Eating Disorders and Overtraining
Resources for Anorexia, Bulimia, and Compulsive Exercise
Definitions
Anorexia- "an emotional disorder characterized by an obsessive desire to lose weight by refusing to eat."
Bulimia- "an emotional disorder involving distortion of body image and an obsessive desire to lose weight, in which bouts of extreme overeating are followed by depression and self-induced vomiting, purging, or fasting."
Compulsive Exercise- "Best defined by an exercise addict's frame of mind: they no longer chooses to exercise but feels compelled to do so and struggles with guilt and anxiety if they don't work out."
More detailed information on:
Addicted to Exercise
Eating and Body Dysmorphic Disorders: Crash Course Psychology #33
Facts
- Compulsive exercise is similar to anorexia and bulimia in the way that a single facet of how you view yourself starts to completely take over your behavior.
- Symptoms of compulsive exercise can include an elevated resting heart rate, insomnia, and deteriorating physical performance.
- Many girls who over-exercise lose their menstrual periods.
- Resting from a workout is half the workout and is needed for muscles to repair themselves and become stronger.