Are you a gym addict or fitness enthusiast?

Exercising regularly undeniably makes you feel great, particularly, when you start seeing a difference in your body. And this is when suddenly all your life's happiness starts to revolve around your fitness regime. But the actual problem arises when unknowingly, your fitness dedication turns into an obsession and you become a gym addict!

Addiction is defined as “a state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that causes psychological or physical dependency”. Getting addicted to healthy habits is good but if the habits start controlling your routine beyond a limit, it is time you take action. When your passion for lifting weights or running all the time starts ruling you, it ain't healthy no more. Instead of making you healthy and fit, this addiction can take a toll on your health.

When you exercise, your body releases endorphin and serotonin. These are the major tools to combat depression and stress. But at the same time, gym addiction may cause sore muscles, dizziness, nausea, heartburn and side stitch.

Check for the following points and know if your fitness enthusiasm has converted into gym addiction.

Who doesn’t want a toned and perfect body? But if your happiness revolves just around your six packs, you are no longer a fitness enthusiast but a gym addict. Your happiness should not only depend on flaunty abs but self-awareness, which tells you how much is too much.

The day you start measuring your relationship on the basis of how good your partner is in the gym, you may have become a gym addict. Your gym habits should not impact your personal relationships. If they are, it is time for some soul-searching.

Longer the hours you spend in the gym, more are the chances of you being a gym addict. As you spend a lot of your time in the gym, you may tend to avoid certain important tasks, like an appointment with a doctor.

Do you feel irritated and undergo extreme mood swings when you don’t hit the gym? Be cautious as your gymming may be turning into an addiction.

If even after a serious injury you hit the gym, chances are that you have become a gym addict.

One should definitely have a fitness regime but do not let your workout overpower you! (Image Courtesy: Shutterstock and Thinkstock)