Can a person be addicted to excercise?

[Yoly1001]

Just curious, I am in OA and I do have a problem with compulsive behavior. The mission of recovery is to heal the compulsion and not transfer it to another substance. Well lately I have been feeling rather compulsive about my excercise. If it is compulsive I might just stick with it, I think excercise is 1 of the few things that I woudl consider a healthy addiction (to an extent of course).

I was just wondering what you guys thought? Are there any excercise addicts out there?

[2big4mysize]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

yep and you can get chemicaslly addicted as vigorous exercise for a lenght of time like running will generate brain chems that you will really like they even have a name for it runners high.

[Laurenfra]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

Yoly its better to be addicted to exercise then somethng lazy like TV or the PC, but anything that interferes with your life and well being is bad. I also notice you seem addicted to looking AWESOME!!!!!!

WEBSTERS
Main Entry: ad·dic·tion
Pronunciation: &-'dik-sh&n, a-
Function: noun
1 : the quality or state of being addicted <addiction to reading>
2 : compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful

[Yoly1001]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

Thanks Laurenfra! This is really sweet, I'm not sure if I look awesome but I definatly feel awesome.

I just measured myself this morning and I have lost 43 inches so far. I can't believe it! I am a really slow loser, and I lose a tiny bit of weight, like 1 pound a month. But I have really upped my excercise to get out of a comfort stage in my weight loss and in the past two weeks I have lost 9 inches. I don't really see it, but I guess it's true because in my weight loss journal the numbers are going down. I'm so goofy, sorry, guess I'm just excited.

2big - Maybe that is the feeling that I have been having. I'm not a runner, but I do WATP the 3 mile tape at least 4 times a week. I feel major guilt if I dont' do something active even on my rest days. I wasn't like this before, I used to have to drag myself to do excercise now it is one of my favorite times of the day. I can't believe I just said that (oh no, i have become one of those excercise nuts that i used to hate, lol) oh well at least I'm getting healthy.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

woo hoo another exercise addict Welcome top the club. Isn't it a great feeling to have to exercise cause you want to!

[Yoly1001]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

Yes most definatly an addict, if I had my doubts before after today I am 100% convinced.

Today's workout:
WATP, 3 miles with 2 pound weights
Swept/Mopped my first floor (1100 sq. feet)
Played in the heat with Abigail for 2 hours

Using Fitwatch this equals out to 1258 calories lost for the day. I can't hurt myself right? Is this too much? I feel good, a little tired but for the most part good.

[iyamamaschke]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

You had to ask you gotta know I am crazy when it comes to exercise.

[ttdriver]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

YOU BET. PROUD & SKINNY ADDICT HERE.

And no, I don't need to see a therapist who'd recommend I sit on my butt and do nothing. I did that and gained 40 pounds.

ok .. Gotta run .. LITERALLY. I'm out the door for 8 big ones.

Betty

[texwife&mom]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

Uh, he-he-hello, My name is Tex and I am a runaholic. I was fat and lazy then I found running again(I was addicted in my teens) and now I can't stop.----Please don't help me!!!LOL

[FunkyFabDiva]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

What a fabulous addiction. Giving you fabulous results.

Thank you for the reminder.

[YaniBoni]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

I want to be addicted! I can't run though...I suck at it! I used to be addicted to working out when I was in my early 20's then my husband turned me to food addictions and look where I am now! so keep up that addiction!

[Satyr]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

im starting to be one, if i dont go to the gym every day i feel guilty...

[slimndown]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

I hate it but find that if I stay consistent for about a week then I look forward to it. BTW - It is known that compulsive behavior gets worse when one is under stress. I have not been diagnosed as OCD but I am one that clings to whatever order I can find when life is in chaos. For example, when my dad was in the hospital it was easy for me to wash my face every morning and evening (I usually forget evenings) and stick with Atkins when I had only started a few weeks before. It was when he was out and we could take a breath that I relaxed and blew it . Might be similar for you since you are under a bit of stress right now.

[CarrieSmattick]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

You can become 'obsessive' with exercise which for the most part is a good thing. However, don't let it spiral out of control. I have been through eating disorders and come out the other side and at one time I was obsessive about exercise.

Stay healthy, just don't over-do it.

Hugs,

[ttdriver]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

Well, I figure trading a carb addiction for an exercise addiction is a pretty good deal!

Betty