When people hear eating disorder they usually tend to think it is just strictly eating, well they were wrong. Over exercise as an eating disorder is just as serious because it is like two in one. When one over exercises, they are generally counting calories as well, watching carbohydrates, and exercising as soon as they eat a meal. Some replace a meal with a work out, just so they don’t gain a pound. These same symptoms run in bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa.
This disorder is common in athletes and younger adolescents who feel they need to stay fit to perform their best. It is also common in older adults who want to stay fit and trim, so they don’t look as old. There are some symptoms you can look for to decide if you or someone you know may be over exercising as an eating disorder.
Pay close attention to the items listed below:
·Always talking about how many calories their consuming
·Leaving normal activities to go work out
·Working out constantly, or always talking about exercise
·Planning next meal around exercise
·Not taking days from exercising for rest
·Working out when they are already sick or hurt
These are a few of the symptoms that one with this disorder may and most likely will posses. This disorder is very harmful to one’s body because not only are the individuals barely consuming food, but what they are consuming, their burning off. This means that their stomach doesn’t have any fuel to feed off of.
There are a lot of dangers that can come along with this serious disorder. Listed below are some of the complications that can arise:
·Fatigue
·Dehydration or vomiting
·Low body fat (can be bad for women because it creates bone loss)
·Arthritis
·Injuries like strains, fractures, sprains, pulled and torn muscles, etc.
·Heart problems can arise from too much strain
·Osteoporosis
These are just some of the things that can occur if you or someone you know is suffering from over exercise as an eating disorder.This kind of disorder is very complex for it affects you physically with the exercise and by not eating. Both will eat up your muscles and your body, hurting you twice as bad. It is very important that you get help if you see these symptoms in someone. It is also important to know, you are not alone. Treatment will consist of therapy, sometimes drugs, and support groups. It is important to seek help immediately.
