When does a something become an obsession? More specifically, when does working out become an obsession? I wondered about this today because I have been pushing myself quite hard lately when it comes to my personal time at the gym.

Here is an example of my typical week:

Monday: Teach 2 Step classes, 1 Body Sculpt class, and an Upper Body Conditioning class (30 minutes).

Tuesday: Weight training in the morning followed by a 6-to-8-hour workday at the wine store.

Wednesday: Six-hour workday at the wine store. After, teach a Step class, a 30-minute Abdominals class, and a Body Sculpt class.

Thursday: Weight training in the morning followed by an 8-hour workday at the wine store.

Friday: Eight-hour workday at the wine store.

Saturday: Teach morning Step class and Body Sculpt class. Eight-hour workday at the wine store.

Sunday: Weight training in the morning followed by an 8-hour
workday at the wine store. (Wine store hours only if I
was off on Saturday)

Is this insane or is it just me being an over-achiever? What the hell am I avoiding in my life that I need to be so busy? Of course, I squeeze in an hour of tennis somewhere in that week. Sometimes I sub out my classes and wine store hours only so that I can work a ten-hour shift in a kitchen as a substitute cook. Did I mention that lately I have been adding a weight training session on Friday?

Okay, back to being obsessed: despite feeling a bit tired, I have been pushing myself to continue working out and picking up a couple of extra classes. Although the extra money I make is good, I know that deep down inside, I do this so that I can "burn calories and keep in shape." Is that obsession?

Am I obsessed with keeping my healthy appearance? Am I just extremely vain? Am I obsessed with making sure that I never become the 220-lb person I used to be? Should I begin to pay attention to the aches and pains that I feel in the morning? Should I be feeling aches and pains in the morning?

I'll tell you this: once summer ends, I am going to re-evaluate my working out. Maybe I'll drop a few classes and get a full-time permanent job in a kitchen. I would like something that pays me a salary and gives me health benefits and paid time off. Maybe that way, I can go back to working out like a human being instead of an obsessed lunatic. Later.  ¶ 11:40 PM