Often times, people find themselves exercising more than what would be considered “healthy”, and doing so can be both physically and mentally dangerous. Exercising compulsively is often associated with other disordered eating habits and poor body image. A focus on exercise and weight often serves as a way to cope with depression, anxiety, or other psychological stressors. The risks attached to over-exercise and poor diet include:
- Damage to bones, tendons, joints, and ligaments
- For females, the disruption of the menstrual cycle which increases the risk for bone loss or osteoporosis *Stress to the heart that can be fatal
- Feelings of depression, worthlessness and other emotional distress that persists
Signs of Compulsive Exercise:
- Constant preoccupation with exercising and intrusive thoughts that may interfere with your ability to focus or concentrate on other aspects of life
- Sacrificing other activities in order to exercise (i.e. missing work, cutting class, not attending to homework and/or social engagements)
- Feeling overly anxious, guilty, or worried if you do not exercise
- Your drive for exercise is only weight control as opposed to relaxation and overall wellness
- Lying about your exercise routine
- Not allowing yourself to take a break from exercise even though you may be injured or at risk for injury
- Exercising beyond a sensible fitness level (i.e. more than once a day, many hours, or beyond what a coach recommends)
- Feelings about yourself are based on how you exercise
- Finding it hard to have a good day or feel good about yourself if you break your exercise routine
Things You Can Do:
- Work on changing your self talk, trying to focus on your strengths and those aspects of yourself that are positive.
- When you exercise, do so moderately and focus on your positive qualities. Try to combine exercise and fun by hiking or bike riding rather than spending hours in a gym.
- Give yourself a break by listening to your body and resting as needed. Treat yourself as you would a friend.
- Accept your natural size and do not try to change your body into an unrealistic image. Talk with a health care provider to learn more about your natural body weight.
- Seek out support from friends and family. Let them know that you are trying to cut back and ask for their help.
Help is Available
It may benefit you to talk to someone at the Counseling Center. Stop by during our Initial Consultation hours Monday-Friday 8:30-11:00 a.m. & 1:00-4:00 p.m., or call (828) 262-3180. We can talk with you about your concerns. You may also learn more by checking our other links, or completing an online screening.
Crisis Services
If you or another AppState student is experiencing suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts or experiencing trauma in regard to a sexual assault, you may contact us after hours by calling the Counseling Center at (828) 262-3180 and select the option to speak with the counselor on call.
