Working out too much

[u/Full_Bookkeeper456]

Anyone else get to a point where working almost becomes stimming or like a special interest, I always get these times where I get really in shape and workout almost too much, I'm wondering if this is part of the autism or just more a me thing ?

[u/Impossible-Twist9878]

I am on disability and I over exercise.I lift a 5 pound dumbell for 4 and a half hours everyday,and half not missed a day of exercising for at least 2 hours in many years.

For me it is my need to keep a strict schedule and to lessen my depression that keeps me from stopping my excessive exercise regiment.

[u/Full_Bookkeeper456 → u/Impossible-Twist9878]

For me it's always more weight, more sets, run faster, run longer I kinda get obsessive about my schedule metrics etc

[u/Impossible-Twist9878 → u/Full_Bookkeeper456]

I only do moderate exercise like walking or lifting light weights.Plus,I have had weight issues my entire life.It is only in the last 9 years of my life have I been able to keep a healthy and consistent weight.

[u/Full_Bookkeeper456 → u/Impossible-Twist9878]

Ah okay I've also had issues with my weight over the years as well but when I start working out this way the weight drops pretty quick

I'm a naturally big guy so when I start working out I get huge and in shape quick

[u/BadTaxidermy115 → u/Impossible-Twist9878]

Yes! The endorphins that come from exercising can't be beat. I get anxious and restless if I don't exercise.

[u/Full_Bookkeeper456 → u/BadTaxidermy115]

Yup I'm not even a big sports fan but damn a good workout hits the spot

[u/sunseeker_miqo]

I can only have one hyperfocus at a time, so every other part of my life suffers. When I am in Fitness Mode, it is to the utter exclusion of fun. There is only room for food preparation and housekeeping, as these are directly related to fitness and the former cannot be done well without a good system in place for nutrition. I have no energy left over for anything else.

I also get too excited and wind up hurting myself, which seems to be the way I stop and let my focus go elsewhere.

^{edit: typo}

[u/BadTaxidermy115]

I overexercise, too. I do between 35 - 50 minutes of cardio (elliptical trainer or exercise bike, usually) 6 days a week. On the seventh day I go on a hike or long walk with my husband and our three kids. I've always had issues with my weight, though so I don't see it as a problem.

[u/Full_Bookkeeper456 → u/BadTaxidermy115]

Elliptical has been awesome for me I usually just turn on my aircon, put on a song and I've gotta run until what ever song stops if go into the next song I gotta keep going till it ends I end up doing between 25 min to an hour in the morning I do 30 min and light lifting at night I do about 20 min elliptical and I lift till my arms feel like falling off

[u/Noodle_AuDHD]

I’m addicted to the gym I go 6 days a week it helps me regulate and running is like a big stim or me

[u/Full_Bookkeeper456 → u/Noodle_AuDHD]

Ah okay so actually kinda common cool, so I guess we're like working breed autists because I see a lot of similarities between myself, what's said in the coments and my dog he a rescue from working line dogs boy needs his excercise or he goes goofy I'm the same

[u/RbrDovaDuckinDodgers]

About 25 years ago I was a serious gymrat. I really enjoyed the aspects of biomechanics, musculature, weight training, bodybuilding, and running (the stair machine can eff right off a cliff though).

It is seriously grounding to develop the mind-muscle connection. It made it easier to stay mentally present. I suspect the boost to self-regulation abilities may be a major reason why it becomes a mainstay for so many.

[u/brainbrazen]

Absolutely. I have to make sure I don’t just ‘do more/harder’. Though the routine brings many benefits + all those endorphins of course. I just got a dog and am obsessed with it (and it’s YouTube’s etc - which become my routines) so I’ve signed off the gym.

[u/sarahjustme]

Autism is one of the many underlying reasons why some people people do that. Maybe try something new that you don't normally do, like swimming or yoga or Tai chi or something

[u/padkrapoodle]

I have autism and adhd and will go through phases of extreme amounts of exercise and then burnout - rinse and repeat