Athletes often look perfect, with strong and fit bodies built to perform incredible feats.
However, even the best athletes sometimes face problems with their weight. These struggles can happen due to injuries, retirement, or personal difficulties.
Let’s look at the stories of athletes who dealt with weight issues, why it happened, how they worked to lose weight, and whether they succeeded.
Charles Barkley
- Why did he have a weight issue? Charles Barkley, a basketball star, dealt with weight problems during his career and after retiring. He sometimes gained too much weight because of unhealthy eating habits.
- When did it happen? His weight was an issue early in his NBA career and became more serious after he retired in 2000.
- What did he do to lose weight? Barkley joined programs like Weight Watchers and worked on eating better and exercising more.
- Did he succeed? He had some success but says it’s still something he needs to watch.
Usain Bolt
- Why did he have a weight issue? After retiring, the world’s fastest man gained weight because he stopped his intense training and enjoyed more relaxed eating.
- When did it happen? This happened after he retired in 2017.
- What did he do to lose weight? Bolt started exercising again and sometimes returned to healthier habits.
- Did he succeed? Yes, he lost weight when needed but also accepted that his body is different now.
Mike Tyson
- Why did he have a weight issue? After leaving boxing, Tyson’s struggles with mental health and addiction caused him to gain a lot of weight, reaching over 300 pounds.
- When did it happen? His weight gain became noticeable in the late 2000s, years after retiring in 2005.
- What did he do to lose weight? Tyson became a vegan, trained hard, and even prepared for a boxing exhibition to get back in shape.
- Did he succeed? Yes. Tyson lost over 100 pounds and improved his physical and mental health.
David Beckham
- Why did he have a weight issue? Beckham’s problem wasn’t major, but after retiring, it became harder to keep his athletic shape.
- When did it happen? After his retirement in 2013.
- What did he do to lose weight? He stayed active by cycling and playing soccer, along with following a fitness routine.
- Did he succeed? Yes. Beckham has stayed in great shape.
Andy Ruiz Jr.
- Why did he have a weight issue? After beating Anthony Joshua in 2019, Andy Ruiz Jr. gained a lot of weight because he didn’t stay disciplined with his eating and training habits.
- When did it happen? This occurred between June 2019, after his victory, and his rematch with Joshua in December 2019.
- What did he do to lose weight? Ruiz started following a healthier diet, reduced his calorie intake, and trained intensively with a new coach, shedding over 30 pounds.
- Did he succeed? Partially. He lost weight for the rematch but continues to face challenges in maintaining consistency with his lifestyle.
Zion Williamson
- Why did he have a weight issue? Zion’s strong build made him prone to weight problems, especially when injuries prevented him from playing and training properly.
- When did it happen? His weight issues became noticeable during the 2021-2022 NBA season, when he was sidelined with injuries.
- What did he do to lose weight? Zion followed a strict diet plan and worked closely with trainers and conditioning coaches to regain his fitness.
- Did he succeed? Yes, he has improved his fitness significantly, though he continues to work on maintaining his progress.
Ronda Rousey
- Why did she have a weight issue? Ronda Rousey faced challenges with weight because she had to cut weight for her MMA fights, which was stressful and took a toll on her body.
- When did it happen? This happened during her MMA career, especially in the lead-up to major fights.
- What did she do to lose weight? Rousey worked with nutritionists and trainers to make her weight cuts as safe and effective as possible.
- Did she succeed? Yes. She consistently made weight for her fights and now maintains a more balanced lifestyle after retirement.
Ricky Rotton
- Why did he have a weight issue? Ricky Hatton often gained significant weight between fights because he enjoyed indulging in food and drink during breaks from training.
- When did it happen? Hatton struggled with weight throughout his boxing career, and it became more pronounced after he retired in 2012.
- What did he do to lose weight? He dedicated himself to intense training camps before fights to lose the extra pounds and later worked on maintaining healthier habits post-retirement.
- Did he succeed? Partially. While Hatton has improved his health, he has admitted that weight management remains a challenge for him.
Yohan Blake
- Why did he have a weight issue? Injuries prevented Yohan Blake from training as much as usual, leading to some weight gain during his recovery periods.
- When did it happen? Blake faced weight challenges during the mid-2010s when injuries significantly affected his training and performance.
- What did he do to lose weight? He focused on regaining fitness by returning to training and following a healthier diet.
- Did he succeed? Yes, he regained his fitness, although he couldn’t fully return to the peak form he displayed earlier in his career.
Eddy Curry
- Why did he have a weight issue? Eddy Curry’s eating habits and lack of conditioning caused him to struggle with weight throughout his basketball career.
- When did it happen? His weight issues were most noticeable during the mid-2000s while he played for the New York Knicks.
- What did he do to lose weight? After retiring, Curry focused on improving his diet and staying active to address his health concerns.
- Did he succeed? He made progress in improving his health, though maintaining a healthy weight remains a challenge for him.
Conclusion
These athletes’ stories show that even the best in the world face human challenges.
Whether it’s dealing with injuries, retirement, or personal struggles, they remind us that discipline and resilience are key.
Their journeys with weight may not be as celebrated as their victories, but they are just as inspiring.