“It Was Just Frustrating”: Michael Phelps Once Revealed His Disdain for Shoving Down 8,000–10,000 Calories a Day

Michael Phelps, dubbed one of the best-known swimmers to have ever competed, officially retired once. However, following the 2016 Rio Olympics, he decided to hang his suit once and for all. In a later interview with a media house, Phelps opened up about his competing days and what struggles he had to endure to maintain his fitness and weight.

In the interview dated October 20th, 2017, the legend opened up to Business Insider, talking about his post-retirement life, family, and eating habits. The swimming legend has, in total, bagged a whooping 28 Olympic medals, twenty-three of which were gold. Phelps revealed the copious amounts of food he had to eat to maintain his performance.

Michael Phelps opens up about his diet

A particular aspect of winning is training and diet. Although, the latter is rarely talked aloud. It is no new information to his fans that Phelps ate around 8,000 to 10,000 calories during his peak days. Safe to say, the ex-Olympian was not a fan of his diet routine. Phelps gives his fans insight into how different that eating phase was compared to his current one.

Phelps recounts how that infamous diet felt more like a chore. As a swimmer who practiced for hours, it was a ritual for him to consume a lot of calories into his system. “it was just frustrating to constantly shove calories down your system. For so long, that’s what it was, a job…”, he said.

Safe to say, it is never easy to become a champ. And to stay one as one reigning for years? Even more challenging. But Phelps also recounts how his eating habits have changed now that he is done playing on the competitive level.

READ MORE HERE: I’ve Essentially Written Away Privacy.” Phelps talks about how his career hunted his privacy. 

He opened up about what his diet looks like post-retirement. He tries to get his nutrients from typical food, but if anything, he is adamant about not calling his diet “normal.” Talking about the diet, the athlete said, “It’s not 8,000-10,000 calories like it once was. I would say, ‘the normal diet.’ I don’t know what that is, but I would say it’s more typical.” 

What lies in the future for Phelps?

Although his competition days are over, his flourishing days are indeed not. Phelps’s Twitter bio is an excellent example of that. From being an avid supporter of his fellow athletes to being a great husband and dad to his kids and pets and even an advocate for water safety and mental health, he seems to be mastering it all.

WATCH THIS STORY: How Phelps was once crowned as the world’s fittest man, beating the elites like Schwarzenegger. 

And he even takes time out to hone his golfing skills, as evident from his active social media. Fans are always intrigued to see what the treasured sportsperson does next.