Can a person be addicted to excercise?

[JandLsMom]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

my cousin was anorexic for years. She was so sickly thin we were all very worried about her. She got so bad she finally ended up in the hospital. They taught her how to eat and exercise. She has since recovered from her anorexia and become and exercise addict! She is a much healthier person, she is normal weight, eats food, and is very toned!! it was a good trade off !!

[changing]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

I totally understand this "exercise addiction" thread... I've been exercising 8.5 hours a week (2 hours Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday; 50 minutes Monday, Thursday, Saturday; Sunday is "rest day"), six days a week. Two days ago, on Tuesday, I injured myself by pulling my heel tendon; as a result, I had to sit out on Wednesday from exercising, and let me tell you, I FELT SO GUILTY ALL DAY! I still did my stomach crunches, but lack of cardio disturbed me. When I first started exercising, I was even exercising 7 days a week, but my husband demanded that I take a rest day each week. I'm finding this all exceedingly strange because I didn't exercise before this WoE. I am totally, utterly hooked.

[ttdriver]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

There's no harm in being addicted to the endorphins produced through rigorous exercise, as long as you don't overstress your body by working through PAIN .. Pain is the only way your body has to tell you that you're working too hard ..

Learn to listen to the signals your body will give you and take adequate rest/recovery days. THEN JUST DO IT!

Betty

[JandLsMom]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

I am not excercising at all! i didn't get to this weight by exercising thats for sure. I am hoping as the weight starts coming off i will have more energy and WANT to start exercising. Can't wait till spring when the whether is warm because i plan on walking the baby in the stroller everyday and walking further and further daily. I can't run or jog because i have knee problems. I also would like to take up bike riding once i am closer to goal and don't look Enormous on my bike!

[lawyerchick]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

I'm an exercise junkie too. When work/life interferes with my routine I get REALLY grouchy (just ask DH!).

Carrie's right, though. One of the ways of being anorexic/bullemic is through excessive exercise. That means MANY hours a day, every day, though - not what anyone here is describing. As long as you're taking it easy (even if that means a light workout, not full rest) one day a week, you're a healthy addict.

[kibskix]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

It isnt always a good thing. It can be serious and life threatening. It doesn't really have a real scientific name, but its nicknamed Anorexia Athletica. People exorcise compulsively and constantly, and while they have no problems with eating, they still burn more than they eat and more and can end up frighteningly underweight and unhealthy

[ttdriver]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

It isnt always a good thing. It can be serious and life threatening. It doesn't really have a real scientific name, but its nicknamed Anorexia Athletica. People exorcise compulsively and constantly, and while they have no problems with eating, they still burn more than they eat and more and can end up frighteningly underweight and unhealthy

Anything to excess isn't healthy. Unfortunately, more people suffer from under-exercise than over!!

Betty

[jsj0305]

Re: Can a person be addicted to excercise?

How true....

I completely understand this whole switching one obsession out for another. I was bulemic for years, since I was about 9 or 10. Then I started doing cocaine..which was **** (but I didn't care at the time), then I was addicted to food (crazy as it sounds), now I am obsessive about exercising.
I was doing and hour ++ on my elliptical at 4 resistance, which I cannot believe I did, and 300 crunches a day for almost 2 weeks straight, then I hurt my back, so I had to slow it down. I didn't listen to the pain, as TT was saying. That's my problem is I don't see the warning signs until it is too late.
Now I am doing a healthy 20 minutes a day at 4 resistance. I chilled out on the crunches, too. I am all for doing a lot of great exercises, but I tend to make impossible goals and hurt myself getting to them. If I make smaller goals, I can't possibly hurt myself. Plus, if I exercise in moderation, I will not get burnt out. I can enjoy it and reep the wonderful healthy benefits of exercising. I do love it and look forward to it.

Wanna laugh, I actually CRIED when I couldn't exercise b/c of my back. Not b/c of the pain, I just wanted to do it so badly. DH had to actually lock the room and take the key to work to keep me from goin on it!!!! Sad, but true. Now I appreciate it