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Many of us worry about not getting enough exercise--but for some, they may exercise too much, exercising compulsively even when their body says it's had enough. Some people also use it as a way to "purge" out excess calories, which is now emerging as a new eating disorder, called exercise bulimia.
What is Exercise Bulimia?
So what is exercise bulimia?
For starters, it's a serious psychological disorder similar to bulimia nervosa, hence the name. People with this disorder compulsively exercise as a way to "purge" out excess calories from an unwanted binge. While most people exercise to become healthy, train for an event, or even for fun, exercise bulimics exercise because they have the compulsion to get rid of these calories--even at the cost of injury.
Because more exercise is always seen as a "good" thing in society, exercise bulimics can suffer in silence for years, despite their behavior being observed by everyone around them. Many people don't know that exercising excessively to compensate for a binge isn't healthy. Many of them don't even know that you can have bulimia without ever putting a finger down your throat.
For people with this condition, being addicted to exercise is only the symptom of this disorder. Instead, the real force behind this disorder is poor self esteem and a need to control outside circumstances. Much like how an anorexic starves herself to deal with her feelings and inability to control circumstances that are hurting her, the exercise bulimic deals with her feelings in the same way. Ironically, this only makes things worse, leading to a downward spiral of self-doubt, body hate, and physical and mental damage. Exercise bulimics are more susceptible to bone loss, period loss (amenorrhea), and heart problems--problems that you won't get if you exercise moderately.
How to Avoid Exercise Bulimia
Afraid you could develop exercise bulimia? Here's how to avoid developing exercise bulimia:
- Never use exercise as a way to get rid of an accidental binge. This is purging behavior. Instead of compensating, accept the binge as a mistake and eat as healthy as you can tomorrow.
- Don't overexercise. Exercise is good, but once you start exercising everyday for hours at a time, you're entering overexercise territory.
- Don't use exercise to assuage bad feelings.You're simply using something else to temporarily rid yourself of these feelings; you're not actually treating the issue causing the bad feelings.
- If you feel compulsively urged to exercise because you hate your body, get help. Thoughts such as this aren't normal, and require professional treatment. Therapy can greatly reduce these feelings of inadequacy and hatred.
Although exercise is a great tool for becoming healthy, even exercise can be abused. Moderate exercise is the best way to become healthy, but once you start doing it excessively, you'll be nothing but unhealthy.
What else can I help you with?
How does exerise equipment cause bulimia?
Exercise equipment does not cause bulimia, low self-esteem and respect for your body causes bulimia. However, often times bulimics over-exercise in their attempt to lose weight, so exercise and bulimia can sometimes be paired together.
How is anorexia and bulimia different?
Anorexia is characterized by extremely restircting food / calorie intake and an excess of exercise. Bulimia is characterized by episodes of bingeing and purging.
When people watch what they eat and exercise what disease risks are lowered?
bulimia anorexia diabetes and anemia
What is exercise bulimia?
Exercise bulimia is a subset of the psychological disorder called bulimia in which a person is compelled to exercise in an effort aimed at burning the calories of food energy and fat reserves to an excessive level that negatively affects their health. The damage normally occurs through not giving the body adequate rest for athletic recovery compared to their exercise levels, leading to increasing levels of disrepair. If the person eats a normally healthy and adequate diet but exercises in levels they know require higher levels, this can also be seen as a form of anorexia.
How do you lose weight to go to ballet school?
You exercise. Don't be stupid and develop diseases like anorexia or bulimia.
Are bulimia and gluttony the same?
No, bulimia and gluttony are not the same. Bulimia, or bulimia nervosa, is an eating disorder characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by purging behaviors, such as vomiting or excessive exercise, to prevent weight gain. Gluttony, on the other hand, refers to excessive eating or overindulgence in food, often without the compensatory behaviors seen in bulimia. While both involve unhealthy relationships with food, they differ significantly in terms of psychological and behavioral aspects.
What eating disorders involves binging on large amounts of food followed by purging in an attempt to avoid weight gain?
These behaviors would describe those of someone who suffers from Bulimia or Binge-eating disorder.
What is foods to avoid for bulimia?
Anorexics tend to avoid foods that are high in caloires and fats. This often involves most desserts and dairy products, along with some carbs.
Which exercise should I avoid when dieting?
Do not avoid exercise when dieting, as exercise is beneficial to your dieting plans by helping you lose weight. Do not overexert yourself, however, as that is detrimental to your health.
What disorder is characterized by binging and purging?
It's not an eating disorder 'caused by', but rather 'classified by' and it is known as Bulimia Nervosa. Google it.
What is the best way to avoid dehydration?
avoid exercise when it is warm outside
What is bulimia most used for?
Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by periods of purging, usually through induced vomiting or purposefully excessive exercise. Dissatisfaction with one's own body and modern social standards of beauty (promoting thinness as being desirable) are thought to be powerful psychological factors that contribute to developing bulimia.
