// BBC HEALTH NEWS — SALUTE
Fitness became an addiction that left me anxious and sleep deprived
Wayne Davies says he became obsessed with fitness, training plans and data
A runner says he became so consumed by a fitness addiction that he spiralled into anxiety and became sleep deprived.
Wayne Davies said he was left "constantly worrying" about race times, training plans and fitness data and comparing himself to other runners on social media.
The 40-year-old said it felt like the "rug was being pulled from under my feet", before he was signposted to NHS Wales where he was able to regain control.
An expert said she had seen an increase in search traffic for fitness addiction in recent months as society talks more honestly about these behaviours.
Wayne, from Newtown in Powys, began running about 10 years ago as a way of keeping fit but said he reached a "real low point" at the height of his addiction as his sleep suffered, concentration declined and anxiety began to affect other areas of his life.
After starting with casual jogs he quickly progressed to marathons, before taking on ultra-distance races including a gruelling 75 miles (120km) around the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd.
"I became obsessed with trying to do longer and longer distances," he said, "then I started focusing on times."
"I was never happy, and always chasing the next challenge or trying to get a better time."
To Wayne, it felt like the "end of the world" if he didn't succeed. "I never stopped to appreciate what I'd achieved," he said.