Addicted to working out?

[AccidentalVeg]

I have no idea what is going on with me but if I don't work out once a day I am really annoyed and unhappy. My more usual pattern was one of working out every other day at most but I have a lot of extra work tension and tension from a contempt of court action I had to initiate against my ex. It's a really dizzying amount of extra stress! So I have been taking it to the gym. Now I am worried that going to the gym has become like a smoking habit. That it's not necessarily about being healthy now. It's verging on neurosis. How can one tell? I eat normally. 3 squares a day plus snacks. I sleep about 7 hours a night. I pretty much eat whatever I feel like. I am not working out to get thin or to look a certain way. It's purely excess tension that I am aggressively channeling. My work outs are generally 40 minutes to 1 hour of cardio followed by a half hour of free weights and abs.

I did not work out today. First time all week and I feel the excess energy driving me bonkers already!

Anyone else? This is all new territory for me. I don't want to end up crazy work out girl. I used to just pootle along at the gym for an hour and goof off home.

d

ETA: I should really have put this in Physical Fitness. Sorry, yo.

[zoebird]

i do not think that you're addicted or that you're wading into the realm of orthorexia or a similar over-exercising (exercise anorexia) area.

if you have tension, the best way to work it out is with physical activity. There's nothing wrong with doing 2-3 hours of exercise a day (i often do more activity than this) if you're doing it for the right reasons: fun, health, and stress relief.

[Virtue23]

I know how you feel AV! Its really unnerved me that I haven't taken my jazz dance class in 2 WHOLE WEEKS!! Even tho I didn't take it cause I was physically unable. I'm just like "Can I just get better already?!" I haven't been to the doctor but thru some strecthing and a little working out almost every day, I feel a lot better.

So, I don't think its not normal or something technically wrong with it. I just think you get used to a routine and can get sluggish when you stray from it. But do know that its not the end of the world if you stray once or twice. Just keep going. :up:

[Christy]

I wish I had that problem. I have to force myself. Of course I feel good afterward and know it's good for me, but I hate it while I'm doing it.

[Virtue23]

Christy - try a work out that you really love to do. Like if you like to play soccer or bike-riding, try doing that for 1hr+ once or twice a week instead of actually going to a gym. That way, you still get exercise and you'll enjoy it too. :D

[Christy]

I've thought of that, but then I'd have to deal with...people! Volleyball would be cool.

[SeaSiren]

Yes, most weeks I can't wait to get there, and hate it if I have to miss it. And about one week out the month I have to push myself to go. So most of the time I love going.

[AccidentalVeg]

I'll tell you what really made it fun. I bought a stupid iPod with my bonus. I bought it really cheap, open box at Best Buy and that damned thing has made working out the most fun it's been in ages. I set up a new mix for each week with a motivating set of house or other dance-y stuff for the cardio and a steadier, slower beat for weights. Then a chill-out set for cooling down and abs. It's a great motivator and the time flies by. I used to just watch those stupid plasma tvs set around the cardio room and found that those depressed me endlessly. Sorry but Extreme Makeover or The Amazing Race is depressing ****. Watching it to trippy soundtrack is less depressing ;)

d

[vggiegirl]

I wish I had that problem. I have to force myself. Of course I feel good afterward and know it's good for me, but I hate it while I'm doing it.


Ain't it the truth. :-/

[bstutzma]

I got a really cheap open box ipod too. I dont work out with it though, I better not start ;-) I love my workouts too :-)

[kathym]

I have certainly gone through phases through out my life where my work outs have priority over anything and I do mean anything. And on those rare occasions when I haven't been able to work out I would feel like I was doing something wrong. I would work out so hard the next day to where I would hurt myself. I'm a lot older now and though I am still a long distance runner it doesn't bother me as much if I don't run on the days that I am scheduled to run. However the worst part about being old and being a long distance runner is that if I take a couple of days off it shows on my body, all most over night the flab and cellulite appears out of no where. Hmmm....well I started talking about addiction. LOL!

[Cassiel]

I totally understand this! Glad I'm not the only one, too. If I don't work out, I can't sleep well and I get antsy. Even with a job that really wears me out physically (veterinary technician), it's not enough unless I run. I've never slept better than while marathon training (maybe that raised my sleep threshold or something), and I don't feel quite "together" without it. Then there are the days you just need that cushion of endorphins from your workout to get you through.