Holly's thread about Motivation...

got me to thinking. It's been a while since we talked about having to become a little compulsive about exercise, especially when you are getting started! For me, i became compulsive about it, at first it was to the people in my life who made cracks about my "exercise jones". My mean and nutjob ex used to say things like I was avoiding life by taking off to go run. Even tho i considered the source, he kind of had a point in there somewhere. For that measly hour i spent alone running or hiking, I wasn't fighting with him, or eating, or staring at a crotch novel or gossiping...i was talking care of ME and MY BODY and SOUL. Luckily, I ignored HIM completely and went on with it...or else i swear i would have weighed 400 pounds today.  My point here is...sometimes getting compulsive about something isn't alwasy a bad thing.... thoughts, anyone?

hey Neecee, Crotch novel? LOL Okay, as far as being compulsive about something, I am OCD.  It runs in my family, both my boys have it, my Dad has it.  It's not the kind of OCD that forces me to wash my hand 50 times a day or fix the fringe on carpets, but it is OCD. For me I am also an all or nothing person, another OCD trait.  I set a goal for myself and if I don't meet that goal I am a nutcase.  If I plan on going to the gym and I don't get there for whatever reason, I get upset and irritable all night. So, to answer your question, no it's not bad to be compulsive about certain things. 

Yes, this type of thinking runs in my family as well.  We don't "make points" - we drive them babies HOME! I have been able to change that about me...that is in most things. When I am compulsive about the good things, like exercise, that is okay in my book. One really shameful trait is still mine: If a person crosses a certain line with me, I am done, I cannot forgive, I am DONE.  I am working on that, too.  Good thing it takes a long while to ever get to "that line" with me.  I have finally gotten over not forgiving myself - that is a biggie.  I used to beat myself up over eating too much here and there in my case, but I am learning to forgive me when this happens. I still tend to beat myself up over really dumb things said to others, man alive, can i ever obsess on that for days. I can get pretty irate, as you do, if anything gets in my way of a workout!  This is how I know it is a compulsion!  LOL.  I AM working on this. I do not think it is acceptable for me to get that po'ed over things that are not within my locus of control. I have been near/over the line of exercise abuse over my years, too. I now realize thru my OA work that it was to avoid the REAL issue - food compulsion. I thought, quite erroneously that enough exercise would negate a world of food eaten. I could not have possibly exercised enough to negate the way I WAS eating at that time. Maybe like 4 hours of killing myself....

You lucked out that your compulsive is excercising.  Not everyone finds a winner like that one.  Well you already know my thoughts on this one.  I'm not really sure if you would call it compulsive, but if it's not it's getting close..foods.  No matter wether good or bad foods, I literally think about it, and even research them.  Sort of strange I know, but I do it every day.  Have for a long time.  Also research, my husband says I'm obsessed by it.  I know he's right, but I have to research everything.  Even thing I need to buy from the store.   I research to find the best of things and won't stop until it's done.  That one has it's benefits, but it drives my husband nuts that I won't buy something because well...my research tells me there is better out there! :)

I agree Neecee. For me the health benefits are excellent, but its just relaxing to walk in the park. It's always something good to see whether people or nature. Also that is the only time I have to myself in a day to reflect, release, cry silently, laugh, etc. That is why I keep doing it.  

I think the way you commit yourself to exercising is truly inspiring.  I wouldn't change a thing.  I wish I could get that compulsion.  I did walk in the park today and it is about 48 degress, sprinkling and quite windy.  Before, there would have been no way I would have done that.  It was only for about 15 minutes, but I was moving pretty good because I wanted back in my car.   I do like the way exercise makes me feel.  Moving easier and having more energy is great.  I don't mind much at lunch, but of an evening I hate it.  I try and watch T.V. while I ride my exercise bike, but I still get bored.  I try and do it a little in the morning before work as I like it better than evenings.  I tend to run late and not have enough time.  I know I need to get up earlier.  I don't know if I will ever really enjoy it though.  Am I destined to stay fat if I don't get that feeling?  I sure hope not.   Neecee, you said your house is a wreck.  I may have somewhat a compulsion for having things neat in my house.  Why don't I care more about  myself than I do my house?  I know what Shari would say, just shut up and do it.   Brenda

 

i would rather say i have better habits than compulsions hehe i can't think of anything i'm really compulsive about. i'm sure my hubby could name off some tho