When can you start to exercise again?

[@ZA-st9xe]

I’m currently going through recovery right now after so many years an your channel has helped me a lot. Thank you

[@WhatMiaDidNext]

This is exactly why I do it, thank you!

[@HopeHasWarriors]

The feeling guilty part is where I’m at. I’m having trouble re-introducing it because once I start doing it I have still such an all or nothing mentality and get obsessive very quickly. I’m not sure how to ease into it because there’s still lots of anxiety and guilt and ‘is this workout hard enough’....I haven’t exercised regularly in about 2 years...I was really obsessive before and damaged my knees permanently😞

[@TheBinski]

This is why horse riding is good. It's not about you, it's about you and the horse. :) LOVE these hostage loft videos. Could be my favourite series thus far. xoxoxoxox

[@katiesmith9035]

I think for me, exercise might have been tougher to tackle than the food part. I still struggle with intrusive thoughts from time to time about exercise, even though I have been comfortable with the food part two years now. Granted, I am in a MUCH better place mentally than I was, just goes to show that this is a process and that taking a step back now and then to access "why" you are doing the things you are doing. Great video! I think I'll go for a little kayak today instead of a cycle, it just sounds more lovely :)

[@WhatMiaDidNext]

Exercise can definitely be difficult to figure out and can be a long process. Love the idea of going for a kayak.

[@noheliapacheco4094]

Can’t believe I only just found this. I love exercising because it helps me release the stress of the day, but I don’t like it when I feel guilty about missing a few days. It is important because I have diabetes and my doctor always tells me that exercise is a part of my medicine, but missing a few days shouldn’t make me feel uncomfortable. Your videos help me keep myself in check.

[@klinstar]

Thanks yo this channel I have decided to never ever diet again. Ever. And try intuitive eating. I am feeling much better. I am just upset sometimes that I have wasted so much time on this. I know this video is about exercise, but I just wanted to say thank you

[@WhatMiaDidNext]

This is so fantastic - a life free of dieting is the only way to go.

[@ellay2715]

This is such an important topic. My early recovery was defined by an obsessive relationship with exercise and it totally impeded my progress. It wasn’t until I stopped exercising and began eating intuitively (I have Mia to thank, her video encouraged me to read the book) that I saw progress in my recovery. I’ve been working at a Pilates studio and the focus on function rather than looks has completely changed my mindset. As a result, I’ve been a lot more mindful about movement, but i know that it’s a journey and it’s something that’s going to take time. Love the tip about calm and chaos, it makes so much sense :) I also love the journaling idea. I’m trying to be as cautious as possible, so I love the reiteration that it’s totally ok so give myself as many breaks as I need if it becomes disordered. I’ll definitely give it a try moving forward. Sending lots of love to everyone in recovery, you are so strong and you can do this 💕

[@darak4187]

Wonderfully insightful as always.

[@WhatMiaDidNext]

So kind, thanks Dara.

[@Goddybag4Lee]

Sending out a shout to all the people who needs exercise for physiotherapy due to an injury and need to do it daily even though it's hard. I'm in such a position now with IT band Syndrome and I have to do a rigorous regime.

[@clare1971]

I think these new videos are great!

[@WhatMiaDidNext]

Thank you Clare!

[@jammiepuppy]

In the past year (now around 3 years fully recovered) I've gone back to movement in a gym, which is something that came and went in my time with ED. It was always very sporadic and 'results' focused, whereas now I've been so connected with my body and how my strength, mobility, body awareness have increased. It's the same activity but the mindset behind it is vastly different. I feel more 'in' my body than I ever did, but only got here from totally accepting my body without any form of formal exercise and distancing myself from the aesthetics focus of a gym environment. Happy to come to that reflection watching this video!

[@WhatMiaDidNext]

Totally, all about the mindset.

[@laurannedaniel-simon7745]

Hi Mia ! I don't know if you remember this but I am one of your Patreons and this morning you advised me to watch this video. I just wanted to let you know that I found it very interesting and helpful to hear your indsights on exercise during recovery. I will probably watch this video several times to memorise as many pieces of advice as I can. Thanks again for giving me hope everyday, you truly help us. Have a nice day !! 🥰

[@joannam.5395]

This is such an excellent video, thank you Mia. I had been addicted to exercising for so many years and I’m happy to say that I’m in a much much healthier place now. I won’t say I’m there 100% - I’m keeping my guard up :)

[@lauraramosdelgado]

Mia, this video is honestly SO UNDERRATED. You have no idea how long I've been looking for something like this. In previous comments I have mentioned that I noted my obsession with food and exercise was what led me to believe I have disordered eating patterns. And even when the food part is discussed ad nauseam on the social platforms, the exercise part is hardly covered. I appreciate this SO MUCH.

[@rinadoniev]

Hey! I’ve been going through the same thing, where I obsess with food and exercise and then binge and restrict. I found this video to be super helpful since I’ve started my road to recovery yesterday haha, but if you want to dm me I’d love to chat some more since I feel like we could understand each other :) My ig is @rinanech

[@lauraramosdelgado]

@@rinadoniev I would love to!

[@DeMafiaGirl]

I used exercise in my ED, the type where you would do push ups and other boring continuous movements. Now, in recovery, I don't want to do that type of exercise. It's so boring and straining. I do figure skating, even though I'm still recovering, because I know that I'm not using it to compensate, and that I love it more than anything. If it wasn't for figure skating, I don't know how far I would have come in terms of my mental health and my ED too. Sometimes sports can aid in your recovery, if it's something you truly love and it adds happiness and positivity in your life. And honestly, it keeps me on track. Because I know if I relapse and start to restrict, I wouldn't have the energy to do my sport, and that's more important to me than my ED ever was! And to answer your question, if I couldn't do it for a week I'd be devastated. Not because I feel like I need to exercise but because I can't live without being out there on the ice. And if I couldn't do it I wouldn't really replace it with another form of exercise. I feel effortlessly centred and present in my body when I do it, it's like theres nothing else

[@SB-dk1ty]

You are amazing. I can't imagine how someone would be able to recover without access to your videos and insight! Keep up the amazing work xx

[@esztersimon2210]

Oh my, yes, excercise... I used to do strenght trainig and HIIT while being quasi recovered, and I genuinely enjoyed it. I knew I started obsessing over my weight again, when, apart fro controlling food rigolously, I never felt satisfied after my workouts and being extremely tired all the time at the same time. I switched to yoga, which was still obsessive at the beggining due to my HUGE relapse, but then as I progressed in my recovery I started to do it more for the enjoyment, and kinda learned that if excercise is the last thing I wish at the moment, I dont need to do it, but also that there are days/periods in our life, when we have no time to excercise due to having other important things to do. It is still learning process for me, but Im getting better at it every day. My only remorse is that I needed upsetting heart issues to reevaluate excercise :/ It is especially hard, if you didnt use to excercise at all before recovery and you used to be kinda unhealthy, which is the case for me, as I fear I will be like that again.

[@cynthiajohnston6971]

Impressive. Thank you. Will share with my clients!

[@stacib1992]

I'm glad that you're still doing good!! I never doubted it but I'm glad you're good and making videos! I reached a healthy BMI for my height and then I lost a little bit (not much I promise) because I've been working harder. Since its winter here and I am a delivery driver... I wear thermals under my uniform and that causes me to sweat when I get inside anywhere. And the cold makes your body burn calories more. I used to really focus on that but I haven't been focusing on it. But then at random moments I do remember and why I enjoy delivering in winter (for more than just I like snow). My work recently got really strict on paying for your food (waiting in line even during lunch rush) on your 30 minute break before eating it. So because of that I haven't been eating at work because I'm not gonna spend my whole break in line.

[@eloisemarie5219]

That was an amazing video!!!!! Another winner Mia. More info I didn't know I desperately needed!!!!!!!

[@abbykhunter]

Thank you for the chat, Mia!

[@DeMafiaGirl]

I used exercise in my ED, the type where you would do push ups and other boring continuous movements. Now, in recovery, I don't want to do that type of exercise. It's so boring and straining. I do figure skating, even though I'm still recovering, because I know that I'm not using it to compensate, and that I love it more than anything. If it wasn't for figure skating, I don't know how far I would have come in terms of my mental health and my ED too. Sometimes sports can aid in your recovery, if it's something you truly love and it adds happiness and positivity in your life. And honestly, it keeps me on track. Because I know if I relapse and start to restrict, I wouldn't have the energy to do my sport, and that's more important to me than my ED ever was!

[@boyandcatmum]

I am taking a break from exercising and concentrating on my nutrition and mental health. I find I don't over eat (that is my problem) so I am going to concentrate on eating healthy and light movement then build myself up to exercise.

[@jeanettekorzenko4958]

Thank you for everything! Much love 🙏❤️🤗

[@WhatMiaDidNext]

So welcome Jeanette!

[@jeanettekorzenko4958]

@@WhatMiaDidNext You give great information. I used to run, however I changed everything to walking & it was to preserve my joints. It used to help me start my day & organize my life in my head. I do think it's ALWAYS important to listen to your body and take time off. ( In order to prevent injuries & exhaustion ) For example if I knew I would be going dancing I didn't walk in the morning. If I went dancing I typically also took the day after off. Rest is very important.

[@AnoukMali7899]

Mia, the background is really not the most important thing when it comes to your videos. Please don‘t worry about it.

[@WhatMiaDidNext]

Thank you!

[@dotexe6415]

@@WhatMiaDidNext Also, I think the loft is more professional than the bedroom! Loft has nothing busy on it. Bedroom is fine too, it loft is a nice, bare backdrop.

[@chekhovsgun4554]

Connected, centred, strong , positive for self... Got it. I quit professional fighting and kickboxing cold turkey last year after meeting my boyfriend. I feel like I might be ready to do a bit of light yoga for stretching my destroyed muscles... but if I ask myself if I am not allowed to exercise (exercise for me is just a walk right now) for a whole week, I feel extremely anxious. I just walk to go get groceries, but I get my boyfriend to do it if I feel too tired that day. I still can't handle the idea of not doing it for a whole week. I don't know if this means I shouldn't add a more slow, restorative yoga regimen. Slippery slope, anyone?

[@jennfischetto]

As a superfat BED sufferer, exercise was something I never enjoyed--not as a child (for fun) or older because it was connected to dieting. If I was told I couldn't exercise for a week, I'd be delirious. lol Now, I have osteoarthritis in both of my knees, so I'm only "allowed" to bike. I still haven't found any love for it. When I do it, and it's not often, my focus is to alleviate pain. And I don't stay on long at all. But there is ONE memory of feeling calm after a workout from about 25 years ago. It was a good feeling. lol I would like to feel that again. So while I thought this video wouldn't pertain to me, I still got something out of it. Thank you! :)

[@WhatMiaDidNext]

Glad it resonated!

[@amandajacobs57]

The background is fine! Also, I'm loving these videos. Thank you Mia ❤

[@WhatMiaDidNext]

Awesome, thanks for letting me know Amanda.

[@annak.1899]

If one isn't diagnosed with an eating disorder but has an exercise addiction and uses exercise as purging is it always best to stop all exercise in order to heal from it? I'm at the high end of a normal BMI and I exercise about 10 hours a week and I can finally admit that I have a problem with exercise. Can't go a day without it and I'm afraid that I'll loose my health and fitness if I quit working out but this compulsion is making me really sad.

[@sarahbartlett9870]

Anna K. The health benefits of exercise stop once you reach a certain threshold and then actually decline. I think I exercised daily for about 2 yrs without a day off, through all sorts of illnesses and injuries and I noticed my fitness declining. Plus after doing so much exercise in the morning, I was too tired to do anything else and spent the rest of the time resting. Studies have shown that that actually negates all the benefit from exercise and can be as bad for you as doing no exercise. Check out the articles on the effects of too much exercise on the heart etc....I’ve stopped formal exercise but love walking now ( with podcasts). Be careful you are risking your health.

[@annak.1899]

@@sarahbartlett9870 I know that excessive exercise is bad and some days I only walk. But I have this mindset that I need to burn a certain amount of calories so I end up walking like an hour and a half to reach that goal. We don't even own a car so I run all errands by foot plus take care of three kids. The thing I'm curious about is weather I should try to take a complete break from exercise or trying to cut down the amount slowly.

[@tammycasaletto2490]

Anna K. Take a complete break There is more harm in keeping doing even small amount of formal exercise plus it usually is never satisfied. You’re just going to keep those neural pathways fired up thinking you have to do something. The best way to recover from exercise addiction is to go cold turkey for quite a bit a time. You have an unhealthy need for it and you need to train yourself that you do not need it or have to do it. After Time you may not even want to go back and do formal exercise because you don’t need it anymore. And you may because you enjoy it being out in the fresh air for a walk. What you’re doing and thinking is disordered I know it’s not easy but you have to go against the cycle you are in and do the opposite of what is disordered.

[@annak.1899]

@@tammycasaletto2490 Thank you! I know you're right and this is very disordered. I managed to have one rest day on Christmas Eve but even that was really hard and I had to cry to my husband how I can't help the compulsion. :(

[@claire-ui9fh]

I've been trying to do gentle yoga regularly but I still don't get that "feeling"... everybody says how much it has changed their lives etc but after several months of trying I still don't feel that mind-body connection and only do it because I think I should... I've given up on it lately, because I'm discouraged. I don't move at all and feel guilty about it. Same with meditation - I tried but never got that feeling you're talking about. 😕 Anyway thanks for the lovely videos as always xxx

[@kristynachromkova7800]

Hi, may I suggest a different yoga teacher? Some of the classes and videos didn't really work out for me either, but Yoga With Adriene made me enjoy yoga lessons. I personaly haven't felt any "deep special connection", but I still like to exercise this way.

[@claire-ui9fh]

Kris XxX thanks, I actually did it with her videos as well, she’s great and I admit that it made me enjoy yoga a little more too :) it just still feels like a chore to get on the mat; I don’t know where to draw the line between pushing myself to do it because I know it’s good for me, or forcing myself to do it because otherwise I feel guilty. I’m taking a break now and hopefully I’ll get back to it soon!

[@erynmcentee7993]

claire can so relate

[@chrissy_south75]

Love the casual chats, love the hostage loft! 😘

[@WhatMiaDidNext]

Thanks Chrissy!

[@libbyrose5416]

I love your videos they help me so much! I'm just wondering why you shouldn't walk with music? I don't like podcast and I always walk with music cuz I don't want to hear people catcall me. I have to walk a lot cuz I live in a city

[@MatthewC33199]

How do you recommend getting back into exercising after having to stop due to medical reasons? I can't exercise currently because of the blood pressure issues restricting has caused, but hopefully this week my doctor will clear me for exercise. I haven't exercised in months due to this situation, and I'm scared that getting back into it my endurance will be terrible (I walk and bike). How can I slowly reincorporate exercise into my life without tiring myself out?

[@TheBinski]

I urge EVERYONE to put photography at the forefront of movement. Make a goal of photographing something you love and make that the purpose of a walk or a drive and stroll. I promise it takes the mind of the movement. :)

[@allie2342]

Great video :) could you elaborate on why running is very likely leading to relapse?

[@leab559]

This was is my current battle (well one of them) - but wondering why your suggestion is podcast and specifically not music?

[@WhatMiaDidNext]

I always recommend podcasts when rebuilding your relationship with exercise, as music can be overly stimulating, which makes it harder to focus on where you are/what you’re doing. It comes down to the individual, but clients tend to benefit from switching to podcasts for awhile and seeing the contrast.

[@leab559]

What Mia Did Next Thankyou for the reply ❤️

[@DeMafiaGirl]

Also I must be an alien cause I hate running :') It was the last thing I wanted to do in my ED times.

[@WhatMiaDidNext]

I can't stand it now, which probably shows that it was my eating disorder which loved it.

[@DeMafiaGirl]

@@WhatMiaDidNext yeah, because its a very systematic way to burn maximum amount of calories

[@katespalding2134]

I feel that way too but I do way too many other forms of exercise that’s compulsive xx Mia your videos are incredible. You demonstrate so well how hard you’ve worked and are working to have this level of insight. Thank you. Your videos are just the right duration too, personally I don’t want to spend ages watching videos although I’m me and others might feel completely different. Thank you x

[@misc.7659]

I’ve been encountering a bit of a struggle with movement that is very much connected with food. It’s obvious that the more you move, the more you’ll need to eat, and when I engage in more strenuous activities (aside from walking) and need to eat more to refuel my body, I get extreme anxiety and this hyper-awareness of my body in general. Pre-ED I used to be a very active child and genuinely enjoyed all that movement, but whenever I let myself loose in that sense, the food anxiety kicks in like never before, haha. Any tips/advice about this? Does anyone else experience a similar feeling?

[@niki_papp]

Wow, i didn't know that running is such a common trigger for overexercising and relapse... it definitely is for me, but i thought i was just weird in that regard.

[@Sims3ObsessedFan]

I’ll be using your techniques for my future exercising. Thank you! But I have a question...am I not allowed to change my body shape or try to pursue change? I would like my legs and stomach to be stronger. It’s true that I don’t want to feel or see fat rolls on my stomach...but does that mindset make it so that I shouldn’t exercise those areas?

[@carterlee678]

You are so beautiful, like your soul and spirit. I love to watch your videos.

[@alexandrad5306]

Hey Mia, Why is running such a concern? Curious-I find myself wanting to run during recovery too and I know my Ed can give me 1000 “good” reasons on why it’s okay that I run.

[@dotexe6415]

I think even an hour of yin yoga/stretching/etc should not be considered exercise (with a grain of salt, ie if a person IS trying to lose weight with yin yoga then don't do it). My body hurts so bad from muscle tightness etc, and the yin yoga is the only thing that helps. All I do is sit or lay in various relatively comfortable positions. I don't see it.

[@kyahmarie88]

Movement has been my life since I was very small. I can't fathom putting a 'pause' on it :(

[@WhatMiaDidNext]

That's a big clue that pausing it might be a really valuable step. Something to think about.

[@stacib1992]

Pausing is important. At first maybe just go one day without movement. Then have a day where you move. Then kinda build up. But write how it makes you feel. Write the pros and cons. You can do it! I know you can!

[@carryon4123]

So... Hmm... I mean you told us to call someone.. If this would happen... *shifts nervously on couch* *thinks about what the Australian police would tell a confused Dutch girl screaming at them that they should look for a hostage house* *knows 99% sure that nothing is going on* Hmmm.... So... Not sure... what to do... P.S. great video, as always! such a trial and error thing, in my experience, to eventually find a middle. It is possible though. :)

[@WhatMiaDidNext]

I'm fine, I swear! Or am I, no one knows! I am.

[@carryon4123]

@@WhatMiaDidNext 😀 ..... 😶 ...... 😐 ...... 😬

[@DeMafiaGirl]

I used exercise in my ED, the type where you would do push ups and other boring continuous movements. Now, in recovery, I don't want to do that type of exercise. It's so boring and straining. I do figure skating, even though I'm still recovering, because I know that I'm not using it to compensate, and that I love it more than anything. If it wasn't for figure skating, I don't know how far I would have come in terms of my mental health and my ED too. Sometimes sports can aid in your recovery, if it's something you truly love and it adds happiness and positivity in your life. And honestly, it keeps me on track. Because I know if I relapse and start to restrict, I wouldn't have the energy to do my sport, and that's more important to me than my ED ever was!