The pursuit of athletic excellence, superior physical fitness, and improved body image can take an ugly turn if the motivation veers away from health and becomes about weight loss and seeking the “ideal body shape.” The very same qualities that lead to optimal performance and fitness can also drive individuals to take drastic and unhealthy paths to get there. Sports and gyms are fertile grounds for the development of Anorexia Athletica or Hypergymnasia. The hallmark of these disorders are excessive physical exercise coupled with restrictive eating patterns. What originates in a desire to improve performance, fitness, and self esteem turns into a form of punishment and unhealthy practices that eventually have the opposite outcome.
Anorexia Athletica & Hypergymnasia: When Exercise Becomes an Obsession is a comprehensive resource for Coaches, Fitness Professionals, parents, and athletes that details how to recognize, intervene, recover from, and prevent Anorexia Athletica and Hypergymnasia. It should be on every conscientious Coach, Fitness Trainer, struggling athlete, and parent’s book shelf. Not just for the purpose of gathering dust or impressing others, but, as a valuable resource to provide the tools for prevention, detection, and early intervention!
Anorexia Athletica & Hypergymnasia: When Exercise Becomes an Obsession
Book Description:
“When Work Out Dedication Turns into Unhealthy Obsession”
Dedicated athletes and committed exercisers are held up as motivational examples to follow. But, what happens when that “healthy” work out motivation and behavior takes on a darker side? Self-disciplined individuals with perfectionistic tendencies and a strong desire to compete (even with themselves) are at a high risk for developing training and exercising behavior that is excessive and dangerous. Motivation can shift from performance enhancement and increased physical fitness to extreme weight loss and a relentless struggle for perfection. Working out becomes compulsory and disordered eating patterns emerge. Anorexia Athletica/Hypergymnasia gradually take control of the individual’s thinking and behavior.
Athletes, Coaches, Fitness Professionals, Parents, and Teammates need to be aware of the signs and symptoms that indicate Anorexia Athletica or Hypergymnasia is developing in order to provide early intervention. The earlier intervention occurs, the easier and faster the individual can recover. That reality makes this book invaluable. It sets a foundation for understanding the problem, who is at-risk, the indicators that signal a problem is emerging or prevalent, and how best to intervene. For those individuals who are showing early signs, an Exercise Addiction Questionnaire and recovery suggestions are included. This book is for struggling athletes and first responders.
This cutting edge book provides essential information and guidance on building positive, insulating cultures within the sports arena and teams, the fitness gym, and the home environment. No Coach or Fitness Professional should be without it!
“Buy this vital resource and arm yourself with the crucial knowledge you and your staff need to effectively recognize and intervene with your athletes or clients who are exhibiting excessive work out behavior and disordered eating!”
“Buy this powerful resource for yourself if you’re struggling with excessive exercise and disordered eating behavior…and be your own first responder!”
Anorexia Athletica & Hypergymnasia: When Exercise Becomes an Obsession can be found on Amazon.com.
Article originally published on www.disorderedeatingguardian.com.
Stephanie Eissinger is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Certified Life Coach, Certified Embody Love Movement Facilitator, and Self Help Book Author who’s dedicated her professional life to empowering individuals to overcome life’s challenges to live happier, healthier lives. She has both personal and professional experience dealing with the issues discussed in her self help books.