What exercises do anorexics do?

People with anorexia nervosa may compulsively engage in excessive or strenuous exercise as part of their eating disorder. Here are some common types of exercises that individuals struggling with anorexia may perform:

Cardio: Anorexics may engage in excessive aerobic activities such as running, jogging, cycling, swimming, or climbing stairs to burn calories.

Strength Training: Some anorexics engage in intense resistance training or weight lifting, even without adequate nutrition, to burn calories or achieve specific body aesthetics.

Repetitive Calisthenics: Activities like jumping jacks, push-ups, and sit-ups are commonly repeated in an excessive or compulsive manner to burn calories and maintain low body weight.

Walking or Pacing: Anorexics may pace or walk excessively to increase energy expenditure and burn calories.

Group Fitness Classes: Anorexic individuals may participate in group fitness classes like aerobics, Zumba, or boot camp to burn calories and conform to societal expectations of physical appearance.

Excessive Stretching or Flexibility Training: Anorexics may engage in excessive stretching or yoga practices to burn calories or achieve a lean or flexible appearance.

Compulsive Dancing: Some anorexic individuals use dance as a form of excessive exercise to burn calories and control body weight.

It's important to note that exercise can be a healthy and beneficial part of an individual's life when done in moderation. However, individuals with anorexia nervosa use exercise compulsively and excessively, often to an extreme and unhealthy degree, which can have detrimental effects on their physical and mental health.