Compulsive Exercising Compulsive exercising, like many disordered eating behaviors, is used to lose weight. But ultimately the exercise provides a temporary sensation of power, control and or self-respect. For some, it is a way to cope with stress, and forget about underlying issues. It is said that we should exercise our demons, but in some cases that is taken too seriously. People get caught up in the benefits of exercising, to the point where they don’t know when to stop. While not exercising a lot is quite bad for your health, exercising too much is almost worse. It’s time. It’s time for you to learn just exactly what compulsive exercising is, and how you can stay away from it. The term "over exercise" refers to exercising to the point of exhaustion. When over exercising becomes the norm, this may be an indication that a person is actually suffering from what is called compulsive exercising, or Anorexia Athletica (Gavin). Although there are quite a few issues with people of all ages with over exercising, it is still overlooked as being a component of eating disorders. Exercising to an unhealthy point is as dangerous as restricting, purging or using diet pills or laxatives. People with exercise addiction may have various motivations for their behavior. For example, the desire to control their body weight or shape. For both males and

females, participation in athletics and attempts at improving athletic performance can initiate an eating disorder (Gavin). By over exercising, our bodies become weak. In fact, we think we are doing ourselves some good, but we end up doing the opposite. There are quite a few negative effects compulsive exercising could have on us: • Injuries such as stress fractures, strains and sprains • Low body fat. • Arthritis • Reproductive problems • Heart problems (Gavin) Don't try to push through that exercise funk. When you feel tired, just stop. Before its too late. Some wonder, after seeing all the bad it could do, why is it so hard to stop it? Well, for some people it is a lot more than a problem. It’s an addiction. For some, it’s just like taking candy away from a baby. The psychological torment of not exercising is greater than the negative consequences that affect their physical and social well-being. Often when exercise is withheld, these individuals will experience irritability and depression. But it is just not worth the pain, discomfort and ultimately horrible side effects to keep the workout going. Now that you know what it is, and what it could do lets see how to spot it. The following points are ways to tell if you may be exercising for the wrong reasons. • Injuries such as stress fractures, strains and sprains • Preoccupation with exercise routine to the point where it affects your ability to concentrate and focus. • Cutting school or taking time off work to exercise. • Turning down social activities so you don't miss a scheduled work out. • When