Exercise Releases the Urge to Purge‏

Helping young females learn how to implement a “Healthy Routine” can validate healthy eating. I have found that clients with eating disorders can benefit from an exercise-based model that teaches the following: accept the body on self’s own terms, learn to reward self with healthy eating after a workout and develop a routine that benefits self throughout the day. The routine begins each day when self is able to understand the basis of the Health Realization Model. Clients with an eating disorder will learn how to identify their thoughts of purging, gain control over those thoughts and slowly be able to let go by replacing them with a healthy alternative. Self is able to slow these thoughts through exercise. First, exercise can produce increased oxygen flow and endorphin release, elevating the client's mood. Food can then become a functional tool to reward self after the workout. This process allows self to appreciate the physical work needed for the body to feel good. The mind will then feel better when this connection is made. Self becomes focused on the workout. Self is learning how to identify and accept self’s image in a healthy way.

Yoga is an excellent tool used by many of my clients with eating disorders. After the yoga workout, food is needed to fuel the body. Again, the meal is a reward for the body and is needed to sustain the next workout. Self starts to recognize the importance of working out while eating healthy. Racing thoughts of purging begin to diminish when self is working its routine. Exercise helps clients to discard negative thoughts and negative energy that they sometimes hold on to in their minds. After the meal, the client will begin to control their thoughts, realizing the meal's value in fueling the body. The client will continue with their routine throughout the day. I have found that some of my client’s use exercise multiple times daily. I want the client to embrace their ability to finish their meal and eliminate the purging thoughts and behavior, elevating their self-esteem. The client learns self-control while staying in their health, staying in the moment. The triggers, which return, are soon balanced with exercise behaviors and positive thoughts of exercising. Each client has the ability to exercise, feel strong, alive and enjoy a healthy meal while staying in their health. Clients begin to like themselves and begin to love themselves.

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