How to relax.

While i was sick, i had problems with relaxing. With being still. I had to constantly move and fidget, i know this is not the case for everyone, but for those who are struggling with this constant need to move and have activity. I understand what you're going through.

   For me, breaking the habit of fidgeting and constantly moving was alot harder than actually eating.

I began to eat again, but that just meant i had to move more... it was my sort of compensation, and if anyone told me to be still or to sit down. I would immediatly hate them.

   While i was sick and was blogging here, there were some recovered anorexics who commented and wrote to me and told me it would get better. That i had to start eating again, and to stop my exercise habits & addiction. Though i never believed them, i thought i was a hopeless case... i thought i would never recover. That i would never get rid of my constant exercising. 

   

But take it from me, you can break those habits. 

First of all, i need to tell you that you wont gain loads of weight because you dont exercise. It doesnt work like that. The body is a very intricate thing. The way our bodies function, the way we adapt. 

   Have you ever noticed that many people in the world dont exercise, dont constantly move and no, that doesnt mean that they are fat. Your thoughts mind jump to someone who is obese and doesnt exercise, but that is a whole different story.

  Think about normal people. Normal people who eat healthy and just have daily activity.... they're not gaining wieght just because they're not exercising.

Now, the best way to get rid of a habit or addiction. Is to just stop. Dont go for your usual walk. Dont sit and kick your leg. You have to break your habits.

   Think, when an alcoholic is recovering, they dont just drink one glass of wine to dinner. Because it doesnt work like that, they need to stop completely. 

If you are addicted to exercise, then you need to stop completely and when you feel you can manage it. Start slowly and begin again, change your thoughts so you can find exercise fun again. Not just a compulsion.

Ways to relax..... 

Read a book  - This is my absaloute favourite way to relax.

If you dont like reading, then listen to an audio book.

Have a spa evening.

Make a collage

Lay a puzzle

Paint

Write

Play guitar

Watch tv series/films

Take a shower

Read a magazine

The fact is, you're not being lazy. While i was sick, i was so scared of being still because i thought i would gain wieght and i was so worried about what others would think, i didnt want to be the lazy person. But you know what, most people dont think like that. 

  And you are doing this for your sake, not for anybody elses. And in the end, people can think whatever they like but we have to learn to just shrug it off. 

The times when you know you are most restless and find it hard to sit still, then call a friend or family. Arrange things, so you know that you can do something, get your mind off things. But isnt overly active.

The fact is, its your life it affects. If you are addicted to exercise and weight restored, you will still be locking yourself into this square box, because you will want to keep your routines and habits. There will come a time when you will be so sick of your 'sick/weird' behaviour. Exercise addiction is a problem.

   Though just because you've had a problem once, doesnt mean that you can never do the thing again. For some people, they find it easier to just never do exercise again, apart from the daily exercise. Whilst for others, they want to bring it back into their life. But you have to do it in a controlled way. Dont let it go overboard.

  And the fact is, when it comes to exercise its only you who can decide how much is too much. (Though of course if your doing more than 2 hours everyday, then i would definitely consider that too much)

Being with friends is a great way to keep you from exercising. It may be hard at first, but you just have to deal with the anxiety. 

Exercise is fun, and i mean its great for the body and mind. But dont let it control you. Dont priortize exercise over friends or family.

And of course, just like recovering from anything you have to want it. Nobody else can get rid of your exercise addiction. Its up to you. And its you who has to deal with the anxiety, its for your own sake. So do it for you.

Learn to relax. Make time for yourself. Meet friends. Go to the cinema. Go shopping. Visit museums. Go to cafes. Go out to eat.

  Dont punish yourself. You dont have to compensate for eating. 

Learn to live life, do things which you enjoy.