Healing Your Relationship with Movement: How Eating Disorder Therapy and Treatment Can Help You Discover Joyful Fitness
Have you ever wondered if there’s a way to move your body that feels less like a chore and more like an act of self-care? If you’ve ever struggled with exercise routines, body image, or the pressure of diet culture, you’re not alone - and you’re in the right place. As a mental health counselor specializing in eating disorder treatment, I know firsthand how deeply movement, body image, and our mental well-being are intertwined. Today, let’s talk about how eating disorder therapy and working with an eating disorder therapist can help you
rediscover joyful movement and transform your relationship with fitness.
Rethinking Fitness: From Punishment to Pleasure
Let’s face it: the world often tells us that movement is only valuable if it helps us shrink our bodies or “burn off” last night’s dessert. Diet culture has painted exercise as a punishment, a test of willpower, or a requirement for worthiness. But what if I told you that there’s another way? Eating disorder treatment goes beyond food - it’s about healing your relationship with your body and movement too.
I recently had a heartfelt conversation with Kim Hagle, a certified personal trainer and registered holistic nutritionist, about her philosophy of “joyful movement.” Kim’s approach aligns closely with the principles of eating disorder therapy: it’s all about reconnecting with your body, moving intuitively, and letting go of rigid rules. Imagine movement as a dance rather than a drill - a way to express yourself, boost your mood, and honor your body’s needs.
The Hidden Impact of Diet Culture on Movement
Think back: when did you first start thinking of exercise as a way to “fix” your body? For many, it starts young - maybe you were picked last in gym class or you absorbed messages that your body wasn’t good enough. These experiences can plant seeds of shame and create a toxic relationship with movement.
As an eating disorder therapist, I see how diet culture shapes our beliefs about fitness. It’s easy to fall into the trap of associating movement solely with weight loss. This mindset can lead to cycles of over-exercising, guilt, and even avoidance of movement altogether. Eating disorder therapy helps you untangle these beliefs, offering a space to process your experiences and rewrite your narrative.
Movement vs. Exercise: Why the Difference Matters
Here’s a question: what if “exercise” didn’t have to mean hitting the gym or following strict routines? What if movement could be as simple as dancing in your kitchen, gardening, or taking a mindful walk?
Kim and I talked about the difference between movement and exercise. Exercise often comes with rules, timers, and expectations. Movement, on the other hand, is organic and personal. Fifty years ago, people moved naturally - through play, chores, or community activities. Eating disorder therapy invites you to rediscover these forms of movement, free from external pressure.
How Eating Disorder Therapy Supports Joyful Movement
So, how can eating disorder therapy and treatment help you find joy in movement again? Here are some of the steps I use with clients:
1. Mindset Shift: The first step is to separate movement from weight loss. In therapy, we explore how movement can serve your mental health, support your energy, and help you feel more connected to yourself.
2. Setting Personal Goals: What does feeling better mean to you? Maybe it’s having more stamina to play with your kids, or perhaps it’s about feeling stronger and more grounded. Your therapist can help you set goals that have nothing to do with appearance.
3. Exploring Movement Without Judgment: Eating disorder treatment encourages you to experiment - try yoga, swimming, hiking, or simply stretching. Notice what feels good, and let go of the “shoulds.”
4. Listening to Your Body: Therapists teach you to tune in to your body’s cues. Are you tired, energized, sore, or excited? Honoring these signals is a key part of recovery.
5. Challenging the “Gym Police”: Many of us have internalized critical voices - what Kim calls the “gym police.” Eating disorder therapy helps you recognize and gently challenge these voices, replacing them with self-compassion.
Real-Life Transformation: A Client’s Story
Let me share a quick story: a client, who once felt trapped in all-or-nothing thinking about exercise, began eating disorder therapy with me. Through our work, she learned to listen to her body and honor her limits. Now, she finds joy in movement by gardening, dancing, and even taking rest days - without guilt. Her journey is a testament to the healing power of compassionate, individualized support.
Why Work With an Eating Disorder Therapist?
An eating disorder therapist is trained to help you navigate the complex emotions and beliefs around food, body image, and movement. We create a safe, nonjudgmental space where all bodies are welcome and respected. Whether you’re struggling with compulsive exercise, avoidance, or simply want to redefine your relationship with fitness, therapy can help you uncover what feels good for you.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
Healing your relationship with movement isn’t about finding the “right” workout - it’s about finding what’s right for *you*. If you’re in Iowa and seeking eating disorder treatment or an eating disorder therapist who understands your unique journey, I invite you to reach out. Together, we can explore virtual or in-person options, work with your insurance, or connect you to free resources if cost is a barrier.
Let’s rediscover the joy of moving your body - not as punishment, but as a celebration of all that you are. Ready to take the first step? I’m here for you.
Let us support your journey by connecting with one of our eating disorder therapists in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, or virtually anywhere in Iowa!
