Incorporating Exercise into Eating Disorder Recovery
Exercise has a complicated and controversial relationship with eating disorder recovery, even more so than any other component of an eating disorder. Physical activity is generally very beneficial for all aspects of health — physical, psychological, and social. But for someone in recovery from an eating disorder, integrating exercise in treatment may prove to be a challenging and even dangerous endeavor without proper evaluation and guidance.
by: Amanda Nussbaum
Eating disorders, which often involve intrusive thoughts relating to food, exercise, and body image, can interfere with relationships and everyday life. From a young age, our culture teaches us to associate negative thoughts with appearance and exercise. Many are often led to believe that if they exercise frequently or only eat certain foods, this will make them feel more confident about their body and character. These beliefs contribute to body image issues, which can also lead to disordered eating behaviors or an obsession with exercise. As stated by the Body Image Therapy Center, 70% of females between 18 and 30 years old do not like their bodies and 50% take unhealthy measures to manage their weight, such as by overexercising. Physical activity is an important part of eating disorder recovery and should be an enjoyable activity rather than a chore.
Many individuals with eating disorders have a poor relationship with exercise prior to recovery. Those who exhibit eating disorder behaviors or overexercise often will often avoid eating certain foods unless they burn a certain number of calories or engage in rigid exercise to compensate for calories consumed. More often than not, they will not enjoy these workouts, but will feel obligated to do them. Some may add to or intensify their workouts as a way to excuse or “make up” for the foods they previously ate. It is not uncommon for individuals who struggle with overexercising to frequently cancel plans or avoid social events in order to purge their calories. They do not rest or take days off even if they are injured or not feeling well because they feel anxious and guilty if they do not workout. People plan their day around exercise rather than scheduling enjoyable movement into their routine.
It can be difficult for individuals to feel confident about their body when intense workouts are glamorized in the media. Many social media posts portray certain body types and diets, which can make people feel that exercise is an intimidating or even toxic activity if they don’t fit the stereotypical “fitspo” body type. According to the Huff Post, diet culture has made fitness a sensitive subject by leading people to believe that the only reason for exercising is weight loss. Exercise can come across as toxic if people believe they must appear a certain way to be “fit”. People may measure their success based on how intense their workouts are or if their body is in pain. However, because all bodies are different, unhealthy exercise can lead to self-comparison or feeling that they are doing something wrong if they are not seeing the same results as others.
Diet culture makes people feel shameful if they do not workout for a certain period of time, if they take time off, or if their day does not revolve around exercise. Trainers and coaches should tailor workouts to their clients’ specific needs, but some trainers, who are not certified dietitians or nutritionists, give inaccurate and harmful nutrition tips. Not only can this contribute to feeling negatively toward exercise, but it can also evolve into a distorted body image or eating disorder if people think that the only way to care for their body is through rigorous exercise and dieting. Striving for perfection through workouts and diet can also be a contributing factor to an eating disorder.
When recovering from an eating disorder, some may think it is not possible to find a balance between healthy, sustainable movement and overexercising. However, with the help of a specialized team of eating disorder treatment professionals, exercise can be properly integrated into eating disorder treatment. Exercise is an important aspect of eating disorder recovery and, additionally, is necessary for overall wellness. It is not realistic to avoid all physical activities; those in recovery need to evaluate and understand their intentions with exercising. Fitness should be a way to appreciate and feel good in your body, not treating movement as a requirement. Other benefits to safe exercising while in recovery include improved sleep and concentration, the release of endorphins, reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, and benefitting one’s mental health.
Exercise should make you feel good and help relieve stress; it should not be an additional stressor. Although it varies from person to person depending on where someone is in recovery, it is important for people to learn to engage in intuitive exercise, which consists of listening to one’s body and doing exercises they enjoy and find pleasurable doing. People should also feel comfortable in the clothing they wear and where they choose to exercise. With the help of a supportive treatment team, individuals struggling with an eating disorder can work to develop a healthy and balanced relationship with exercise while in recovery.
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Intern, Amanda Nussbaum.
Amanda is a recent graduate of Ramapo College, where she majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. She enjoys being creative, writing, and editing videos, and is passionate about health, wellness, and lifestyle. Throughout college, Amanda volunteered with the Girls on the Run organization, which helps young girls develop a positive self-esteem. She also mentored a young girl through Ramapo College’s chapter of Big Brother, Big Sister. Amanda’s involvement in these organizations helped her realize that she wants to work for a company that has an impact on others, while still being creative with marketing. In the future, Amanda hopes to work in the marketing or communications department of an organization that focuses on teenagers and young adults, and their health and self-confidence. She enjoys contributing to the BALANCE blog!