Can weight training become a part of OCD and be self-destructive?

Question

i have been in training on and off for a year now, i first started off mainly with cardio, but have since moved into weight lifting/body building.

at first though, i trained simply to get rid of my abdominal fat, but i want to become huge(muscles wise).

but one of the main reasons is because i am not happy with who i am at the moment.

I want to destroy any/all traces of who i am, in terms of how other people see me, and more so how i see myself.

the other week, i had to take a week off, as i hit a plateau, but after about 3 days off, i was really wanting to get back into training. i think ended going back to the gym by about the 4th day off.

Answer 1

Weight training and poor self image can become destructive. You dislike how you see yourself now, so you'd like to have bigger muscles. Your arms will get bigger, but because of poor self image, never seem "big enough". It's good to work on your self appearence but you shouldn't overdo it because you think of yourself badly. Being physically fit is a good thing, but just don't go crazy, listen to your body, when it wants to stop, give it a rest. Remember, your muscles need to tear and repair before they can get bigger, and if you keep tearing them you'll just end up in pain.

Answer 2

no it wont hurt...just lift 40 lbs

Answer 3

Weights can become quite addictive, the more you do, the more results you see.

You sound like you have a healthy appetite for a good competitive sport.

Answer 4

The answer simply is: Yes.

Weight training IS addictive. You have it set in your brain that you want this image of yourself, this muscly guy who everyone who looks at you thinks 'Wow, he must work-out' etc,etc...

Because of this impulse in your brain TELLING you and REMINDING you that you NEED this image, your body craves the weights..

I would lay off it for a while if your muscles are starting to strain/if your injured. If you carry on working out with any injuries you have, it can really damage your ligaments etc..

However it's hard to stop even with an injury, because your brain wants you to carry on. My advice to you is stop the training for a while, and focus on something else. Maybe studying a certain topic your intrested in, or even better, reading and learning about working-out and going to the gym!

I'm not saying stop going to the gym, I'm just saying be careful when you do, have self-control, but lay off it for a while, to give your body time to heal, despite the urge you may have. =)

Answer 5

Your fitness coach should really be helping you with this one Do you have one? You should do.

Answer 6

There is nothing wrong with wanting to look good, change who you are (as long as it is for the better and you are comfortable with it). There is also nothing wrong with have a what I like to call "healthy obsession." As an avid runner, I too have a hard time taking more than a few days off or rest days. What you need to decide is whether or not this is going beyond enjoyment (which is what it sounds like) and its becoming a compulsion for you to be at the gym, every day hitting the weights hard enough to the point where it angers you if dint finish a set. I would suggest starting to make a few changes to see how you react, when you are at the gym, think about being happy that you have a great body that can sustain hard workouts, when you are done praise yourself for what you accomplished and not what you didn't. If you can start changing your attitude without too much hesitation then you are okay. If you find it more difficult and frustrating you may want to consider speaking to someone about how to deal with this. Good luck!

Answer 7

i thnk it can become compulsive i know a few people where its taken over their lives as they are never happy and could always be bigger and better as they say