Do any of you guys find that you have become obsessed with your diet and exercise lifestyle? I know its healthy to take care of yourself but where do you draw the line when it crosses over to obsession. I find that all i think about is diet and working out. It has made me a very serious person to the point where i don't like doing anything that may interfere with my schedule. I don't like to travel b/c i'm afraid i won't be able to eat what i normally eat and my workouts either get missed or are not what they normally are. My husband is such a free spirit and so mellow and i feel like i'm always so uptight and not fun at all. This obsession has gotten worse over the years. I want a life that is more balanced. I want to be able to go and do things without bringing food with me or trying to fit in workouts at 5a.m. to make sure i don't miss a day. I have a perfectionist mindset and all i want to do is live a life of moderation. Anyone struggle with this? I feel like if i continue on with such a regimen i'm going to look back on my life when i'm 60 and feel like i wasted it! I'm already doing that as i look back to past vacations and events i missed out b/c i wanted to stick to my schedule. I feel that if i would just ease up on myself i will have even better results than pushing myself even harder.
diet and exercise obsession
- Thread starter kariev
- Start date
SuzMax
Cathlete
Kariev - I see you posted your question over on the BB site too when I went to look for a similar question that was posted not too long ago so I could point you to that thread. You may have already read that one. Here's the link:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=112476011
Hope that helps!
My DH and I did used to get into it more about my working out so much. He works out too but takes weekends off except during cycling season when he rides on Saturdays and/or Sundays. But he would give me a hard time if I wanted to ride AND lift on a weekend. And then if I would lift in the morning and do cardio in the evening or something he would say I was always working out. We finally had a talk and I had to explain to him that I enjoyed it and it keeps me sain. I told him it is my hobby and so what if I like to work out that much? I really try to get up as early as possible to get it done before work so that it doesn't interfere with our lives together but on the weekends sometimes that's just not possible. I try to compromise some too though. And now that we're on vacation together I've been kind of a slacker, getting my workouts in really late! I have no idea what's up with that! It also bothers him that when we go on vacation I take workout clothes and usually run or do whatever I can. But I can't help it.
I got busted by a doctor at the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine for overtraining in May and I would LOVE to have more balance in my life but it's really hard for me. I don't know how to do it.
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=112476011
Hope that helps!
My DH and I did used to get into it more about my working out so much. He works out too but takes weekends off except during cycling season when he rides on Saturdays and/or Sundays. But he would give me a hard time if I wanted to ride AND lift on a weekend. And then if I would lift in the morning and do cardio in the evening or something he would say I was always working out. We finally had a talk and I had to explain to him that I enjoyed it and it keeps me sain. I told him it is my hobby and so what if I like to work out that much? I really try to get up as early as possible to get it done before work so that it doesn't interfere with our lives together but on the weekends sometimes that's just not possible. I try to compromise some too though. And now that we're on vacation together I've been kind of a slacker, getting my workouts in really late! I have no idea what's up with that! It also bothers him that when we go on vacation I take workout clothes and usually run or do whatever I can. But I can't help it.
I got busted by a doctor at the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine for overtraining in May and I would LOVE to have more balance in my life but it's really hard for me. I don't know how to do it. 
lauramangano
Cathlete
Maybe you saw my post before about working out despite injuring my shoulder, so yea......I think I am leaning towards the obsessed side. I too, try to have balance and not get so crazy about working out, but when my husband talks about planning something, my FIRST thought is, "When will I get to exercise?". I try to be aware of this, and attempt to tone it down some when I know I am being obsessive. I get more crazy with exercise than diet though.
JeanneMarie
Cathlete
I think what you have to come to terms with is the fact that missing a few workouts or allowing yourself a vacation with some "cheat" foods is not going to make a difference in your results long term.
I used to be rigid much like you are talking about, and still am to a certain extent, but in the last few years I've become so much more relaxed about missing a day of working out and/or running. I finally realized it didn't change anything to miss one day (or two or three) and that I would get right back to it the next day, or even a few days later.
I've also become quite adept at working out while traveling. Being a runner has really helped with that because you can almost always figure out a way to run (hotel treadmill, the beach, etc.). Also, I carry my laptop with me and a few DVDs that can be done with a resistance band, and I work out while traveling. Yet, having explained the ways I manage to work out when away from home, I still don't let NOT being able to do so ruin my day.
Whenever people ask if I take a rest day, I always say never.... by doing it this way, I count those times when I have to miss a day here and there as "rest days", and it doesn't bother me as badly.
Life really is too short to miss out on fun trips, good food and special times with your family just because you're afraid to alter your schedule! Good luck!
I used to be rigid much like you are talking about, and still am to a certain extent, but in the last few years I've become so much more relaxed about missing a day of working out and/or running. I finally realized it didn't change anything to miss one day (or two or three) and that I would get right back to it the next day, or even a few days later.
I've also become quite adept at working out while traveling. Being a runner has really helped with that because you can almost always figure out a way to run (hotel treadmill, the beach, etc.). Also, I carry my laptop with me and a few DVDs that can be done with a resistance band, and I work out while traveling. Yet, having explained the ways I manage to work out when away from home, I still don't let NOT being able to do so ruin my day.
Whenever people ask if I take a rest day, I always say never.... by doing it this way, I count those times when I have to miss a day here and there as "rest days", and it doesn't bother me as badly.
Life really is too short to miss out on fun trips, good food and special times with your family just because you're afraid to alter your schedule! Good luck!
michefit
Cathlete
Hi Kariev and SuzMax,
I struggle with finding a balance too. I work out at least 6 days a week and sometimes more because I have three kids and I am afraid that if they get sick or something pops up I won't be able to fit a workout in - so I keep going until I have to fit a rest day in. Some days I am so tired - and grumpy with working and a family - but if I didn't exercise I would feel gross and it really helps to relieve stress. It IS HARD to find a balance. Part-time work would be perfect - but the budget won't allow. Anyway - so glad that Christmas is here - at least the work pressure is off. But I do feel lazier...still working out but it is an effort! Good luck to both of you - it is comforting to read about people who feel the same way I do...
I struggle with finding a balance too. I work out at least 6 days a week and sometimes more because I have three kids and I am afraid that if they get sick or something pops up I won't be able to fit a workout in - so I keep going until I have to fit a rest day in. Some days I am so tired - and grumpy with working and a family - but if I didn't exercise I would feel gross and it really helps to relieve stress. It IS HARD to find a balance. Part-time work would be perfect - but the budget won't allow. Anyway - so glad that Christmas is here - at least the work pressure is off. But I do feel lazier...still working out but it is an effort! Good luck to both of you - it is comforting to read about people who feel the same way I do...
nancy324
Cathlete
Kariev, you're ahead of the game because at least you can recognize it's a problem. My opinion is strictly based upon my own experience, and may have no application to your situation: I think you can spend your life "working" on these issues and not get very far. Or you can work with a therapist and get a little further but not far enough. Or you can go to a psychiatrist who knows his stuff and feel a lot better in about 3 weeks. True, eventually your brain chemistry will weasel it's way back to its original state, but it may take years and those will be good, memorable years. It may not last forever, but why not grab some good stuff while you can? There is little room for happiness in an obsessive, anxious mind.
sparrow13
Cathlete
Kariev, I have been where you are and it's really no fun. What helped me was trying to see a bigger picture. I stopped thinking about my health in limiting terms of "what am I eating and how much am I exercising" and started to see it in terms of overall life wellness, including mental health, emotional health and spirituality. When I looked at my food and exercise through the lens of wellness I was able to see that they were no longer contributing to my life but robbing it of joy, flexibility and a positive outlook. Changing my habits was not really that difficult once I realized that by loosening up I *was* contributing to my health, albeit in a different way from lifting weights or counting calories.
HTH!
Sparrow
HTH!
Sparrow
jthornton202264
Cathlete
Kariev, I definitely know what you are talking about. I'm glad that I have made exercise/diet a part of my life, but I am so consumed with it at times it drives me crazy! I'm one of these people that like to stick to a schedule (I work out everyday a certain time of the day with planned workouts a head of time each day). I also eat at a certain time each day (I always plan my meals, etc.). I always stress out when I have to deviate from that routine. I've been worrying about next week because my parents are taking me and my husband gambling and we will be staying out of town for 3 days (they are paying for everything, gambling money, hotel, food, etc.) as a Christmas present. I'm really excited because it's a free vacation for us, but I'm also stressing out because I won't be able to work out the 3 days I'm gone, plus I know I won't eat like I usually do (I always say I will try, but when you have those great buffets --). I hate that I'm that way, but I've always liked a routine life (even in work, home life, etc.). The bad thing is, is that after everything is over with, I find out missing that workout for a day or two or getting off track with my diet here or there, wasn't so bad. But -- I won't change. I will keep stressing out over this kind of stuff! It's bad in a way, but always good, because at least our mind is still focused on working out and eating right, which is very important. I guess we just have to find that balance there somewhere!!
Julie
Julie
Thank you Sparrow for this. What a great way to look at things.