ADDICTION to drugs or booze can ruin lives but what about overdosing on healthier habits?
Singer Ellie Goulding has told how her obsession used to rule her life, saying: I did at one point have a gym addiction. I felt I had to go every day. I was skipping the studio and writing sessions that was when it just wasnt worth it. JENNY FRANCIS talks to three women about how their wellness cravings just made them unhealthily obsessive.
6
SINGLE mum Chloe Howard became obsessed with sleep after reading about the importance of getting nine hours a night.
But the outdoor activities instructor, from Norwich, who is mum to Freddie, three, became so fixated on sleep-tracking apps, as well as associated herbal remedies,
breathing techniques and sleep-inducing exercise, that ironically she ended up with chronic insomnia and got into debt buying so many sleep products. She says:
"Ive always been interested in fitness and staying healthy and then last May, sleep seemed to be a big topic of conversation in the wellness scene. Lots of studies were talking about the importance of sleep, and sleep quality, for our mental health.
I was amazed at the science behind it all. I decided to revamp my bedtime for my health and began by going to bed earlier. But after a few nights of lying in bed at 9pm, trying desperately to nod off, it wasnt working. So I upped my game.
I bought sprays and balms that promised to help me drift off. I read articles on how to create the perfect sleep environment, and even redesigned my bedroom. I wanted a really accurate way to track my sleep, so I downloaded tracker apps on my phone.
The minute I woke up in the morning, I would download my data and check how many hours I had managed to get. The apps gave me a score, depending on the quality of my sleep, and if this dropped below 80 out of 100, then I would spend the whole day feeling anxious.
Id feel a growing sense of dread and pressure to do better the next night. I even began cancelling plans with friends to try to get afternoon naps to clock up my hours.
I began buying expensive herbal remedies, including Nytol and Sleepeaze tablets, magnesium supplements and valerian tablets. My bedtime routine took three hours, starting with sleepercise which is gentle exercise to get you ready for bed then a bath with oils, candles and yoga.
6
By last October, I was taking treble the dose of my herbal tablets. Despite everything, I was sleeping less than ever. Id be awake for hours, worrying about this. I racked up about 850 on my credit card to get all the products I thought I needed.
But I was exhausted during the day, so miserable. When friends invited me out, I refused because I didnt want it to interfere at all with my sleep. I began to find parenting really tough. I would put my son to bed but, if he woke me up, I would find it really difficult not to be frustrated with him.
I realised I was more snappy with him and there were times when I worried more about my sleep than reading him a bedtime story. I decided I had to go cold turkey on it all.I deleted all the apps and threw away all the products. It was tough but, within a week, I was sleeping better than I had in months and felt much happier."
6
ORIANA FINDLAY got so addicted to working out she lost friends and became a shell of herself.
Oriana, from Richmond, South West London, works in fashion marketing and says a simple goal to tone up and drop a dress size quickly escalated from a healthy workout routine to a real obsession with exercise. She says:
"Id always tried to stay reasonably active. But back in January 2017 I made a New Year resolution to get fit and go from a size 10-12 to a size 8. Id just completed my degree and was applying for jobs so I wanted to look and feel my best.
I joined a local gym and started going three times a week for an hour. Id go on the treadmill or step machine and leave feeling really proud of myself. Within a few weeks I noticed a change in my body. I was sleeping better and had more energy.
By February I started upping my gym visits to four times a week, then increased to five days. I just wanted more of that buzz and as I got fitter, I wanted to keep improving.
I began taking pictures of myself at the gym and sharing them on social media, and I loved seeing all the likes and positive comments. Within six months Id lost one-and-a-half stone and was going to the gym seven days a week, sometimes for two hours at a time.
Every day I got up at 6am for a morning cardio class then Id spend the day thinking about whether I worked hard enough, and Id go back to the gym in the evening to do an hour of weights. Exercise came first above everything and Id get stressed or anxious if I had to miss a workout.
I was missing meet-ups with friends and even found it hard to reply to their messages because I was either too tired or too busy planning my next workout. I was constantly frustrated, tired, groggy and unhappy.
6
In March I sat down with my sister, Christine, and told her I needed help. We agreed to slowly wean me off exercise and she drew me up a new plan which limited me to four times a week to start with, then three and only an hour at a time.
I immediately started feeling happier, with more energy and had time to see the friends Id neglected. Im now a size 10, still toned, fit and healthy, but Ive left my addiction behind me."
6
FINANCIAL adviser Hannah Galliers needed therapy after becoming addicted to clean eating having a diet of whole-foods in their most natural state. This obsession made Hannah, from Gloucester, depressed. She says:
"Growing up, I was bullied because of my size. Id tried a few diets but none worked. In 2017 I started following lots of wellness and fitness accounts on Instagram to motivate myself.
Within a month I decided to swap to clean eating. I wanted to be like the girls I saw online slim, healthy and happy. I ditched all processed foods, any refined sugar, additives or anything pre-made, like sauces.
At first it was tough, but I loved copying the meals I saw on Instagram. I had the occasional piece of chocolate, but within a month Id already lost half a stone.
6
I decided the odd treats had to stop and everything I put in my mouth had to be clean. I became obsessive about foods I considered clean and every month would ban more from my list. I considered anything not on the list an enemy and was often hungry. I dropped from a size 14 to an 8.
By that October I was only eating a tightly controlled number of foods. I had a protein shake for breakfast. Lunch was plain chicken breast with no skin and steamed broccoli.
Then dinner was egg brown rice. I snacked on spinach and vegetables and refused to deviate. I only drank water or herbal tea and no alcohol at all.
what the shrekMum looks like the Wicked Witch of the West after using out-of-date fake tan
LINE 'EM UPCleaning fanatic shares space-saving tip to store plastic bags
OAT SO SIMPLEWoman reveals how to make 'milk' at home - and you only need two ingredients
MUM'S THE WORDMum lists baby son's coronavirus symptoms - and urges parents to watch out
ROYAL RETREATKate & Will's HUGE Norfolk garden where they're isolating with the kids
YOU'RE KIDDINGMums rage as B&M closes baby products aisle saying theyre non-essential
Friends were shocked at my weight loss but also couldnt believe the number of foods I refused to eat. Most of them teased me at first, but when I stopped accepting invites for drinks or dinner, they started to get annoyed.
I began to realise no one wanted to hang out with me. I hadnt been on any dates because I didnt want to drink or eat out.
I knew I needed to change so I saw my GP, who diagnosed me with an addiction and prescribed cognitive behavioural therapy. It taught me how to regain control. Im a size 12 and much happier.
Go here to see the original:
From being obsessed with the gym to clean eating, three women reveal how their addiction to health made them - The Sun
