Are all of us who are dedicated to fitness OCD?

B

becky2500

Cathlete
I'm asking this because for the past 3.5yrs I have been very dedicated to eating well and working out. I work out 5-6 times a week, sometimes a bit less for approx 1hour per day. I have lost approx 35# (I am 5'1"). I had a co-worker come up and say to me, "Look at your legs, one of your thighs is smaller than one of my arms". I said, "no way". She then says, "We're getting a little obsessive compulsive aren't we?". So I'm just wondering anyone else been labeled w/a problem because you are so dedicated?

Becky
 
I will label your co-worker a jerk! I'll bet I'd be right if I guessed your co-worker has a weight problem, doesn't work out, doesn't eat right, and doesn't want to. She's jealous. You could say, "We're getting a little jealous, aren't we?"
 
Well, my DH just this weekend called me obsessed with working out. I've been working out seriously since November of 2004 and have lost about 20 pounds. My DH is supportive of my working out but doesn't want it taking any time away from him. He likes the way I look and is proud of what I accomplished but he thinks I spend too much time working out and not enough time cleaning. I also work out 5-6 days a week for about an hour a day. I wouldn't call myself OCD but I got to the point in my life where I felt I had to start taking better care of myself. Both my parents have health problems (cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes) and I don't want that happening to me. I've changed the way I eat and have kept my weight off. I think whatever changes I've made are for the better and I'd rather be healthier and have a little more dust in the house than the other way around.

Marcy

Marcy

Marcy
 
<<"for the past 3.5yrs I have been very dedicated to eating well and working out.">> IMO this is not a "problem" on your behalf, but on your co-workers. I don't know your habits outside what you listed (workout 5-6 times a week etc), but this sounds like a healthy lifestyle, and if it works for you, who cares what anyone else says!

Brandi
 
oh, geez!!!! Yeah, now eating healthy and exercising is a mental disorder...I guess we all need to go on meds so that we can live "normally" by eating junk and lying around watching the tube while putting on the excess pounds! ( x( x( x( x(
 
Watching TV! He was very active when he was younger (skating, running) but he's in his 50s now and has problems with his feet and an injury from a motorcycle accident. I wish I knew him when he was more active.

Marcy
 
Some of us are, but then there are OCD people everywhere! Ignore all comments like that, smile, thank them for compliments and move on!

Clare
 
This is a serious topic. Not *everyone* who is dedicated to fitness is OCD. I think we have to evaluate our motives to determine that.


See the information here at this excellent site on eating disorders: http://www.somethingfishy.org/whatarethey/exercise.php .

Compulsive exercising is really the flip side of disordered eating. It's especially problematic because our culture sends messages that women are supposed to have a certain "look". Some people will go to extreme ends to look like a celebrity or whatever.

I don't think we should take this problem lightly.

-Lucinda
 
Tell your co-worker to get a life! The people in my life who care about me & love me are supportive of my working out "obsession", none of them really understand it but they are still supportive and realize that I'm doing something good & healthy for my body. I would say I probably am "obsessed" with working out, I get mad when I have to miss a w/o for something but hey, I could have much bigger issues!

The people who makes comments like your co-worker are just jealous & I wouldn't even waste another minute worried about what she thinks. If she says something again i'd just say at least my habit is a healthy one! :)
 
I think that everyone is OCD about something in their lives. How nice for us that it is something that makes us feel better, act better and use our time better. Pat yourself on the back and treat yourself to a new DVD.

Cheryl
 
Is this person a psychiatrist? Why is there this need to tear a person down when they have improved? How does this person know the extent to which you work out? It looks like jealousy pure and simple to me. How else do you explain such a negative comment in light of the fact that you have 1. lost weight 2. toned up 3. improved health???
I think that people use these terms without knowing what defines them. Ignore her, keep up the good work, and rock on!

P.S. I have been labled selfish by several members of my family for exercising so much, but it usually happens when my workout coincides with an activity that they want to do. Hold strong.

Laura
 
Obsessed is the word the lazy use to describe the dedicated.

I read this quote on this forum a few years ago. It's always somewhere in my mind...and on my bathroom mirror!
Jenn
 
Love that quote!!! Yes, I have been called obsessed before. It's ok, I know that I have OCD tendencies & I'm just glad that I have healthy *habits*. ;-)
 
>Obsessed is the word the lazy use to describe the dedicated.
>
>I read this quote on this forum a few years ago. It's always
>somewhere in my mind...and on my bathroom mirror!
>Jenn


Jenn...I LOVE this quote!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing it. I'm printing it right now!
 
Most of my family says I have OCD concerning my eating and exercising but I ignore it. I say "Do you have a hobby you really enjoy?" Most people say yes and I say "Exercise and good eating are my hobbies." You know everyone shuts up after that:) Most people who love junk food and hate exercise cannot grasp that there are people out there who love to exercise and eat to feel good. Next time just ask the above question and they'll shut up!

Nicole

Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness.
-Earl of Derby-

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?uid=7738930
 
Becky, I do seriously think there are some people who are OCD in regard to exercise.

I'm no psychologist, but I think it's NOT how often and how vigorously you work out that counts, but rather how you feel about it. If you miss one day and feel terrible about yourself, I think you may have a problem. On the other hand, there are people who can work out vigorously 6 days per week and have a healthy attitude about it.

I think it's like anorexia: you can be very thin and not be anorexic. It all depends upon what's going on in your head.

Nancy
 
<<<<<<oh, geez!!!! Yeah, now eating healthy and exercising is a mental disorder...I guess we all need to go on meds so that we can live "normally" by eating junk and lying around watching the tube while putting on the excess pounds! ( >>>>>>
tpf

x( I agree!

Yes this IS a serious topic as some are obsessed and it does become off balance in your life HOWEVER- Unless you work in mental health and the comment came from a medical professional she was out of line!
Take it for what it was ..... a RUDE comment. Treat it as you would treat any rude comment... I'd snicker... say thanks for noticing all the great changes since I started living healthy and WALK AWAY.

One hour a day 5-6 days a week is EXACTLY what a healthy body needs... Govt guidelines for health... 30 minutes of walking a day is to get the obese moving.

Since the woman "noticed" that your legs was a little smaller than your arm I do believe that makes HER obsessive compulsive about YOUR body!:eek:
 
I think this person was trying to push your button and succeded :)

I wonder what her button is :) I bet if you push it really hard she will leave you alone!
 
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