Table of Contents

1. What It Is — Defining Exercise Addiction
2. What It Looks Like — The Signs and Symptoms of Exercise
3. Who Coined It? — A Brief History of Exercise Addiction
4. How It Begins — The Origins of Exercise Addiction
5. What It Does — The Short and Long Term Health Risks of Exercise Addiction
6. Why It Happens — Thinspiration’s Darkside
7. What It Feels Like — Exercise Addicts’ True Stories
8. What To Do About It — Treatment
9. How To Approach Someone With A Problem
10. Frequently Asked Questions
Appendix A
Appendix B
Acknowledgments
Bibliography

About the Author

Katherine Schreiber is a recovering exercise addict and writer whose work has been published in Psychology Today, where she previously worked as an editor, TIME Healthland, Weight Watchers Magazine, on Greatist.com, and on Psychcentral.com. She has also appeared on ABC Nightline, currently lives in New York City, and is working on her second book about female sexuality and double lives.

Heather A. Hausenblas, PhD, is an internationally renowned physical activity and healthy aging expert, researcher, and author. Her research focuses on the psychological effects of health behaviors across the lifespan. Hausenblas is the coauthor of 5 scientific books, and she has published more than 90 scientific journal articles. She has conducted more than 200 national and international scientific presentations. She has also received several research awards and grants. She was a faculty member and director of the Exercise Psychology Lab at the University of Florida from 1998 to 2012. She is currently an associate professor at Jacksonville University in the College of Health Sciences.

Reviews

Schreiber and Hausenblas paint a vivid picture of where thinspiration goes wrong, providing an in-depth understanding of the dangers of exercise addiction for both men and women.  This text offers a strong mix of evidence-based research and personal life histories that explain the toll too much exercise can have on a person’s body, mind, and social life.  Although many know exercise is an effective, safe way to combat diseases, enhance mood, and improve health, this book identifies the addictive power of this ‘drug’ and demonstrates how binging on exercise can cause more harm than good.  The authors detail the interaction between exercise addiction and comorbid disorders (eating disorders, body dysmorphia, etc.).  Using personal stories, readers recognize that the combination of these diseases can instrumentally decrease quality of life for addicted individuals.  Throughout the book, the authors use easily understandable language to discuss a complex issue, enabling comprehension for a variety of readers. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers.
*CHOICE*

If you want a primer on the acquisition, development, and maintenance of exercise addiction, this is the book to read. Comprehensive and well researched, it will help in establishing exercise addiction as a genuine disorder.
*Mark Griffiths, Ph.D., professor, Psychology Division, Nottingham Trent University, UK*

This book is a brilliant reflection on exercise addiction. It bridges the up-to-date scientific facts with real life experiences that yields a clear, well-organized, and pleasant reading, which is a must for all sport and exercise enthusiasts as well as anyone interested in this complex subject.
*Attila Szabo, Ph.D., associate professor and acting director, Institute for Health Promotion & Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education & Psychology Eötvös Loránd University(ELTE)*

Are you or someone you love addicted to exercise? How bad is it really? This compelling and extremely informative book will answer any question you might have. Schreiber and Hausenblas finally give exercise addiction the attention it deserves. The stories are shocking and moving. the possibility of hope imbedded in every page.
*Judith Brisman, Ph.D. author Surviving an Eating Disorder: Strategies for Family and Friends; Founding Director Eating Disorder Resource Center, NYC*

The Truth About Exercise Addiction is a thought-provoking and evidence-based examination of a phenomenon that is intriguing and close to home for many avid exercisers. I highly recommend this book to practitioners and exercisers of all levels.
*Danielle Symons Downs, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Kinesiology; OBGYN at The Pennsylvania State University; co-author of The Exercise Dependence Scale*