Do athletes gain weight easily once they slow down or stop exercising?

Question

Is it true that because the body is so used of being worked up, therefore burning calories, if the activities being slow down or stop can lead to easily gaining weight. I have seen many older people who used to be athlete now gaining weight like crazy even more than a person who have been less active all the time before.

Answer 1

the ones that gain weight have not adjusted their caloric intake to the new lower level of activity. and just like everyone else you can't have a massive intake of carbohydrates daily if you do not partake in high intensity exercise, it's that simple...

Answer 2

Yes it's true. Your body gets used to you burning x amount of calories a day, so when you stop all of a sudden you gain wieight. This can be prevented by switching activities to something that'll shock your body. For example, if you are a cross country runner and you stop, try doing weights or swimming laps or doing something different that you aen't used to. It'll kick your metabolism into high gear and keep you from gaining weight.

Answer 3

Power of observation, yes they do generally gain weight, and the muscle becomes less taunt. and with out the exercise, and no reduction of calories, they are apt , to gain weight.