It’s probably hard to believe that bodybuilding can become an addiction. The word addiction is defined as ‘the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming’. Most people associate the term addiction with alcohol, drugs, or gambling. Unfortunately, there are individuals who are actually addicted to exercise like bodybuilding. For these men and women, the need to exercise becomes as mentally and physiologically demanding as one who suffers from an alcohol or drug addiction. And similar to other addictions, what drives bodybuilding or exercise addiction are many of the same triggers such as stress, mental illness, childhood trauma, and even genetics.

Many people begin by exercising or bodybuilding on a normal, manageable routine. It’s enjoyable and makes them feel better about themselves, but when done for the wrong reasons, this harmless activity can soon turn compulsive.

Weight loss is a common goal for most individuals that start exercising. It becomes a problem when he or she has unrealistic goals and is willing to do anything to meet those goals. Others can become so frustrated with the results that they begin to exercise even more to speed up the results when actually they are only hurting themselves and feeding into the compulsion.

Besides the risk of injuries with over exercising, the body needs to rest. Compulsive bodybuilding and exercising can become dangerous mentally and physically. One such danger is the dieting that usually accompanies compulsive exercise. The individual believes that if they eat less and workout more, the better the results will be. The door is then opened to eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

Symptoms of Addiction

If you or someone you know may suffer from bodybuilding or exercise addiction, answer the following questions truthfully:
1. Do you prefer to exercise rather than work, hang out with friends, sleep?
2. Do you exercise even when you don’t feel well, forcing yourself to do it?
3. Do you exercise more or less based on what you have eaten?
4. Do you get mad if you have to miss a bodybuilding or exercise workout?
5. Do you hate sitting still and relaxing because you feel you should be exercising instead?
6. Do you constantly worry about how much weight you will gain if you don’t exercise, or don’t exercise more and more each workout?

Any type of addiction is serious. It’s important to talk to someone like a friend, family member, or medical professional. Because this type of addiction runs hand and hand with eating disorders, support can usually be found within the community at group meetings for other addictions such as anorexia and bulimia.

There may be other issues at hand such as low self-esteem, distorted body imaging, etc. It’s critical that you or your loved one not try to handle this alone. Along with professional help, there are a few other areas that you can work on alone including:

– Stay focused on the good. Pat yourself on the back for exercising and trying to live a healthier lifestyle.
– Improve your self-talk. Say good things to yourself often, not just during your bodybuilding and exercising.
– Try and combine both healthy eating and exercise to improve your health. Don’t overdo it in either area.

Author Bio: I write for TIR Massage Stone about hot stone massage and massage stone therapy including hot and cold applications.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: hot stone massage, massage stone