Addiction and Motivation

This Friday the 13th we are focusing on addiction–it’s an unusual day, fitting for an unusual topic.

We’ll talk briefly about addiction, and how it’s influence on motivation, relating these back to fitness of course.

I was speaking with a friend the other day and he was making a point about addicts, and their lack of motivation to quit. Naturally so, we delved into the topic of addiction, and went far beyond drugs. During the course of our conversation it became clear that people allow addictions to interrupt any and all parts of their lives. But the salient point is this: addiction can be to any substance, habit, or relationship. Therefore anything can create a bond that keeps the mind or body coming back for more. The issue with addiction comes when the addiction becomes a parasite that detracts from the over all quality of life. Example: An addiction to food for comfort, convenience or pleasure. This addiction is becomes a problem when it obstructs the reason for sustenance, and instead creates negative health effects. Food is meant to give us fuel, energy, and motivation, not to fill, drain, and harm us.

On the flip side is the use of addiction for positive gain. This can be an addiction to adrenaline driven by a motivation to experience life to it’s fullest. Or it can be an addiction to exercise. In this case, an individual may be driven to extremes to stay active and fit. An addiction like this can be used to drive motivation. The problem comes when excessive exercise infringes upon other aspects of life, and sometimes even on that which it is meant to improve, one’s health.

The line between addiction and motivation is MODERATION.

Thanks for reading.

Stay Happy. Stay Healthy.