#360fit: Exercise Addiction - When Too Much Of a Good Thing Becomes Dangerous

Helen Mason 11:46 08/05/2016
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  • When it comes to exercise, you could be forgiven for assuming that there’s no such thing as ‘overdoing it’. After all, we are constantly presented with images in the media that present the representation of the ‘ideal body’ and hear facts and figures on the news about exercise being the core component of a healthy lifestyle. The fact is that with 80% of Americans are not getting the daily recommended amount of exercise maybe we all ought to be doing a little more?

    In reality, however, the phrase ‘too much of a good thing’ still applies here. When taken to the extreme, even the most beneficial of pastimes can become detrimental to an individual’s health and lifestyle. Exercise addiction or ‘healthy mania’ is thought to affect 0.5% of the population and is a psychological condition also known as anorexia athletica. If you have become obsessive about your workout regime then here are some things to consider.

    What is exercise addiction?

    Addiction is categorized as a compulsive desire or drive to do something even if there are negative consequences that it could impact on other areas of your life such as your health, finances or relationships. Many people associate addiction with things like gambling or substance abuse – generally things with negative connotations attached to them. Because exercise is considered a positive lifestyle choice it may be easier to conceal a developing addiction from others and indeed from yourself. But if you find that you are becoming obsessive about the amount of time you spend exercising or find that other areas of your life are slipping, perhaps it’s time to admit you are developing a dependency.

    How do people become addicted?

    Addiction is a complex concept. Some people can spend several hours per day in the gym and not be addicted because the balance of their lives remains in sync; exercise does not control them. For others a reliance on exercise can be built up over time. By it’s very nature, exercise is a calming, feel-good pastime. The increased blood flow increases the production of so called happy hormones such as serotonin and dopamine making us feel pumped up and positive. As is the case with any addiction, over time we need more and more of the substance in order to achieve that initial high and this is when exercise addictions can begin to form. Studies show that some people are just biologically predisposed to become more obsessive about a hobby or pastime and others may use exercise as a form of escapism to avoid confronting painful emotions in other areas of their lives such as managing low self esteem.

    Olympics Day 16 - Athletics

    What are the signs?

    The key signs of an exercise addiction is prioritising exercise above all else. This may mean excessive time spent working out, lying about said time or neglecting other areas of your life in order to work out. Ask yourself how you’d feel if you had to take a few days off. Does the prospect fill you with unease, anxiety or agitation? Do you exercise even when you’re injured, tired or unwell? Do you have trouble scaling back your time even when you try? Is exercise something you do out of a sense of duty or dependence rather than because you enjoy it? If the answer to any of these questions is yes then perhaps it’s time to consider the possibility of an addiction.

    How is it dangerous?

    Exercising too vigorously or too often can send your body into a catabolic state in which the tissues and muscle fibre in the body begin to tear and break down. Of course this consequently has a knock-on effect on the body’s organs, muscles and immune system. Because many legitimate exercise addicts will also exercise to the point of injury then continue to exercise before they’ve allowed themselves to heal, they can ultimately end up with serious injuries and become malnourished and exhausted. Aside from the physical health risks, it can also be mentally and emotionally draining, particularly when you can see that other areas of your life are failing but feel powerless to stop it. In this case cognitive behavioural therapy or other forms of counselling may help to to readjust your thought processes and evaluate your priorities.

    What is a safe amount of exercise?

    There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to a safe amount of exercise. Each of us have different metabolism, fitness levels and capabilities. A general rule of thumb is that 30-45 minutes of daily cardio is safe and that the body should be given adequate time to replenish and repair itself following a high intensity workout. For those who have suffered from exercise addiction, it isn’t a case of going cold turkey. Exercise is still a fundamental part of a healthy lifestyle but the best way to exercise safely is to do so in moderation, to have fun while you exercise and to challenge the damaging thoughts that have led you to prioritise exercise above all else.

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