Exercise can be addictive
Q: I have always been into exercise, but over the winter I have become hooked. I go to the gym every morning and sometimes cancel plans with friends if they clash with my fitness schedule. I’m feeling great. What is the problem if I’m looking great? Just because a little of something is good, more isn’t necessarily better. If we exercise properly good things happen – energy, mood and vitality improves, our immune systems strengthen, we lose fat and maintain or build muscle. But when exercise starts to take over your life and the idea of not being able to exercise makes you want to cry, you have a problem. Even if you look amazing.
Being ‘‘healthy’’ is not just about how you look. The World Health Organisation defines health as a ‘‘state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing’’ including how your body and mind function.
While ‘‘excessive’’ varies from person to person, research points to seven indicators of addiction:
❚ Tolerance: Increasing exercise volume to get that buzz.
❚ Withdrawal: Missing an exercise session causes anxiety, depression or irritability.
❚ Lack of control: Reducing exercise volume makes you feel out of control.
❚ Intention: You often do more exercise than you intended.
❚ Time: Excessive time preparing for and doing exercise.
❚ Reduction in other activities: Because you’re too busy exercising.
❚ Continuance: Keeping on even if it causes physical or mental harm or pain.
Aside from the obsession, there are also the physical implications of chronic overtraining to consider.
Again, training is highly personal and goal-dependent – we have different thresholds and reasons for doing high volumes of exercise, but there are common signs that show you’re not healthy.
❚ Decreased muscle mass despite increased exercise: Hormonal changes leading to muscle loss and fat gain no matter how much cardio you do.
❚ Lowered immune system: Your body isn’t coping with the workload – it’s in a catabolic state, breaking down and not repairing, causing lowered immunity.
❚ Niggling injuries: Inadequate rest between workouts compromises technique and strength, increasing injury risks.
❚ Constant muscle soreness: Your recovery mechanism is compromised.
This doesn’t mean stop exercising – it just means we need a more moderate approach.
❚ Raewyn Ng is a Movement and Wellness Coach at mybod.co.nz and kulawellness.co.nz. Send her your body and exercise related questions to life.style@fairfaxmedia.co.nz with Dear Rae in the subject line.