I had a reader ask me to elaborate on a topic in which I wrote a similar post earlier this year discussing Exercise Bulimia. Today I will briefly re-iterate points from that post and discuss exercise addiction.
sourceExercise addiction is defined as exercise that “significantly interferes with important activities, occurs at inappropriate times or in inappropriate settings, or when the individual continues to exercise despite injury or other medical complications.” source
I know it is hard to grasp the concept of exercising too much but I assure you it is a real issue. When utilized the correct way, exercise is something that helps promote ultimate wellness; it makes you feel good about yourself and helps to keep your heart healthy. However, when exercise becomes extreme in frequency and duration, consumes your thoughts, and begins to impair your social life, you could be suffering from exercise addiction.
Common symptoms:
- Ultimate dread if exercise cannot be performed.
- A strong desire to control body weight and size, of which you feel can only be achieved through exercise.
- Extremely rigid fitness schedule that you strictly adhere to on a daily basis.
- Exercising when sick or injured.
- Always working out alone, isolated from others.
- Missing work, school, or social obligations in order to exercise.
- Exercising multiple times throughout the day.
- Exercising for more than 2 hours daily, repeatedly.
- Exercising to the point of experiencing pain.
- Feeling bad about yourself or experiencing high anxiety if you skip a workout.
Currently, exercise addiction is recognized as a symptom of bulimia nervosa or obsessive compulsive disorder, which is why I discussed exercise bulimia in a prior post. Those with bulimia use exercise as a way to control their weight or burn off extra calories from a binge session, instead of purging. Those with anorexia nervosa will also exercise excessively in order to achieve weight-loss.
Could she have a problem??
Those that suffer from exercise addiction are psychologically tormented if they are unable to exercise or skip a work out. In their minds, skipping a social event with friends is better than experiencing any other negative consequence; irritability, anxiety, depression, which is immediately relieved when given the opportunity to exercise. Whether excessive exercise is caused by an eating disorder or not, the persons psychological, physiological, and psychosocial levels are highly affected!
I promise you, this is a real addiction. I suffered for years from exercise addiction and although difficult to admit, it still rears its ugly head sometimes!
If you fear you may have exercise addiction or know someone suffering, I encourage to get help. A person suffering from exercise addiction needs to start from scratch and learn how to moderate exercise. This is very difficult for the individual and can be challenging to do on their own. I hope and pray that if you are suffering through exercise addiction, you will acknowledge it within yourself, and get the help you need. Get your life back!
Question: Do you suffer or know anyone who might be suffering from exercise addiction? Share your story! Feel free to email me as well! I always love to hear one on one stories from readers!
Resources:
Eating Disorder Hope: http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-exercise.html
RD411 for recommended readings: http://www.rd411.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=166:exercise-addiction&catid=78:sports-nutrition&Itemid=357
Laury at The Fitness Dish is hosting a giveaway!! Go check it!
This is a wonderful post, Erin! I’m so glad you’re bringing light to this issue!I think exercise addiction is often glossed over in favor of more in-depth discussions about food restriction. This is a SERIOUS condition that had a hold on me for years. I exercised long and hard EVERY day, yet it was never enough to satisfy me. When my body was no longer able to keep up, I experienced an injury that left me on crutches for a month. Being couch bound was the best thing that ever happened to me because it forced me to examine my destructive habits, and like you said, start from scratch. Moderate exercise is so much more satisfying! AND I actually see results now! Less is often more when it comes to fitness.
I used to have exercise addiction. I would exercise twice a day, for a total of 2 hours or so. I did this six or seven days a week. I’m glad that I no longer have this issue. That exercise addiction put such a strain on my life. Today, I still struggle with exercise guilt. But I have learned that exercise is supposed to make you stronger, not thin. It’s also supposed to make you feel better, not worse about yourself. So I do my best to work out for the right reasons.
Thank you for a well-informed post on this topic…And Madonna – poster girl for the whole issue…
This is such an important topic…one of my best friends suffered from exercise addiction. She would spend 3 hours at the gym every day of the week…thankfully, she got help and is in a much healthier place now. We need to spread the word that this problem exists and lead people to the help they need. Thank you so much for sharing!
this is something near and true to my heart as i’ve struggled with it for so many years. I went through phases where i totally isolated myself and though i’m getting better at it (focusing on how much fun i have running and getting up to racing potential) there are still times where things are hard. it’s a work in progress!
so many people focus on the food things, but YES you can certainly be addicted to exercise and its not healthy. I love your thought provoking posts.
Thank you for raising awareness about this today, Erin! I suffered from this in the past, once I thought I was “recovered” from an ED, but it was far from the truth. Although my symptoms were no longer mainly with food. I was using exercise to “purge.” Thankfully, I have come a very long way. However, this is something often overlooked! Exercise is meant to be healthy, but anything you take to an extreme is certainly not!
Thanks for the great info Erin! I don’t know anyone who suffers from this, and luckily can say that I keep my exercise under control too. I’m real good at taking rest days
Thanks for bringing more light to this important issue!
I’m glad you brought this topic up again Erin. I do know someone who I suspect suffers from exercise addiction and lately I’ve just resorted to avoiding the topic of exercise all together. Exercise should be enjoyed, but sometimes it seems as though she does it out of obligation.
What an awesome post!
I have definitely suffered from this in conjunction with my ED over the past few months!
The worst part is, when you’re in the middle of it, you don’t realize what is going on! You think you’re being “healthy” but you’re really destroying your body!
I’ve heard of exercise bulimia before. Reading about these kind of eating/exercise disorders/obsessions remind me of how important balance is. You can’t force individuals to change — you can encourage and support them in their efforts to heal, but they have to want to change for themselves.
I love this post. Thanks.
wow, madonna looks really scary…yikes.
I think it’s a very true addiction. I’ve heard girls in classes or at the gym talking about how they ate or drank so much partying the night before and absolutely need to go to the gym. They sound so disgusted with themselves and kind of talk about going to the gym as miserable but completely necessary.
psssssst – would love to have you join the vegan challenge (wink wink nudge nudge)