Exercise is often praised as essential to physical and mental health, but for individuals with eating disorders, it’s a more complex issue. With conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, exercise can either support recovery or intensify symptoms. Understanding how to reframe exercise during recovery is key to fostering a healthier, balanced relationship with movement.
The Complex Relationship Between Eating Disorders and Exercise
While moderate exercise can support overall wellness, it often takes on an unhealthy role for those with eating disorders. Compulsive exercise—or “exercise addiction”—may become a tool to control weight, counteract calorie intake, or manage feelings of guilt around food. This cycle can lead to a range of negative consequences, including:
- Increased risk of injury and exhaustion
- Worsened muscle and bone health due to malnutrition
- Heightened anxiety, guilt, and body dissatisfaction
In recovery, distinguishing between healthy and harmful exercise is vital, requiring mindfulness and guidance from healthcare professionals.
Positive Role of Exercise in Recovery
When approached thoughtfully, exercise can play a positive role in recovery. Moderate, professional-guided movement can offer several benefits:
- Improved Mental Health: Exercise can reduce anxiety and depression, common co-occurring issues with eating disorders. Gentle activities like yoga or walking boost mood, relaxation, and mental clarity.
- Reconnection with the Body: Mindful movement encourages individuals to appreciate their body’s abilities over appearance, fostering body acceptance and self-kindness.
- Physical Strength and Energy: Appropriately paced exercise can enhance strength, cardiovascular health, and energy as individuals progress towards a more nourished state.
- Routine and Structure: Gentle exercise can add a sense of normalcy and help re-establish a healthy daily rhythm.
How to Incorporate Exercise Safely
Recovery is about balance, especially when reintroducing exercise. Here are some principles for safely incorporating movement:
- Consult Professionals: Work with your therapist or healthcare provider to develop a plan that prioritises both physical and mental health.
- Start Slow: Begin with low-intensity activities such as yoga or stretching. High-intensity workouts can trigger over-exercise tendencies, so start gradually.
- Listen to Your Body: Respect your body’s limits; if you feel fatigued, it’s essential to rest rather than push through.
- Prioritise Enjoyment: Focus on activities you enjoy for their own sake, rather than to burn calories or control body size.
- Seek Emotional Support: Moving your body can bring up complex emotions; having a therapist or support group can help navigate any challenges.
Moving Forward
When approached mindfully, exercise can play a supportive role in recovery, shifting from a tool of control to one of self-compassion and health. The goal isn’t to give up on movement but to embrace a more balanced, sustainable approach.
If you or someone you know is facing challenges with eating disorders and exercise, professional guidance can make a world of difference in finding that balance.
Written by Dr Gabrielle Brady, C.Psychol