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When Exercise Crosses the Line from Healthy to Compulsive
By Christina | November 17, 2008
I workout a lot. By many people’s standards I workout too much. I disagree with what people think, as I usually do, so I wanted to understand and write about what is the difference between compulsive exercise or obligatory exercise and just REALLY enjoying the activity.
Compulsive exercise is defined by an exerciser’s frame of mind. It isn’t about how long you workout but why. An addict does not choose to exercise but feels compelled to do so and struggles with guilt and anxiety if a workout is missed. For an addict, it doesn’t matter if there is an injury, illness, an outing with friends, or stormy weather, they will miss out on life to be able to workout. Exercise takes over a compulsive exerciser’s life because he or she plans life around it. Now there are some of you reading that might think you know an exercise addict but before you jump to conclusions, there are other reasons one might workout A LOT besides addiction.
I have one friend who worked out excessively because he wanted to find a partner and once he married her, the wrokouts diminished.
I have another friend who works out in the morning to be with friends and at night to stay away from home because she hates being there.
Another friend is at the gym close to three hours each morning because her kids are in school, her house is clean and she has nothing else to do.
It’s nearly impossible to draw a clear distinction between doing a healthy amount of exercise from too much. The government’s 2005 dietary guidelines recommend at least 60 minutes of physical activity for kids and teens on most — if not all — days of the week.
Similar to eating disorders, often compulsive exercisers do what they do to feel more in control of their lives. Their sense of self is often tied to how they look and their athletic performance. These people are often dealing with emotions like anger or depression by pushing their bodies to the limit. Keeping to a strict routine helps them find a sense of power to help them cope with low self-esteem.
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