Kaminker, L. (1997, April). Too much of a good thing: In pursuit of the perfect body, compulsive exercisers risk destroying their lives. Seventeen, p. 160.

OVERVIEW

A common adage says, "What ever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger." While it is easy to think that one cannot overload a healthy habit, the consequences of burning away one’s body through complusive exercise can be severe. Compulsive exercise is as much a disorder with teens as anorexia and bulimia.

Exercise is a great way of maintaining a healthy body, but for many teens it becomes an addiction. In the article, one young woman began exercising to release stress that she felt from her parents. Eventually, exercise became an obsession; she desired workouts more than a social life. She exercised herself down to 74 pounds; her hair was falling out, she vomited blood, and open sores had formed on her hips where her skin had worn away. She could not stop. It controlled over her life.

Another young woman began exercising as an alternative to purging. Life at home was difficult, so to escape, she frequented the gym. She controlled her food intake and increased her exercise schedule. She also took increasing doses of Synthroid to speed up her metabolism.

Both of these young women were helped by caring individuals who people who wanted to help them . Compulsive exercise is a disorder which usually leads to another illness such as anorexia or bulimia.

The following are warning signs of compulsive exercise:

• A preference to exercise rather than to socialize with friends.
• Forcing oneself to exercise even when sick or injured.
• Difficulty sitting still (because one is afraid of not burning calories)

Compulsive exercise is a serious problem that is being overlooked; one should recognize when a young woman is falling into this pattern. Exercise is a necessity of life, but when it becomes rigid, there may be a problem.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Do you know of a young person (male or female) who has recently lost a lot of weight?
2. Does this person have a tendency to move around or fidget a lot?
3. Have you heard this person decline invitations to be with friends?
4. How can you discuss with them a possible disorder?
5. Why do you think that compulsive exercise is affecting teens today? What can be done to address this societal phenomenon?

IMPLICATIONS

1. Those who regularly interact with youth are responsible for protecting and nurturing them. It is important to guard their hearts, mind, and body. If someone is wasting away, do not ignore it; address the issue in a loving and understanding way.
2. Compulsive exercisers begin with healthy intentions. But when this habit controls the person, it can kill just like any other eating disorder.