The Exercise Addiction

By Candy

This time of year, as many of us fill up our plates and get ready to give thanks, we simultaneously begin to contemplate the gym (lots of calories to burn if you&#8217re going to indulge on those pieces of pumpkin pie).

But beware: it is possible to overdue, and maybe evern become addicted to, your work-out sessions.

As soon as you start avoiding friends, school work and class to dedicate more time to the treadmill, your healthy habit has become a full fledged disorder. Over-exercisers insist on making exercise their first priority and obsess if they must miss a workout, often becoming angry or anxious, feeling guilty and compensating in unhealthy ways — such as severely cutting calories.

This problem is prevalent on college campuses where students have to adjust to a lifestyle where they are solely in charge of managing their class work, meals and they miss the convenience and structure of high school sports. And like anorexia and bulimia, there are real consequences: over-exercising can seriously strain your joints and weaken muscles denying the body the crucial repair time that it needs post workout.

So by all means go and work up a sweat, but remember the golden rule this holiday season: enjoy a little of everything (even exercise) in moderation.