tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561748834204284315.post757783986582780915..comments2024-03-23T08:25:22.526-04:00Comments on ED Bites: Exercise craving?Carrie Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569839838912988783noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561748834204284315.post-14290153408447273842010-01-09T17:22:21.786-05:002010-01-09T17:22:21.786-05:00A switch went off in my head a week or so ago. sin...A switch went off in my head a week or so ago. since then I have been researching all kinds of blogs, articles, support and help out there for recovery. I love your blog, and especially this post. You inspired me to start my own blog. I am filled with hope and just wanted to say thank youLou Louhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10477250918384873928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561748834204284315.post-63429434729834653602010-01-09T12:11:27.000-05:002010-01-09T12:11:27.000-05:00Cathy,
YES on the exercise-as-dissociation part. ...Cathy,<br /><br />YES on the exercise-as-dissociation part. 100%. It was the extreme cardio that would send me into that mode, and I think that's where some of the stress relief would come in. I think some of my irritability over the exercise issue has been the fact that I really don't want to accept that I can't go back into a gym. As my therapist would say, pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.<br /><br />Abby, glad to be of support. Think of all the exercise you got kicking ED's ass there...Carrie Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02569839838912988783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561748834204284315.post-17432439719438665592010-01-09T10:10:08.801-05:002010-01-09T10:10:08.801-05:00This isn't what i want to read right now, but ...This isn't what i want to read right now, but it's exactly what I need to hear. I'm just about to go to the gym--a place I have no business being at for another 15 lbs--just to justify any "laziness" or extra food I may consume throughout the day. It's a predictable way to assure a slight decrease in guilt, in that "at least I've worked out."<br /><br />Like you, I crave it. It's like an addiction and if I can't do that, I want to restrict to boost up that feeling of control. Reading this, and the comments, I am reminded that I DO have to give it up completely to even make a dent in real recovery. <br /><br />Once again, it's Day 1 for me, but thanks to this post, it's a day without exercise. Hang in there and know you're an inspiration each and every day.Abbyhttp://www.abbyhasissues.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561748834204284315.post-89989383370654762932010-01-09T08:38:01.427-05:002010-01-09T08:38:01.427-05:00Carrie, this post is resonating wbith me right now...Carrie, this post is resonating wbith me right now. Ever since my running debate post, I've been thinking about it a little too much, esp. since my walking has been curbed abit due to weather. <br /><br />I've seen people here runnning in teen/20 degree weather and am tempted to be out there with them just because. I guess what stops me is knowing that obsession-ability with it.<br /><br />However, I've found myself looking at exercise centers around here and what they offer. <br /><br />I agree with you about the exercise craving thing. I know for me, even in recovery, it has evolved into this as well. And exercise too has become a part of my identity.<br /><br />No real words of wisdom except to keep checkingin with tx team and enjoyinng gentle exercise.Tiptoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17388368645986593755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561748834204284315.post-75752583353718894112010-01-09T03:21:47.386-05:002010-01-09T03:21:47.386-05:00Likewise...I still get tempted, but now I know tha...Likewise...I still get tempted, but now I know that the masses of time and energy I used to waste on pointless exercising is now being better spent. I have more time and energy to be with my friends and family, write, draw, paint,play my piano and do other random things.<br /><br />I've had some horrible injuries from overexercising, so all I do now is pilates. I know that anything else will send me backwards and I've worked too hard on freeing myself to get trapped again.mariposaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06034092323139133367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6561748834204284315.post-21035174797867938982010-01-09T02:57:50.952-05:002010-01-09T02:57:50.952-05:00"Foot thingies" = pedals?
As usual, I c..."Foot thingies" = pedals?<br /><br />As usual, I can completely identify with this a lot of this post.<br /><br />You mention the two main 'ingredients' that kept me in an ED:<br /><br />1. Routine (+ predictability and control of anxiety).<br /><br />2. Identity (+ individuality). Being able to restrict and over-exercise made me feel 'worthy'. My self control and asceticism boosted my low self esteem.<br /><br />However, I really enjoyed hard exercise. For me it was a form of dissociation as well as addiction and routine. All my anxiety lifted when I pushed my body as hard as I could. My anxiety was replaced by exhilaration. However, my obsessive and perfectionistic traits meant that I could NEVER, EVER do less in one exercise session than I did in the previous session. The work-out had to be 'just right', and if I didn't do it 'just right' I hated myself with a vengeance.<br /><br />I can never set foot in a gym again. It would be like an alcoholic just having "one little drink". I have had to work VERY hard in recovery to try to find alternative means of coping in life without my dangerous exercise rituals. <br /><br />I stopped my crazy exercise rituals when I went into heart failure. That should be quite a powerful deterrent...Cathy (UK)http://www.youtube.com/user/misstiggykinsnoreply@blogger.com