11 bathroom scales ranging in price from $18 to $65. Included were digital scales, ones with dials, and even a solar-powered scale. Some even have memory features, says Nicole Sarrubbo.
"The $30 Weight Watchers scale remembers your last five weigh-ins. And a $35 one from Healthometer can remember the last reading for two people."
It will even calculate the difference for you.
To test the scales, nearly a dozen panelists first weighed in on a calibrated standard lab scale. Then they stepped on each of the scales in a random order. Turns out the dial scales didn't measure up.
"We found that the dial scales weren't nearly as accurate as the digital ones. In some of our tests, they were as much as seven to 11 pounds off the mark," Sarrubbo said.
All the digital scales performed well, with seven rating excellent. After weighing the options, Consumer Reports top-rated the Taylor Glass electronic scale, model number 7506. Taylor makes many other very accurate electronic digital scales as well.
Whichever scale you choose, to ensure accuracy it's best to use it on a hard, level surface. And for consistency it's also important to weigh yourself at the same time first thing in the morning. That's because your weight can fluctuate throughout the day, depending on what you've had to eat.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen
