Discover what one writer found to be exercise snacks downsides when she found herself growing addicted to the practice.

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Before becoming a mom, I used to go for long runs.

Making my way down a dusty trail, Id admire the blooming dogwoods and rows of yellow daffodils.

woman sweating in the gym

…

Then I had a baby.

The baby brought his own pleasuresa gummy smile, a joyful coobut he contracted my life, too.

Gone was my free time after work.

Woman walking on a treadmill at the gym.

Gone were those leisurely, long evening runs.

My husband usually worked 12-hour days.

Often, it was just me alone with my baby.

Full body female athlete in sportswear using rowing machine during fitness workout in gym.

So I began indulging in exercise snacks.

But its not without its risks.

I streamed 10-minute core workouts while he slept.

Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

When baby became fussy, I pulled out the Bjorn and strapped him against my chest.

The extra weight was perfect for rounds of lunges across the living room floor.

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Cooking dinner felt like the perfect time to practice squats.

A young black woman doing post-run stretches in the park on the road amidst green grass and trees.

Standing in line at the grocery store?

Better get in those calf raises.

Baby happily bouncing in his doorway jumper?

Might as well get some jumping jacks in, too.

At first, I was gratified by my creativity at squeezing in movement throughout the day.

I often heard other mothers talk about how difficult it was to find time to exercise.

But I was becoming aware that my habits were not always healthy.

The exercise snacks left me constantly craving.

I found myself unable to just sit still on the floor and play with or read to my baby.

It became difficult to stand in the kitchen and cook without trying to fit in some sort of movement.

There was something about exercise snacksthose short bursts of endorphins throughout my mundane daythat felt addictive.

I suppose one could argue that there are worse things to be addicted to than exercise.

But then it can spiral.

Rather than relying on short bursts of endorphins, I was able to achieve a flow state.

I went for a runand then I was done.

…

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