Knowing how to measure your weight accurately at home can be a helpful skill when you’re trying to lose, gain, or maintain your current bodyweight.

Why Learn How to Measure Your Weight Accurately?

If you are working on a healthy lifestyle that includes bodyweight goals – losing, gaining or maintaining – then knowing how to accurately measure your weight could play an important role in your efforts. For many people, being able to monitor progress is an important motivator. Moreover, it helps to inform you as to where you currently are along your journey.

Though the number you see on a bathroom scale is far from the only factor to consider when it comes to knowing if you are losing, gaining or maintaining body fat, it can be one of a few indicators to help you along the way. Other factors can include waist measurements, for example.

Should You Be Calculating Your BMI?

Though the CDC and many health professionals across the United States still commonly point to body mass index (BMI) as a helpful measurement tool to determine whether someone is at a healthy bodyweight, it’s important to understand that this is far from a perfect measure.

For many people – such as individuals under a certain height, over a certain height, or who are particularly athletic – an inaccurate BMI score is provided when using the standard method of calculation.

Therefore, while it can be helpful in some areas, like waist circumference, it is no longer considered a diagnostic tool for any potential disease. If you’re wondering what to do with your data once you measure your weight, it’s always a good idea to speak with a qualified healthcare professional.

Steps to Accurately Measure Your Weight at Home

According to the CDC, the following are some helpful steps to be sure you measure your weight accurately at home.

• Use a good digital scale, avoiding spring-loaded models.
• Place the scale on firm, even flooring such as wood or tile. Avoid using the scale on carpet.
• Remove heavy clothing and shoes.
• Stand with both feet well centered on the scale.
• Record the weight to the nearest decimal point, such as 150.2 pounds.

Ideally, weigh yourself at the same time of day on an empty stomach, such as first thing in the morning. This will help to make sure you measure your weight and not that of the food you just ate. Keep a record instead of relying on your memory. This will allow you to know your numbers are accurate and will let you observe your progress over time.