Excessive Exercise Could Mean Trouble

Everyone knows that regular exercise is a good thing. We try to find time to do it and feel guilty when we don't. However, some people take exercise to the extreme. These people exercise compulsively to purge their body of calories much like a bulimic that binges and purges. This type of behavior is called exercise bulimia.

Characteristics

The sufferers of exercise bulimia do not regularly vomit, use laxatives, diuretics or enemas. This is compensated by using exercise to rid the body of calories. Many men with eating issues use this method than any other. People who find it difficult to purge also use this method.

Because exercise is healthy, this type of excessive behavior is often considered not as serious as other disorders. With over half of Americans overweight, people who exercise more than others should be an example for us. But the effects of excessive exercise can have negative long-term effects.

Symptoms

Excessive exercising has a lot to do with control. This disorder goes hand in hand with the same way people with eating disorders use food to take control of their lives. Both will schedule their lives around their said activity.

Other indications are:

Missing work, parties or other appointments in order to workout. Missing any type of work or personal engagements to workout is a serious sign that you're pushing exercise too far. Do not let the need to constantly workout ruin your life financially or personally.

Working out with an injury or while sick. Anytime the body is in pain, stop! If you are feeling unusually sick, stop! This is the way our body tells us something is wrong.

Becoming seriously depressed if unable to workout. Missing a day or two should not leave you feeling worthless. Not having time to workout on a certain day is okay as long as you find time to fit exercise in your schedule.

Working out for hours at a time each day. We just need 30 minutes to 1 hour of exercise most days of the week. More than this will not necessarily be productive.

Not taking any rest or recovery days. Rest or recovery days are very important for the body to heal itself. Too much stress and strain on bones and muscles will injure them.

Forgets that physical activity can be fun. Exercise should be an activity of interest. Losing interest and working out just to burn calories will lead to unhealthy tendencies.

Justifies excessive behavior by defining self as a "special" elite athlete. Working out excessively does not mean you're an athlete. More than likely you are overexerting your body and causing damage.

Danger to the body include: stress fractures, strains and sprains; serious problems in women because of low body fat; fatigue; dehydration; osteoporosis; arthritis; reproductive problems; heart problems.

In Conclusion

If you are obsessed with exercise and use it to undo bad eating on a regular basis, you may have exercise bulimia. Getting help will save your life. Call your doctor to get started on getting your life back on track.