Intuitive Movement in the New Year with Dr. Beth Hartman McGilley

 

 

Workout because you love your body, not because you hate it.  Dr. Beth McGilley joins us in discussing this sometimes complicated relationship between exercise and our body image. Dr.McGilley shares her knowledge on eating disorders, exercise and the recovery process and the difference between mindless and mindful exercise.  

 

• What is dysfunctional exercise?  We need to look at the quality of the exercise continuum: what is the driven quality, is it ritualized and rigid, is it only done to management negative mood and weight.   
• Mindful Exercise is a way we can reconnect to our body and find joy in movement vs. it being a punishment. Dr. Beth McGilley shares her exercise mantras to help in recovery and changing that relationship
  

 

So You Know She Is Legit...

Dr. Beth Hartman McGilley,  is a Clinical Associate Professor, University of Kansas School of Medicine—Wichita,  is a psychologist in private practice, specializing in the treatment of eating and related disorders, body image, athletes, trauma, and grief. Her practice is informed by feminist, Health at Every Size, and social justice perspectives. A Fellow of the Academy of Eating Disorders,  and a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, she has practiced for over 35 years, writing, lecturing, supervising, and directing an inpatient eating disorders program.  She’s a former advisor to Monte Nido and Affiliates and is on the Renfrew Conference Committee. She has published in academic journals and the popular media, as well as contributing chapters to several books. She is a former editor for Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment & Prevention, and co-editor for the book: Treatment of Eating Disorders: Bridging the Research/Practice Gap. She has presented extensively nationally  and internationally, as well as appeared on a variety of local and national news and radio outlets. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. McGilley has been a chair or member of 7 committees for the American Academy of Eating Disorders since its inception. She is the co-founder and Co-Chair of the AED Professionals and Recovery Special Interest Group. Other professional memberships include iaedp, NEDA, BEDA, Association for Size Diversity & Health  and American Psychological Association.

Dr. McGilley also specializes in applications of sports psychology and performance enhancement techniques with athletes of all levels. She was the sports psychology consultant for the Wichita State University Women’s Basketball team from 2005-2008. She co-founded and co-chaired the Association for Applied Sports Psychology (AASP) Eating Disorders Special Interest Group from 2007-2012.

        Dr. McGilley co-founded and for 12 years served as the President of the Healing Path Foundation, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to the prevention and treatment of eating disorders in Kansas. She was a 2008 graduate of the Kansas Health Foundation Leadership Fellows Training program. Her hobbies include competitive cycling, hiking, writing, and time with her therapy dog, Wheeler the Healer.

To Connect Further with Dr. Beth McGilley:

http://bethhartmanmcgilley.com/

 

Link to the Compulsive Exercise Test:

https://jennischaefer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Compulsive-Exercise-Test.pdf

Great Article with Further Information written by Dr. McGilley:

Intuitive Exercise

Beth Hartman McGilley, PhD, FAED, CEDS

Exercise as a way to liberate your life force ~ not to change your body. (Carmen Cool, 2014)

Ours is a culture equally obsessed with eating as with dieting, and exercise is extolled as the ultimate elixir for both. It is thus no surprise that exercise, once considered simply for its physical and psychological benefits, is now a multibillion dollar industry which promises to shape up the body of our lives as well. While the virtues of physical activity are indisputable, the tolls of dysfunctional exercise are equally noteworthy (Calogero & Pedrotty-Stump, 2010). Although this potentially deadly impact is most obvious in those who suffer with an eating disorder (ED), dysfunctional exercise is ubiquitous. Prevalence rates range from 33-80% depending on the definition of dysfunctional exercise used and the population studied (clinical vs. nonclinical samples). Within the ED population, dysfunctional exercise is associated with increased psychological distress and psychopathology, longer inpatient stays and higher rates of relapse (Naylor, Mountford & Brown, 2011).

The empirical findings on dysfunctional exercise are difficult to interpret due to discrepancies in terms and definitions used to describe it, variability in subject samples and settings, assessment measurements and length of follow up. At least ten different terms have been cited in the literature to describe exercise performed to the physical and/or psychological detriment of an individual (activity anorexia, exercise anorexia, anorexia athletica, obligatory exercise, compulsive exercise, exercise addiction, exercise dependence, exercise abuse, excessive exercise, dysfunctional exercise). Some terms imply psychopathology (compulsive exercise) while others do not (obligatory exercise). A consensus definition is vitally needed for effective prevention, identification of those at risk, and informed interventions for those already suffering from dysfunctional exercise (Meyer & Taranis, 2011).

In this article, dysfunctional exercise will be briefly described and the concepts of “intuitive exercise” (Hieber & Berrett, 2003) and “mindful exercise” (Calogero & Pedrotty-Stump, 2010) will be offered as new approaches to physical activity, both for those who compulsively exercise and for those who anxiously avoid it. Regardless of the term used to denote dysfunctional exercise, the various definitions used in the literature distinguish two related dimensions relevant to this discussion. The quantitative dimension refers to the physical aspects of the exercise activity—frequency, duration and intensity. The qualitative dimension refers to the psychological aspects of the exercise activity—the degree to which it is compulsive, driven, out of control, and/or ritualized. The frequently used term, “excessive exercise,” commonly refers to the quantitative dimension, whereas “compulsive exercise” is typically used in reference to the qualitative aspects. Research consistently indicates it is the compulsive quality of the exercise that is significantly associated with disordered eating pathology, not the frequency or duration of the exercise itself. This unexpected finding has important implications for the potentially positive role of exercise in the treatment and recovery process for those with EDs (Calogero & Pedrotty-Stump, 2010; Hausenblas, Cook & Chittester, N. 2007; Taranis, Touyz, La Puma & Meyer, 2011).

What are the specific components of compulsive exercise? Four key correlates have been identified and evaluated in the literature which appear to have empirical support (Goodwin, Haycraft, Willis & Meyer, 2011). The first is the driven quality of the exercise activity (e.g. exercising regardless of injury, weather, time demands). Secondly, the activity is undertaken in a ritualized, rigid fashion (e.g. exercising at the same time, in the same way, resistant to change). Thirdly, the exercise is performed predominantly to manage weight and shape concerns (e.g. exercise fanatically performed to offset food intake, to maintain leanness or solely for body sculpting purposes). Lastly, the exercise is undertaken to manage negative emotional states (e.g. exercising for the mood elevating effects or to avoid feeling guilty if it’s postponed or stopped).

It is the combination of these four elements, at the extreme, that comprise the clinically significant concept of compulsive exercise and which is associated with increased eating psychopathology. Health promoting exercise is also often performed in a routine manner, despite inconveniences, to support one’s health and to benefit from the mood enhancing effects. It is perhaps most instructive to think of healthy vs. compulsive exercise along a continuum, wherein the compulsive end is noted for the extreme guilt one feels if unable to exercise, and by the persistent, repetitive, and excessive nature of the behavior, even when contraindicated and in the absence of pleasure or reward. Readers interested in assessing the quality of their own or their client’s exercise activity can access the Compulsive Exercise Test (Taranis, Touyz & Meyer, 2011) online at Compulsive Exercise Test

Whether, when and how an actively recovering eating disorder client begins or resumes exercising remains a matter of professional debate, but there is mounting scientific evidence that when judiciously considered, in medically stable clients, exercise can actually facilitate the weight restoration process in anorexics, as well as proffer improvements in mood, body image and self esteem for all ED clients (Calogero & Pedrotty-Stump, 2010; Hausenblas et al, 2007; Taranis et al., 2011). Hieber & Berrett (2003) introduced the concept of “intuitive exercise” in an online newsletter rich with information on the physical, emotional, psychological, and behavioral signs of overtraining, descriptions of the qualities of healthy exercise and tips for becoming an intuitive exerciser. Guidelines suggested for becoming an intuitive exerciser are reprinted below:

Ø  Spend some quiet and quality time listening to your mind, heart, and body.

Ø  Respond to that self-understanding and approach exercise accordingly.

Ø  Respect your inner needs and consequent internal messages.

Ø  Respect and respond to your body, especially those messages of pain and fatigue.

Ø  Examine your motives for exercise.

Ø  Adjust your exercise as needed and develop the healthiest motives.

Ø  Reserve and make sacred the time you need to take care of yourself.

Ø  Find exercise and physical activities which are enjoyable.

Ø  Remove concepts of fat, calories, and size from your exercise thoughts and language.

Ø  Feed your body what it needs to assure nourishment and adequate fuel to burn.

                                                                    Hiebert & Berrett, 2003, p. 10

Calogero & Pedrotty-Stump (2010) use the term “negative exercise mindset” to refer to the qualitative or compulsive dimension of dysfunctional exercise. They further distinguish between mindful and mindless exercise as a tool for therapists and clients to develop a recovery supportive approach to exercise. As with intuitive exercise, mindful exercise is process vs. outcome oriented, geared to be internally and present focused, balanced with and supported by proper nutrition and rest, enjoyable and exhilarating.

Calogero & Pedrotty-Stump, 2010, p. 435

Lastly, the following are a few simple exercise mantras I’ve coined that may assist clinicians and clients looking for specific ideas on how to begin a new relationship with physical activity:

Ø  Take it outside! When we were young, we didn’t “work out” we played! Outside, in nature, where the wind in our hair, the sun in our eyes, the sounds of our playmates, and the smell of fresh cut grass enlivened our experience. Nature based vs. gym based exercise can help recovering clients to avoid the inclination to negatively compare or compete with others, and to get overly focused on the computer feedback on the equipment vs. their body’s internal feedback of the experience. Learn to assess and adjust the intensity of exercise by paying attention to your breathing (you should be able to carry on a conversation), and allow internal monitors and awareness to direct the effort and duration

Ø  Just “un-do” it! Reorient your activity to best suit your recovery needs at the current time (e.g. exercising solo/group, in/outdoors, headset/quiet, internal/external focus). If a specific compulsive exercise is part of your eating disorder, choose different activities to explore until you feel capable of resuming that activity with a positive exercise mindset. For example, if you compulsively attend fitness classes, at the same time, always occupying the same place in class, begin a walking program instead, and vary the times, location and whether you walk alone or with company.

Ø  Play it forward! Be purposeful, seek community and consider the social benefits beyond your own physical benefits. Sign up for a charitable run or bike ride, become a mentor in a youth based prevention program that includes physical activity (e.g. Girls on the Run), plan a hiking vacation with friends and train together, or join your local chapter of the Adventurous Babes Society!

Ø  Flexible Flexing! Whatever you do, avoid rigid or ritualistic routines-get jiggy with it!

Ø  Move as you’re moved! Think back to childhood. What kinds of movement gave you the greatest sense of joy, sourced all your senses, transcended awareness of time and calories burned? Find ways as an adult to recreate this kind of movement.

When appropriately timed and considered, intuitive and mindfully considered exercise can become a vital element in and beyond the recovery process. To become fully recovered from an eating disorder requires that we reestablish a relationship with our bodies that is life affirming, nutritionally balanced and fully integrated-meaning our mental, physical, psychological and spiritual states are operating in a unified, open, flexible and adaptive manner. When we are thus wholly embodied, exercise is no longer about calories burned, but about “liberating our life-force.”

References

Calogero, R. & Pedrotty-Stump, K. (2010). Incorporating exercise into eating disorder treatment and recovery. In Maine, McGilley & Bunnell (eds), Treatment of Eating Disorders: Bridging the Research-Practice Gap, pp. 425-441. Elsevier: NY.

Cool, C. (2014). Personal communication.

Goodwin, H., Haycraft, E., Willis, A. & Meyer, C.  (2011). Compulsive exercise: The role of personality, psychological morbidity and disordered eating. IJED, 44(7), 655-660.

Hausenblas, H., Cook, B. & Chittester, N. (2007). Can exercise treat eating disorders? Exer and Sport Sci reviews, 36, 1, 43-47.

Hieber, N. & Berrett, M. (2003). Intuitive Exercise. Center for Change: Hope & Healing E-Newsletter, 8(3), pp. 7-10.

Meyer, C. & Taranis, L. (2011). Exercise in the eating disorders: Terms and definitions. European Eating Disorders Review, 19, 169-173.

Naylor, H., Mountford, V. & Brown, G. (2011). Beliefs about excessive exercise in eating disorders: The role of obsessions and compulsions. European Eating Disorders Review, 19, 226-236.

Taranis, L., Touyz, S., La Puma, M. & Meyer, C. (2011). Loughborough Eating-disorders Activity Programme (LEAP). Group cognitive-behavioural treatment for compulsive exercise in the eating disorders: Therapist Manual.

Taranis, L., Touyz, S. & Meyer, C. (2011). Disordered eating and exercise: Development and preliminary validation of the Compulsive Exercise Test, 19, 256-268.

Suggested Reading:

Cook, B., Hausenblas, H. & Freimuth, M. (2014). Exercise Addiction & Compulsive Exercising: Relationship to Eating Disorders, Substance Use Disorders & Addictive Disorders. In Brewerton, T. & Dennis, A.B. (eds), Eating Disorders, Addictions and Substance Use Disorders: Research, Clinical & Treatment Perspectives. Springer: NY.

Friedman, P. (2009). Diary of an Exercise Addict. GPP Life: CT.

Powers, P. & Thompson, R. (2008). The Exercise Balance: What’s Too Much, What’s Too Little, and What’s Just Right for You! Gurze Books: CA.

Thomas, J. & Schaefer, J. (2013). Moving (or Not): What’s Best for You? In Almost Anorexic: Is My (or My Loved One’s) Relationship with Food a Problem? (The Almost Effect), pp. 179-203. Hazelden: MN.

Thompson, R. & Sherman, R. (2010). Eating Disorders in Sport. Taylor & Francis Group: NY.