Am I a Gymorexic?
Hello my name is Stacey and I’m a gymorexic.
A what? A Gymorexic. One who is obsessed with going to the gym or in my case working out in general (I haven’t had a gym membership for several years). I recently heard an interview on the radio show Here and Now on Boston station WBUR on this topic. I had never heard the term “gymorexic” prior to this radio bit and boy did it resonate with me.
I recently posted my story of how I became passionate about the health and wellness field as a professional. What I didn’t post were the daily struggles I faced once I lost that initial 30 lbs. I became obsessed with the gym and simply couldn’t get enough.
I remember my mom telling me that friends would call her worried that I had an eating disorder. I would respond “Me? Eating disorder? Have you seen my dinner plate?” My mom would agree. “Yes, I’ve seen you eat!!” How could I have an eating disorder?
Now it seems I had an exercise obsession disorder. The folks on the radio likened it to binging/purging. I ate, and then immediately felt that I had to “Exercise the calories away”. That sounds like a form of purging to me.
AM I A GYMOREXIC?
The radio program included 2 interviews: one with a Boston University grad student who has gymorexia and the second with a sociology instructor Sharlene Hesse-Biber, author of Am I Thin Enough Yet? The Cult of Thinness and Commercialization of Identity (which I now have on hold at the library!)
According to both the graduate student and the sociology instructor, below are some of the warning signs that may indicate whether or not you are gymorexic.
- Gym rat - you are at the gym 7 days a week, for 1 to 2 hours each day.
- Addicted to being attractive - who doesn’t like to be complimented all the time!
- People appear happy externally – but are sad inside. Due to relationships, loss, anything that causes internal termoil.
- Eat and then exercise – to get rid of those calories (similar to binge/purge)
- Guilt of not exercising – It become difficult to take a rest.
- Becomes an obsession - Planning schedule around the gym - or even lying to friends.
- Becomes a ritual – A ritual used to gain some control over life.
- Onset of osteoporosis - too much of anything hurts.
- Women stop menstruating - enough said.
As I sat and listened to the graduate student tell her story, I couldn’t help but chime in “Yup, that was me” and “Oh, yeah, I did that.”
I struggled very seriously with all but the last two. I used to change my plans with friends to accommodate my gym schedule. I lived with awful guilt if I skipped a workout. I can remember dinners at friends house, enjoying a meal including the apple pie and then freaking out about having to go to the gym because I ate pie (and I had already been that day!). I wish I knew this term 10+ years ago. Maybe I wouldn’t have had to struggle on my own.
Or I may have denied it. It’s hard to know – I was a lot younger then and didn’t know any better. The graduate student interviewed did seek the help of a psychologist. The psychologist “restricted” her exercise time and validated the fact that it was “ok” not to exercise all the time. She went from 1.5 to 2 hours per day at the gym to 30 minutes 4 times per week.
It becomes exercise addiction.
AS WITH ALL ADDICTIONS, HELP IS AVAILABLE
Concerned that you or someone you know might be a gymorexic? Find yourself thinking “Hmmm, that could be me”? Help is available. Over the years and through my experience I’ve learned that managing gymorexia means learning to believe in yourself, your health and your happiness. Believing that you, as you are, are perfect and letting go of what is expected by other people or society as a whole. It’s why I started in this business. To provide other women education, resources and support on how to live healthy lives. I didn’t have support, I didn’t know where to go. I want women to know there are places to go, whether to me or elsewhere.
I’m proud of where I was and where I am now. I have learned so much about myself as a person, what I’m capable of and areas where I still need some work. I have changed my exercise habits and don’t come close to exercising for 2 hours per day anymore. I don’t have the time or inclination! And yet I am definitely in the best shape of my life – physically and emotionally. I’ve learned to listen to my body and give it what it needs to be healthy, even if that means a day or two (or three!) of rest.
Got questions? Please feel free to email me. I’m happy to talk about how my personal and group programs can help or refer to you other resources including clinicians, online resources and/or other group programs.
You can also share your story here (anonymously or otherwise). As always, it’s important to know support exists, and I believe we can always learn from others.
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