Using Fitness as a Method of Addiction Help
One of the must under utilized strategies for addiction recovery is physical fitness and exercise. This is because people are inherently lazy and do not generally want to commit to regular, vigorous exercise.
Make no mistake...this has nothing to do with addicts and alcoholics being lazy. People in general are lazy, addicts included. But for those who summon the motivation to engage themselves in vigorous exercise on a regular basis in recovery, the potential payoff is huge.
In fact, there are some recovery programs that are based entirely on physical exercise. And there are addicts who are working those programs who are staying clean and sober. So it is a proven, powerful tool for recovery.
How can you use this as a means to overcome your own addiction? Try the following:
1) Start exercising on a regular basis and make a firm commitment to keep at it. This is the number one goal that you cannot lose sight of. If you allow yourself to slip then all will be lose and it will become easier and easier to avoid exercising in the future. Stay at it. This is no different than when you stop drinking alcohol or doing drugs. You have to have conviction and the willingness to see it through.
2) Do what is comfortable for you, and then push it so that you are doing vigorous exercise. It does not do much good if you are not working up a good sweat. The real benefits for overcoming addiction come when you really get the endorphins kicking. The good news is that you don't have to be a world class athlete to achieve this. If nothing else, simply walk briskly for 30 to 60 minutes to find a good starting point. If you cannot maintain it for 60 minutes, keep doing it 4 times per week or more until you can.
There are all sorts of exercises you could do--running, swimming, etc. But nothing more than a brisk walk is really required in order to achieve the full benefits in terms of overcoming an addiction.
Stick to a routine like this and you will start feeling great in your recovery.