03/06/2025
What Is Anorexia Athletica?
Anorexia Athletica, also known as exercise addiction or compulsive exercise, is a condition where a person feels compelled to exercise excessively, often to control weight, relieve guilt about eating, or achieve a sense of self-worth.
Unlike traditional anorexia nervosa, where food restriction is the focus, anorexia athletica centres on exercise as a form of control—but the emotional drivers and risks can be very similar.
🔄 Common signs include:
• Exercising despite injury or illness
• Feeling intense guilt or anxiety if a workout is missed
• Prioritising exercise over relationships, work, or wellbeing
• Eating only to “fuel” exercise rather than enjoy food
• Using exercise as punishment for eating
• Feeling self-worth is tied to athletic performance or appearance
It’s especially common in athletes, dancers, fitness professionals, and teenagers under performance pressure—but it can affect anyone.
⚠️ The danger? While the outside may look “fit,” inside the body may be malnourished, exhausted, or injured. The mind may feel trapped in a constant cycle of never feeling “good enough.”
💬 Recovery involves restoring a healthy relationship with movement—where exercise supports life, rather than controlling it.
If you or someone you care about is struggling, we’re here to help with compassionate, expert support. Your body is not a machine—and you are more than how much you move.
