Addictive personality
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I don't think trading one addiction for another is ever a good thing. In my experience, you need to get to the root cause of what's causing your addiction before you jump to another one.
If you get addicted to exercise, it will become your life and you'll be stuck in the same unhealthy patterns that you are when you're deep in an addiction.
Maybe addicted is a bit of a strong word. I get into things may have been better. lol
Sometimes people can replace religion for addiction and that is how people end up in cults. I'm just saying I understand that side of it because there is a lot of drug and alcohol addiction in my family and I have seen this sort of thing happen.
But, I know that is not what the op meant. The op is saying she is habit forming. And actually one of the best ways to combat that is to replace healthy habits with unhealthy habits.
And yes, you can do that. Find what you enjoy. I dance, lift weights, do yoga, walk and hike, play, and enjoy active recreation.0 -
The more I keep up with a consistent routine the more I want to do it and keep doing it. You have to find something you love.
I LOVE kickboxing. Recently I found I love running too.0 -
Just throwing this out there, but have you thought about swimming classes?0
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I have memberships to 3 different gyms and a dojo. Sometimes I work out twice a day and I get ancy when I have to take a day off. We all have addictions, some are healthy-some not so healthy. I'm working on a nicotine addiction currently. Make some goals and good luck!0
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C25K got me absolutely hooked on running! I just ran my first race on Sunday, and plan to run both a 10K and a half marathon later in 2014. I highly suggest the program.
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I have OCD, ADHD & a very addictive personality. I hated exercise..really. Getting me to even go for a walk with my husband was a 'no I got other things to do even though I don't ' kind of deal.
Now, just over 2 years later. I exercise daily, have not missed a day in all that time, because I'm addicted to the feeling it gives me. I don't miss a day even when sick or injured, In fact for the past few days I have been suffering from hamstring tendonitis & still cant stop exercising.
I was addicted to counting calories & that was leading to a whole new disorder cause if something was over a particular amount of calories per serve (so 50cal) then I would not eat it.
That kind of addictive trait can be good or bad.0 -
I am addicted to MFP...logging my food and cycling. I ride to eat!!!0
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I don't feel good when I go too long between workouts. A day or two off is fine, but I missed four days a few weeks ago and was getting pissy about it. For me it is a great stress relief and I crave the exercises that I do to help balance things out. My particular "addictions" are boxing and lifting. I run, but only like a mile or two after lifting or boxing. The boxing class helps me see the power I have within and the lifting fuels my desire for personal strength.0
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When you start to see results, you will want to exercise and eat healthier. You may not LOVE it, you may not even like it very much...but you will LOVE the results.
Not only will you see the results in your body and love them, exercise will also just make you feel better. Whether you're starting with walking, jogging, weights, high intensity stuff, whatever you can handle...give it some time and you will see a huge difference in your mood and energy. And I bet you could get into that 0 -
Yes! I'm generally not an addictive personality, but I am addicted to two things: exercise and coffee.0
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Just throwing this out there, but have you thought about swimming classes?
I stay home during the day and keep children. I am also a single mom of 4. I can't really go to classes. I know it sounds like I am making excuses, but you asked 0 -
It can happen! :-) just make it part of your daily life, and soon it will be routine. For me, once something becomes routine, then I just do it without thinking too much about it. just stick with it, even when it's hard and get yourself into a routine. :-)
^ She's right. I wasn't particularly fond of exercise or being outside at the start of my journey. Now it's gotten to the point where I feel guilty or lazy for taking a rest day so I go out for a leisurely walk as a compromise. It's gotten to be enjoyable. 0 -
I started on Couch to 5k when my youngest (I have two) was a year old. It was the only thing I had time for - just thirty minutes, three days a week. I could put my kids in the stroller and get it done. I never worried about whether I had time for the next session - if I had 30 minutes TODAY, I'd get out there and do it (never more than 2 days in a row).
I work full time and am married, so I continue to find the time to run. However, my husband doesn't have weekends off (I do) so it's hard for me to do anything else. I do body weight exercises at home for my strength training.0 -
If you "hate" exercise, you just haven't found an activity you like yet. I can say I "love" exercise, but I do enjoy finding different physical activities to try. I am constantly mixing it up which keeps me somewhat interested. And, you don't have to "love" exercise, you just have to do it!0
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I'm addicted to exercise, especially on week days. My morning swim and lunchtime gym are the bits I look forward to. The working day gets in the way.0
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Just throwing this out there, but have you thought about swimming classes?
I stay home during the day and keep children. I am also a single mom of 4. I can't really go to classes. I know it sounds like I am making excuses, but you asked
I think this is the reason why you should start tiny...Because if you have to take care of 4 little people and if it's hard to find free time for yourself, first you have to do effort to find place for the new routine.
Do you have any time in day when you can leave them by themselves for half an hour?
For example to make a walk around the block?
Or maybe you can fit the exercise into family routine, for example, every evening we're going to take a walk together?
Or planing weekends outside on bikes, or short outing in the nearby nature... Kids usually love to get a bit of fresh air and going out of the house.
Or if you like dancing, maybe you can have freestyle dance hour at home..putting on some music and turning your house into disco for half an hour
If you are type of person that usually puts other in front of yourself, maybe it would be even more motivating for you if you make it about improving your family health also.0 -
Luckily, my kids love to be outside. It would be very easy to walk or ride bikes etc. Thanks!0
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It CAN happen. I'm almost there. I started weight machines this month and find I actually enjoy going and miss it if I don't, so I don't miss it. Find exercises, or active activities YOU enjoy. Addiction: we all have em, fine line between addiction, enjoyment and even compulsion. Food's the trickiest. We all need it and enjoy it, yet those of us who overindulge are somehow weak and inferior. I'm sorry, a crossword puzzle isn't a satisfying replacement for an ice cream cone. But an ice cream cone isn't a satisfying replacement for health and mobility in the long run. You'll find what you like!0
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i had to giggle at this post, i too have an addictive nature and yet those hours spent at the gym several times a week still do not make me eager to go lol. I love to see the benefits but i do long for the day when i will actively enjoy the experience and look forward to my workout days lol0
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Luckily, my kids love to be outside. It would be very easy to walk or ride bikes etc. Thanks!
Take the kids out and even just play catch or tennis or something would be good for all of you. (Remember you set examples they'll live by too.)0 -
i had to giggle at this post, i too have an addictive nature and yet those hours spent at the gym several times a week still do not make me eager to go lol. I love to see the benefits but i do long for the day when i will actively enjoy the experience and look forward to my workout days lol
If you saw me you'd know I'm no health "nut". And machines are just what I enjoy. Sure, part of me wants to stay home and eat Fritos watching House of Cards. But the other part of me feels better after a workout and I enjoy a little less guilt in my life. AND I "earn" calories if I want them. If I didn't enjoy the gym I'd carry a log up a hill or swim longer or find that activity that I enjoy doing that helps me get fit.0 -
Luckily, my kids love to be outside. It would be very easy to walk or ride bikes etc. Thanks!
I've figured out a 1/10 of a mile stretch (out and back) in front of my house. The kids and I have "races" there. 10 races and I've run a mile.0 -
I'm getting addicted to spinning classes!! I love them!! When I first mentioned to my friends that I was thinking of trying one out, they were all like, "Oh my god I did one once - NEVER AGAIN!", or "you're not going to be able to walk tomorrow!" but I went anyway and absolutely loved it. I'm now going twice a week, and one of those sessions is a double-length endurance class. I guess I like being yelled at to go harder and faster! ;-)
Me too!!! Four classes a week and would do more if I had the time....I LOVE IT!
:laugh: 0 -
Exercise with kids can be tough. Can you take them to the park when the weather improves? I used to put on head phones and chase my toddlers around the park for 30 minutes. You'd be surprised how long toddlers can last! Lol. Other than that, I found some workout DVDs online that feature kids, or kids and moms, or infants and moms, or kids, infants and moms. Your workout can also be bonding time with the kids.0
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Sounds like you are finding some excellent options. I do obstacle course, type of circuits at the play ground with my kids. They asked me if they could be into fitness like I am. Doing this you can all do it according to your own ability level.0
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"I'm sorry a crossword puzzle isn't a replacement for an ice cream cone." Laugh out loud! Right! Think you've got it though!0
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I stay home during the day and keep children. I am also a single mom of 4. I can't really go to classes. I know it sounds like I am making excuses, but you asked
How about outdoor games? How old are they?
Duck, Duck Goose.
Ring around the Rosie
Hula Hoop
Jump Roping
Freeze Tag
Red Rover
Badminton
Dodge Ball
Freeze Dance
I love to exercise....would even consider myself addicted to it! I love strength exercises, push-ups, sit-ups, wall sits, squats, planks. I have found that the stronger I become, the more fun it is!0 -
I think the things we get addicted to are "instant gratification" type things that give us pleasure and send us a hit of endorphins (feel good / reward hormone). Setting a plan, being passionate, inspiration etc. help with a long term goal, however they're not the only thing that sustain it. Having someone who supports you, encourages you (especially when you're down or not seeing results) is a must have. Also a big one--not keeping treats in the house... out of sight out of mind. Setting realistic short term goals works for me i.e. down 2 glasses of water before 5 o'clock hits, etc.
Good luck to you and your goal! Good luck to us all 0 -
I don't get addicted to things easily but I am addicted to running. or it feels like a hobby, I can do things like buy gadgets and clothes and things to aid with my running.
Exactly Eric. I am the same way. Its enjoyable to by gadgets and stuff for working out when you know you will actually use them. Its amazing and fun.0
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