Are you an exercise addict?
Do you love running on the
treadmill? Do you love it so much that you end up running for hours together,
only to come home exhausted, yet you wake up early the next morning to go back
for more?
Don’t hurt yourself by overdoing the
exercise. Look out for these signs that tell you you’re addicted to working out:
Symptoms
If you’re one of those people who cannot miss even one day of exercise, its
time for a reality check.
Do you cut down on your hours of
sleep so that you can hit the gym early?
Do you feel excessively guilty if
you missing a workout session?
Do you make up for lost time on the
treadmill by doing long back-to-back long sessions?
Do you feel the compulsive need to
hit the gym though your weighing scale tells you you don’t need to do it
everyday?
Or do you not feel motivated anymore
after a workout?
If you’ve answered yes to any of
these questions, chances are you are an exercise addict!
What causes it?
Exercise addicts often do not have a
positive body image. They often view themselves as not worthy, and this may
eventually affect their social life.
Everyone does not have a healthy
body image of themselves and this could be another trigger,. Other factors like
peer pressure, stress and depression build up to the addiction. “Our body
releases hormones like endorphin that makes us feel good and gives us clarity
of thought and helps us focus,”.
The damage
Excessive exercise can damage
tendons, ligaments, bones, cartilage and joints. When minor injuries are not
given enough time to heal, they could worsen and result in long-term damage. It
eventually destroys muscle mass, especially if the body is not getting enough
nutrition. Exercise addiction could have an impact on the heart. Especially if
accompanied by an eating disorder, diet pills or other supplements.
Dealing with it
. “Maintaining a diary will bring
the addiction to your notice,” . If a family member or friend points out an
addiction, the person may lash out, thinking it a lack of concern towards their
own health. “Learn to draw your limits and try not to get influenced by what
your peers do,” .
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