Rachel and her cheerleading team practice three to five times a
week. Rachel feels a lot of pressure to keep her weight down —
as head cheerleader, she wants to set an example to the team. So
she adds extra daily workouts to her regimen. But lately, she's
been feeling worn out, and she has a hard time just making it
through a regular team practice. You may think you can't get too
much of a good thing, but in the case of exercise, a healthy
activity can sometimes turn into an unhealthy compulsion. Rachel
is a good example of how an overemphasis on physical fitness or
weight control can become unhealthy. Read on to find out more
about compulsive exercise and its effects. Too Much of a Good
Thing? We all know the benefits of exercise, and it seems that
everywhere we turn, we hear that we should exercise more. The
right kind of exercise does many great things for your body and
soul: It can strengthen your heart and muscles, lower your body
fat, and reduce your risk of many diseases. Many teens who play
sports hav