Do you know what's sad but funny I feel completely called out by this video because I know it's all true everything you say. I love taking a morning walk because I love the fresh air but then later on in the day the anxiety gets really high and I feel like I need to do some walking because in my head it is not exercise it is just movement an eating disorder tells me that walking is healthy to do and we are supposed to take 10000 Steps a day minimum. I have a question and I hope that is ok. I constantly want to go back to intermittent fasting I know that is my downfall but I keep telling myself it isn't restricting I know that's the lie but I'm not sure how to deal with that one thank you in advance and yes please I love hearing about your recovery and how far you have come because it makes it more personal I feel like you can relate more
Fully committing to no exercise and really doing the rewiring work for over a year has completely changed my relationship with exercise. I have returned to things like running and cycling because I honestly do love them, but I don't HAVE to do them anymore. I'm just as content to have a lazy movie day or curl up with a book if that's what I feel like doing. Sometimes I like signing up for a race, but I don't HAVE to sign up for every race every season and really don't care about my performance or physique; I'm just there for fun now. I pay more attention to how my body feels. I'm far less injury prone. I have friends that I run and cycle and go out for brunch with. I don't exercise in solitary anymore. It's my playtime and social time and it feels like being a kid again! That first year was unbelievably difficult, but the result has been so so worth it. I wish I had done this 20 years ago!
I think this is the most helpful recovery video I have ever seen. For real. Unrestricted eating has been hard, but stopping exercise was/is a thousand times harder for me, especially lower level movement. Everything you said just resonated with me soo much. The time period between afternoon snack & dinner is so hard for me as well, all I wanna do is walk/go to the store/do other forms of lower level movement, just so time passes and I can finally sit and calm down without feeling anxious. This video really made me question wether I should finally have a session with you, you seem to understand me so well. Nobody around me realises how disordered it is for me to go for short walks or clean the house except for me, so it's hard to justify stopping these behaviours. More of the stopping exercise content please :)
So glad you are making videos again!! I find it very helpful when you talk about your own recovery. I totally get not wanting people to compare their recovery to yours, but I don't know a single person in real life who has recovered so it helps a lot to have some guidance and an idea of how it goes for other people who have walked the same path. In answer to your question at the end of the video, yes I tried to be a normal balanced eater and exerciser without going through recovery. Jumping from excessive exercise straight to more gentle exercise did not work. I still felt mentally compulsive about it. Jumping straight from restrictive eating to "intuitive healthy eating" also did not work. I thought 100% that I was a normal exerciser and normal eater and even hosted a freaking podcast dedicated to freedom around food and exercise!! What tipped me off that I wasn't actually free is how much I had to fight with bad body image thoughts, guilt around missing exercise and fear of certain foods or amounts of foods. All in my head and invisible to others. I was not mentally free and recovery is the answer.
Becky, thanks so much for this perfect kick in the derriere. I'm out of work for 4 weeks with a fractured toe (which I ignored for over a month, walking and even running on my lunch break - SMH), and am taking it as a chance to start rewiring. But there are SO. MANY. PATTERNS. Hearing your personal stories is so, so helpful because your experiences resonate SO MUCH. Please continue!
wow the store part yes. i used to set an hour timer on my phone when i went to stores because i HAD to walk around aimlessly for that specific amount of time. absolute torture and im sure i looked like a weirdo too! very grateful to be able to get in and get out now :)
Thank you for this video! exercise, especially lower level movement, is really the hardest thing to overcome in my illness. Standing and walking, so harmless but at the same time, so destructive. My attempt to recover and eat more always falls apart because of the exercise and compensating.😔
Hi Becky! It is hard to motivate and challenge oneself while being adult with anorexia and living alone. Have you any advice how to keep on going when there is no one who supports during the days. I don't want to bother my family or friends. Feels so pathetic to whine these things after being ill almost two decades 🙈
Your stories are great, thanks! Also I remember your old coach (my mind is drawing a blank) says althoguh she went cold turkey, she did do very low level Hatha yoga to stretch the body out. Great video thank yooooooo!
I am so glad you are back, have missed your content. It’s a hard line saying no exercise but I think it’s what we need for rewiring. If you want full recovery then all forms of compensation needs to stop.
Dear Becky, First of all, thanks a lot for you inspiring and motoviting Videos! I'd like to ask you a question in exercise: I always hated exercise, even when I Had a movement compulsion in the first phase of my ED (15 years ago). Now, I'm nearly recovered from the second phase of my ED and I'm wondering: What of my wish to exercise never comes? I can't live a Life without any exercise or movement really, can I?! That would bei unhealthy. I feel unnormal, because everyone ist talking about the wish top exercise coming Back and ist doesn't seem to do for me. Maybe you could make a Video about that or write back to me. Thanks a lot! 😁🙂
If you never have a love for exercise that’s totally fine. I’m sure when your body(and mind) is ready it will send you signals to move your body in some way. I wouldn’t worry!
I would love to hear about your experience! I am also a mother …..I have 5 and have a hard time figuring out steps for my age group and situation. Maybe they are the same steps but hearing how it worked for another mom would be crazy helpful!
I recovered from compulsive movement without stopping exercise. I’m now back to doing the exercise that I loved before I developed bulimia, and I don’t use behaviours anymore I just have the thoughts to contend with. I check in with myself before I go and do exercise by asking: Did I plan this? Am I listening to how my body is feeling physically? Is this fun?
Hmm well I'm really torn on this specific topic because what if you actually enjoy the exercise? Like idk, I've loved running since before I developed an ED. I am recovering but I haven't stopped and I feel like I'm okay? I've gotten what I wanted out of recovery - food freedom. I still eat just as much on days when I don't feel like exercising. Running doesn't feel like a way to earn calories, it's just fun. So idk? Do I have to push for further rewiring when I honestly feel fine and I don't want anything else out of recovery? I don't want to lay on the couch and watch TV because that has always - even pre ED - made me feel like I had a ton of pent up energy, and that's just not a lifestyle I aspire to
Are you able to miss running several days in a row without any anxiety? Have you ever gone an extended period of time away from exercise? I think it’s great you achieved food freedom and from what it sounds like you don’t have food and exercise linked together in terms of “earning” your ability to eat. However, why not just be safe and take some time off? If the thought of that gives you anxiety well then there you have if, it’s still a compulsion, rather you love exercise or not. When in doubt, play it safe and make the recovery choice!
Did you feel judged? Did you struggle with negative thoughts like sloven, lazy, pig! I get that the more attention you give those thoughts the louder the compulsion to exercise gets. It’s so hard to unhook from that conversation Also did you think that you couldn’t eat because you hadn’t earned it through exercise I really value your story and personal experience Thank you and I hope it’s not too painful for you ❤️🙏
what if you exercise to feel better? i'm close to full recovery, i don't have any issues with food and i don't care if i lose weight or gain or whatever, but i exercise a lot. i had quit cold turkey and it helped my brain unlink exercise with food and weight, and now i started exercising again. i don't feel like i have to do it, i enjoy it so much and it's not compulsive, it's just considered a lot. and i do it because it helps my mood, i enjoy it and i'm generally very active, i play sports etc. is it wrong to exercise a lot when it doesn't have anything to do with my ED?
I would say yes if you’re recently recovered and you have a history of an exercise compulsion. If it seems like a lot to others then I would trust that and back off. Just because you really like something doesn’t make it ok to do. Some people really like feeling hungry, also not ok to do when recovered.
Probably when you’re not having to ask someone if it’s ok. My guess is if you’re asking, your suspicious it may be too much right now. Could be wrong, I’d need to talk to you personally but that’s my two cents.
@@beckyfreestone9908 we have talked in the past, i may book another session. so at this time, let's say that it's a lot, what do i do? reduce it? because it doesn't have to do with altering my appearance or controlling my food etc
It may not be a bad idea to book a session. I’d hate to give you bad advice based off of limited knowledge with your current situation. Short answer: reduce it!
I believe there are some great points in your compelling argument; however, one can interpret that you’re suggesting one should not exercise at all. Is that what you are saying? I agree that you should not exercise solely to avoid having time to eat. However, stating that exercise is not healthy goes against all the research that has been published. Yes, not eating is extremely unhealthy. Maybe you can clarify this for me, as my daughter has now swung from one extreme to the other following your advice…
Hi Becky, yes please talk about your own recovery! Hearing successful recovery stories is SO very inspirational and motivating!
Agree 100%!
agreed!!
Agreed
Agreed!!! Yes yes your recovery stories help me
Do you know what's sad but funny I feel completely called out by this video because I know it's all true everything you say. I love taking a morning walk because I love the fresh air but then later on in the day the anxiety gets really high and I feel like I need to do some walking because in my head it is not exercise it is just movement an eating disorder tells me that walking is healthy to do and we are supposed to take 10000 Steps a day minimum. I have a question and I hope that is ok. I constantly want to go back to intermittent fasting I know that is my downfall but I keep telling myself it isn't restricting I know that's the lie but I'm not sure how to deal with that one thank you in advance and yes please I love hearing about your recovery and how far you have come because it makes it more personal I feel like you can relate more
Fully committing to no exercise and really doing the rewiring work for over a year has completely changed my relationship with exercise. I have returned to things like running and cycling because I honestly do love them, but I don't HAVE to do them anymore. I'm just as content to have a lazy movie day or curl up with a book if that's what I feel like doing. Sometimes I like signing up for a race, but I don't HAVE to sign up for every race every season and really don't care about my performance or physique; I'm just there for fun now. I pay more attention to how my body feels. I'm far less injury prone. I have friends that I run and cycle and go out for brunch with. I don't exercise in solitary anymore. It's my playtime and social time and it feels like being a kid again! That first year was unbelievably difficult, but the result has been so so worth it. I wish I had done this 20 years ago!
Thank you so much for sharing. I’m sure this will be inspiring for others.🥰
Thank you!!! This gives me hope 😊
@@beckyfreestone9908 They truly are, both of your stories! :D
I think this is the most helpful recovery video I have ever seen. For real. Unrestricted eating has been hard, but stopping exercise was/is a thousand times harder for me, especially lower level movement. Everything you said just resonated with me soo much. The time period between afternoon snack & dinner is so hard for me as well, all I wanna do is walk/go to the store/do other forms of lower level movement, just so time passes and I can finally sit and calm down without feeling anxious. This video really made me question wether I should finally have a session with you, you seem to understand me so well. Nobody around me realises how disordered it is for me to go for short walks or clean the house except for me, so it's hard to justify stopping these behaviours. More of the stopping exercise content please :)
Wonderful you're back! ❤️
I love personal stories!🧡
So glad you are making videos again!! I find it very helpful when you talk about your own recovery. I totally get not wanting people to compare their recovery to yours, but I don't know a single person in real life who has recovered so it helps a lot to have some guidance and an idea of how it goes for other people who have walked the same path.
In answer to your question at the end of the video, yes I tried to be a normal balanced eater and exerciser without going through recovery. Jumping from excessive exercise straight to more gentle exercise did not work. I still felt mentally compulsive about it. Jumping straight from restrictive eating to "intuitive healthy eating" also did not work. I thought 100% that I was a normal exerciser and normal eater and even hosted a freaking podcast dedicated to freedom around food and exercise!! What tipped me off that I wasn't actually free is how much I had to fight with bad body image thoughts, guilt around missing exercise and fear of certain foods or amounts of foods. All in my head and invisible to others. I was not mentally free and recovery is the answer.
Thank you for sharing this! Recovery is worth properly doing, no short cuts. Don’t stop until you truly feel free, all the hard work pays off!😌
Becky, thanks so much for this perfect kick in the derriere. I'm out of work for 4 weeks with a fractured toe (which I ignored for over a month, walking and even running on my lunch break - SMH), and am taking it as a chance to start rewiring. But there are SO. MANY. PATTERNS. Hearing your personal stories is so, so helpful because your experiences resonate SO MUCH. Please continue!
Yessss I LOVE hearing your stories. I’m kinda opposite that I’ve never liked or engaged in exercise
wow the store part yes. i used to set an hour timer on my phone when i went to stores because i HAD to walk around aimlessly for that specific amount of time. absolute torture and im sure i looked like a weirdo too! very grateful to be able to get in and get out now :)
Absolutely, your personal experiences are interesting and valuable for everyone.
Thank you for this video! exercise, especially lower level movement, is really the hardest thing to overcome in my illness. Standing and walking, so harmless but at the same time, so destructive. My attempt to recover and eat more always falls apart because of the exercise and compensating.😔
Hi Becky! It is hard to motivate and challenge oneself while being adult with anorexia and living alone. Have you any advice how to keep on going when there is no one who supports during the days. I don't want to bother my family or friends. Feels so pathetic to whine these things after being ill almost two decades 🙈
pls pls do talk about your own recovery
Your stories are great, thanks! Also I remember your old coach (my mind is drawing a blank) says althoguh she went cold turkey, she did do very low level Hatha yoga to stretch the body out. Great video thank yooooooo!
I am so glad you are back, have missed your content. It’s a hard line saying no exercise but I think it’s what we need for rewiring. If you want full recovery then all forms of compensation needs to stop.
Couldn’t agree more!
Dear Becky,
First of all, thanks a lot for you inspiring and motoviting Videos!
I'd like to ask you a question in exercise: I always hated exercise, even when I Had a movement compulsion in the first phase of my ED (15 years ago). Now, I'm nearly recovered from the second phase of my ED and I'm wondering: What of my wish to exercise never comes? I can't live a Life without any exercise or movement really, can I?! That would bei unhealthy. I feel unnormal, because everyone ist talking about the wish top exercise coming Back and ist doesn't seem to do for me. Maybe you could make a Video about that or write back to me. Thanks a lot! 😁🙂
If you never have a love for exercise that’s totally fine. I’m sure when your body(and mind) is ready it will send you signals to move your body in some way. I wouldn’t worry!
@@beckyfreestone9908 Thank you! 🙂
I would love to hear about your experience! I am also a mother …..I have 5 and have a hard time figuring out steps for my age group and situation. Maybe they are the same steps but hearing how it worked for another mom would be crazy helpful!
I recovered from compulsive movement without stopping exercise. I’m now back to doing the exercise that I loved before I developed bulimia, and I don’t use behaviours anymore I just have the thoughts to contend with. I check in with myself before I go and do exercise by asking: Did I plan this? Am I listening to how my body is feeling physically? Is this fun?
Hmm well I'm really torn on this specific topic because what if you actually enjoy the exercise? Like idk, I've loved running since before I developed an ED. I am recovering but I haven't stopped and I feel like I'm okay? I've gotten what I wanted out of recovery - food freedom. I still eat just as much on days when I don't feel like exercising. Running doesn't feel like a way to earn calories, it's just fun. So idk? Do I have to push for further rewiring when I honestly feel fine and I don't want anything else out of recovery? I don't want to lay on the couch and watch TV because that has always - even pre ED - made me feel like I had a ton of pent up energy, and that's just not a lifestyle I aspire to
Are you able to miss running several days in a row without any anxiety? Have you ever gone an extended period of time away from exercise? I think it’s great you achieved food freedom and from what it sounds like you don’t have food and exercise linked together in terms of “earning” your ability to eat. However, why not just be safe and take some time off? If the thought of that gives you anxiety well then there you have if, it’s still a compulsion, rather you love exercise or not. When in doubt, play it safe and make the recovery choice!
Did you feel judged? Did you struggle with negative thoughts like sloven, lazy, pig! I get that the more attention you give those thoughts the louder the compulsion to exercise gets. It’s so hard to unhook from that conversation
Also did you think that you couldn’t eat because you hadn’t earned it through exercise
I really value your story and personal experience
Thank you and I hope it’s not too painful for you ❤️🙏
what if you exercise to feel better? i'm close to full recovery, i don't have any issues with food and i don't care if i lose weight or gain or whatever, but i exercise a lot. i had quit cold turkey and it helped my brain unlink exercise with food and weight, and now i started exercising again. i don't feel like i have to do it, i enjoy it so much and it's not compulsive, it's just considered a lot. and i do it because it helps my mood, i enjoy it and i'm generally very active, i play sports etc.
is it wrong to exercise a lot when it doesn't have anything to do with my ED?
I would say yes if you’re recently recovered and you have a history of an exercise compulsion. If it seems like a lot to others then I would trust that and back off. Just because you really like something doesn’t make it ok to do. Some people really like feeling hungry, also not ok to do when recovered.
@@beckyfreestone9908 even if i don't do it compulsively and if i listen to my body? when would it be okay?
Probably when you’re not having to ask someone if it’s ok. My guess is if you’re asking, your suspicious it may be too much right now. Could be wrong, I’d need to talk to you personally but that’s my two cents.
@@beckyfreestone9908 we have talked in the past, i may book another session. so at this time, let's say that it's a lot, what do i do? reduce it? because it doesn't have to do with altering my appearance or controlling my food etc
It may not be a bad idea to book a session. I’d hate to give you bad advice based off of limited knowledge with your current situation. Short answer: reduce it!
I believe there are some great points in your compelling argument; however, one can interpret that you’re suggesting one should not exercise at all. Is that what you are saying?
I agree that you should not exercise solely to avoid having time to eat. However, stating that exercise is not healthy goes against all the research that has been published. Yes, not eating is extremely unhealthy.
Maybe you can clarify this for me, as my daughter has now swung from one extreme to the other following your advice…