Exercise Addiction

Roger Barrett25 said:Calling this an addiction is a straight-up insult to people dealing with actual addictions.
It’s just a solid habit and a healthy lifestyle.

There’s a clear line between a solid habit and a true addiction.
Since we're talking about "real" addictions—though I'm not quite sure what qualifies, given that anything you can't quit is technically a real addiction—take wine, for example. Having one glass a day is considered healthy. But if you need a whole bottle or more just to function, that’s an addiction.

If someone can't function without something (and this applies to anything) and starts neglecting the rest of their life because of it, they're addicted...

I remember watching this documentary on a German network about a decade ago featuring a former junkie who completely reinvented himself as an Ironman triathlete. Essentially, he just swapped one addiction for another.

Michelle Evans said:There’s a clear line between a solid habit and a true addiction.
Since we're talking about "real" addictions—though I'm not quite sure what qualifies, given that anything you can't quit is technically a real addiction—take wine, for example. Having one glass a day is considered healthy. But if you need a whole bottle or more just to function, that’s an addiction.

If someone can't function without something (and this applies to anything) and starts neglecting the rest of their life because of it, they're addicted...

I'm guessing she meant "true" addictions are things that are inherently harmful, so they couldn't possibly be considered good for you or promote health like working out does.
Honestly, out of everything someone could get hooked on, nothing else comes close to being harmless or even beneficial in small doses, besides that daily glass of wine we mentioned.

Plus, according to official medical classifications, you can only technically be "addicted" to psychoactive substances, or gambling under the newer DSM-5 guidelines. Everything else, like internet, shopping, or sex, is still mostly classified as impulse control disorders or compulsions while researchers study them further.

Casey Gomez said:I remember watching this documentary on a German network about a decade ago featuring a former junkie who completely reinvented himself as an Ironman triathlete. Essentially, he just swapped one addiction for another.

But what's the harm in that?
Personally, I don't think you can call someone addicted to triathlon just because it's an extreme sport that takes up hours of their day.
Exercising is such a natural way to feel good, and honestly, everyone needs that in their lives.
I don't see anything wrong with a former addict finding a much more natural way to chase that same sense of euphoria they used to get from drugs.

Usually, when opioid users relapse, they swing toward alcohol or other substances, which is a much darker path.
Even with positive shifts, some people finishing rehab programs—which often have a religious lean—end up becoming incredibly devout or even joining the clergy.
To me, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Daniel Gomez10 said:I'm guessing she meant "true" addictions are things that are inherently harmful, so they couldn't possibly be considered good for you or promote health like working out does.
Honestly, out of everything someone could get hooked on, nothing else comes close to being harmless or even beneficial in small doses, besides that daily glass of wine we mentioned.

Plus, according to official medical classifications, you can only technically be "addicted" to psychoactive substances, or gambling under the newer DSM-5 guidelines. Everything else, like internet, shopping, or sex, is still mostly classified as impulse control disorders or compulsions while researchers study them further.

But what's the harm in that?
Personally, I don't think you can call someone addicted to triathlon just because it's an extreme sport that takes up hours of their day.
Exercising is such a natural way to feel good, and honestly, everyone needs that in their lives.
I don't see anything wrong with a former addict finding a much more natural way to chase that same sense of euphoria they used to get from drugs.

Usually, when opioid users relapse, they swing toward alcohol or other substances, which is a much darker path.
Even with positive shifts, some people finishing rehab programs—which often have a religious lean—end up becoming incredibly devout or even joining the clergy.
To me, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I’m not so sure about that; honestly, I don't feel particularly "pleasured" while I'm out running. 😲

and I see nothing wrong with a heroin addict replacing that unnaturally intense high they got from drugs with more natural methods of achieving the same feeling.

I never claimed it was bad; I am simply analyzing the physiology of addiction.

Casey Gomez said:I’m not so sure about that; honestly, I don't feel particularly "pleasured" while I'm out running. 😲

and I see nothing wrong with a heroin addict replacing that unnaturally intense high they got from drugs with more natural methods of achieving the same feeling.

I never claimed it was bad; I am simply analyzing the physiology of addiction.

Nobody feels great while they're mid-run—that rush usually hits once you're finished.
Plus, there are plenty of other natural ways to get that same kind of high besides working out.

I went through something pretty much identical, just that constant feeling of wanting to throw in the towel, but I guess I managed to pull through somehow.. you just gotta find a balance, honestly, hitting it three times a week is more than enough 😉

Daniel Gomez10 said:Nobody feels great while they're mid-run—that rush usually hits once you're finished.
Plus, there are plenty of other natural ways to get that same kind of high besides working out.

Alcohol. 😬

I can usually go about 7 days before that specific discomfort kicks in—you know, that feeling where your muscles just feel super acidic

Honestly, if you haven’t really pushed yourself through a serious workout, you just don't get it! It’s kind of like how someone who’s never even stepped foot in a shower wouldn't understand what a truly amazing, deep clean feels like

jadewolf16 said:I can usually go about 7 days before that specific discomfort kicks in—you know, that feeling where your muscles just feel super acidic

Honestly, if you haven’t really pushed yourself through a serious workout, you just don't get it! It’s kind of like how someone who’s never even stepped foot in a shower wouldn't understand what a truly amazing, deep clean feels like

Over time, a man learns to find genuine pleasure in the pain of a workout. Listening to music helps immensely, elevating that sense of aggression. ☕

jadetinker32 said:I went through something pretty much identical, just that constant feeling of wanting to throw in the towel, but I guess I managed to pull through somehow.. you just gotta find a balance, honestly, hitting it three times a week is more than enough 😉

If you hit it at least 3x a week, you should see progress without getting injured.
You definitely need a rest day once a week.
So, doing it 6x a week is totally fine too.

Casey Gomez said:Over time, a man learns to find genuine pleasure in the pain of a workout. Listening to music helps immensely, elevating that sense of aggression. ☕

Feeling actual pain while training isn't normal.
And yeah, music is definitely one of those "natural highs."

Greetings,
The topic at hand caught my attention, so I decided to weigh in.
Three years ago, I was essentially addicted to working out. It wasn’t that I was trying to kill myself in the gym, but I maintained a rigorous five-day weekly schedule: three days of aerobics and two days of Pilates. On top of that, I performed a specific glute routine every single night—about 100 reps per leg, two sets (I'm no fitness expert, so forgive my lack of technical terminology)😁 but I was utterly obsessed. My primary fear was losing my shape so completely that I couldn't even sit down for more than a minute without discomfort, and I would exclusively sleep on my stomach. This cycle continued uninterrupted for just over a year.
Then came marriage. The shift in responsibilities completely disrupted my rhythm, and I spiraled into depression—and I mean that with absolute sincerity. My panic attacks intensified, and my self-image crumbled along with them.🙂 I can't say for certain if stopping that exercise routine felt like withdrawing from a chemical addiction, but I do know that while I was training, I felt like the most powerful woman alive.
I am attempting to get back into it now, but... it isn't quite the same.

Casey Gomez said:Exercise addiction is driven by an increased release of endorphins—it's essentially a chemical high similar to morphine. Personally, I follow my own advanced regimen; on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, I perform four sets of pushups, pull-ups, and squats every single day. On Thursdays and Fridays, I run three laps around my office chair. The weekend is reserved for recovery and the sauna. My diet consists strictly of eggs (consumed thirty minutes before and one hour after training) because I don't eat meat, and I find whey protein to be loaded with toxins. If anyone actually cares to learn more, feel free to DM me; I'm happy to share some advice.

Where are you getting that idea about whey?...

Susan Jackson12 said:Where are you getting that idea about whey?...

I’m speaking within the broader context here. 😬
For instance, look at what I dug up.
Many protein powders both whey and non-whey could contain dangerous levels of heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic. A Consumer Reports' evaluation showed some leading brands of protein powders exceeded United States Pharmacopoeia's (USP) recommended safety limits for certain heavy metals. You want to avoid these products at all costs because any high concentration of heavy metals taken over time could lead to serious health consequences.

from here
http://www.foodmatters.tv/articles-1...-created-equal.
So, do with that what you will. 🤷 Whatever. ☕

Joseph Mercola 😂🤣😂

Susan Jackson12 said:Joseph Mercola 😂🤣😂

😁
Here's another one for you. They’re popping up everywhere like weeds after a summer storm. 😁
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ne...healthy-metals
But don't lose any sleep over it. I'm hardly being serious here. ☕