Serious gym addiction and it's hurting my relationships?

[Anonymous]

So the solution to most addictions is to just stop, and go cold turkey. But I have a gym addiction. I don't want to stop going to the gym, I'll lose all my gains!
But it consumes me! The gym is all I thin about. I talk about gym related things 24/7 and all my family, friends and my boyfriend are sick of it! I realized it was hurting my boyfriend last night when he wanted to hang out to cuddle at his house, but I said I had to get home and get enough sleep because I had leg day the next day. He opened up and said that I never hang out with him for as he wants to because I'm always going to the gym, or having to get home early enough to get enough sleep to recover. I want to stop obsessing about the gym because my thoughts are driving me crazy, anyway! I can't think about anything else but more gym!
What do I do?

[Theguyoverthere]

Basically you're not planning out your time in a balanced manner. I doubt anyone would ask you to quit your gym time, but at the same time, if you're working out that much to the point where you have time for nothing else, a few things are likely happening.

If you're working out 6-7 days a week you are flat out not balancing out your life. People who workout that much are the ones who sacrifice their jobs and social life and are likely doing it for a competition.

The other thing I notice with people working out so often is their workouts are full of exercises that contribute to like... 1-5% of their gains. By the end of their week they're doing useless exercises and weak isolation movements out of OCD and don't plan out effective routines. Years later their indulging their plateaus doing the same exercises at the same weight. Plus people in this situation are likely using the gym to mask other issues in their life that they don't want to talk about on a mental/emotional level. If you're in this situation, you're likely better off switching to 3-4 days especially if you're doing a lot of weight training (you mentioned gains). You won't lose any gains and if anything your joints will thank you.

If you're working out 3-4 days a week you likely just need more gym oriented friends and such. Just talk gym with people who go with you and such and plan out times with your boyfriend. Move a day over and plan things out better.

[MyNameIsJonas]

I don't know that I can help your situation because I am the same way. I work out 7 days a week sometimes 2x a day.

You have to balance out work and time with your family and boyfriend.

[Kalinda]

Date a gym guy who shred your interest and tenacity

[GymBumGuy]

if i were you i would pick my gains! but that's just me you gotta decide whats more important to you your boyfriend or your gains

[acrus]

this is actuallly my goals... I need gym

[SkaterDude]

time to see a therapist , you are over doing it

[Scrambled]

Why you doing gym?

[Asker]

Because I love working out! Getting stronger is addicting, and I want to keep my good body and make it better.

[Scrambled]

I'm addicted too. But I have cut my time. I love getting strong and looking good and gym is the only thing that cheers me up. But it was getting in the way everything so I just cut my workouts to set times (1 hour a session) 5 days a week. But then I try do more in that hour than what I did last week. Either more reps or more weight. So I am always pushing myself but my deal time is an hour. I'm a musician and have a day job so yeah... need to tone it down.