Signs you might have an eating disorder as a Runner
At Trailhead Counseling DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) we are experts in eating disorders and know that they are widespread and often hidden within the running community.
It is common for runners to believe that engaging in disordered eating behaviors will help them achieve their running goals. However, restrictive eating prevents you from reaching your goals through the array of negative health consequences that occur by not fueling your body enough which does not allow it to adapt to or recover from training.
The lack of nutrition also leads to biological changes in the brain that create a storm of mental and emotional struggles that do not allow you the mental capacity or mental wellness to run and perform at the level you desire.
Below are some eating disorder screening questions that we use with runners to assess and evaluate their relationship with food, their body, and running. You can use the screening as a starting point to evaluate your relationship, your child’s, or athlete’s eating, body, and running behaviors.
Red flags that your relationship with food and running has become unhealthy:
You restrict types and quantities of food if not running or training
You have to run X number of miles to justify eating what you want
You make food choices based on your training that day, the day before, your training for the next day, and how much you’ve already eaten today.
You spend much of your day thinking about food
You binge after long runs or races
You have to “run-off” calories
You can’t take a day off from exercise without negative impacts on your mental well-being such as anxiety or feeling depressed
You do “long runs” without fuel and/or are scared of using nutrition products like gels when you are running
Your weight determines if you think you will run well or not
If you found yourself answering “yes” to any of the above then you might want to explore your relationship with food, your body, and running more. We are happy to provide a Free 10-minute call to chat more!
