Anytime you exercise, your brain releases chemicals known as endorphins that produce a feeling of euphoria, which is known as "runners high", which is also very easy to become chemically addicted to.
Without this rush, you'll feel irritable and out of it until you exercise again. Therefore, you'll go on exercising and not listen to what your body is actually telling you - which is to stop.
The main reason addicts will continue to push themselves lies in what will happen when they don't work out. Normally when they are unable to exercise, they will display signs of depression, anxiety, confusion, and be less happy with themselves.
Aches and Pains
Over exercising doesn't only affect the mind, but the body as well. Exercise will initially do what it is intended to do, give you a fit body but once you cross the line however, it can drastic. Muscle damage, osteoarthritis, and heart problems will all be waiting in the wings if you continue to overdo it. The body has limits and if you push beyond that limit, you'll do nothing but harm yourself.
Obsessive exercise tends to happen among those who are new to exercise. Therefore, if you are keen to reap the benefits of getting fit, you'll tend to overstep the limits.
The initial signs of over exercise are exhaustion, which can lead to a build up of fatigue. Keep in mind, it isn't only the muscles that are at risk, but the bones as well. Many people who exercise push themselves to the point of injuries such as shin splints or even stress fractures, then refuse to rest, which causes greater and sometimes even permanent damage.
Even a brisk walk in the morning doesn't come without risk, as walking too much can lead to osteoarthritis. When you walk, you are working against gravity. Even though you are exercising your muscles, you are also harming your knee joints as well.
Many people who walk up to an hour or more everyday end up with complaints of aches in the knees. The fact is, jogging also harms the knees, and too many sit ups can hurt as well. As with any type of exercise, moderation is the key.
You should always start off gradually, and combine several different types of workouts, which is one thing that obsessive exercisers forget to do. One of the biggest complication factors of people who get addicted to exercise is that they will tend to perform the same workout each and every day, which further increases the risk of permanent damage.
Think Right
You should never work out to the point where you feel completely exhausted once you have finished. Your limit with exercise should be 45 minutes to an hour, four or five days a week. When you are finished, your workout should leave you feeling fresh and energetic. Every week should make it a point to take a day's break - as your body will need to relax and rejuvenate.
The key to achieving this completely lies in your attitude, as exercising is the way to a healthy life. If you do it only to please yourself, you'll defeat the entire purpose when you stand there on the weighing machine.
If you take things one day at a time and don't over do it, you'll be well on your way to a healthy body. Exercising can be a lot of fun and a way to relax, if you don't rush it. Start off slow and gradually work your way up. Before you know it, you'll know how to prevent injuries before they happen and you'll know exactly what you need to do to remain healthy.
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