Overcome your obstacles 
) R, B and I on Mt Diablo enjoying the snow!
I have been asked a bunch of times recently about how I “maintain my weight” and “how much I weigh.” The first question is fairly easy to answer, I try to exercise often or alot and not overeat too many times a week ) I no longer weigh myself as I believe it is just a number. Yes it can tell me something if I compare it to what I weighed the last time I stepped on a scale. But does this really mean anything? I know how I feel training and racing and I know how my clothes fit. I see what I look like in the mirror, so why stress over a number? It seems as though everyone lately has been obsessed with how much they weigh. I was remember being told recently, “I bet you weigh XXX.” I replied, I have no clue and the lady looked at me like I was crazy. She could not believe that I didn’t know. I thought to myself, if I am going to be as stressed as her, it definitely confirms why I should not weigh myself.
) I no longer weigh myself as I believe it is just a number. Yes it can tell me something if I compare it to what I weighed the last time I stepped on a scale. But does this really mean anything? I know how I feel training and racing and I know how my clothes fit. I see what I look like in the mirror, so why stress over a number? It seems as though everyone lately has been obsessed with how much they weigh. I was remember being told recently, “I bet you weigh XXX.” I replied, I have no clue and the lady looked at me like I was crazy. She could not believe that I didn’t know. I thought to myself, if I am going to be as stressed as her, it definitely confirms why I should not weigh myself.
Lately I have been thinking about this woman and how concerned she seemed with my weight and how it compared to hers. I know the pressures society places on woman and how they should look, makes people stress about this. I know too well, about these pressures. Being an elite gymnast, I struggled with weight, being too thin and having coaches weigh us in every morning and give us a look like “what the heck did you eat for dinner?” At times they would voice their opinions to us and it hurt. I was always one with alot of muscle, the powerhouse type gymnast, not the long skinny type. So, as you can imagine it was tough trying to convince my coach that there is no way I could weigh what some of my boney teammates weighed. At one point in my life I got to a point of no body fat and in serious need of help. It was at this time in my life that I realized that weight meant nothing. 30 lbs heavier I was at the top of my game, and 30 lbs lighter I was barely getting out of bed.
So now I’ve learned that I can be a good healthy athlete with a little bit of meat on my bones I had to go to the Dr’s office for allergies a week ago, and guess what? They had to weigh me with all of my clothes on and my shoes. Ok, I have to admit I freaked out a bit because a) I have not weighed myself in ages and b) I was wearing 3 layers on top, my True Religion jeans, and Uggs. When I saw the number, I told myself who the heck cares? It was more than I had seen the last time I was on the scale BUT this is the fastest I have run track ever and the fastest I have run a 1/2 in a long time. I’ll take it! Remember not to let the “number” control you. You are in control and do not obsess over it. No need, no reason! If you feel healthy and you’re happy and you’re eating right, then you’re doing awesome!!
I had to go to the Dr’s office for allergies a week ago, and guess what? They had to weigh me with all of my clothes on and my shoes. Ok, I have to admit I freaked out a bit because a) I have not weighed myself in ages and b) I was wearing 3 layers on top, my True Religion jeans, and Uggs. When I saw the number, I told myself who the heck cares? It was more than I had seen the last time I was on the scale BUT this is the fastest I have run track ever and the fastest I have run a 1/2 in a long time. I’ll take it! Remember not to let the “number” control you. You are in control and do not obsess over it. No need, no reason! If you feel healthy and you’re happy and you’re eating right, then you’re doing awesome!!
27 Comment(s)
Katy said:
This is so honest and genuine. You are a true inspiration to all!
Elizabeth A. Rich said:
I am glad you wrote about this as I have been thinking the same thoughts. I too have had issues in the past with being TOO thin and barely being able to get through the day and now with WAY more meat on my bones (more than I would like) I am able to feel strong throughout the entire day… even though I am not happy with my body type – I find I have to concentrate on what it does for me and how strong I feel. That is ALL that matters!!! Thanks for being so honest, its refreshing
Meredith said:
Amen sista!! I am a muscle-y one like you, and I had to laugh at your post awhile back when you said people were commenting at your “swimmer arms”..I get that alot and somedays I wish I were more “wirey” but you know, you gotta use what God gave you and make the most of it!! Here’s to all the solid ladies!! Nobody would mess with us in a dark alley…hahahh!!!
~Robyn~ said:
I always play “guess your trainer’s weight” with my clients, because I don’t look like I weigh as much as I do. Only about 1/5 get it right. I totally agree with you! But still, being a woman, its a little hard to completely ignore!
Chloe said:
Yeah! Thank you for that inspirational post
Weight is such an issue with women these days – and there are so many other things to think about other then that. And and all of these ‘quick fixes’ that are out there are just killing me!!
chloe
Maggs said:
Ugh memories of college and having a team meal of salad with lemon juice and pepper for dressing. It was awful being rail thin and having the coach tell you to drop 10 lbs. Ugh.
Anonymous said:
great post for all of us out here. thank you for being yourself, it’s refreshing.
rr said:
Great post, E! It is just a number.. I don’t even look at the Dr.. because even though it’s just a number, I’ll still let it get me down a little because it’s come up so much over time. Love that you are healthier and happier these days than back in the old gymnast days!!
Bruce Stewart (ブルース・スチュワート) said:
I’m glad you are concerned with being healthy and not necessarily thin. I’ve read of pro bikers whose bones are as brittle as biscuits to lighten themselves so they can go faster up hills. Just be what you were meant to be. Everyone always remarks how thin I am, and it is true I could eat more and should do more strength training. However, I am still nearly 13 and a half stone (try to figure that one out!) and so I have to carry a lot more than the average person on a run. I guess you can only be good at what you were born to be good at. I realized when young that I would never be able to play rugby seriously, and so I just focused on running, sculling (rowing) and cycling. There is always the right sport for each person. You are great as you are.
ADC said:
I am really glad you think that way. There is too much pressure out there on us to look thin and we need more people like you who are great succesful athletes to advocate exactly what you’ve said – weight is jus a number.
Laura said:
It's funny you mention this! I was talking about weight in runners and cyclists the other day with a guy. He was convinced being fast was all about how much you weigh -> less weight = faster, but I had to disagree with him. If you're not fueling your body properly you can't have the energy to be fast, and there isn't just one body type.
Thanks Eileen for being a positive role model on this sensitive aspect of athletes and especially women's lives!
GoBigGreen said:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic. I have a friend that runs recreationally and is constantly telling me her butt is bigger, I need to eat more, she even had a meltdown when i ordered a salad last time we had lunch! ( Despite the fact that she has no idea that i had just eaten about an hour ago.) so last time we met I ordered steak and mashed potatoes and she nearly fell off her chair! Ha, that shut her up!
Anyways…just weird how competitive people get with body and body types when really as you said it is all about being healthy.
Happy week ahead Eileen:)
Kim said:
Thank you for saying this. It is definitely something that needs to be said and we all need to hear from time to time. I NEVER know what I weigh and if anyone asks me, I give them a range without hesitation because I just plain don’t know..and don’t care. I’m heathly and happy..that’s all that matters! Thanks for the great post!
Shan said:
E!! Thank you for this post – I think a lot of people (not even just women!) need to read and hear this. I, too, have given up looking at the scale because I easily fluctuate plus or minus 5 pounds depending on stress, work load, training, etc, and I also have a more “muscled” frame and can NEVER get as skinny as other girls my height. But should I let it bother me? HELL no!!! As a teenager, I dealt with anorexia and it taught me that NEVER AGAIN can I look at myself with such a negative light – it’s all about positivity and finding the best way to take care of ourselves.
Thanks for sharing this with us!
HUGS!
Benson said:
You covered that topic better than anyone I’ve ever read.
You should get that published in every sport/health magazine out there.
Seriously.
Lisa G said:
I completely agree with you! I have no idea how much I weigh right now but rather, I go by how my clothes are fitting. The number is certainly not important, especially for athletes who have more lean body mass than the normal population. 2 people of the same height can have completely different ideal body weights. Great post!
Natalie said:
Amazing post! Love it. Thank you so much. We all needed to read this. You are great!
Charisa said:
I threw my scale away the day I turned 30 and it was fun! Numbers should never define people – awesome post!
Marit Chrislock-Lauterbach said:
Brilliant! I agree with everything that’s already been said. I totally agree with the 1/2 marathon comment… and had the same thing happen myself. Thanks for posting this!!!
Katie D said:
I was just thinking about this today…..I currently weigh a few extra than normal but I am faster than usual too….so I was like “who cares!” Who ever said lighter is faster just is not right!
BreeWee said:
WELL said sista…
You and Brooke are such inspirations on this, glad you both have come away stronger and happier then a number
Mel said:
Great post e….I am a scale girl and I HATE IT….I am a long lean type..BUT have many problem areas…that even the numbers aren’t going to fix..so you are right the number is worthless
I think you look awesome and such a cute pic 
Mer! said:
You’re right..you’re totally right. I admit, I get fixated on a number, probably because I felt so heavy after college that when I got below 130 I was like “wow, I actually can lose the college weight!”…..
Such a great post….and you’re right, being athlete’s we NEED weight for speed and kicking butt.
This was just good for me to read and to hear…..thanks for posting E….awesome.
Ordinarylife said:
Great post! The last line is so true. Thanks.
Kiet said:
Hey funny that you should comment, I was reading your blog the other day and that bike ride with all the flats was a hoot and I was also thinking, damn, you are getting in shape riding with all those big boys! I’m getting my first road bike in a couple of weeks and when I do, I wanna come out and ride with you guys
juliemac said:
Great post. I am glad I am not the only one who has no idea how much I weigh. I have never liked scales, not even the new fancy ones with body fat and all that.
Like you, I’ll just go by how my clothes fit and how I feel.
Thanks for your inspiring words!!
Sarah said:
Hey E,
This is a great post. Lately I’ve been weighing myself more often and been so bothered by the number, even though I know I have no right to be! OF COURSE I would have put on 5-7 lbs since my peak season last year. But I also know I’m not gaining weight because of how my clothes fit, so that should be all that matters until it’s time to get back into the swing of things.
Still…our society is so obsessed with being rail thin and losing weight and yet we are all so different!!
I hope someday we’ll get out of this crazy cycle. People like you help to be great role models – keep it up.