Running and Eating Disorders

It begins with a passion, a want for something more. It feels like the strive for speed is an addiction. You lose yourself in the desire for improvement.

Do you find yourself struggling to take rest days? Is the thought of not working out after finding out about an injury, leading you down a spiral? Are you caught in the anxiety of how to fuel yourself for races and feel you can never seem to get it right?

I have been there.

Whether you are dreading your run, day after day, or wishing you could take a break but just feel too guilty - we are here to help. Running is not supposed to be torture (at least not all the time). Do you miss feeling that “high” after a great workout? Do you end the workout, instead feeling drained and beat down? Maybe you rack your brain with what type of food, supplement, or nutritional information could possibly make you feel better.

Runners are at a higher risk of eating disorders.

Symptoms of Disordered Eating in Runners

Wrestling with endless thoughts of how to fuel our runs can be incredibly challenging and overwhelming. You may feel persistent anxiety around rest days or injuries, that leaves you feeling hopeless and exhausted. It is important to recognize these symptoms are not a sign of weakness or doubt in your ability as a runner. Here are a few common symptoms that might resonate with you:

  • loneliness or isolation

  • fatigue

  • hopelessness

  • fear of rest days

  • constant thoughts of food or your body

  • feeling dread before runs

  • GI discomfort

  • Runners tend to have strong characteristics that make them thrive in a competitive environment. These include, being achievement-oriented, sensitive to consequences, high attention to detail, and a high pain tolerance. These characteristics are also traits that allow an eating disorder to thrive.

  • Most individuals are exposed to societal and cultural pressure regarding weight. This can be further emphasized in running due to pressures to fit into the team culture, as well as myths such as thin=faster. (Secrets out, it is a myth for a reason!)

  • Revealing uniforms have been shown to increase stress around one’s body and decrease body esteem. Along with body image concerns, a high conflict relationship between a coach and an athlete is associated with increased eating concerns.

Why are running and eating disorders so connected?

Do you want to learn more about eating disorders in runners?

Eating disorders can be really confusing and often after learning more, folks start asking, “but am I sick enough”. For us, it is never a matter of if you fit into a certain box or how sick you feel you are. If you are struggling, you deserve help. However, here are a few commonly asked questions to help you understand more about eating disorders in runners.

  • Absolutely not! If you are struggling with either your relationship with running, your body, or food, then this is the right place for you! Eating disorders are common among runners, however, disordered eating is much more common. My goals is to help you reach your goals and be the healthiest version of yourself (whatever that means to you)!

  • Therapy with Serendipity Counseling Services is all Telehealth and in the comfort of your own home! You will log into a HIPPA-compliant video call and we will chat about your relationship with running and how food and your body play a role.

  • First we would schedule a free consultation to see if we feel we are a good fit. Finding the right therapist is very important!

    Next, we set up a first session were I will learn more about what brought you to therapy and about your background as a runner and much more!

    After that, we will schedule a follow up where we will start to dive deeper into your relationship with food, your body, and running. Don’t worry, we will go as slow as you need!

  • Eating disorders usually start with some type of disordered eating. Whether this is trying out a new fad, diet, or lifestyle, there may not be too much anxiety. However, if there is disordered eating, chances are high that it will interfere with your running. Disordered eating is a pattern of eating that is not intuitive and may or may not be intentional.

    Eating disorders on the other hand are a classification of disorders that cause harm physically and mentally to the body. (Don’t get me wrong, disordered eating can also do this). The thing is that eating disorders have specific definitions in order for treatment to be covered by insurance companies. Ultimately, many folks do not fit into the perfect box of an eating disorder definition.

Counseling can help with eating disorders in runners.

REDs

What is REDs?

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport

REDs was an expansion of the Female Athlete Triad. It shows how low energy availability (LEA) can impact both females and males, highlighting the different impacts that LEA can have on both health and performance in sport.

Below is a diagram of how REDs interferes with the different parts and systems in our body.

Whether you are struggling with an eating disorder or struggling to fuel your body for the amount of running you are doing, if can be harmful and dangerous towards different parts of your body.

Health Impacts

Performance Impacts

Mental Health

Professional Runners Who Have Struggled