Workout addiction.....Is it possible?

thunderlight7

I enjoy working out, but I think a little too much, I believe. Ive been going strong for a couple of years now. Without a break. Even when I try to take time off, I get an itch to get back in the gym. Ill stay home for 2 days and then gradually get back into my routine, way earlier than my planned break ends. I was wondering if I was alone in the aspect of fitness. If you take off, how long should you do so? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

janet_pratt

Unless you're suffering physical problems from it, it's probably no big deal. If you are getting injuries because you aren't allowing your body time to recover, that would be a different story. I get twitchy when I don't work out.

BobbyClerici

Sure, and it's like anything else that's good.
Too much of a good thing makes it bad.

All things in moderation.

IronSmasher

Have you ever lied or conceiled how much you've been doing in the gym or how long you've been there?

Sublimely_Self_Righteousreused

I wish I had this addiction.

jhardenbergh

I am there right with you. I try to take one day off per week, it's very difficult to do, unless I am totally busy with work or other things. I usually take off Wednesdays cause that is the day I go weigh in and see my weightloss group so I don't get home til late, but I am on vacation this week and am planning on working out with my trainer on wednesday was gonna take today off, it didn't workout that way, cause I went for a 5+ mile run with 50 crunches every mile. OH well, I will take Friday off, we'll see if I can resist.

EuroDriver12

first thing is admitting your addiction....

I AM... A FITNESS ADDICT, A GYM RAT, W/E YOU MAY CALL ME!

i love it! the days in the gym are easy!!! its the days off that kill you!

adjones5

I completely understand where you are coming from, I feel the same way! If it is interfering with your life to the point where you can't do other things that you need to get done or you are injuring yourself then it is a problem. Otherwise, just make sure you are eating enough to fuel your workouts.

carolinedb

I have to force myself to take rest days.

My name is Caroline, and I'm a gym rat.

wendyw8

I wish I had this addiction.

ME TOO!!!

staceyseeger

I'm addicted too...especially to running. My PT says he has never met someone so CARDIO CRAZY!

EuroDriver12

you start coming to the gym with me... ull see results so quick it becomes like crack because u can correct every single thing on your body! its like your body is a unfinished statue and you are the artist!

tcpowell25

I would listen to my body. Take a break when your body tells you. I'm addicted too. The only thing that's keeping me from working out lately is that I've been in an accident. I'm on bedrest for a few days but when I can work out again it will be back to business.

ansonrinesmith

Every so often, if you are feeling tired, or you aren't progressing in sets/reps/weight then take a week off.
You will probably be amazed that you come back feeling stronger.

chrisdavey

Yeah, I'd say I'm close to addicted. I just love pushing myself I guess.

My rest days aren't actually do nothing days but more active recovery for the next gym session. Stuff like going for walks/jogs & doing pilates/yoga. I find this keeps me balanced & helps overall. Other people may see this as an actual exercise session I guess but for me it's all about the recovery (& it helps burn a few cals so I get to eat more as well which is always good )

I'm having a break over xmas/nye as I'm going away. There will be plenty of walking/activities going on so I'm not too fussed about taking some time away from actual gym stuff. In fact, I've sort of timed it well as I'm just about finished my program which has me peaking about now & calls for a deload anyway.

Hopefully my muscles won't fall off in the next 2 weeks

HeidiMightyRawr

Yes, I feel like I'm addicted sometimes. Although I enjoy my rests days (Sat&Sun) and I know it works in my favour to have them, I still miss not going to the gym :laugh:
I'm planning a deload next week, and going 3x instead of 5x. I've heard some good stuff about taking time off and getting stronger when you come back, so I'm really hoping that's what happens. I couldn't bring myself to take a proper full week off though, maybe someday!

thunderlight7

Sorry to see your out for a while. Good luck on your recovery.

honor82

I don't think it's a bad thing. Eating right and exercising regularly are very healthy things to do and there is nothing wrong with them.

Maybe break up your normal routine and go for a swim or ride a bike.

CyberEd312

I always joke now that I traded one addiction (food) for another (exercise) but a will take this new addiction over where I came from... Atleast now I am getting my life back.... I try to take a day off a week but I am normally going stir crazy at home lol....

scarlettd12

I agree in saying that I WISH I had this addiction! It takes me everything to get myself to the gym. Once my workout is completed I feel GREAT and I am so happy that I went. My day is always better when I work out. But the time before getting to the gym...oh it's awful. I literally sit there and have to talk myself into it. But I just remind myself how good I feel afterwards.

I am just starting to get into a workout routine though, so I am hoping this changes. A few years ago I went to the gym on a daily basis (and I was about 20 lbs lighter) and if I missed a day, I felt disgusting. I can't wait to get back to that point. I want to be that gym rat.

As far as it being bad....I don't think so as long as you aren't overdoing yourself. Like others have said....make sure you are fueling your workouts....and don't let it interfere with your every day life. I think it is a better "addiction" to have compared to others such as alcohol or in my case, food. haha

vhuber

I am NOT addicted but I have not had a real rest day since Christmas of 2009!! I am NOT ripped but the doc says I have an awesome heart from the daily movin it!!! I plan to maybe take a day or two off in 2012!!

Hoaimy

You aren't alone. I exercise every day. There are worse things than to be addicted to exercise!

adriayellow11

I am definitely an addict too. To the point of harming myself. Friend me, you'll see. I am working on it. But I think it's worth mentioning that there is a diagnosis defining a low level of depression that is only alleviated with exercise that plays a part here... With me, anyways.

niknak0508

I am so with you on this!! I have been going to the gym for almost a year 6 days a week for the most part...... but even on my rest days I do something small like a three mile walk or something. Recently I have taken up working out at home and now I don't get a break at all!!! It's like I know I need rest, but the itch to work out bugs me all day..... then i give in and say " oh i'll just do 20 minutes to burn 200 cals" then it turns into an hour and 500-600 cals! Best addiction you could have, accept don't kill yourself over it... I have been trying to limit my exercise on rest days!

SassyCalyGirl

guilty-but I try to just "walk" on rest days instead of running. I cannot do NOTHING!

apriltrainer

I used to be a cardio queen. Having two kids cured me of that addiction, lol. No time means I had to get smarter about my workouts and become more efficient. Now I enjoy only working out 20-30 minutes.

Yup, two kids = workout addiction cure!

SarahFierce

It definitely is possible! If you worked out 6 days in a row, then DEFINITELY take a day off to rest and let your body recover. Make sure to not do the same workouts every day and work different parts of your body. I am so with you on this! After doing something for so long it becomes a habit and it's hard to break that--but at least yours (hopefully) is a healthy habit!

Shock_Wave

From consensus 2 weeks max for weight lifting. For me personally I have been at this game for years but I take a break every 4 months for 1 week. I forgot to take a break this time around and I havent taken a break in 6 months and as of last week I got tendonitits in my left elbow. I have had this happen two times, once in my right elbow and now this time in my left. The first time I was out for a month and this time I was out for 2 weeks. Do you self a favor and rest from time to time its worth it.

Edit I have 2-3 off days a week to rest and recover from weights but for cardio I can do this everyday but its just so zzzz but it needs to be done for me.

azzacca

I'm not addicted, yet.

I go almost every day - have been taking Fridays off due to having too much to do. But I go twice on Monday (once to my fitness class and once to do a pool workout with my friend). Tuesday, swim. W/Th class, Friday (usually pool workout), Saturday walk the dog at a minimum, go for a run otherwise. Sunday hit the gym again. Two of the classes are lifting, one is cardio. I do vary what I'm doing at least.

I'm to the point where if I don't go, I feel very guilty and as though something's missing. I also very much enjoy the calorie boost I get to my daily intake, and enjoy it better when I don't eat them all back.

raige123

Hello everyone! My name is Dawna and I'm a gym rat!

Jessicaruby

you start coming to the gym with me... ull see results so quick it becomes like crack because u can correct every single thing on your body! its like your body is a unfinished statue and you are the artist!

i need to go lifting with you then!!!