Is it unhealthy to walk 18 miles a day?

iF YOU CaN Do iiT.. iiTS aweSoMee! JusT DoNt ForCe YouRSeLF 2 MuCH. Hav3 FuN DoiiN iT!

There is such a thing as too much exercise. I have to wonder how many hours you’re spending on this and why.

there is NO such thing as too much exericise. i do know this for a fact because my dads a doctor and my mom is in the medical field. Exercising is a great way to improve your health in your body and mind. It helps you get “away” and get your mind off things. EXERCISE IS GOOD TO ANY EXTENT

there is a such thing as too much exercise. exercise can be a drug…if you do too much you can hurt yourself.

Are you obsessed about doing this? If walking 18 miles a day interferes with the rest of your life…like you don’t have time to study, or have friends, then it falls under addiction…and it IS harmful. Be honest with yourself and ask the hard question…”What is my goal in doing this on a daily basis?”

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Just because your parents work in the medical field doesnt mean you’ve absorbed their knowledge through osmosis. In fact that has got to be the most ri.di.cu.lous answer as to why something must be a fact I’ve ever heard. Oh and I’ve actually studied mental disorders. You know, in college.

This is just something UPenn had up on their site. Since I really cannot be bothered to actually do research on this, you’re going to have to do with what an Ivy League University has on their website.

COMPULSIVE EXERCISING What is compulsive exercising?

Compulsive exercising, also called over-exercising or obligatory exercising, is when an individual engages in strenuous physical activity with to the point that is unsafe and unhealthy.

How much exercise is considered too much?

To maintain cardiovascular health, 2,000-3,500 calories should be burned each week through aerobic exercises, such as running, dancing, cycling and the like. Thirty to forty-five minutes a day, five or six days a week is sufficient to acquire these health benefits. Exercise beyond 3,500 calories per week, however, leads to decreased physical benefits and increased risk of injury. Click here to get more information on muscle dysmorphia, a condition in which a sufferer engages in compulsive weight-bearing exercises.

What motivates sufferers to exercise too much?

Those who compulsively exercise often work out to attain a temporary sense of power and self-control. Some over-exercisers are also anorexic or bulimic, and cope with their emotions and anxiety through excessive exercise in addition to their eating disorder. Participation in athletics or dance can also play a role, as coaches, parents, and other participants stress that being thin is necessary to succeed with the activity. Those involved in sports or dance may also receive a great deal of praise for being so “fit and trim” which can fuel the destructive behavior.

What are the signs and symptoms of compulsive exercising?

Over-exercisers typically work out beyond the limits of safe. They will find ways to work out even if it means cutting school, taking time off from work, getting too little sleep, or missing social events. Sufferers typically feel severe guilt when they cannot exercise, and rarely consider their workouts fun or enjoyable.

What are some consequences of compulsive exercise?

The risks with this disorder are both physical and emotional. All too often, a sufferer may see deterioration of their personal relationships or failure at work or school. Many who exercise compulsively become socially withdrawn.

The physical risks are numerous. A very real risk with this disorder is dehydration if the sufferer is not drinking enough fluids. Over-exercise can also lead to insomnia, depression, and fatigue. Additional physical side effects include muscular and skeletal injuries, like shin splits, bone fractures, arthritis, or damage to cartilage and ligaments. Too much exercise can lead to the release of excessive free radicals, which have been linked to cellular mutations and cancer. Females may no longer menstruate, a condition called amenorrhea.

Can a person who compulsively over-exercises become cured?

About 80% of persons with body image disorders who seek professional help recover completely or make significant progress. All in all, these disorders are behavior patterns that display very complex emotional conflicts, which need to be resolved for the person to have a healthy relationship with food and exercise.

Where can I go for help?

If you think you have an eating disorder, contact CAPS at (215) 898-7021 or The Renfrew Center of Philadelphia at 1-800-RENFREW.

Well if that is the only thing you do and keep up on a healthy diet with protein grain and carbs then you should be fine.

18 miles a day sounds a little excessive to me. it all depends on if you do it because you enjoy it or doing it compulsively because you feel you have to.