Am I Exercising Too Much?
We all know the benefits of exercise, studies show it improves heart health, boosts mood, helps with stress and supports overall wellbeing. Movement is often promoted as a universal “good thing.” But what happens when the very thing meant to help us mentally and physically, starts to harm us?
For some, exercise can shift from being joyful and life-enhancing into something compulsive, perfectionistic which can become entrenched with a disordered eating.
You may love your workouts and feel they’re your saviour — but exercise sits on a spectrum. This blog explores when healthy movement crosses into compulsion, the red flags to watch for, and how to know if it’s become more destructive, . .
Exercise on a Spectrum
Like most things in life, exercise isn’t inherently good or bad — it sits on a spectrum.
On one side is healthy movement - which can be fun, flexible, energising and balanced.
On the other side lies compulsive exercise or even destructive exercise which is much more rigid, obsessive and often tied to anxiety, guilt, or self-punishment.
This shift can be subtle.
At first, a consistent routine might feel positive but over time, the “rules” tighten. What once felt like choice becomes compulsion:
“I have to exercise, or I’ll panic.”
“If I don’t exercise, I’ll gain weight.”
“I can’t cope with my day unless I work out.”
When movement stops being optional and starts being a constant coping . mechanism the coin has flipped.
Signs That Exercise May Be Compulsive
Ask yourself:
Do you exercise in secret?
Do you keep going even when injured or unwell?
Do you only feel “allowed” to eat if you exercise?
Do you feel anxious, guilty, or irritable if you miss a workout?
Do you fix your life around your exercise schedule?
Do you struggle with rest days — even swapping “rest” for yoga or stretching but considering that a rest?
Do you dislike holidays or family events because they get in the way of your workouts?
Does your mood dip if others are exercising but you can’t?
If several of these resonate, it may be a red flag that your relationship with exercise needs attention.
Why Some of Us Are More Vulnerable
Compulsive exercise isn’t just about fear of weight gain. There can also be deeper biological and psychological drivers:
Famine response: Some people are wired through genetics to become more active when food is scarce. Research shows calorie-restricted animals (like rats and certain breeds of pigs) run or pace far more when energy-deprived, mimicking ancient hunter-gatherer survival strategies.
Neurodivergence: For some, especially those with autism, repetitive movement brings relief, structure or calm.
Perfectionism & black-and-white thinking: Exercise can become another area to achieve control, or prove self-worth.
Living in a World That Praises Exercise
If you struggle with the compusive exercise side of the spectrum, one of the challenges is that society constantly reinforces exercise as “good”. The more is better, rest is laziness. If you are vulnerable to an eating disorders or compulsive tendencies, this can blur the line between health and harm.
But don’t worry, it’s not about giving up exercise altogether. Instead, it’s about finding a way to regulate and balance movement so it supports your health without dominating your life.
Final Thought:
Remember - Exercise should add to your life, not take it over. If it feels like a cage rather than a choice, reaching out for support can help you rebuild a relationship with movement that feels safe, balanced, and truly nourishing.
Take care my friends.