Okay, Okay, How many times do we need to hear that exercise is good for us? We know it already, we should exercise three times a week. We get the point. There are some of us who really get the point. Those of us (women especially), who can't get enough exercise. Those of us who are at the gym every day, sometimes two or three times a day. So where is the balance and how do we get there?

Most women have some type of issue with their body image. They have either struggled with their weight at some point in their life and/or think they are fat when they are not. There are few women who truly like, love and accept their bodies for the way they are. Eating Disorders are rampant as a result. But what about Exercise Addiction? What is wrong with exercise? Well, nothing until it begins to consume your life. Answer the following questions to determine if you have an addiction to exercise.

1. I must exercise daily to feel good. T or F
2. If I do not exercise regularly I get depressed. T or F
3. I sacrifice social activities to go to the gym /workout. T or F
4. I become anxious if I have to miss a workout for any reason. T or F
5. I only go on vacations to places that have exercise facilities. T or F
6. I find myself thinking about exercising while at work or home. T or F

If you said true to 3 or more it is possible that you may have an exercise addiction. If so, the good news is there is help. The problem is you may not want help. Just like any other addiction, "Why should I stop if it feels good?" The truth is too much exercise may not be good for you. Once your body becomes accustomed to the frequency of cardiovascular activity and/or weight training, it may hit a plateau. The purpose of this article is not to get you to make any changes necessarily, but to open your mind to the possibilities.

If you had 2 or less true answers, you are probably okay. However, it may just be something that you may need to monitor on a regular basis. Ask yourself these questions every couple of months just to check in and see how you are doing. If your numbers remain the same, relax and enjoy your workout!! If they should go up at all, you may want to evaluate what other areas of your life need attention. Putting an excessive amount of energy into one area of our lives can often suggest that other areas are lacking.

Good Luck!!

Written by Stacey Rose, LCSW