Why is exercising too much dangerous?

It's quite strange that over the last few years my life has been shaped around exciting both trainers and individuals about exercise and movement and here I am now talking about putting a cap on the exercise you do. The two biggest trends that I see are that people either don't exercise enough or they do too much. It seems that exercise is like a drug, used in the right way, it can do wonders for the body yet used excessively, it can be dangerously harmful.

We're all well aware of the benefits of exercise and how it remains a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle yet few really understand the physiological and psychological implications of over-exercising. It's worth having a look at some of the common issues that arise:

• Instead of building muscle, too much exercise destroys muscle as the body receives insufficient nutrition and recovery time forcing it to break down muscle tissue for energy.
• Bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and joints are all under excessive pressure and often become damaged. When minor injuries aren't allowed to heal, these often result in long term damage.
• Females over-exercising can disrupt the balance of hormones in their body including the menstrual cycle. Some females lose periods altogether and can suffer from premature bone loss.
• Exhaustion and fatigue.
• An even bigger threat is the strain put on the heart and cardiovascular system. When an individual over-exercises as well as committing to unhealthy weight loss through crash diets, restricting intake, diet pills or vomiting, the stress put on their body can be sometimes a fatal mixture.
• Depression and anxiety can plague compulsive exercisers. Fixated on keeping fit completely rules lives. With low self-esteem, negative self-image and often a feeling of worthlessness, individuals can often avoid withdraw from friends and family to spend excessive time fixated to exercising.

Well, how can we help. Spotting warning signs will help identify this common problem. A person may be exercising compulsively if he or she:

• Never skip a workout, even if tired, sick or injured
• Doesn't enjoy exercising yet feels obligated to do it
• Feels irrationale guilt or anger when missing a workout
• exercises for twice as long as normal in the event of missing an exercise session
• Is constantly preoccupied with his or her weight, shape and exercise routine
• Doesn't like to sit still or relax for constant fear of not burning enough calories
• Has lost a significant amount of weight
• Exercises more after eating more believing that meals must be 'burnt off'
• Skips meeting friends and family and gives up responsibility to spend time exercising
• Seems to base self worth on quantity of exercise or effort levels
• Is never satisfied with his or her personal achievements

Spotting them is half the battle. Remember that in your opinion, it may seem blatantly obvious that their exercise habits or under eating habits are compulsive. Yet these are part of what the individuals believes and dismissing these as excessive and ridiculing them may not be a great way to improve rapport or understanding. Be kind, loving, encouraging, listen and try to help the individual become more confident. In extreme cases, always seek professional guidance. This ideally would be with the permission of the individual but compulsive habits can be fatal in extreme cases. Let common sense prevail.