Over Exercise for a Firm Workout is Dangerous

It Can Lead to Eating Disorders Anorexia, Bulimia & Binge Eating

Feb 26, 2007 Lori Henry

Independent health is a good thing, but to over exercise for a firm workout can become dangerous and lead to eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia & binge eating.

To over exercise for a firm workout is common among individuals who have an eating disorder. Those with anorexia, bulimia and binge eating often do dangerous workouts, thinking they are improving their independent health.

A study done by Chapel Hill took data from 3 international studies for their own research. Participants were asked specific questions on eating disorder symptoms, personality traits and exercise habits.

Over exercise is defined as working out for more than 3 hours a day and/or being so obsessed with exercise that t interferes with other parts of a person’s life. People who over exercise do it even when they are sick.

The group with the highest rate of excessive exercise was amongst anorexics who also purged, making up more than half of the respondents. Also those who had high levels of anxiety, a perfectionist attitude and a tendency towards being obsessive, were likely to be more extreme.

Those were have left a treatment facility where they gained weight are also likely to over exercise. They try to compensate for the difference in their weight by becoming obsessive with exercising.

Those who experience eating disorders are also prone to spending too much time during their firm workout. Their eating habits are unhealthy and they combine it to try to negate their binging behavior.

With the focus in our culture on losing weight no matter how thin you are, it’s no wonder so many people are obsessed with going to the gym. It brings comfort to those who live a stressful life and becomes a haven for others to compare their bodies and become stricter with themselves.

Many gym-goers also suffer from Orthorexia, an eating disorder where sufferers are obsessed with eating healthy food and working out, to the detriment of their social and work life.

The key is to ask yourself whether working out is stopping you from doing other things that you want to do.

• Do you constantly choose exercising over your friends and family?
• Do you become irritable and angry when someone or something stops you from working out?
• An attitude of anxiety when you get to the gym because you feel you need to get on the treadmill immediately?
• Do you care more about the calories burned than the way you feel?
• Do you work out until you are extremely exhausted?
• Do you get injured often from overwork?

These are common behaviors of people who over exercise. Remember to strive for moderation and your body will thank you.

The copyright of the article Over Exercise for a Firm Workout is Dangerous in Eating Disorders is owned by Lori Henry. Permission to republish Over Exercise for a Firm Workout is Dangerous in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Comments

Jul 8, 2009 10:05 AM

Guest :

this only applies in a culture where exercise is not common. I workout about 4 hours a day, and I eat well, as do most of my friends. We are just a workout-oriented place, where being healthy doesn't have to interfere with friends and family because they are fit, too. I think that people need to focus on exercising more and eating right, not worrying that working out will cause anorexia when it is not true.

Sep 26, 2009 5:56 PM

Guest :

well i think that people do suffer from a workout disorder because my wife tends to choose working out over spending time with me doing various activities such as going to the movies or just spending time together this has recently started in the past two years and she get angry when i mention it to her i think she really needs help...

Jan 13, 2010 11:14 PM

Guest :

i just wanted to know , what happens when i excercise too much like when i do too many crunches , didn't want to know about disorders

Jan 14, 2010 7:31 PM

Guest :

i am a 15 year old, high school basketball player, and i want to know if practicing for 3 1/2 hours a day can damage me.

Jan 24, 2010 7:54 PM

Guest :

Excessive workouts may temporarily weaken your body and many times can cause you to become sick. Your body isn't strong enough to fight it off when its too exhausted.

5 Comments