Hello everyone, the board has been slow lately so I decided to contribute my two cents. OK, the day starts out like any other..... I pull up to the gym for my daily workout and as I am getting out of the car, it hits me..... an overall pain and soreness so bad I can barely get out of the car. It is a result on my workout from the day before. What do I do? I get out of the car and march into the gym for my daily 4 1/2 hour workout. I think you all know where I'm going with this. I have worked out all my life but for the last three years I have been severely addicted to exercise. I don't even think about how my body looks anymore, I only care about getting jazzed up on my own juice aka endorphins. I read that a substance produced by the body called beta endorphin is stronger than morphine so no wonder this has happened. So what do I do for 4 1/2 hours?....2 1/2 hours on the stair stepper, aerobic and anaerobic. Core work 45 minutes and the rest heavy and light weights both free weights and machine and then about 1/2 hour of yoga. During these last three years I have lost a relationship and have gone through alot of physical pain but the show must go on, I have no choice anymore I am addicted. But, on the other hand the high I get lasts all day, I am kind of on this pain /pleasure see saw. Now don't get me wrong, I am not asking for help as I have made peace with my addiction, no girlfriend, no traveling without a gym nearby, exercise rules my life. I retired very young so I have all the time I need. Sometimes I rationalize and say 4 1/2 hours is only about 18% of the day but even so I get the feeling my body is going to give me payback someday.. Anyway,, the purpose of this post is to invite others with this condition to share their story. Perhaps you cycle for a few hours a day and your spouse is upset with you or you go to the gym in a blizzard, any of your addiction stories will be much appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this......Len Vegas
The following user gives a hug of support to lenvegas: jen757 (03-19-2013)
Hi Jen and thanks for your imput. Exercise used to make me feel good but now I do it just to feel normal and exercising through pain is not fun. I am powerless over this addiction. Take care
Its hard for me to understand as I am in no way addicted to exercise, but like you said I would think its more the feeling you get from the exercise your addicted too, its like a drink or an antidepressant it makes you feel better, how do you feel mentally when you do not exercise, if you feel really bad maybe its the fear of that feeling that keeps you exercising even though you find it painful.
I am just wondering instead of intensive exercise would you not swim or do something a bit easier on your body?
Yes Jen swimming is a great exercise and my gym has an olympic size pool but I am not a good swimmer.....can't seem to get into the right rhythm; And yes if I do not exercise I get into a funk, can't sleep well and end up in the casino so it is the fear of this that keeps me going to the gym .
I hear you, I am the same re swimming I am thinking of getting lessons though. it sounds like it might be intense but its the right choice for you to take care of your mental health. I hope you find a good balance.
all the best.
