Food Obsession and Exercise Addiction Symptoms

My ability to achieve a high level of physical fitness while maintaining an active social life by attaining a sensible balance between exercise and lifestyle is something about which I am rather proud. But recently, I believe I have slipped into my old habits of food obsession and exercise addiction. This is something I discovered once I caught myself centering my life around workouts and dieting, and pushing social engagements to the periphery.

Those suffering from exercise addiction are those who are forcefully compelled to workout between 5 and 7 times weekly. Someone who becomes incapable of indulging in a day of rest likely suffers from an exercise addiction. Upon first glance, it may seem that you are simply committed to maintaining your regimen. But, in order to prevent injury and overuse of muscles, days of rest are critical. Furthermore, it is important to examine the fundamental reasons you have for exercising regularly. Anyone who battles constant unhappiness with their body image or a fear that allowing the body a day of rest will result in undesirable weight gain is probably afflicted by exercise addiction.

Not unlike exercise addiction, food obsession is a condition centered on self esteem and body image. This problem often begins with a sense that one's outward appearance is always lacking. In severe cases, food obsession can result in harmful eating disorders. My credentials are insufficient to thoroughly discuss a food obsession of that sort. But, I can certainly explain the food obsession I am presently confronting and the ways in which it impacts my lifestyle.

I began to face a food obsession problem when I decided that my body fat should measure lower than ten percent. But, the question remained as to the lengths to which I would go to achieve that goal. I do not work in modeling. I am not a fitness competitor of any kind. During the current colder months, only my wife and I are likely to see very much of my body. The conclusion I have reached is that a 10 percent body fat measurement affords me a similar level of health as would a 7 percent measurement. The pain and struggle that result from exercise and food obsessions simply do not pay sufficient dividends for me.

Though ongoing battles with exercise addiction and food obsessions can be quite troubling, brief bursts of intense focus on these areas can provide some benefit. Anyone needing to quickly shed pounds for a special event can likely safely indulge in a temporary obsession about diet and exercise. Also, anyone just beginning an uphill weight loss battle can benefit from an intense period of focus on what they eat and how often they exercise. The key is to make certain that you do not become entangled in exercise addition or food obsession that lasts for extended periods of time.

About the Author: Dave provides no-nonsense "best of the best" diet and exercise tips to lose fat and build lean, defined muscle without spending hours in the gym. There's no point in using a bodybuilder routine to get a fitness model physique. These are Not Your Average Fitness Tips. Read more about exercise addiction and food obsession, and download a FREE copy of Dave's Fitness in a Flash report to help get a lean, athletic look in no time. http://www.notyouraveragefitnesstips.com