Exercise Addition

     We are encouraged to exercise because numerous studies have demonstrated that regular exercise is good for health. However, there is such a thing as exercise addiction. If it is left unaddressed, many harmful consequences will ruin the life of addicts. Some people become addicted to physical activities and engage in excessive exercise. An obsessive, compulsive exercise becomes the most important priority in the life of those who are addicted to exercise. In order to do more exercise, they forget all other obligations and responsibilities such as families, careers, and social engagements.

      A main reason that causes exercise addition is the sense of control. They feel they can control the mood, the body, and the environment while doing exercise. Ironically, the attempt to control leads to a loss of control eventually. They do not have ability to balance the activity with other priorities in life.

     When I feel anxious or depressed, I am eager to do exercise such as going jogging, doing yoga, and climbing mountains. At first, I went jogging twice a week. I found that I lost weight and became more energetic. Besides, I found exercise is a great way to express emotions, to address negative feelings, and to deal with stress. I feel the sense of control and forget all worries I am obsessed with while doing exercise. I start to go jogging almost every day until I read an article.

     That article is about a woman named Janice Utley who is addicted to exercise: Her fitness regime ruins her holidays, her social life and her marriage but she just cannot stop. On holidays, she cannot travel a long distance or she should find gym when she arrives at her destination. Besides, she never leaves home without her portable player and exercise DVDs. Because she needs to do exercise to burn off every mouthful, she tries to avoid going out with friends for dinner, and will make excuses to get out of it. What is worse, her husband, Mark, feels that she ruins many holidays for him. He is angry that she exercise during pregnancy and she does not care about the safety of their children. Finally, Mark divorces her because he is fed up with her exercise addition.

Renowned running writer Dr. George Sheehan said: "The things we do with our bodies should be done merely because they are fun -- not because they serve some serious purpose. If we are not doing something that is enjoyable on its own account we should look for something that is." I feel strongly that exercise is very important in my life but I am still not like those who take exercise as the most important thing in their life. Regular exercise is healthy but excessive exercise is harmful. Therefore, if we are always obsessed with our need for exercise and cannot do anything else, we should ask for help to overcome our exercise addiction.