How exercise can support eating disorder recovery

Intuition versus tracking 

For people recovering from an eating disorder, exercise can be a complex area of health management.  

They are often encouraged to take an intuitive approach - focusing on body-awareness and self-understanding, while avoiding overly controlled behaviours. 

However, wider public health messaging often promotes detailed tracking –from counting our daily steps to our calorie intake.  

The result? A potentially confusing landscape of mixed health-management messages for those recovering from eating disorders.  

But, do the two approaches really need to be viewed as opposites, or is there a way for them to both to aid recovery? 

A third option 

The new study, which also involved Dr Kimberly Jamie (Sociology Department) and Professor Stacey Pope (Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences), focused on a small sample of women using weightlifting to support their recovery from an eating disorder. 

Weightlifting is an interesting vehicle to eating disorder recovery as it emphasises healthy weight-gain and an understanding of the body and its capabilities. 

The research team found that, in this group, women were successfully mixing intuitive and tracking-led health management practices.  

They suggest that practitioners working in eating disorder recovery should consider a third, mixed approach to health management – which she terms ‘intuitive tracking’.  

Intuitive Tracking 

People in recovery from eating disorders often have a deep understanding of the effects of food and exercise on their body. But, this knowledge can feel detrimental in recovery.  

An intuitive-tracking approach enables individuals to use this knowledge in a positive way, whilst also engaging intuitive techniques to remain in recovery.  

This was demonstrated by the women participating in the study. They were able to balance tracking-based techniques, such as exercise and eating plans, to support their weightlifting goals, with the need for rest and recovery.  

For those with eating disorders, and professionals involved in their treatment, ‘intuitive tracking’ could offer a new approach for those who struggle with intuitive-based methods alone.

Find out more: 

• Read the full research paper published in the Journal Sociology of Health & Illness. 
• Read profiles for Dr Hester Hockin-Boyers, Dr Kimberly Jamie and Professor Stacey Pope. 
• Our Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences is ranked fourth in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025. Visit our Sport and Exercise Sciences webpages for more information on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.  
• Dr Hocking-Boyers PhD was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.
• Information on eating disorders, and advice on how to access help and support is available via the NHS eating disorder webpage.  You can also talk in confidence to an adviser from eating disorders charity Beat by calling the Beat helpline on 0808 801 0677. 
• If you are a Durham University student needing support or advice about an eating disorder, contact the Counselling & Mental Health Service at cmh.service@durham.ac.uk 
• If you are a member of staff needing advice and/or support in the workplace this can be accessed via the Occupational Health Service, please visit the Occupational Health SharePoint site for further details.