DAYTON, Ohio -- A healthier heart, greater bone density, strength and muscle mass, decreased body fat and stress reduction are just a few of the benefits of an exercise program. The key to enjoying safe, long-lasting benefits and results, however, is to recognize and understand the difference between training and over-training.
Although not widely publicized, a growing number of people struggle with an obsessive and compulsive need to exercise. Those with body-image illnesses are particularly preoccupied with the notion that they do not "measure up." Within this mindset, diet and exercise can be a means to fix a perceived flaw, rather than for purposes of good health.
One body-image disorder that often goes hand in hand with compulsive exercise is anorexia nervosa, which is characterized by a preoccupation with weight, size and dieting.
According to the Mayo Clinic, anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that causes people to obsess about their weight and the food they eat. People with anorexia nervosa attempt to maintain a weight that's far below normal for their age and height. To prevent weight gain or to continue losing weight, people with anorexia nervosa may starve themselves or exercise excessively.
Often suffering with low self-esteem, compulsive exercise and food restriction may be used as a form of self-punishment for eating too many calories, not performing well on a test or at work, annoying a friend or family member, etc. Obsessive workout sessions are usually extremely long in duration and/or high in intensity, and often contain a ritualistic aspect .
Symptoms of anorexia nervosa and compulsive exercise may include fear of body fat and gaining weight, misperception of self (not seeing themselves as they really are), desire to become thinner and thinner, and in females, loss of menstrual periods.
Other warning signs include working out with injuries or when sick, extreme worry or mood swings if sessions are missed, and the need to work out more than once a day or for many hours per day.
Those with compulsive exercise disorders become anxious and feel extreme guilt when they are unable to work out, and rarely find it fun or enjoyable.
Treatment of obsessive-compulsive exercise and other body-image disorders is extremely important. Without intervention, health and physical safety, emotional well-being and many other areas of life are affected considerably.
Obsessive-compulsive illness affects both men and women, and it should be noted that body weight alone is not always a marker of the condition. Spotting such clues usually comes from someone close to the person. This may be a family member, friend, teacher, coach or anyone else familiar with warning signs.
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