Navigating Physique Changes, Self-Acceptance, and Mood Swings After Athletic Retirement

 What happens when we stop being competitive athletes, and our bodies change?

We never imagined that our bodies would go through so many changes after puberty. We thought we had a handle on our physique, weight, and overall health, but post-athletic life has proved us wrong. After years of intense training, our bodies have changed in ways that we never imagined. We have gained weight, our physique has shifted, and our menstrual symptoms have become more severe. Additionally, our appetites and mood swings have become more unpredictable. Struggling with these has been a difficult journey, but it’s a journey that we are learning to accept.

At first, we were in denial about these changes. We had been so used to being in control of our bodies and were frustrated that it was no longer responding in the way that we wanted it to. However, as we have come to accept these changes, we have realized that they are a natural part of life. Our bodies change as our lifestyles change, and that is okay.

One of the biggest challenges we have faced since retiring from sports is our weight. As former athletes, we are used to being in peak physical condition and maintaining a specific weight range. However, once we stopped training and competing, we have found that our bodies do not respond the same way to exercise and nutrition. We started to gain weight and struggle to lose it, even with the implementation of regular exercise and a healthy diet. It has been frustrating and discouraging, and we have found ourselves comparing our current bodies to our former athletic physiques.

Mood swings were also a significant struggle. As athletes, we were used to the endorphin rush that came with exercise, which helped us manage stress and anxiety. However, after retiring, we have found that our moods are much more volatile and we have had to find healthy ways to manage our emotions. We experience anxiety and depression, and our emotions will fluctuate throughout the day. It is a challenging time, and we have had to learn new ways to manage our stress and emotions. Additionally, we have noticed that our mood is affected by what we eat, and we have to be even more mindful of our food choices to help minimize mood swings.

Overall, this is a journey that is teaching us a lot about self-acceptance and self-care. We have learned that it is okay to struggle, and it is okay to take the time to adjust to these changes. We have learned to embrace our bodies as it is and focus on being healthy rather than achieving a specific physique. We have learned to be more mindful of our self-care routine, including getting enough rest and taking care of our mental health. We have also learned to listen to our bodies and give them what it needs, whether that is rest, healthy food, or a little indulgence. And we have learned that it is okay to ask for help and support when we need it. Retiring from sports has been a difficult transition, but we are learning to navigate it together one day at a time.