Ever feel like you're getting addicted to exercise

i used to hate working out but lately i love it and I realized yesterday that i must be addicted because i didnt get to go to the gym and i was so nasty all day...snapping at everyone and hating the world....got up this morning and spent nearly 3 hours at the gym....feel much better today!

My gym time is the only me time I get! I'd rather go for an hour of easy cardio on a "rest" day than try and relax in the bath, go for a walk (because then I'd have to bring the girls), or try and chill while also trying to tune out the craziness that is my two daughters playing.

I feel the same way, but i almost feel like being addicted to exercise is the best thing to be addicted to! I went to the gym this morning and feel like I could go back again, and the only thing stopping me are these gas prices that dont make it worth it because I know I don't NEED to go again. Yesterday, same thing happened and I went for a run around the neighborhood because the weather was so nice out! Is there such a thing as too much exercise/should I take a rest day? Because quite honestly, I feel terrible if I don't go to the gym everyday....its probably mental but I cant get myself to NOT go no matter how busy I am I always make sure to squeeze in at least half an hour of cardio! Thoughts?

Yes, there is a such thing as too much exercise actually. Or rather there is a such thing as "exercise addiction" in a negative sense. Here's some info:

Recognizing addiction

The exercise addict has lost his balance: Exercise has become overvalued compared to elements widely recognized as giving meaning in a full life -- work, friends, family, community involvement -- in short, the fruits of our humanity.

When emotional connections are passed up in favor of additional hours of training; when injury, illness and fatigue don't preempt a workout; when all free time is consumed by training -- exercise addiction is the diagnosis.

Warning lights for addiction include withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and depression that appear when circumstances prevent you from working out.

To the addict, there is no exception to the rule "the more the better." More training, more hours, more miles, more intensity: more is absolutely always better. Anything that interferes with the lust for more exercise is resented.

Just to point out a few flaws in the logic here... I am addicted to nicotine. My husband and children doesn't suffer for it, my friends don't suffer for it ... same goes for my exercise.

When someone elects to put in extra hours of training rather than deal with social crap, it can be the equivalent of walking away from an argument rather than engaging... I would rather work out than get in a screaming match with my mother... and with her, every conversation ends in a screaming match no matter what you do.

I am anxious, irritable and depressed naturally and have been for years... working out gives me a break from putting on a false face for people who are trying to tap-dance on my last nerve.

I get furious when something interrupts a scheduled workout... mainly because I spend every other hour of the day bending over backwards for my husband, my children, my friends, my neighbors, my kid's school, or whoever else just HAS to have help at a moment's notice. That being said, I get up at 3:15 to work out before getting the kids ready for school, go to bed after everyone else so I can do a second workout, and schedule my "walk with a friend" type activities for Sundays when nothing else is affected.

I'm not saying that there aren't people out there with real problems... but please don't generalize and (as I believe you did) don't quote generalized crap that can be read to apply to normal, health conscious people... especially in a cheerful thread like this.

To the OP... isn't it a beautiful feeling when healthy choices seem more appealing than, say, a bag of chips? LOL I love experiencing that kind of euphoria! Enjoy! =D

I feel the same way, but i almost feel like being addicted to exercise is the best thing to be addicted to! I went to the gym this morning and feel like I could go back again, and the only thing stopping me are these gas prices that dont make it worth it because I know I don't NEED to go again. Yesterday, same thing happened and I went for a run around the neighborhood because the weather was so nice out! Is there such a thing as too much exercise/should I take a rest day? Because quite honestly, I feel terrible if I don't go to the gym everyday....its probably mental but I cant get myself to NOT go no matter how busy I am I always make sure to squeeze in at least half an hour of cardio! Thoughts?

Yes, there is a such thing as too much exercise actually. Or rather there is a such thing as "exercise addiction" in a negative sense. Here's some info:

Recognizing addiction

The exercise addict has lost his balance: Exercise has become overvalued compared to elements widely recognized as giving meaning in a full life -- work, friends, family, community involvement -- in short, the fruits of our humanity.

When emotional connections are passed up in favor of additional hours of training; when injury, illness and fatigue don't preempt a workout; when all free time is consumed by training -- exercise addiction is the diagnosis.

Warning lights for addiction include withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and depression that appear when circumstances prevent you from working out.

To the addict, there is no exception to the rule "the more the better." More training, more hours, more miles, more intensity: more is absolutely always better. Anything that interferes with the lust for more exercise is resented.

Just to point out a few flaws in the logic here... I am addicted to nicotine. My husband and children doesn't suffer for it, my friends don't suffer for it ... same goes for my exercise.

When someone elects to put in extra hours of training rather than deal with social crap, it can be the equivalent of walking away from an argument rather than engaging... I would rather work out than get in a screaming match with my mother... and with her, every conversation ends in a screaming match no matter what you do.

I am anxious, irritable and depressed naturally and have been for years... working out gives me a break from putting on a false face for people who are trying to tap-dance on my last nerve.

I get furious when something interrupts a scheduled workout... mainly because I spend every other hour of the day bending over backwards for my husband, my children, my friends, my neighbors, my kid's school, or whoever else just HAS to have help at a moment's notice. That being said, I get up at 3:15 to work out before getting the kids ready for school, go to bed after everyone else so I can do a second workout, and schedule my "walk with a friend" type activities for Sundays when nothing else is affected.

I'm not saying that there aren't people out there with real problems... but please don't generalize and (as I believe you did) don't quote generalized crap that can be read to apply to normal, health conscious people... especially in a cheerful thread like this.

To the OP... isn't it a beautiful feeling when healthy choices seem more appealing than, say, a bag of chips? LOL I love experiencing that kind of euphoria! Enjoy! =D

what? did you not read that I said *I* have thought about being "addicted" myself? wow. someone asked a question and i responded with an answer. I wasn't bringing down the vibe of the thread. SHEESH what's up with you?

I guess it depends on your use of the word "addiction." Used lightly, "oh, I'm addicted to exercise," and yeah, to most people it's probably not a big deal. But if TRULY addicted to exercise, then, yes, it could potentially be a problem. I think that's what love4fitness was referring to. Even something that is fundamentally healthy, when taken to EXTREMES, can become detrimental. That is why there is such a thing as compulsive exercise.

"Compulsive exercise (also called obligatory exercise and anorexia athletica) is best defined by an exercise addict's frame of mind: He or she no longer chooses to exercise but feels compelled to do so and struggles with guilt and anxiety if he or she doesn't work out. Injury, illness, an outing with friends, bad weather — none of these will deter those who compulsively exercise." (source: kidshealth.org)

I don't think it was meant to be a downer or anything. Just pointing out that there is actually potential for true addiction. People with histories of an eating disorder, for example, may be prone to that kind of thing.

That said, I don't think it will ever be my particular issue...addicted to chocolate, more likely.

id say healthy addiction. it just feels odd if im not doing something now. granted we all need a rest day to let our body rest, i just feel out of whack a bit if i dont do anything. my rest day is pretty much just a mile run and some stretching.
but like its been said earlier if this is my only "addiction" well then im in good shape! <-- truth right there.


such a great feeling after

Absolutely, positively, most certainly NOT. *sigh* I wish i was. Maybe someday I will be.

I guess it depends on your use of the word "addiction." Used lightly, "oh, I'm addicted to exercise," and yeah, to most people it's probably not a big deal. But if TRULY addicted to exercise, then, yes, it could potentially be a problem. I think that's what love4fitness was referring to. Even something that is fundamentally healthy, when taken to EXTREMES, can become detrimental. That is why there is such a thing as compulsive exercise.

"Compulsive exercise (also called obligatory exercise and anorexia athletica) is best defined by an exercise addict's frame of mind: He or she no longer chooses to exercise but feels compelled to do so and struggles with guilt and anxiety if he or she doesn't work out. Injury, illness, an outing with friends, bad weather — none of these will deter those who compulsively exercise." (source: kidshealth.org)

I don't think it was meant to be a downer or anything. Just pointing out that there is actually potential for true addiction. People with histories of an eating disorder, for example, may be prone to that kind of thing.

That said, I don't think it will ever be my particular issue...addicted to chocolate, more likely.

I can run a 5k and still feel the need for more... I never thought of it as Compulsive exercise but I think you could be right... I don't struggle with guilt but I do get anxious if I don't work out.. I have an injury at the moment and I'm still at the gym working out parts of my body that are functioning.. hmmmm.. Not to mention I ran 4 miles in the rain a few weeks ago... oh $%&!!!

Well, don't overreact, it's just something to be aware of. Running in the rain isn't necessarily extreme. Running in a thunderstorm when you have an injury but you just HAVE to do a certain number of miles or you can't live with yourself...that's something else. If you were really worried you're overdoing it, talk to someone you trust about it.

I"m not worried about it.. I just love doing it.... I think I'll survive.. Thanks!!

I wish I could just start to ENJOY exercising. I do it because I know I need to. I am not to the point where I do it because of how it makes me feel, although that is what I'd like to happen. I need to cover up the clock on my treadmill so that I stop counting down to when I can stop. Need a mentality change!

Slowly getting addicted...had the flu a few weeks back and was really upset that I couldn't make it to the gym. When you're training for a 5K even one missed run day really has a bad effect on the body!