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DEL.ICIO.USAddicted To the Gym
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Are you an Addict?
Answer the following questions (honestly) and add up your points to see where you are along the exercise continuum.
- IF I MISS A WORKOUT;
a. I may feel guilty, but I feel good about how much I exercise, so it’s not a big deal. ( 1 point)
b. I feel very guilty and vow to make sure that I don’t miss another day that week. ( 2 points)
c. I feel guilty and anxious to the point that it ruins my entire day and I can barely concentrate. ( 3 points)- WHEN IT COMES TO EXERCISE AS A CHOICE;
a. I may crave exercise, but it’s always a free choice. (1point)
b. It sometimes feels like I don’t have much of a choice in the matter, I just feel compelled to exercise(2pts.)
c. Most of the time, it feels more like exercise is controlling me instead of making a conscious choice. (3pts)
- IF I’M FORCED TO STOP EXERCISING FOR A DAY OR MORE;
a. It burns me out and I don’t feel as good, but I can still function normally. ( 1 pt.)
b. I get anxious and irritable and it’s difficult to focus on something else. (2pts)
c. I feel very depressed, have mood swings and can barely get through each day. (3 pts.)
- REGARDING HOW I SCHEDULE MY TIME;
a. I might choose exercise over hanging out with friends but not often. (1 point)
b. I frequently choose exercise over spending time with friends. (2pts.)
c. I always choose exercise over social time. (3pts.)
5.MY EXPERIENCE WITH INJURIES HAS BEEN:
a. i generally stay injury-free, but if I am injured, I take time off to heal.(1 point)
b. I find myself with more and moe nagging injuries and usually exercise through them. (2pts.)
c. I am almost always in pain, but I can’t imagine taking time off because of it. (3pts.)
HOW YOU SCORED
If you scored 5 to 6 points, you are balanced. Exercise is a positive habit. You enjoy working out, and if helps you feel good mentally and physically.
If you scored 7 to 10 points, you have some compulsive tendencies. You sometimes struggle with a compulsion to exercise, which isn’t always healthy. Try re-evaluating your motivation for exercise and whether you actually enjoy it.
If you scored 11 to 15 points, you’re in the danger zone. Exercise controls you more than you control it. Consider taking a step back, taking a break and re-examining your relationship with exercise.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Health
Comments
By Theeny
October 24, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this
Aren’t you supposed to exercise everyday for at least 30 minutes anyway in order to be healthy? At least that’s what my doctors and other health organizations say.
So missing a workout is a good reason for guilt. And since it’s supposed to keep us healthy, we really don’t have a choice if we want to be responsible for our well-being.