Can former athletes get back in shape faster?

Q: I’m a former field hockey and basketball player who has had three children and has gotten out of shape. In my college days, it was easy for me to stay in shape. In fact, I didn’t have to do anything special at all, just play my sports, and everything took care of itself. Now, 10 years and 50 pounds later, I have committed myself to working out and getting back in shape. I have often heard that former athletes can get back in shape much quicker. Is there any truth to this?

A: There is no doubt in my mind that former athletes have an advantage when it comes to getting back in shape. There are two reasons why I believe this to be true.

First of all, people who have played organized sports understand what it means to work hard to achieve a goal. They have already tested their will by taking their body close to its physical limitations. Quitting is not a word found in their vocabulary, and they are used to finishing what they start.

I sometimes reminisce on my days as a high school football player practicing three times a day in 95-degree heat with full gear on. I’m starting to sweat just thinking about it. What could be harder than that?

The point I’m trying to make is, most athletes have already experienced grueling workouts. All they have to do is refocus on their goals and commit to changing their lifestyle. If they put the same amount of energy into trying to get in shape as they did on the sports field, they will usually be successful.

Second of all, athletes have what’s called muscle memory. This means that it’s much easier to get back in shape if you’ve already been there. It’s like riding a bike; once you’ve done it, you never forget how. Therefore, athletes can usually return to their previous shape in a shorter period of time even after taking a couple of years off from working out. Athletes also have more muscle mass from their days spent working out on the field and in the gym. More muscle means that your body has the ability to burn more calories, even if the muscles are currently hidden under layers of fat. It can still be a great advantage.

So if you’re ready to get back in shape, there is no better time than the present. Your experience as an athlete should give you all the tools you need. After all, you’ve already done it once before. It should be a little easier the second time around. Remember when that mean old coach told you that running an extra sprint meant the difference between winning and losing, he may very well have been right in more ways than one.