Question on personality

I have a question about myself. I am posting this here because I don't see any better place to put it.

I have always wondered if there is something wrong with me. OK...that was some what of a joke.

But, I have always thought that I don't have an adictive personality. I can't think of anything that I really like that I can't stop if I want to.

I used to smoke. When I wanted to stop, I stopped with no problem.

In college I drank a lot. When I got out of college, I don't drink anything like I did while in college. BUT, I find myself drinking A LOT on the rare occasions that I go out with friends.

BUT....here is the strange thing about me. When I get interested in something, I go 150% all about that one thing. My wife talks about this all the time.

When I want to golf, I can't stop thinking about it. I am obsessed with learning more about the game. I watch the golf channel. I practice over my lunch hour...etc.

I like to cook. So, I am constantly on cooking web sites, watching the food channel...etc. I even have gone as far as entering cooking competitions and catering large events.

When I first started running 15 years ago, I went as far as running triathlons.

Now that I am trying to lose weight...it's all I can think about and I am constantly reading and studying how to do it better. I am constantly wanting to exercise.

What is wrong with me? Does anyone else have this same type of personallity? What I'm saying is that there is no half way with me on anything.

I don't think I am adicted to this stuff because at any point in time, I can stop and leave it all behind.

Is there some type of mental condition that would fit this type of personality?

What are your thoughts?

I think it's great that you can put your mind to it and go through with everything you want.
For many people this is very hard work, a lot of them give up on the way. It does require a lot of willpower and a degree of obsession.
But why make it into a medical condition? Many people would be jealous of your determination and success.

Maybe it's some form of OCD but it's making you a better person and you aren't hurting anyone so go for whatever you want

I'm actually pretty similar to you in many ways. I think we're all just different and there's nothing wrong with committing yourself to something completely and then having your interests change over time- especially if you're actually achieving/completing something before you move on. I think its a healthy, natural part of life for your interests to change over time and the thing that you were very into a year ago isn't necessarily something you're still into today. It sounds ot me like you're just very goal driven.

Dazzocdude... I can totally relate to what you are describing. Once I put my mind to something, I am very focused - and it becomes all consuming..... but if I suddenly am not interested anymore - that's it - dropped like a hot coal and go onto the next thing. I also find I have to change "within the parameters of my current 'thing'", so that I don't get bored - but also because I am learning all the time and want to try and improve. I watch diet programmes / weight loss journey programmes on tv, read journals / articles, look at research, religiously fill out my food diary, work out how my body is using the calories I consume, think about how I can exercise etc. It can be an advantage when starting something - but a disadvantage, because you are always looking for something else to "obsess" about. I have often wondered if I have an addictive personality - but, like yourself, I can stop / give up something if I really want to.

I ask the question because I have always wondered about it and just recently I have had several people comment on it about me. One person in particular is a coworker who is also very driven and goal oriented and has to do everything exactly perfect in her life. She recently made the comment that I am "annoying and over the top" with things I do. So, it just got me thinking about it and wondering if there is something about me that is different.

Thanks for the input.

I have a similar personality also - when I get something in my head, it's hard to stop thinking about it (buying a laptop, treadmill, doing a certain project, losing X pounds..) and doing research on it.. I think that's why I love this site so much. Not everyone in my life wants to hear about my fitness journey, but people on here can relate and are great to bounce ideas off.. Then we don't have to "annoy" the people in our lives who aren't in the same boat. If I tell the people at work every single time I drop a pound, they'll be like, jeeeez, enough already, I don't care!! But here, you can post a weigh-in and get such awesome support and encouragement .. or you can ask a question about HIIT workouts or breakfast smoothies and get all sorts of responses and ideas!!

I'm with you Erika, in not wanting to bore the pants off people in our everyday life. I know, I would be accused of being fanatical and obsessive - so FS is a great place to "be yourself" however odd that may be LOL

There is nothing wrong with determination. I sometimes wish I had that extreme motivation. I do in some aspects of my life but then lack it in others.

I agree with many of the above posters. You are driven and focused. Why put a label on it? Just try not to annoy people at work if they don't want to hear it.

Sk1nnyfuture: I also find I have to change "within the parameters of my current 'thing'", so that I don't get bored

I am very much the same in this respect. Jobs included. I've been at the same company for 14 years, but have held 5 different positions because I get bored with it after a couple of years and need a change.

This is a great thread and it comes at a really appropriate time. It really describes my current problem to a tee. Even though my buddies are really trying to get me back into the swing of things, I'm just plain "burned out". More to the point, I DON'T WANT TO BE BURNED OUT! Thanks to all who've had imput into this thread. It really helps.
At Dazocdude, sorry for the temporary hijack. I was very much obsessed with this just like you describe above. I really just don't want to "move on" away from it.

If it's something around the house, I've learned to coordinate with my wife. Rather than ripping up everything and making a giant garden I will walk away from in a couple weeks I put put my time and zeal into making really nice flower and vegetable boxes that my wife will enjoy maintaining when my interest has moved onto the next thing.

Hi all
I think most of us interverts think there is something wrong with us mentally cause we have a hard time relating to others. Why we can put 200% of ourselves into something we want or believe in to the point of insanity. I've recently decided that it's time to believe their is nothing wrong with me, i'm not like anyone else, im a unique person. It's not me having and issue relating to others but the other way around.
I really believe that you can die trying to please everyone; find a precious few and enjoy every moment.

Really, that sounds so much like me. I get obsessively interested in things, just like that. I love doing research and planning and just *thinking* about stuff (like, for instance, my weight loss goals, etc), almost to the point of mental exhaustion.. I am not sure of the cause or what it all means, though

I go all the way on most things too. I have to REALLY watch out when it comes to indulging, but dedicating to losing weight has been easy.

I say, Good for you!. Nothing wrong with being focused on the task at hand. Sounds like you should be successful in your venture to lose as much as you want. As long as you are involved in things that are good for you, I think it's great. Wish I were that focused to improve my golf game and various other aspects of my life. Good Luck, Rick

I'm the same way.

I'm very much the opposite and feel that a middle way between your type A work and my all too calm, relaxed, studious approach would be ideal. Just guessing, medically it sounds close to OCD, as someone said earlier. However, I doubt it since you shift interests often. If you have ever taken a Myers-Briggs Personality Type Test, I'll bet you were right up there with other folks like yourself who like to work under pressure, complete tasks and do them as perfectly as possible. So, just don't drive the other types crazy since we all have to get along together. Have fun, don't worry.