See What Michael Phelps Has Been Up to Since Retiring

April 24, 2014— -- It's been a while since Michael Phelps was in a swimming race. Come to think of it, it's been two years, since the 2012 Summer Olympics in London when Phelps said he was retiring.

But Phelps made his comeback Thursday into competitive swimming at a meet in Mesa, Ariz. Ryan Lochte beat Phelps in the 100-meter butterfly final at the Arena Grand Prix, winning in 51.93 seconds to Phelps' 52.13.

So what's he been up to in the meantime since he retired?

"I traveled. I played golf. I gained 30 pounds. I had a lot of fun," Phelps said at a press conference held Wednesday, according to ESPN.

Golf. A lot of golf, according to Phelps' Instagram, which we've combed for evidence of what the superstar athlete does when he's not in the pool.

Phelps started his own foundation in 2008, the Michael Phelps Foundation, which helps support programs for children's swimming and athletics. Each year they hold a golf fundraiser, and the rest of the year, presumably, Phelps is practicing.

He also been hanging out a lot with his family and his dog.

And, of course, watching football.

Phelps even got to PLAY football with his favorite team.

Seems like Phelps has been enjoying life in between Olympics, but now it's back to work.

"I'm doing this for me," Phelps said Wednesday at Mesa's Skyline Aquatic Center. "If I don't become as successful as you all think I would be or should be, and you think it tarnishes my career, that's your opinion. I'm doing this because I want to come back and I enjoy being in the pool and I enjoy being in the sport of swimming.

"There was something that I missed," he said Wednesday. "Being able to be back in the pool and going back to the pool in North Baltimore and swimming with the group we have now, it's incredible. ... I just missed being back in the water. It has been fun and we'll see what happens here."

He races tonight in the 100 meter butterfly and Friday in the 50 freestyle.