I asked earlier: Have You Ever Heard of an Exercise Disorder? After writing it, it occurred to me that we could go into more detail on how you could know if you are exercising too much. Doctor Fassihi of the Menninger Clinic offers the following important clues that may help you answer the question:
How Do I Know If I am Exercising Too Much?
- You cannot miss your workout, it doesn’t matter how you feel or what’s going on – you absolutely cannot miss it and if some act of Congress prevents you from doing your workout – the guilt you feel is pretty intense
- You exercise even when you notice that it really hurts to keep walking, that the cramps in your legs are intense and that you feel deep, physical pain with every step you take
- You commonly have a number of injuries and not just a little muscle strain
- Your exercise routine is so intense and you are so deeply engaged that your friends and your family are starting to talk to you about their concerns
- You can’t stop your workout, even when you want to cry from the pain of it – the overwhelming desire to keep going is so powerful that you know you’ll collapse before you stop on your own
An exercise disorder can feel like an addiction and not a positive one. I’ve joked about being addicted to exercise before, but I’ve never felt the all-consuming urge to keep going even when I’m physically in pain. I know when to cut myself some slack and I know when to pick up the pace.
If you experience any of the above, then you may need to talk to someone close to you to see if they have noticed similar symptoms or patterns. If someone you trust agrees, then it’s time to talk to a health care professional and get help.
Exercising should be good for your health – not detrimental to it.