Hi everyone
Im at this point where i no longer want to HAVE to exercise everyday and i am also looking at not purging anymore.
So, my plan is to go on an exercise and purge strike - this is kinda like how it is when /if you get admitted into hospital, though....im scared.
the reason why i want to do this is in order to get my metabolism running again without the 2 above mentioned intruders ruling my life.
so.....the questions i have to all of you are:
- if you have done this - have you gained alot of weight?
what are the best things to do to distract yourself?
how did you re-introduce exercise into your life without letting it rule your day?
any help would be great, thanks
take care all
Love chookie

Congrats on taking a big step!

I did not purge regularly, but I did have an exercise obsession/compulsion. I felt I had to exercise at least XX amount of time each day and if I didn't complete it (even to the point of being 1 minute short), I hated myself and wanted to die.

It was an overall part of my recovery. I gradually weaned down my exercise time and I lessened the intensity when I did exercise--walking instead of running. At one point, I had to stop exercise altogether because the constant running did a number on my knees. That really helped lessen the amount of exercise.

Now, when I exercise, I tell myself I will only exercise once a day when I do exercise and then I will exercise NO LONGER than XX amount of time (a miniscule portion compared to what I was doing before, I'm not going to post numbers but it's actually the recommended amount of time per week to maintain fitness by the US health department). I take 1-2 days off a week from exercising but even more if I am ill or have sore muscles. I don't let it rule my life. When I go on vacation, I don't exercise, even if it feels a little strange to me; everyone is entitled to a break now and then!

When I stopped exercising so much, I had to fill my time with something, so I started doing art hobbies. I went to Hobby Lobby and Michaels and just about did everything: I started drawing again, took up latchhook, made jewelry, made soap, made candles, made potpourri, painted glass, etc., etc. You have to find some hobby to fill your time. Now that we own a home, I'm really big on gardening and wish I would have had that to do while I was recovering from the ED. You have to find a positive activity to fill your time instead of ED thoughts and obsessions. Volunteer at an animal shelter; join a book club; start writing--just find something to do that will fill your time and aid your recovery and hopefully it will be something you enjoy doing. Good luck! :blob_fire