Exercise to beat addiction

[GB]

Here’s an interesting article. I think many here have a personal story or 2 about the positive effects that regular exercise has had on situations in their lives other than just the physical. The article below suggest that exercise can help relieve some of the anixity and depression connected with fighting addictions.




Exercise: the 13th Step to Beat Addiction!
by Missy Hawthorne 06/30/2009

Todd Crandell was 20-something and an up and coming hockey player with a promising future when he lost it all to substance abuse. After 13 years of drug and alcohol addiction, Crandell decided to enter recovery the traditional way — detox, support groups, AA meetings, the 12 steps etc. — but he, like many others, felt something was missing.

We are learning that one size does not fit all when it comes to addiction recovery programs. The 12-step programs have and will continue to help millions successfully recover from addictions. However, many recovery programs are now taking a more holistic approach when treating addictions — not just alcohol and drugs — but other addictions like cigarette smoking and binge eating.

The holistically oriented programs supplement the traditional approach of beating an addiction with lifestyle changes including exercise, nutrition, stress management and optimal rest. That’s why as a fitness trainer, I am now talking about addictions, because exercise can play a central role.

Exercising every day has been proven to positively impact an addict in many ways. For example, an active addict can lose structure and meaning to his/her day, but exercise immediately provides this. Exercise fills time and keeps the mind busy. The process of getting fit or actually training for a specific event builds confidence and gives the recovering addict a goal to work toward.

Exercise can also be beneficial in easing symptoms of anxiety and depression, which go hand-in-hand with addiction. An imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain produces the anxiety and depression. Exercise not only impacts endorphins, but also increases levels of serotonin and dopamine, creating more balance. This produces the famous “runners high,” decreases anxiety, and provides an overall feeling of “calm.”

These were the benefits for Crandell, and they helped him overcome his addiction for good and get his life back on track. He is now helping others overcome addiction with the organization he founded called Racing for Recovery.

He says the holistic approach to recovery helped him “not only physically, but spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually, as well.”1 In other words, the whole person. You can learn more about the organization at www.racingforrecovery.com.

Research shows that 75% of Americans know someone who has an addiction.2 If you are struggling with addiction now, I urge you to seek out programs that encourage exercise. It has helped many others like Todd Crandell, and it could be just what you need to finally overcome your addiction.

References
1. Myers, C. 2009. Exercise and Addiction. ACE Certified News. 6-7.
2. National Survey, 2008; Lake Research Partners for Scientists & Engineers for America. Presented in partnership with ScienceDebate2008.com.
3.
[Ed. Note: Melissa Hawthorne, RN, BSN, CSCS is the owner of Priority Fitness Personal Training and Wellness. She is a Master Trainer for the Resist-a-ball Company, ISCA Personal Training, Kick-boxing, and Beamfit. Melissa serves as a fitness consultant for the LaValle Metabolic Institute. To learn more, click here.]

http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/2009/06/exercise-the-13th-step-to-beat-addiction/


GB

[Andy62]

That is an extremely interesting article. Particularly effective are the exercises derived from the demystified principles of yoga- DVR/VRT, Isometrics, and Isometric Power Flexing.

Swami Rama in his great book "Exercsie Without Movement" says of the Isometric Power Flex exercises in his book "The exercises in this book are unique, for all efforts are first mental, and the body reacts accordingly."



http://www.geocities.com/swamiramabio/ResearchSwamiRama.htm

[ShrinkingGuy]

Andy I don't have that in my library. Is there anything in Exercises Without Movement that makes it a good addition to John's library?

The only things I don't have of John's are the Power T's.

[Andy62]

I would highly recommend the book,but it is hard to find a copy. The main benefit of the book as far as I am concerned is that in it Swami Rama, who is scientifically verified in the application of mind power principles, via the Menninger Foundation Research, has great explanations on how mind/body internal projection exercise works. In the book he uses Isometric Power Flexing exercises,but the same principles apply to DVR/VRT and Isometrics. They project the positive thought impulses through the screening and often negative messages in the conscious mind and straight to the center of the mind or the subconscious mind. If you use the exercises from Isometric Power Revolution that is really all you need. The follow quotes that I have taken from Swami Rama's book say it all :

"The exercises in this book,however, are yoga practices with benefits far exceeding ordinary muscular movement. In these subtle exercsies one visualizes muscles, respiration,senses, nervous system, and mind.....Exercise without movement, however,is a systematic method of exercise that allows the practitioner to travel along the pathways of action,from mind to muscle..... They are the preliminary steps to mastery of the autonomic nervous system. Most importantly, in these exercises one comes to experience the tremendous potential of the mind itself,and one makes the dramatic step inward through the layers of personality toward the Center of mind and consciousness."

[gruntbrain]

Is there a 12 step pgm for exercise addicts?

I've found that rapid Heavybag punching is my best mood elevator. My breathing is different with this activity; the exhales are emphasize & are in synch with my punches.

[Andy62]

To change habits, obsessions and addictive behavior you have to get past all of the crap that has been programed into the conscious mind during conditioning and socialization since birth. Most people can't do that. The key is gaining access to the subconscious mind without being interfered with by the blockages in the conscious mind. DVR/VRT, Isometrics and Isometric Power Flexing are the key to this. I was lucky to have a lot of good training in the military and in corporations,but my real break throughs came while applying DVR/VRT and Isometrics while going through some real life crisis situations and under extreme pressure. At this point I can change almost any emotion that I have at will nomatter what outside stressors are beating down on me.The secret is being able to project directly into your subconscous mind- an ability that I was able to develop. Sometimes the solutions can be relatively simple. A friend of mine knew a woman who had been struggling with weight problems all of her life. Finally she discovered an old "parent tape" that kept playing over and over in her head- saying "clean your plate." Once she discovered the cause of the problem her weight problems ceased and she had no trouble from that point forward getting back too and maintaining normal weight.