Welcome to fitness training after athletics ends

By Brian Attebery

I am writing this article a few days prior to the Super Bowl being played. I don’t know what the outcome will be but I know one thing, as this NFL season ends, there will be more retired athletes this year. Athletic careers, whether it be high school, college or the pros will end. Many years of pushing yourself along with the coaches to be your best through practices, games, and workouts. Now it is over. What do you do? How do you stay in shape? How do you stay motivated just to be fit?

I played multiple sports growing up. Football was my favorite and when I decided to take an academic route instead of an athletic one for college due to injuries, I felt lost the first year. I quickly turned my love for working out into a competitive bodybuilding career that lasted 12 years and included me winning multiple shows, including Mr. Oklahomaand competing in the National Championships. I was blessed to find a new focus for a while longer. I have been able to stay focused regardless of my retirement from this sport too. I have had many conversations with other retired athletes and it is tough to find that drive and passion when the coach isn’t there waiting on you. How do you recapture that?

One of the biggest mistakes former athletes make is to think of their fitness the exact same way they did when they were younger. If you are in your 40s, 50s and beyond, you don’t need to be maxing out on bench press and squat for example. You don’t even need to do those exercises. None of have “have to” do any one exercise. Sometimes when you focus only on those things you did when you were younger, you can feel less accomplished because you are measuring yourself against a standard that is not realistic for you now. Your goals will most likely need to change in terms of what your exercise routine looks like. I still think it is good to think, “I AM AN ATHLETE” in that you are trying to get stronger, build endurance, burn calories, increase flexibility and just improve yourself as a whole. Mind, body, and soul. You just need to define what that looks like for where you are now and your current needs for health and fitness. Set goals. When we train for sports, we have a schedule. We know what the practice schedule is along with the games. We also have an off-season schedule where you may not practice but you are doing more weights and conditioning. Those times of the year don’t take as long. Our workouts now can be similar. Have you signed up for a 5k? What about doing a challenge with your buddies?

Have you had your body fat and cholesterol levels checked?

Set a 12 week plan into action with diet, weights and cardio to see what you can do in that period of time. Keep records and notes of your workouts and nutrition. Keep notes on how you FEEL!

(Brian Attebery is a Degreed/Certified Trainer. He owns and operates Results Fitness and Nutrition Center, L.L.C. in Edmond. www.resultsfitnessusa.com)