Treatment of exercise addiction

Compulsive exercise is not a source of shame and embarrassment, unlike bulimia and compulsive eating for example. This is not a shame-based activity. The addicts like what they are doing this may also be because as a society exercise is favoured and admired. Exercise dependent clients typically seek treatment because they no longer are able to continue the exercise. Treatment may also be sought due to health implications or social difficulties such as their partner or spouse threatening to leave if therapy is not initiated. Such clients tend to be extremely resistant to exploring issues around their exercise.

If the onset of exercise addiction is to avoid underlying emotions such as anxiety and/or depression, the recovery involves identifying and dealing effectively with these feelings. Thus psychotherapy can be very effective.

In order for treatment to be successful, the addict’s relationship with exercise needs to be challenged. For example, making changes to their exercise program. Clients may be asked to wear sandals rather than walking shoes when power walking for example. This aimed for the individual to develop a new perspective of their walking and using the ability to 'chose sandals for their walk' as an indication of the intensity of their feelings. Other possibilities are as follows;

 

Change the order of the activities. Do weights first rather than last.Run clockwise instead of counter-clockwise.Switch activities. For example swim instead of cycle.Attend a different aerobics session.Express feelings during exercise. Instead of pushing a feeling down, stay present to it while exercising. Move in such a way that the feeling is expressed. Wear different attire, run in old, or stained gym shorts rather than sleek running shorts.

The intensity, frequency or duration of exercise is often needed to be reduced. This reduction can occur over time, or can be "cold turkey". Since withdrawal symptoms are usually most intense 48 hours after ceasing exercise, Clients are challenged to refrain from exercise for three days. A support system is often set up for the individuals to expect certain emotions and develop ways to combat them rather than exercise. This intervention is designed to enlighten the client and reveal the impact exercise has on their lives. It is also designed to create openness to pursue these issues.

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