Why That Number On The Scale Is Meaningless

So many women stress about the number on the bathroom scale (I’ve been there myself), but the truth is that the number you see on your scale is pretty much meaningless, especially for cyclists and other endurance athletes

In this podcast episode, I break down why we need to stop obsessing over our weight and what we should be focusing on instead.  

The Number On The Scale Can Fluctuate Wildly

The first reason I don’t like obsessing about that number on your scale is that it can fluctuate wildly – and I mean WILDLY – from day to day. We’re talking 5-6 pounds in a single day! And none of that has anything to do with actual changes in your body composition.

Your weight is affected by so many factors: how much water you’ve had, your salt intake, what you’ve eaten recently, and where you are in your menstrual cycle.

After a long ride, you might be dehydrated and see a lower number. After properly refueling, that number might jump up. Neither one tells you anything meaningful about your fitness or health, other than that you might need to drink more fluid next time you ride.  

Muscle glycogen storage can also affect the number on the scale.  What’s fascinating about this is that the fitter you get, the more glycogen you can store in your muscles. So in a strange twist, getting in better cycling shape can actually make you weigh more on the scale, at least temporarily. 

Your Weight Tells You Nothing About Body Composition

The other thing that weight doesn’t tell you is your body composition.  If you take a ball of fat and a ball of muscle, and they’re the same size, the ball of muscle will weigh more.  So if you build muscle and lose an equal volume of fat, you’ll actually weigh more even though your body size didn’t change.  

Now, let’s talk about something that’s been ingrained in cycling culture for decades – the power-to-weight ratio. The idea is that the ratio of your power output to your body weight will determine how fast you can climb on the bike.  Yes, this does matter (it’s physics!),  but the traditional emphasis has almost always been on decreasing weight rather than on increasing power.

In fact, historically, cyclists have avoided building too much muscle because it adds weight.  That’s why we see a bunch of dudes with scrawny upper bodies riding in the tour de france.

But this perspective is particularly flawed for women.

The reality is, we are unlikely to bulk up dramatically from strength training. Our hormonal makeup simply doesn’t support rapid, massive muscle growth. What strength training DOES give us is increased power on the bike and better overall health.

Building muscle makes us stronger cyclists and healthier humans. It increases our metabolic rate, meaning we can eat more food – and who doesn’t want that? More fuel means more energy for those long rides and better recovery afterward.

I’ve done several podcast interviews on why strength training is soooo important for female cyclists. Go take a listen:

• Why Strength Training Is A Must With Bekah Rottenberg
• Strength Training For Cyclists With Dara Richman
• How To Get The Most Out Of Your Winter Training With Jen Kates

Focus On The Power Portion Of The Power To Weight Ratio

In the past year, I’ve really focused on strength training and eating enough protein and I’ve gained 10 pounds of muscle.  In fact, other than during the pregnancy, i currently weigh more than I ever have.  And yet, I still fit in the same size clothes AND my power output has increased.  

Which brings us back to the body weight ratio idea.  We used to be told that if we wanted to improve our power to weight ratio, we needed to lose weight.  

The reality is that it is entirely possible to gain weight and gain power simultaneously so that your power to weight ratio actually improves. It’s also possible to lose weight and lose power at the same time.

When cyclists become fixated on weight loss, they often end up losing muscle and becoming underfed, which results in power decline. Your power-to-weight ratio might stay the same or even get worse, despite weighing less.

The most sustainable approach to improving performance isn’t obsessively weighing yourself- it’s through properly fueling your body and training purposefully to build power.

What Matters More Than Your Weight

So if the scale isn’t a reliable measure of your fitness or health as a cyclist, what should you be paying attention to?

Here’s my list of what truly matters:

• How you feel on the bike
• Your power output 
• Your endurance 
• How well you’re recovering between sessions
• Your enjoyment of the sport (because why do it if it’s not bringing you joy?)
• And your overall health and wellbeing 

These are the metrics that deserve your attention, not a number that can change based on whether you had a salty dinner the night before.

Listen, I get it. In a sport where power-to-weight ratio is discussed constantly, it’s easy to become fixated on the weight part of that equation. But as a coach and fellow female cyclist, I’m asking you to seriously stop stressing about it.

Your body is an incredible machine capable of pedaling for hours, conquering mountains, and experiencing the joy of speed and freedom. It deserves to be fueled properly and appreciated for what it can DO, not what it weighs.

Next time you choose to step on that scale, ask yourself these questions first: Did I enjoy my ride today? Am I getting stronger? Am I recovering well? Those answers will tell you far more about your progress than any number ever could.

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