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Using exercise to purge

© Heather Mudgett.

Many anorexics and bulimics use exercise as another method of purging. Just like vomitting or abusing laxatives and/or diuretcis, compulsive exercising is just another symptom of the eating disorder. Just another way to purge.

ANRED defines compulsive exercise in the following way: Anorexia athletica: sometimes called compulsive exercising or activity anorexia * The person repeatedly exercises beyond the requirements for good health. * May be a fanatic about weight and diet. * Steals time to exercise from work, school, and relationships. * Focuses on challenge. Forgets that physical activity can be fun. * Defines self-worth in terms of performance. * Is rarely or never satisfied with athletic achievements. * Does not savor victory. Pushes on to the next challenge immediately. * Justifies excessive behavior by defining self as a "special" elite athlete.

The Something-Fishy site has an interesting section about compulsive exercising. They write "With an Eating Disorder too much exercise, or Compulsive Exercising, is just another outlet of behavior; Compulsive Exercise is another way to purge and disordered eating victims who suffer with these symptoms are typically considered to be suffering from Anorexia, or Bulimia non-purging type (no use of laxatives, diuretics or self-induced vomitting). But, there can be victims of both who use any or all means of disordered eating behaviors to cope with their emotions and anxiety (participating in restriction (with or without purging, or binging with purging, and compulsive exercise)."

Compulsive exercisers feel that they MUST exercise. They may wake up early or stay up late to get extra exercise in. They may hide in the bathroom, skip work, or cut school... to exercise. They are likely to feel tremendously guilty if they are not able to exercise as much as they would like. The compulsive exerciser tells herself (or himself) that the exercise is to burn calories, lose weight, or get healthy.

The reality is, the compulsive exercising is simply another way to avoid dealing with the stresses and problems in their life (Just like starving, vomitting, abusing laxatives, cutting, overeating, alcoholism and drug addiction).

The Something-Fishy article reads "Like with all other disordered eating behaviors, on the surface the goal may seem to burn calories and lose weight, but ultimately the exercise gives each victim a sense of temporary power, control and/or self-respect. It is another way to forget about their unlying issues and to relieve guilt and pressure of the stresses that build. Some will continue to exercise with a feeling that it is a chore or a punishment, others will be addicted to the sense of power and self-respect they feel from the activity. The fact remains that this is addictive behavior, and is putting the victim's physical safety, emotional health and other areas of their life (job, school, family, etc.) in jeopardy because of the compulsive nature of the exercise."

The copyright of the article Using exercise to purge in Eating Disorders is owned by Christina Alwan. Permission to republish Using exercise to purge in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.