Tag: over-exercising

Not Down With The Biggest Loser

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I’ve never been a Biggest Loser addict … I get the whole premise of the show and why so many of my friends dig it, but to me, it has always screamed of extreme dieting/restriction, disordered eating (and thinking) and over-exercising. Considering my history, it’s not surprising I’d feel this way. But I know I’m not alone; a lot of other critics have come out and said similar things.

Tonight I happened to flip the channel to NBC and the contestants had apparently gone home for a short time (maybe a weekend? I missed how long). Watching them sitting there with their families at restaurants agonizing over every single calorie and food choice reminded me of my ugly past … and also why I have a problem with the show.

Continue reading “Not Down With The Biggest Loser” →

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Polar F6: My Enabler Way Back When

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I own a fabulous Polar F6 heart rate monitor (HRM), but I don’t wear it anymore.

There’s nothing wrong with the watch or the strap – both are in perfect condition.  But my HRM is a reminder of a bad time in my life, when lived at the gym and I was obsessed with exercise. Back then, my HRM was my everything: my personal trainer, my motivator, my drill sergeant. I was one of those people that had to burn X calories. I couldn’t stop at any odd numbers and would always need to round up … 430 calories wasn’t good enough; I’d pump out a few more minutes for 500.

Continue reading “Polar F6: My Enabler Way Back When” →

Ah, in my 20s …

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This past Sunday, I knew we were likely going to have a sub for Zumba. Since the Sunday class is during Maya’s naptime anyway, it’s usually easy for me to take an hour and get my fitness on. I figured I’d go and if the sub wasn’t one of the ones whose class I love, I’d just do the elliptical with one of my good friends and call it a day.

Sure enough, we did have a sub. So I got cranking on the Cybex trainers with the intent of doing 20 fast and furious minutes and then getting outta there. I was dying within minutes — I forgot how much I hate being “grounded” to a machine! Now that Zumba is my fitness routine of choice (3-5 classes a week), I really can’t stand the machines. Continue reading “Ah, in my 20s …” →

Halo Effect?

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Did you see this NPR article today, “Gain Together, Lose Together: The Weight-Loss ‘Halo’ Effect?”

Per the article:

The so-called “halo effect” has been shown among people who drink alcohol and people who smoke, as well as those who gain weight. But now, Morton showed a positive halo effect — losing weight. Continue reading “Halo Effect?” →

If It Feels So Good … It Can’t Be Bad, Right? WRONG.

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Two of my favorite bloggers, Clare and Holly, have both recently addressed exercise addiction on their blogs recently, which got my wheels spinning about my own past obsession with exercise.

Remember that taunt on the playground, “I know you are, but what am I?” or the retort, “Yea, it takes one to know one!”??

Well, I’m a former exercise addict, and I know them when I see them. And I’m not sure which is more disturbing: the fact that I was one, or the fact that I so easily can spot them. Either way, I’m glad that destructive relationship is over.

I’m the first to admit, it was not an easy break-up to make … perhaps the hardest in my life! I mean, chewing and spitting I knew was inherently bad, wrong, disgusting, gross, you name it. Quitting it was a no-brainer. But an addiction to exercise—something so good for you … just was not an easy concept to grasp. Ultimately, it comes down to the fact that even things that are good for you can be abused.

And this was a very hard lesson to learn. Continue reading “If It Feels So Good … It Can’t Be Bad, Right? WRONG.” →

… Questioning “Recovered”

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Last week I mentioned how happy I was to feel “recovered” in that I recognize when others are being obsessive and it annoys me.

And while I’ve never fooled myself into thinking my issues were gone, yesterday I had the sharp realization that I’m not 100% there yet. Continue reading “… Questioning “Recovered”” →

Over-Exercising

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Last week I was contacted by a reporter at Fitness magazine who found my blog. She is doing a piece on over-exercising and asked if I’d be interested in doing an interview for an upcoming article.

My response? Heck yea! I have had a subscription to Fitness for years, and have always enjoyed the magazine.

Continue reading “Over-Exercising” →

Wearing Two Hats

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6a00d8341c50b853ef0105361b2e83970c-800wiYogiClareBear pointed out an article on CNN.com this weekend that she thought would be a good blog topic here — and I couldn’t agree more. (Thanks, Clare!)

In the article, the author presents several reasons why Americans over-eat and offers ways to gain control. Like Clare, I liked a lot of the recommendations presented, and found them to be sound.

But she was concerned about the last part of the “So You Pigged Out” section with the recommendation to add a little exercise — fearing it could (in her words) “exacerbate the ‘excerise to eat,’ punishing, or compulsive exercise mindsets.”

Continue reading “Wearing Two Hats” →

Drawing a line in the sand: when exercise becomes unhealthy

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Check out my latest post over at WeAretheRealDeal about over-exercising, called “Drawing a line in the sand: when exercise becomes unhealthy.”

Or read it here, after the jump. Continue reading “Drawing a line in the sand: when exercise becomes unhealthy” →

Musing About Awareness

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Awareness_SmallIf awareness is half the recovery battle (the other half being the change that ensues), then what is it when you are aware that your behavior isn’t helping any, and you know it, but continue to do it?

I hate to admit it, but lately I feel like I’ve been stuck in this cycle where I’m waking and eating again on autopilot (not every night, but all too often), which means I’m eating more than I need to be eating … and then exercising the next day to “undo” the damage.

It’s that disordered brain coming back, and I don’t like it one bit.  I can’t even blame it on anxiety or stress … this has been a very relaxing and fun summer, good on both personal and professional levels … so what gives?!

Continue reading “Musing About Awareness” →