Is anybody else completely dependent on exercise?

[Eggplant]

If I go for more than 2 days without running, I fall apart emotionally, mentally and physically. My head becomes cluttered with mud and I become irritable. I stop digesting properly and become terribly bloated. My head refuses to think clearly. Then I run and I am coherent and calm and relaxed and comfortable. I get really smart -- learning gets easier.

 

I used to think, when I got busy, that I didn't have time to work out. Now the busier I am, the more urgently I know I need to get on the tread mill.

 

I also find that I feel much better running a shorter distance fast than a longer distance slow.

 

Is anybody else like this, or am I the only one?

 

I also don't know what will become of me the day I can't run.

[lana-banana]

I think there are many, many people out there like you. My drug of choice is weight-lifting. But that last line suggests something akin to addiction---which is also unfortunately something else many, many people can relate to.

 

Two years ago I needed surgery for a medical emergency that required small but deep incisions all the way through my hip flexors. I couldn't get up off the couch for two days, but ten days post-surgery I ran three miles and did 200 push-ups as part of a group fitness contest. I felt like I could do it and, like you, I felt so horribly lazy, bloated, sick and fat that I couldn't stand to rest anymore. The result? What should have been a one-month healing process took almost three.

 

Exercise can be a coping mechanism, but it can't be your only coping mechanism. Rest days are critical. I eased myself back to five heavy days per week, plus one day of "active rest" (5+ miles walking) and one day of absolute rest. There are other ways to deal with stress and frustration: meditation, reading, even craft projects. I know there's nothing like the adrenaline and endorphins that come after a tough workout, but we're ultimately just finite meat sacks. When our lives revolve around exercise we aren't healthy anymore.

[Grilled_Salmon]

Reading OP, I thought I was reading myself XD. I thought I was the only one, since I also go on the treadmill very often - 6 times a week.

 

Anything beyond 2 days just drives me nuts. I wouldn't say I'm addicted, though it's something I thoroughly enjoy. Of course, running 30 minutes every day on a speed of 12.4kmph to 13.2kmph took its toll, and occasionally I'd have a sore leg.

 

So then I changed it up a bit; do only that run 2-3 times a week, while the rest are jogging at 10.5kmph for 45 minutes, with a 5-10 minute walk in the end. If I feel like it, a fast 2.4km run within 10 minutes (something that's required for military fitness as I'm headed off to basic in a few months).

 

This is also not counting the fact I walk to the gym from home, and vice versa. Total of that is an hour. In a sense, it's all from enjoyment and necessity.

[Emilia]

Do you drive everywhere OP? Many people seem to on this forum. Maybe it's the lack of getting out and stretching your legs?

 

I don't get anxious without exercise but perhaps I would if I had a car and didn't walk/took public transport everywhere. I need to get out every day, regardless whether I have anything specific to do. I know some people that stay inside all day and don't even change from the pyjamas, could not imagine being stuck inside like that even on Sundays.

[Diezel]

If I go 3 days without working out (except on vacation), I start freaking out that I am going to fall back into laziness or lose all my progress... so I understand.

 

Specially since I drive to work and I have a sedentary job, so 80% of my movement and exercise comes from what I do after work.

 

Specially during winter, I get antsy. So glad it is spring now, and I can go outside and walk... as another poster said, as an "active rest" day. I workout 5-6 days a week.

 

Even just recently, I had a forced 2 day rest over the weekend, but yesterday was easily my best workout in over 2 months. So in a way, I kind of needed it.

[WonderKid]

I used to be like that but grew out of it by knowing that my body could suffer if I don't rest it. As of now though, I hit a wall. I live with two other people, and I bring the source of food we have in the house. At first I was getting all the healthy food and only food the body needs. This didn't help the household.

Now I shopped for quantity instead of quality. My fitness will take a blow, but, my workouts don't have to stop.

[Eggplant]

If I go 3 days without working out (except on vacation), I start freaking out that I am going to fall back into laziness or lose all my progress... so I understand.

This is not really my issue. It's not that I'm worried about progress so much as I actually feel unwell. I am physically, mentally, and emotionally unwell without the exercise.

[Eggplant]

Do you drive everywhere OP? Many people seem to on this forum. Maybe it's the lack of getting out and stretching your legs?

 

I don't get anxious without exercise but perhaps I would if I had a car and didn't walk/took public transport everywhere. I need to get out every day, regardless whether I have anything specific to do. I know some people that stay inside all day and don't even change from the pyjamas, could not imagine being stuck inside like that even on Sundays.

 

Mostly I am in a chair on the computer at work. I walk around here or there from building to building. However, walking is not enough. I need intense exercise. Even jogging five miles at a leisurely pace only helps a little. What I need is high-intensity, or at least moderate intensity. It's the blood flow or something. I need to make my circulation go, I need to clear my head. I need the endorphins or dopamine or whatever it is.

[Emilia]

Mostly I am in a chair on the computer at work. I walk around here or there from building to building. However, walking is not enough. I need intense exercise. Even jogging five miles at a leisurely pace only helps a little. What I need is high-intensity, or at least moderate intensity. It's the blood flow or something. I need to make my circulation go, I need to clear my head. I need the endorphins or dopamine or whatever it is.

 

Endorphins. Yes that could be a problem long term because when you are hooked, the intensity needs to be upped higher and higher as you get accustomed to the kick. Need to read up on this.

[purplesoccer34]

Yes, I am like this. Or was. And then I ended up with an injury in both of my knees, and when my PT told me not to run for 2 weeks, I thought my life would fall apart. I've gone a week without running, and surprisingly enough, I'm perfectly fine. I know I could go another week without running.

 

 

Give it a break for more than 2 days, and see how it goes. Do other things you enjoy to keep your mind occupied. Running is certainly not a bad thing, but please don't overdo it.

Edited April 21, 2015 by purplesoccer34

[Eggplant]

Yes, I am like this. Or was. And then I ended up with an injury in both of my knees, and when my PT told me not to run for 2 weeks, I thought my life would fall apart. I've gone a week without running, and surprisingly enough, I'm perfectly fine. I know I could go another week without running.

 

 

Give it a break for more than 2 days, and see how it goes. Do other things you enjoy to keep your mind occupied. Running is certainly not a bad thing, but please don't overdo it.

 

I give it a break for up to 2 days all the time. I procrastinate. By day 2 I am in such bad state that it's a small emergency. A 30-minute run takes me from despondent and bloated to calm, energetic, and relaxed.

[Nelsonfloyd5]

If I go for more than 2 days without running, I fall apart emotionally, mentally and physically. My head becomes cluttered with mud and I become irritable. I stop digesting properly and become terribly bloated. My head refuses to think clearly. Then I run and I am coherent and calm and relaxed and comfortable. I get really smart -- learning gets easier.

 

I used to think, when I got busy, that I didn't have time to work out. Now the busier I am, the more urgently I know I need to get on the tread mill.

 

I also find that I feel much better running a shorter distance fast than a longer distance slow.

 

Is anybody else like this, or am I the only one?

 

I also don't know what will become of me the day I can't run.

 

I rely heavily on playing soccer from monday to friday and do other outdoor activities in the weekend. If I didnt have these things I would mentally break down, the thought of her is stitched to my head.

 

Do you feel if you dont run you break down bec of a woman or something else thats going on in your life?

[Eggplant]

I rely heavily on playing soccer from monday to friday and do other outdoor activities in the weekend. If I didnt have these things I would mentally break down, the thought of her is stitched to my head.

 

Do you feel if you dont run you break down bec of a woman or something else thats going on in your life?

 

 

I often feel lonely and sad about it, so perhaps. But I also think I might have undiagnosed health issues and the exercise is self-medication.