I think exercise is very much an addiction - a good addiction - but still an addiction. Once you start enjoying exercise your body starts to crave it - just like any other drug. Things start to happen when you don't get it - you become grouchy, short tempered, aggravated - just like any other drug. The difference with exercise is that it is hard to become addicted to it. It takes awhile. Sometimes months. It can be a long uphill battle to obtain the desire to exercise. It usually starts out as something you have to do or need to do but eventually the crave starts to kick in. Eventually you start to see how much better you feel - you notice that you have more energy and need less sleep. Your brain works better - you are sharper and have a better memory. You are kinder and have more patience. A nice little side benefit of exercising is that you tend to eat healthier once you start to notice the physical effects of exercise.
As with anything in life it is important to find that perfect balance - your happy place. The point where you are exercising enough and still getting the rest your body needs. For most of us it is more than what we think. Suzanne and I exercise several hours every day 6 days a week. We rest on Sunday. By Monday we are ready to go again. If we end up taking more than a couple of days off we really start to feel it. Of course it has taken years for our bodies to really be comfortable with the amount of exercise. Listen to your body and don't be afraid to push yourself to the next level every once in awhile. When you reach that point where you think your are fully addicted you can join our EAAPOI group.... EXERCISE ADDICT AND PROUD OF IT!
