Some people might find it hard to believe but pounding away on a gym treadmill and exercising can become addictive.
For some people, exercising can become very compulsive. Which can be as physically, psychologically and emotionally destructive as taking drugs. It hasn't yet become a common addiction but it is becoming steadily recognised as one. There is some cause for concern if people find that their exercise regime is disrupting their normal life. Perhaps they find themselves spending more time at the gym than with their own family. Often people who have an addiction will make excuses to their friends and family for their excessive exercising. Justify it by saying that they need to get fitter.
Exercise is a good thing. But that doesn't mean that lots of exercise is a very good thing. Suddenly increasing your physical activity or overdoing it, when you're already fit, can put your body under a huge stress and increase the risk of serious injury. A balanced exercise programme with time for rest and recuperation is vital.
WHAT CAUSES EXERCISE ADDICTION?
When we exercise, our brains release 'feel-good' hormones called endorphins, along with other chemicals - serotonin and adrenaline. These are responsible for stabilising mood and dealing with depression and anxiety. The levels of endorphins, serotonin and adrenaline, will stay elevated long after exercise as finished, giving you that "feel-good" feeling . The amount of these naturally occurring substances released by the body relates to the intensity of the exercise. The more intense the workout, the more that are released, giving you the greater feeling of euphoria. It is possible to become addicted to the effects of exercise, by constantly trying to get your body to release even more of these hormones.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU'RE ADDICTED TO EXERCISE?
If you feel the need to exercise seven days a week and for longer than 90 minutes, you might consider yourself addicted. More noticeable are the effects. Feelings of guilt or laziness if the unthinkable happens and you can't get to the gym. You might find yourself scheduling your life around classes at the gym, ignoring aches and pains, or booking yourself into a hotel with a gym, so that you can keep on exercising whilst on holiday.
HOW CAN YOU KEEP A HEALTHY EXERCISE REGIME?
Exercise is a good thing. It's important not to lose sight of this. A healthy exercise regime should incorporate rest and recovery. You don't have to spend more than 90 minutes three or four times a week working out. A Personal Trainer can devise a safe and appropriate exercise programme for your fitness level and goals. Try and make better use of your time outside the gym - recovering between sessions is as important as the sessions themselves. Ensure you drink enough water, get plenty of sleep and eat the right kind of foods.
For more information on starting a personalised training programme, e-mail Bryanevansfitness@hotmail.co.uk
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO DEAL WITH AN EXERCISE ADDICTION?
If you are exercising frantically, it is likely that you are overtraining. Overtraining means that you are not allowing your body sufficient time to recuperate in between sessions.This can raise your blood pressure and heart rate, reduces your immune system, causing fatigue and lethargy. Overtraining essentially does more harm than good.
The best solution - reduce the amount of exercise you are doing. Try and abstain from exercising for a couple of weeks. This will help you to recover and re-focus. Then limit yourself to three 45 minute sessions a week for the next two/three weeks. After this period, you can return to your exercise regime as normal, monitoring the amount you are doing.
Remember it's not the end of the world if you happen to miss a session or class.
If you feel you cannot deal with your problem alone you may need help from a trained psychotherapist or counsellor. Chronic exercise addiction can be a severely debilitating condition meriting clinical intervention, and in sever cases hospitalisation.
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