EP 233.5: From Exercise Addiction & Gym Obsession to Healthy Movement ~ The 5 Step Recovery Framework That Works **Must Listen Fav!**

Struggling with exercise addiction? You're not alone. If you're working out every single day, feeling intense guilt when you miss a session, or using exercise to compensate for food intake, this episode is your roadmap to freedom.

Recovery coach Lindsey Nichol, who overcame her own compulsive exercise patterns (working out twice daily at her worst), shares the exact 5-step framework that helped her and countless clients break free from exercise addiction and develop a healthy relationship with movement.

This episode is essential if you:

• Exercise daily without rest days
• Feel anxiety or panic when you can't work out
• Alter vacations or skip social events for workouts
• Restrict food on days you exercise less
• Use fitness to "earn" your meals
• Experience guilt when missing planned workouts

What You'll Learn About Exercise Addiction Recovery

✅ The Hidden Connection between eating disorders and compulsive exercise patterns

✅ Lindsey's Recovery Story: From cardio queen doing 2-hour daily sessions to finding movement freedom

✅ Real Client Success: How one woman reduced her routine from 7 days/week (1 hour 45 minutes daily) to just 3 days (30 minutes each)

✅ The Science Behind Exercise Addiction and why it's so common in eating disorder recovery

✅ 5 Proven Steps to Overcome Exercise Addiction (detailed action plan included)

The 5-Step Framework to Healthy Movement Step 1: Assess Your Current Exercise Routine

• Document frequency, duration, and intensity
• Track emotional responses to missed workouts
• Identify compulsive exercise patterns
• Recognize anxiety triggers around rest days

Step 2: Master the Power of Permission

• Grant yourself permission to rest
• Challenge exercise-related guilt
• Reframe rest as essential for recovery
• Practice self-compassion during routine changes

Step 3: Visualize Your Future Recovered Self

• Imagine life beyond daily workouts
• Consider enjoyable movement alternatives
• Identify non-exercise activities you're missing
• Question whether current exercise brings joy or obligation

Step 4: Set Small, Tangible Goals

• Start with 5-minute workout reductions
• Replace one workout with restful activities
• Schedule rest days in advance
• Plan alternative self-care activities

Step 5: Embrace Progress Over Perfection

• Expect setbacks as part of recovery
• Practice self-forgiveness for "slip-ups"
• Recognize growth in small changes
• Challenge diet culture messaging about exercise

Powerful Recovery Insights

"Rest is required in recovery—it's non-negotiable."

"We don't even realize we're doing this to our body because we get so trapped in the cycle."

"I didn't start working out two times a day ove