Just about everyone out there can point to that one thing that plays just a bit too big of a role in their life. Whether it is horribly destructive, or seemingly innocent, most of us have an addiction to something. Mine is not a fifth of vodka a day, video games for 12 hours straight, anything one might buy from a guy named Skip in a small plastic bag, or even endless bags of snack-size chocolate bars. No, my overtaking addiction just so happens to be working out. Getting up off the couch or forcing extra time into a busy schedule just to have my heart rate accelerated for, at the very minimum, 45 precious minutes a day. Now I know I cannot possibly be alone in this addiction to endorphins and sore muscles, and even if you do not realize it, you too may be struggling with the same affliction. These top signs of my addiction are simply based on personal experience, but it may just help you to come to terms with your serious exercise addiction.
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1. Turning down plans so you can do some cardio.
So you have a Friday off and you have spent all morning and well into the afternoon catching up on a week’s worth of sleep and that new season on Netflix, with your plan all day being to knock off some push-ups and treadmill time just before bed. Then your phone lights up. Even though you do not know who it is yet, you already know they are about to try to ruin your plans. Of course their party, movie date, or ice cream run probably sounds wonderful to them, but you already have your answer ready. Can I come out tonight? No, I’m so sorry I just can’t tonight. Why? Oh, you know… In reality you just cannot go to bed without getting that workout in.
2. Waking up at the crack of dawn to lift.
Tomorrow you know you have those three classes that you absolutely cannot miss, then a six-hour shift at work serving food to people who don’t give you a second glance. After that you promised to go out with the group for a while, and you have already canceled twice. Finally, you will have to knock out at least two hours of notes before dragging yourself to bed. The only possible option here is to crawl out from beneath the covers at 5:30 in the morning to make it to the gym before that dreaded 8 a.m. Of course, trying to convince your roommates of this would be like explaining rocket science. Don’t worry, they will sleep through you putting your Nikes on.
3. Cake becomes a love/hate relationship.
Any type of junk food sends your mind into mortal combat. On the one hand, you just did that hour of hot yoga this morning and the new workout video your sister sent you is waiting for you tomorrow, so you definitely earned the plateful of double chocolate chip cookies. Then you’re brain ruins everything and reminds you of how those cookies are about to cancel out both of those. This debate will rage on within you for quite some time. Occasionally your mind will win, sometimes your stomach will be the victor. Either way, you are seriously over-thinking all of this.
4. Vacation cannot stop you.
So your parents announce for once that you are finally all going to be able to go on vacation this Christmas. A nice hotel, fluffy, white down pillows, a breakfast buffet, and countless other relaxation inducers. However, at the top of your packing list are running shoes and your grungy workout clothes. While everyone else is laying around, you are trying to make the sketchy hotel gym somewhat useful. If you’re really lucky, you are on a beach somewhere: ample running space, and squats in the sand? Doesn't get better than that. To you this probably sounds just as relaxing, even though your family is now convinced you are insane.
5. Your camera roll is more workout plans than group shots.
Every time you are on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or just about anywhere else, in between watching videos of puppies playing with babies, you are saving countless workout routines to your phone. “Best cross-fit routine at home,” “Killer abs in 30 days,” “Bikini body-ready,” and so forth. If you are anything like me, however, these aren't even the workouts you actually do on a daily basis, but hey, you have them just in case you’re ever really in a jam. You don’t really know how it happened, but without fail these pictures take over your data like you wouldn't believe.
Now I came to terms with my addiction ages ago. With the early mornings and late nights and constant effort of convincing everyone around you that you really do have to go work out right this second, and I would guess there are at least a few people who have just as hard a time staying away from the gym as I do. My advice to you: embrace it! There are certainly worse problems to have than liking sit-ups just a bit too much.
