Breaking Free of Exercise Obsession I Kiersten Pagani

Fitness trainer Kiersten Pagani shares her powerful journey through exercise addiction and how she found her way back to a healthy relationship with movement after multiple injuries and surgeries.• Exercise obsession defined as an uncontrolled relationship with working out driven by overwhelming urge rather than enjoyment• Statistical insights: exercise addiction affects 3% of general population, 8.2% of gym members, 14% of endurance athletes, and 17% of elite athletes• Workout addiction often intertwined with other disorders – 48% also have eating disorders and 56% suffer from depressive disorders• The gradual shift from healthy habits to harmful compulsion often goes unnoticed by the individual• Key warning signs include extreme guilt when missing workouts and prioritizing exercise over important relationships• Exercise becomes permission to eat or punishment for eating in unhealthy relationships• Kirsten's personal journey included teaching multiple classes daily while doing additional workouts• Physical consequences included five ankle surgeries, spinal issues, and impending knee replacements• Finding balance means viewing exercise as enjoyable rather than obligation• Risk vs. reward assessment is crucial when choosing fitness activitiesExercise should be something you look forward to – a small but important fraction of your day that brings joy rather than anxiety or obligation.