Running

There is a very special tool in my toolbox when it comes to fighting my past sex addiction. This tool is called running (or sports in general). Sports can provide powerful assistance to people in recovery. First of all exercising is a great way to relieve stress. Addicts have a tendency to turn to their habit when they are stressed, so why not turn to sports instead? Also when exercising, your body produces endorphins, which is leaves you with that feel-good feeling and improved self-esteem. I am surprised that there has not been much talk on the importance of exercise, when reading recovery blogs as well as addiciton resources.

My sports history goes back a long way. I was always a passionate runner, running cross-country and middle distances. I used to work out nearly every day, training passionately for track meets. Running played a very important part in my life. It gave me enormous motivation and passion.

To get things straight, my addiction had started to develop while I was a passionate runner. However it didn’t really escalate out of control until I stopped competitive running. When I stopped running, my workouts decreased dramatically, leaving more time for porn surfing, meeting escorts, and in general isolating myself. Even when I was deep in shit, the occasional running workout provided a respite from my sex addiction.

Now that I am in recovery, I have tried to squeeze as many workouts as possible in my timetable. I find 2-3 workouts a week keeps the urges at bay. If I don’t go for over 10 days, I find myself very quickly falling back in the trap of having consistent urges that don’t go away easily. My therapist does a very good job in reminding me how important it is to make running part of my daily plan, and that I should put aside other obligations (work etc.) to make time for running.

~ by exaddict on August 5, 2008.