Isn't it that everyone has to deal with this addiction to any sport/activity when being on the path of pursuing it? One doesn't know in the start that how it would turn into some kind of addiction but it turns out so for everyone, it is just that from some people it is for a shorter period of time but some people deal with it in a longer horizon of time.
Hard work school of thought has been pushed down our throats that one needs to keep working hard. One can't succeed if they don't work hard, there are n number of people working harder than you. All these kind of notions contradicts with the Work+Rest=Growth but then an individual starts to question Am I working hard enough? Can I succeed if behave like a soft person? There is no point in resting until I achieve a particular goal.
But one can't keep emptying the tank everyday, how one can keep the momentum rolling when sometimes there will be nothing left in the reservoir.
Everyone learns this the hard way by pushing too hard in their sport/job or whatever field they are in. Then one understands the importance of rest & recovery. Even perfectionist traits don't let us sometimes go easy, it just wants to go All In every time we step out.
Some of the features which differentiate exercise addiction from extreme commitment to the sport are that there are some truly addictive behaviors that happen.
1. Negative impact on daily life.
The compulsion to exercise starts interfering with work, school, or relationships. For example, a student-athlete might insist on getting in a workout even though it means skipping study time for an exam they urgently need to pass... and if they don't pass their GPA drops to the point where they lose their track scholarship. Yet, they still prioritize the exercise, even though they realize the implications of doing so.
2. Withdrawal-like symptoms during forced rest.
This often shows up when injury prevents normal training. Some athletes handle injuries pragmatically: they rest, rehab, and stay emotionally steady. Athletes with exercise addiction, however, can’t cope with the drop in training volume. They sneak in workouts despite pain or medical advice and experience anxiety, irritability, or even depression — far beyond the normal disappointment of being sidelined.
I've seen both types of athletes. The ones who do experience exercise addiction are in the minority, but when they have it, they often don't realize it, and neither do those who are caring for them (coaches, healthcare providers). They do require special support.
I wrote an article for The BMJ a few years back on this, and hope to tell the story behind it at some point in the future here on Substack:
Isn't it that everyone has to deal with this addiction to any sport/activity when being on the path of pursuing it? One doesn't know in the start that how it would turn into some kind of addiction but it turns out so for everyone, it is just that from some people it is for a shorter period of time but some people deal with it in a longer horizon of time.
Hard work school of thought has been pushed down our throats that one needs to keep working hard. One can't succeed if they don't work hard, there are n number of people working harder than you. All these kind of notions contradicts with the Work+Rest=Growth but then an individual starts to question Am I working hard enough? Can I succeed if behave like a soft person? There is no point in resting until I achieve a particular goal.
But one can't keep emptying the tank everyday, how one can keep the momentum rolling when sometimes there will be nothing left in the reservoir.
Everyone learns this the hard way by pushing too hard in their sport/job or whatever field they are in. Then one understands the importance of rest & recovery. Even perfectionist traits don't let us sometimes go easy, it just wants to go All In every time we step out.
Some of the features which differentiate exercise addiction from extreme commitment to the sport are that there are some truly addictive behaviors that happen.
1. Negative impact on daily life.
The compulsion to exercise starts interfering with work, school, or relationships. For example, a student-athlete might insist on getting in a workout even though it means skipping study time for an exam they urgently need to pass... and if they don't pass their GPA drops to the point where they lose their track scholarship. Yet, they still prioritize the exercise, even though they realize the implications of doing so.
2. Withdrawal-like symptoms during forced rest.
This often shows up when injury prevents normal training. Some athletes handle injuries pragmatically: they rest, rehab, and stay emotionally steady. Athletes with exercise addiction, however, can’t cope with the drop in training volume. They sneak in workouts despite pain or medical advice and experience anxiety, irritability, or even depression — far beyond the normal disappointment of being sidelined.
I've seen both types of athletes. The ones who do experience exercise addiction are in the minority, but when they have it, they often don't realize it, and neither do those who are caring for them (coaches, healthcare providers). They do require special support.
I wrote an article for The BMJ a few years back on this, and hope to tell the story behind it at some point in the future here on Substack:
https://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j1745
Yep First tri was ‘82. Last drink was not far after…