Addicted to exercise - please don't laugh

[Smartieismycat]

I feel bad putting this up on mental health thread but could find no other place for it.

Since new year I've been trying to exercise every other day - giving myself a day 'off' by doing something to ease my anxiety/worry like yoga.
I felt I was becoming too reliant on the exercise, even though it was only 30mins- to an hour of either running/gym or spin class.
Even so I'm still finding it hard. I've been doing this for ten years, and my general health is excellent, but I need to find balance in other ways

Do I have depression? I do worry about everything and feel need to exhaust myself to cope.
If I keep doing the yoga will that work? Or are there better things I can try.

I think you're doing well in that you've realised you might be doing too much exercise. Getting into Yoga is a good idea as it's very calming and it's unlikely you'll pick up an injury. You could also try swimming for the same reason.

I relate to your need to exercise as if I had the time available, I would probably run every day as it helps me de-stress and improves my mood. You're right about the need for balance though. There is a very fine line between doing it to feel better and keep fit and doing too much and possibly harming your health.

If you feel exercise is beginning to control you, then it may help to have a chat with your doctor who may be able to suggest other ways of managing your anxiety.

Sounds like a good place to put it. The days off doing Yoga sounds like a fantastic idea. Have you looked into meditation? It's a fantastic accompaniment to Yoga.

What is it that the exercise does for you? How do you feel before and after it? And does it interfere with other parts of your life?

They do say that depression is most helped by exercise (and I've also found it to be the case) so it's possible you are struggling with depression and the exercise is giving you a lift. But you need to look at how you are with and without exercise.

Smartie - I can't see why you think 30-60 minutes exercise a day is a bad thing and why you would want to change that?

Hi there, few days since I posted. I did go for a run on Sunday evening, and I did 25 minutes on x trainer yesterday and spin class - 30 minutes today. To be honest Kaloki - I fit exercise into my day so it doesn't interfere with my life except when I don't do it.

e.g It has helped me cope. I went back to work full time in the city in the summer, my OH is suffering from depression (but on medication and much better than he was) and my mum and FIL were both diagnosed with cancer. Both FIL and mum have been given the all clear.

My exercise regime allows me a few moments each day when all I needed to think about is getting through the next five minutes; for me that is a sort of meditation.
ChippingIn - it's not the time more the type of exercise I do - really push myself.
I'm going to look into mediation.
Am moving offices in a few weeks, there's not going to be a gym nearby, but there is a yoga centre.

I'm so pleased no one laughed at this - when I told my friends they were dismissive. Everyone seems to think it's an 'okay' addiction to have.

I think if you rely on it or it matters hugely to the point of you being seriously stressed when you don't do it then you've crossed the line from healthy to not. If you don't feel happy then it's not 'okay'.

Why do you feel the need to do such intense exercise? You said on your first post you need to exhaust yourself to cope. Can you find other coping strategies?

Incidentally yoga can get very addictive and intense so do watch yourself.

You're right about yoga - I stopped going to a yoga centre because there were some scary looking women in it. I think I'm a natural panicker/control freak, and if I can't do something then I get anxious. I guess I love my running and don't mind having days off, but I worry I'll never get the chance again.
I was more obsessed before I had DD though.
I'm going to go to the gym in my lunch hour tommorow and then take rest of weekend off.
Wish me luck x