TL;DR Excessive exercise is a common symptom in teens with eating disorders, potentially worsening their condition. During Family-Based Treatment (FBT), the approach to exercise is phased: Phase 1: Focus is on weight gain and stopping eating disorder behaviors. Exercise is typically halted for safety, as malnourished teens are at risk for serious health issues. Parents …
![Do I need to quit X to stay in recovery in Los Angeles, California [Image description: photo of a girl in a swimsuit looking away from the pool during a swim meet] Represents a potential teen in eating disorder recovery wrestling with whether she can continue her sport.](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/My-project10.png)
By Carolyn Hersh, LCSW, CEDS-S Clinical Supervisor A difficult decision in recovery is knowing when to let go of an activity–or even a job–that could potentially re-ignite the eating disorder. As a therapist I find myself guiding my clients through exploration of their values. Some come to realize that the sport or career path they …
![exercise as joyful movement in eating disorder recovery in California [Image description: a larger bodied woman dances outside] Represents a potential woman in treatment for an eating disorder in Los Angeles, California](https://www.eatingdisordertherapyla.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/80312405-lindleyashline_2018-07-07_0422.jpg)
by Kristen Wright, LMFT, a former therapist at EDTLA Did you make a New Year’s Resolution to start a new fitness routine? Those “thirty days of push-ups or sit-ups” or “do 15 of this and 12 of that a day to your ideal body in no time,” might sound appealing. But you may have already …