Hold onto Your Hard Won Fitness: Avoid Addiction

Introduction

Most of all, exercise addiction is an unhealthy obsession with physical fitness and exercise. Also, it is loosely related to exercise overtraining. Furthermore, it’s often a result of body image disorders and eating disorders. And, exercise addicts display traits similar to those of other addicts.

  • First of all, they are obsessed over the behavior
  • Also, they engage in the behavior even though its causing them physical harm
  • And, they continue engaging in the behavior despite wanting to stop
  • Finally, they secretly engage in the behavior

Consequently, extreme weight loss and harmful health conditions related to weight loss could result from exercise addiction.

Causes of Exercise Addiction

Most noteworthy, exercise releases endorphins and dopamine.  Consequently, an exercise addict feels rewards and joy when exercising. Especially relevant, exercise addiction usually starts with a desire for physical fitness.  And, people who feel pressured to stay in shape are at risk of developing exercise addiction. Furthermore, people who are overweight and set out on an extreme weight loss regimen are also at risk.

Symptoms of Exercise Addiction

Most of all, common symptoms of exercise addiction include:

  • First of all, you get withdrawal symptoms, such as feelings of irritability, restlessness, or anxiety after a period without exercise.
  • Also, another sign of exercise addiction is a feeling of loss of control, such as inability to control the urge to exercise or to stop exercising for a significant time, especially in the presence of an injury that requires time to heal.
  • In addition, a need to continue to exercise even in the presence of injuries, physical problems, psychological issues, or interpersonal problems.
  • And continue to go beyond the original intended exercise duration, frequency or, intensity without meaning to do so.
  • Moreover, there is reduction in other activities, spending less time in social, occupational or, other situations as a direct result of exercising.
  • Furthermore, exercise addiction also means spending a great deal of time engaging in, planning for, thinking about or, recovering from exercise.
  • Also a need to exercise more often, for longer duration, or at higher intensity to feel the desired effect than originally.
  • Finally, experiencing an inability to stick with a reduced exercise program.

Avoidance

First of all, to prevent exercise addiction, avoid excessive trips to the gym.  Also, limit your workout time and the amount of daily exercise. Finally, to let your body rest, take breaks from exercise throughout the week .

Conclusion

In conclusion, as much as exercising is a very healthy thing to do for you and your body, it’s important to keep it in perspective.  Most of all, step back and see if you have symptoms of exercise addiction and then take steps to counteract them.