WiThings WiFi Scale

I've been using my Withings WiFi-enabled scale since 5 Dec 2009, at which point I weighed 246.9 lbs. Today, I weigh 183.5 lbs, and this scale helped me reach my goal. It shows weight, percentage or lbs of body fat, and BMI. Because it's WiFi-enabled, the readings are picked up and displayed graphically on my Web page (password protected) at their site with the option to share it with other web-based weight loss sites. Moreover, I can use the data locally by downloading the readings in a format suitable for a spreadsheet. I weigh daily, and the graph has greatly helped in my weight-loss efforts. Now I can easily see the trend, which helps manage it. I've had a series of scales that measure both weight and percentage body fat, including a couple by Tanita. As part of my weight loss effort, I did have some professionally administered body-fat measurements, and the Withings readings were consistent with that, within the limits of accuracy with respect to one's daily weight fluctuations. If you have multiple people using the scale, it's easy to set up multiple accounts (it has a maximum of 8 users). One warning: I got a Roku, and in trying to get it set up with my router, I changed from G to N format, and for a few weeks lost readings from the scale because I wasn't checking so regularly at that time. I used their support forum to diagnose the problem and reconnect my scale to my router. I would rate their support as excellent: they monitor the forum and respond immediately with answers. The Withings was the first WiFi-enabled scale I found, and other than my own error in changing the router without thinking how it would affect my bathroom scale (you can understand that oversight, I hope), my experience with it has been uniformly positive. Highly recommended. --Michael Ham WiThings WiFi Scale $159 Don't forget to submit a tool!

• [pidg]

  I got a scale that does all that (without the WiFi) for £10.

  If you’re too lazy to type three numbers into a spreadsheet…..

• [Anonymous]

  Was it just the act of measuring which caused the weightloss, or were you doing other things too?

• [Beaver]

  I love the concept for one reason, to record without activley knowing your weight. I lost 9kg this month. I weigh myself once a week. I would love to be able to weigh myself daily but in the past I have consciously changed my eating habits based on a daily reading. Mentally, when I am aware of the measurement it changes how I go about my day, irrationally. The larger trend is what is important but to only have 4 days a month is not enough resolution to really to go digging around in my food logs and see what works and what doesn’t.

  I would love to get on the scale everyday, have the number dissapear into the wifi, then at the end of the week evaluate my daily results and refine my diet to maximize weight loss.

  I don’t understand the negative reaction. It streamlines the process. It’s one step, a literal step and everything is logged for you. Turn off autocorrect/spellcheck, get up to change the television channel, and rip out the auto on feature of your cars headlights if you are so concerend with wastefulness. Let’s go back to manual windshield wipers too. This is a step in the right direction. The price will come down when wifi becomes a standard feature on most devices.

  Before I strap on my jetpack to head to work I will be glad that the toilet weighed me, my morning deposit,tested my urine, and gave me an update while I showered.

• [Anonymous]

  What a coincidence, I just got mine in the mail today! Mt fat is sitting around 17%…let’s see if I can lose 5% of that.

• [Anonymous]

  I started my weight loss quest last monday. I’m starting at 248lbs., and hoping to reach below 180. It’s really hard to describe to someone who has not struggled with a weight problem the terrible toll these extra pounds take on every aspect of your life. Self-esteem, sore feet, sore back, mystery pains, all the way to clothing issues. Reading that you were able to get this under control, and incorporating the WiThings scale (which I also purchased) really gives me a boost. Thank you.

• [futnuh]

  How can it possibly measure body fat (other than simply guessing based on your height and measured weight)?

  • [travtastic]

    Most of the scales I’ve seen do it by electrical resistance.

    Body Fat Percentage::Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

• [Anonymous]

  Weight isn’t actually a very good unit to go by if you want to measure progress, so I have to say it’s pretty cool that this scale does body fat as well.

• [winkybb]

  Dear BB,

  I’ve bought a fancy scale and all the exercise equipment advertised on late night television but I’m still lazy. What should I do now?

  • [Anonymous]

    Change something. The time you get up. Prepare your food in advance. Start small, get momentum. Walk. Get good sleep. Drink lots. Track your cals, carbs, fat, prot, fibre, sodium. Get fresher food, less processed crap. There are 101 ways to get it going.

    Why do you think you’re struggling?

  • [codesuidae]

    Weigh yourself each morning (or afternoon, whenever it is you get out of bed), and then go check the trend of the line on the graph.

    When the line reaches the top, you win.

  • [emmdeeaych]

    Your only other option is meth. Ask around, it will find you.

  • [Anonymous]

    My advice to you is “Just do it!!!”.

  • [bcsizemo]

    You don’t need all that high tech stuff.

    Just eat your oatz, and do your squatz.

    /fit/

• [The Bus]

  This scale belongs in those horrid airline catalogues, not Boing Boing. Not a “cool” tool at all. Expensive, ridiculous, and wasteful.