Compulsive Exercise

Throughout my long history with an eating disorder I was also a compulsive exerciser.  I would wake up at 4am go to the gym, go to class, go to work, and then back to the gym (this was in my early 20's) I loved running because it gave me "happy endorphins" in reality it was more like happiness painted on my face because I wasn't truly happy. I was damaging my body and my bones.  I was always tired and irratable and had no patience for anything.  However, I had more sprains and other injuries that I would over look and keep on exercising.  I was in the ER quite often for dehydration and not one ER physican ever questioned if I had an eating disorder...does that suprise you? 

Well, yes it is very alarming that not more physicians are educated on eating disorders but perhaps it needs to start in medical school where new residence are required to step foot in a treatment center for eating disorders and see first hand what it's like to need a feeding tube or be scared to death to eat your next meal.

My Compulsive Exerscise Addiction Caused

• Dehydration
• Electrolyte Imbalance
• Low Potassium
• Irregular Heart 
• Muscle Cramps

The Compulsiveness is the same in anxiety, perfectionism, and of course eating disorders. You are very worried an anxious about something underlying and perhaps you don't know what that is yet so, you turn to what's safe and protective...which might not be all that healthy either

I am incredibly lucky that I didn't do severe damage to my body.  I do not have osteopenia or osteoperosis in fact, my bones are quite strong which runs in the family. I am beyond grateful that I don't have too many medical complications and that I am alive and doing amazing!  I didn't escape free from all medical complications

To this day I am very sensative to heat and have to be super careful not to become dehydrated or to drink gatorade with caution.  Especially in the summer months...it doen't take much for my potassium to drop, dizziness, and sometimes passing out.  This is due to the long term eating disorder behaviors which are now undercontrol

I started running again and realized I am ten years older and have to be careful of not getting into something I can't get out of so, I stopped...you can stop the insanity too!  It's all about willpower

I don't need the eating disorder to dictate how I spend my day.  If I want to exercise I do with moderation and if I want to take a day off and go shopping that's okay too!  It's not a part of my daily life to exercise every single day...there is so much out there to be discovered that perhaps you eating disorder is keeping you from.  Let go of the control and discovery what life is really about.  I can say that it certainly is not all about Ed...which is what he wants you to think.