19 May When Running Becomes an Eating Disorder in Disguise
For many years, I identified as a runner. My life revolved around half-marathon training. I was constantly praised for my intense discipline and commitment.
What most people didn’t know was that my running habit was far from healthy. I was constantly exhausted, I ran more miles than necessary for race training, endured both a knee and hip fracture from overtraining, and did not eat in a way that supported the amount I was running.
I knew my passion for running had begun as a veil for holding onto the last remnants of my previous eating disorder behaviors, but I also genuinely loved to run! It begged the question: Can you continue to run while working toward eating disorder recovery?
How Running Can Disguise an Eating Disorder
Running culture often normalizes disordered eating behaviors by reframing extreme restriction and overtraining as necessary dedication to the sport. The problem lies not in the activity of running itself, which can be deeply grounding and joyful, but in an environment that validates self-depletion as an accomplishment.
Some runners in the racing community make compulsive exercise and disordered eating look admirable. Restriction becomes “discipline.” Overtraining becomes “commitment.” Weight loss is frequently congratulated, even when it comes alongside exhaustion, injury, irritability, or obsessive thoughts about food and body image.
Mary Cain, a former professional runner, writes in her memoir This Is Not About Running, that her running coaches pressured her to keep losing weight even while she was achieving some of the best performances of her career. Though disguised as advice to help her run faster, she knew the feedback was more rooted in judgment about her weight and body.
How to Tell if Running Has Become an Eating Disorder Symptom
Yes, you can genuinely enjoy an activity, but the key is recognizing the intention behind your running. A few questions to help you identify what’s behind your running motivation:
- How do I feel emotionally if I have to miss a run unexpectedly?
- Am I able to take rest days without guilt or anxiety?
- Do I use running to compensate for eating or to “earn” food?
- Would I still want to run if it never changed my body size or shape?
- Does running make my life feel bigger and more fulfilling, or more controlled and rigid?
- Am I listening to my body’s needs for rest and nourishment, or constantly overriding them?
In eating disorder recovery, movement itself is not automatically harmful. But compulsive exercise, not eating enough, and training through medical instability can be.
Can You Keep Running During Eating Disorder Recovery?
Many of my clients understand their running habits go way beyond the typical training regimen, but are fearful of having to give it up completely for the sake of recovery.
Experts on “Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport” (RED-S) emphasize that recovery requires correcting the underlying energy imbalance and addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of the disorder.
Molly Bremer, MS, RDN, LDN, an eating disorder dietitian I work closely with, says, “I believe that as long as someone is medically stable, meaning their vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature) are not fluctuating rapidly, and they have been cleared by their doctor, they can continue running or playing sports with the right precautions in place.”
Below are ways Bremer recommends clients continue running while prioritizing eating disorder recovery.
Note: Bremer and I agree that any movement during eating disorder recovery should be monitored and approved by a physician and a professional eating disorder treatment team.
Fuel for the Work
Exercise increases your energy needs. Be honest with your treatment team about what you’re doing so your nutrition plan can account for it — this isn’t optional, it’s the foundation that makes movement safe.
Watch for Warning Signs
Dizziness, fainting, heart palpitations, or feeling colder than usual during or after exercise are signals to stop and check in with your doctor before continuing.
Separate Performance From Recovery
This may not be the season for PRs or intense training blocks. The goal is maintaining connection to movement you love, not optimizing it.
Rest is Training Too
Recovery requires enormous energy. Sleep and rest days aren’t laziness; they’re doing real physiological work.
Rebuilding a Healthy Relationship With Running
Eating disorder recovery changed my relationship with running completely. I no longer see movement as something I have to earn or endure. Running now feels optional instead of compulsory. Ironically, no longer feeling the need to run has allowed me to enjoy it even more.
Struggling with exercise, food, and body image can be overwhelming, but support is available. A therapist specializing in eating disorder recovery can help you heal your relationship with movement, nourishment, and yourself. Reach out to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation call today.
