Health and Fitness Addiction

Health and Fitness Addiction

Yes... it is possible! The word 'addiction' gives us images of people in dark rooms, listening to bad music and sticking needles in their arms, but many addicts can often be found in the gym or on the local school track, getting an equally addictive fix. In fact, the positive nature of the word 'healthy' makes health and fitness addiction all the more appealing. Despite the positive image portrayed by the media, health addicts have done the most damage to their families and lives, just like other addicts. In this article, we will examine the underbelly of health and fitness addiction and find a path to recovery.

How can something so good be bad? In our modern western culture, those who are prepared to pay a high price to be fit are to be applauded. There are, with great care, many temptations to try to do otherwise. Exercise is usually boring, painful and smelly, so those who endure it for an hour or so, 3 to 5 days a week, have achieved a level of discipline that most only dream of.

Health and fitness addiction has nothing to do with health or fitness... it's a little compulsion to use healthy activities to fill a void you see in yourself. Addicts are compelled, not disciplined. The addictive chemicals involved in exercise are roughly equivalent to those in sex and pornography addiction. This may explain why many of us suffer from both sexual and health addictions.

Types of health and fitness addictions: These are addictions to health and fitness activities, as opposed to TV, internet and shopping addictions which might involve health themes. Health and fitness addictions are compulsions to interact in "healthy" activities, such as exercise, dieting, etc. In fact, both anorexia and bulimia have been described as serious health and fitness addictions. Both anorexia and bulimia have been described as serious health and fitness addictions. Two key symptoms of these mental disorders are the control of exercise and diet to a compulsive and excessive extreme. The precise exercise or diet plan is irrelevant. It is an addiction as soon as you feel compelled to try it.

How do I know I am an addict? We addicts often don't recognise our addiction because a standard symptom of addiction is denial, which is even easier to possess in health matters. That's why it's easier to seek help from a lover or loved one if you have a problem in this area. For health addiction involving food, see the questionnaire on anorexia. Here are some things to look out for regarding exercise addiction:

1. does one regularly spend quite 8 hours every week exercising and is that the time you spend increasing?

2. Does your exercise schedule interfere with normal family activities, home or work responsibilities?

3. Do friends or relations complain about the time or money you spend on fitness?

4. have you ever wondered if you're being too compulsive about your fitness program?

5. have you ever lied to your family, friends, or employers about the time you spend in fitness activities?

6. does one often see fitness as how to realize acceptance or praise from others?

7. have you ever ever pushed so hard in your fitness program you hurt yourself?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider that you are in danger of addiction. If you answered yes to three or more, you are probably addicted.

How do you overcome health and fitness addiction? Like any other addiction, it is often caused by a negative self-image. Rather than alcohol, you turn to exercise to fill a void you feel inside. As the relief produced by exercise is only temporary and you become conditioned, you want regular increases in activity to provide equivalent relief. Unlike alcohol, a particular amount of physical activity is necessary for good health, so you can't just stop. Instead, limit yourself to one hour a day, 3-5 days a week.

Spend the rest of the time you didn't exercise going to AA or other addiction meetings and taking an interest in personal development activities. you'll read, go back to school, join a volunteer group. you'll take up a hobby, such as gardening or building model aeroplanes. to help build yourself up, avoid negative mental inputs, such as news, drama, negative and insulting friends. Replace them with good music, reading or other activities that build you up. Remove all negative, self-destructive and limiting thoughts from your mind and replace them with positive, uplifting and encouraging thoughts.

Because health and fitness addictions can turn into anorexia, if you are trying to control your addiction but are not succeeding, seek medical attention. Sometimes medical and psychological therapy can prevent the onset of a more serious illness and give you the mental energy you need to control yourself.

Health and fitness addiction is often as serious as the other addiction. It can lock us into destructive and compulsive activities. We put our families, careers and even, ironically, our health at risk because of our addiction to exercise and other fitness activities. The good news is that there is hope for anyone who is willing to measure up and work towards recovery.