For many of us, exercise enters our lives as something genuinely good.
It’s a way to feel more at home in our bodies. A place to put stress. A rhythm that brings a sense of structure to the day. It can be joyful, grounding, even freeing—something we return to because it makes us feel more like ourselves.
And our culture tends to celebrate that relationship, especially when it looks consistent and “disciplined.”
The person who never misses a workout, who pushes through, who shows up no matter what—we’re taught to see that as strength and commitment. As proof that someone is taking care of themselves.
But there’s a point—often subtle, often easy to miss—where that relationship can begin to shift: the structure starts to feel less like support and more like something you can’t step away from. Rest doesn’t feel restorative, it feels deeply unsettling.
It’s in this place where the question is no longer “Do I want to move today?”… but, “Can I afford not to?”
And that’s where things get complicated.
In today’s episode, I chat with Leslie Schilling, RDN who specializes in working with athletes and disordered eating, about what it looks like when our relationship with exercise is no longer healthy.
We get into so much, including:
what exercise dependence actually means (and why it’s often missed)
why it’s not about quantity—but compulsion, rigidity, and fear
the overlap between exercise dependence and eating disorders
signs your relationship with exercise might need support
why rest days can feel so distressing
exercise as a coping mechanism for anxiety, stress, and discomfort
the subtle difference between: “I want to move” vs. “I have to move”
how body image, food rules, and weight concerns drive compulsive movement
why most people are under-fueling (even when they don’t realize it)
“if you fuel it, you can do it”—and what happens when you don’t
And stay tuned, because part two of this conversation will be out next Monday, where we’re diving into:
weight suppression (and what people often misunderstand about it)
the role of GLP-1 receptor agonists
“it works until it doesn’t”
and the long-term impact of under-fueling on the body
If you’ve ever felt anxious about taking a rest day, worried you haven’t done enough, or found yourself moving out of obligation rather than choice, this episode is for you. Leslie and I break down what’s happening beneath the surface—physically, mentally, and emotionally—so you can start noticing the difference between movement that nourishes you and movement that controls you.
Listen in, and give yourself permission to explore exercise without fear, guilt, or pressure. And don’t miss part two next week—it’s where we unpack the deeper layers of how under-fueling, weight suppression, and long-term habits can shape not just performance, but your relationship with your body and food.
Learning to listen to your body, rather than push past it, can transform not just how you exercise, but how you relate to rest, food, and yourself.
What does your relationship with movement and rest look like right now?
Are there moments where you feel pressure instead of choice, or times when listening to your body has felt freeing?
As always, I love to hear your reflections in the comments; sharing our experiences can help others feel seen and less alone.
