Confession: Is it possible to be addicted to Exercise? I worry that I am.

[Mike03]

Over the past couple of months I've suffered a few injuries that have made it hard to exercise to the lengths I usually do, and it is really depressing me, probably more than is normal. Is there such a thing as being addicted to exercise or somehow psychiatrically messed up as a result of sports injuries?

[RainDog]

1. anything

can be "addictive" -in that you get warm fuzzies that you want to continue. exercise releases hormones and positive mental states b/c of.

I've offended more than one person when I've stated that I think alcoholics (and others with negative habits, like my cig smoking, substitute one unhealthy addiction for a healthy one. I think that's reasonable, and not only about one group, but I guess some don't like the idea that addiction may just be part of the human condition...conditioned response.

ANYWAY,

I'd love to offer you a way to handle that issue. You can come to my place for a month and be my svengali and make me get my youknowwhat to the gym!! you can vicariously exercise while your injuries heal. You can revel in your superior fitness while you yell a drop and give me twenty... except don't yell because then I'll cry.

oh, and we have to do yoga afterwards, even if you hate it.

deal?

[seemunkee]

2. Hell yeah

I drive my wife crazy when I can't exercise. I was doing 2 a day work outs for a while and injuring myself every couple of months. Unfortunately,I broke my addiction when I couldn't work out for several months due to surgery. Trying to get back into it so my body craves those endorphins again.

[CreekDog]

3. Screw you

I'm addicted to ding dongs.

:rofl: :nopity:

[pitohui]

4. yes it's called exercise bulimia, knew someone who had it

it can be a significant cause of injury because you get one injury, feel compelled to start exercising again too early, get another injury, and it just piles on

i could reason with you and point out that no matter how good your abs look, you aren't "fit" if you are destroying your joints, but i know all too well that it's an emotional thing and you can't be reasoned out of it

it is something to discuss with your doctor, who is probably already wondering if you have a "few" injuries instead of focusing on recovering on one injury -- supposedly it's possible now that the new medications for compulsive behavior MAY help with this, might be worth asking

here's hoping you enjoy a full recovery very soon

there is no sin in getting your rest!

[triguy46]

5. As a former triathlete, and runner for 22 years....

Absolutely. There is literature out there that has documented the endorphin high that comes from exercise, and yes, it is addictive at high levels. My knees are shot, have had rotator cuff surgery, but I still do 30 minutes of elliptical 5 days a week for either the psychological or physical reasons. Cannot imagine not exercising. Just wish I could swim again and run again.:cry:

If your exercising is not associated with an eating disorder, and you are in good health, IMHO, go for it.

[Shine]

6. Sure and I can totally relate, for what it's worth

I think we get hooked on the endorphines that are released with hard-core cardio workouts. It's like being high without the drugs.

Exercise and physically being active is VERY important to me, too and when I don't or can't do it for whatever reason, then yes it definitely affects every other aspect of my life. I get moodier, and much more easily depressed. Having an injury is the worst b/c then you really do feel out of control and victimized by your body. I've soooo been there and it sucks!!!

It was a huge piece of work for me, emotionally, when I couldn't exercise due to an injury. I had to let myself just REST and HEAL and it was really hard. I just wanted to be active and I couldn't.

:hug: I feel for ya, mike. :hi:

[Mike03]

7. Thanks for the input, this means a lot to me to anyone can relate to this. NT

[grasswire]

8. it's not the exercise, it's the endorphins

Some people truly have a deficiency of beta endorphins, which they MUST fill and often fill through addictive behavior. Alcohol, sex, exercise, sugar/carbs....it's infinitely better to be addicted to exercise than any of the others!

[pitohui]

9. not if you're getting injured, it isn't better

this poster is expressing concern that he is having repeat injuries because he can't stop the compulsion to exercise

people destroy their knee joints like that and, believe you me, you do not want to destroy your knees if you are an active person and the ability to continue to live an active life long term is an important value to you

addiction is by its nature destructive and should be treated, not encouraged

enjoying some daily exercise is not what is being described, what is being described is a compulsion to continue the exercise even when it is harming his body

this is a serious matter and really should be discussed with the doctor treating the injuries

[flvegan]

12. That's not what the poster said.

Here, I'll play it back for you:

"Edited on Fri Jan-25-08 08:23 PM by Mike03
Over the past couple of months I've suffered a few injuries that have made it hard to exercise to the lengths I usually do, and it is really depressing me, probably more than is normal. Is there such a thing as being addicted to exercise or somehow psychiatrically messed up as a result of sports injuries?"

Mike03 has suffered a few injuries that have made it hard to exercise, and he's missing the exercise. "Compulsion" never enters the conversation until you drag it in kicking and screaming as usual. Nor does the poster suggest that his "compulsion" to exercise caused the injuries. People get hurt exercising. They get hurt brushing their hair from time to time.

[Mike03]

16. Thank you very much for your input flvevan,

you are exactly right, and that is exactly what I said.

My family is very sensitive, perhaps oversensitive when I injure myself, which happens a lot during the winter.

But I do get unnaturally depressed during the winter. And I tend to get more injuries this time of year too.

Anyway, thanks so much for your input. I know you know a lot about this topic.

[grasswire]

13. well, the op just needs to be a bit smarter about...

...the method of exercise. A person can just as easily produce endorphins through exercise that isn't likely to cause injury. Swimming, perhaps. The compulsion to punish oneself is something else, entirely, if that is the case.

[ThomCat]

14. Wow. You're really good at jumping to harsh and hostile conclusions.

x(

Perhaps that's, um, compulsive behavior?

[NNadir]

10. Absolutely.

[Kutjara]

11. Exercise addiction is a big worry for me.

That's why I sit on the sofa all day eating Twinkies. I just don't want to take any chances.

[Jamastiene]

15. Yes, technically, it is.

I can't remember which show it was, but I'm sure there is something about it online. I saw a show a few years back about exercise addiction. I found it fascinating considering I can safely say that would never happen to me as I hate exercise with an unbridaled passion.

Basically, it concentrated on joggers, but said other types of exercise could bring on the same thing. Joggers who jog more and more each day eventually reach a point where endorphins flood the brain and makes the person love jogging to the point that they do it an inordinate amount each day. They were not talking about people who just jog for a little exercise. They were talking about people who do it excessively until their legs get all spindly and creepy looking and they get this bugged out look.

I'm sure there is an alternative to exercise addiction, but it in and of itself becomes an addiction (if you do it right) and I would be breaking all the rules here to say what it is. It's similar to exercise (and some of the letters in the word exercise can be rearranged to spell it out) and your eyes may bug out for a few seconds, but they'll go back in your head afterwards and everything will be ok for a few hours after that. It's the only form of exercise I can stand, but you know the rules and all. :P

[democracyindanger]

17. This guy says no

[Deja Q]

18. Like a balanced diet, a balanced workout is kinda recommended too...

[Runcible Spoon]

19. Is it possible? Sure. You? Prolly not...

I get depressed when I can't get on a horse at least once a week. Normal.

This old professor lady who jogs around town. All day. Every day. She is tiny and emaciated and bent and twisted and gnarled, and gimps more than "jogs". It looks excruciating.