How do you know you're an exercise addict? You know, right off the bat, if you deny that exercise is addictive. Beyond that no-brainer response, Geezer turns to the advice of BBC partner OneLife, where we read that you may be an addict if:
- Feeling like exercise is a compulsion, rather than fun
- Feeling guilty, depressed or irritable when you don't exercise
- Feeling like your job, studies or relationships get in the way of exercise
- Missing school, college or work to exercise
- Exercising regardless of injuries, tiredness or illness
- Ignoring the concerns of your friends and family about your attitude to exercise
Why do we care? Because, as OneLife warns, burning more than 3,500 calories a week is can ratchet up stress, weaken your immune system and increase your risk of injury. Think you're hooked? OneLife suggests the following:
- Concentrate on fitness rather than what you look like
- Get a proper exercise plan together
- Don't overdo it - listen to your body, if it's hurting or tired stop exercising
- Try more stretching work, like pilates, to wean yourself off high impact exercise
- Take rest days
