Fitness Addiction… Are you serious?

I don’t think I need to go on elaborating about what addiction means and types of addiction etc … Very simply put – anything which has gone beyond a level where day to day living is affected in a negative way is addiction.

So what’s it go to do with fitness?

Fitness can turn into a terrible addiction in to itself. Like any other form of addiction, the ‘high’ feeling that comes from looking great and feeling awesome turns into a compulsive obsession for the person. Individuals who have seen a hard life or are suffering from negative self image are most prone to addictions like these.

Not every one goes through it, but people who do, will end up facing problems in life. For example a fitness freak I know just can’t let go of those 2 hours of gymming everyday, even if an important event is due in the family at the same time.

So in a line… yes! Fitness addiction is right there!

Read a story in newspaper sometime back… where this person was so compulsive about his organic food intake (which is all that he used to eat btw)… that 1/3rd of his salary would go into importing Cashews and nuts from other country.

Health and fitness addiction can be just as severe as any other addiction. It imprisons us into destructive, compulsive activities. Our families, careers, social life and ironically even our health itself could be put into danger because of this.
But there’s always good news – addictions can be dealt with through some support and discipline. Don’t shy to ask for help from your family and friends, who’d then instill a will in your head to snatch you life back into own hands.

Gym buddies – does it work?

There is no topic in world which does not have two schools of thought. Some people think of gym buddies as distraction, while some as motivation… question is which category are you?

A very close friend of mine says – “It’s an excellent idea, especially for guys who often spend time in Weight training, becomes easy to alternate. Also women generally like to talk while doing anything, keeps their hormones happy… so a gym buddy can be great motivation factor”

Whereas I have also come across people who think “Motivation is helpful, but it is all up to you anyway, right?”

I read this interesting experience somewhere “I’ve been working out for years. Gym partners, gym buddies or actual friends, they just seem to get in the way. Focused one minute, then all it takes is for one heated discussion about politics or sport then that’s it. Session over. “

More people – more opinions.

I might not be able to tell you what’s right for you, but I can share my experience and humbly confess that gym buddy concept has really worked for me. I always felt a little lazy to move to the gym and sweat it out for even that one hour. My gym buddy was my support system, pushing me to not give in and wake up to see the light. More over it was fun having someone to share a laugh with or crib about in middle of sessions.

With a gym buddy by your side, you have some one to relate to, reconnect with and maintain accountability without pushing each others buttons.

My final take based on my years of experience is … To adopt this concept or not, two things are the defining factor…

To make it work both need to be and stay equally motivated. If only one motivated the other, it won’t work for a long time’! If you are just looking for a one way flow, it will NOT WORK.
It will ultimately boil down to the kind of person you are, whether you need that external push (which is quite fine) or everything for you is self driven.

Take your pick friends!