Your BMI, or body mass index, provides a good indication of whether you have a healthy weight and body fat percentage. Excessive exercising can create an unhealthy calorie deficit, leading to weight loss and an unhealthily low BMI.
Caloric Balance
To maintain your current weight, you must remain in a state of caloric balance by consuming as many calories as your body uses during daily functions and exercise. If you burn more calories than you consume, either by exercising too much or consuming too few calories, you reach a state of caloric deficit and lose weight. Prolonged weight loss can lead to an unhealthily low BMI and weight. Consult a physical trainer, nutritionist or physician to ensure that you eat sufficient calories to fuel your body during periods of intense training.
Healthy BMI
An adult BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 indicates a healthy weight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you have a BMI below 18.5, you may be underweight. To calculate your BMI, weigh yourself and measure your height. Divide your weight by your height in inches, squared. Multiply the resulting number by 703. Discuss your weight and BMI with a doctor to determine whether you need to gain weight.
Healthy Exercise Amounts
Modest amounts of exercise can benefit your health significantly. Adults should get at least two hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise each week, according to the CDC. Five hours of moderate aerobic exercise or two hours and 30 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise can yield even greater benefits to your health. If your weekly exercise amounts surpass these recommendations, you may be exercising too much.
Eating Disorders
Excessive exercising may be a symptom of the eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, according to MayoClinic.com. Other symptoms of anorexia nervosa include refusal to eat, obsession with being thin, fear of weight gain, dizziness, irregular menstruation, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure and dehydration. Other symptoms of bulimia nervosa include binge eating, self-induced vomiting, obsession with food and weight, irregular heartbeat, irregular menstruation, dehydration and sore throat, mouth and glands. These conditions can be fatal. If you suspect that you or someone you know may have anorexia or bulimia, consult a doctor immediately.
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