I think you can.
If you become addicted to something, its because it gives you a feeling that you love (each to their own, I am not saying the following things are good!). Alcohol - being drunk, not caring about anything, having a 'good time'. Eating chocolate - the sugar rush, boosts your mood. Drugs - similar to alcohol really, takes your worries away (until you 'come down') makes you feel happy. I think it's the same with fitness. When you workout, its tough, but after, you have that feeling of satisfaction, that you have done yourself good, working on your body - which will boost your happiness. Seeing your body changing is one of the best things you can feel and see, and that feeling becomes addictive.
Unlike drugs, you won't get addicted after one or two workouts (well, I suppose you can, but a lot of people quit after 1 or 2 workouts). But when the time comes that you start to feel the difference within yourself, seeing results, having people compliment you on your progress, that is when the addiction can kick in. The amazing thing about this addiction, is there are no side effects, health wise. I say that because if you become too addicted, and fitness starts to take over your life, then a few things can start to happen.
If fitness starts to control you, you could find yourself alienating friends and family, saying things like - 'sorry, can't make it, I'm in the gym that day', to friends or family about a loved ones birthday. You don't want to get to the point where you are missing important events, losing friends, annoying family members, all because of fitness. How do you avoid that? Make sure you keep your feet planted firmly on the ground. Go to the gym regularly, but always remember that life is more important than the gym. You're not going to lose your gains if you miss the gym for a couple of days. Surround yourself with good things, and you won't want to let them go. Some people could have grown up around nothing but 'bad', and they needed to get away from it, so they turn to fitness. That is a bit different, as those people have nothing currently around them that is 'good', so they stay in the gym as much as possible. But that doesn't mean that the 'bad' in their lives can't change to 'good'. So never let other parts of your life slip away, just to workout.
Train hard, eat well, but remember, there is more to life than fitness (but it is a dam good thing to have in your life!)
Lee Gregory Fitness
