If you exercise too much but can't stop, if rest days fill you with anxiety, if you've convinced yourself that constant movement equals worthiness—this episode is your permission slip to finally rest. Lindsey shares her personal journey from exercise addiction to freedom, revealing the powerful 4-letter word and method that saved her life: REST.
You'll discover why your brain equates rest with laziness, learn the REST acronym that breaks the compulsive exercise cycle, and understand why rest isn't a reward for work—it's part of the recovery work itself.
What You'll Learn
✨ Why exercise addiction is common in eating disorders (and how to recognize it)
✨ The false beliefs that keep you trapped in compulsive exercise patterns
✨ How "dedicated" becomes destructive (and when to be concerned)
✨ The REST method: A practical 4-step approach to breaking exercise addiction
✨ Why rest days anxiety is normal in recovery (and how to manage it)
✨ Biblical perspective on rest and recovery (Matthew 11:28)
Exercise Addiction Warning Signs
Do you recognize yourself in these patterns?
The REST Method Breakdown
R - RELAX
Surrender and give up controlPause, pray, stop, step awayLet go of the bondage to constant movementPractice: Try stopping your workout 1 minute earlier each dayE - EVALUATE
Get in tune with your feelings and emotionsReframe emotions with factsChallenge thoughts: "Will I really 'blow up' if I don't go to the gym?"Ask: "Am I actually going to heal my disordered relationship with exercise?"S - SET AN INTENTION
Define what your best self means to youPlan and pre-decide your actionsAsk: "What's one thing I can do to step in her direction?"Focus on who you want to become, not what you want to avoidT - TAKE ACTION
Put that step in motion and practiceThe hardest part: actually doing what you've been thinking aboutDon't wait for your eating disorder to give permissionRemember: The action here IS restingKey Mindset Shifts
Rest Isn't Laziness—It's Living
"You aren't lazy, you're living. You're allowed rest."
Rest Is Part of Recovery Work
"Resting isn't a reward for work. It's part of the work. It's part of the recovery work."
Your Body Needs Repair
"If you don't rest, you can't repair. If you don't rest, you can't restore. If you don't rest, you can't reflect."
Cultural Lies vs. Recovery Truth
Culture says: Hustle and go, go, goRecovery truth: Two rest days in a row is exactly what you need to healThe Deeper Issue: Fear of Self
Why Rest Feels Impossible
Fear of sitting with yourselfNot knowing who you are without constant motionAnxiety about having more time to think about foodFear of "losing control" around food when home longerThe Weekend Challenge
Weekends felt harder because more time at homeMore food available = more food thoughtsFear of "going off the rails"Solution: Learning to sit with discomfortBiblical Foundation for Rest
Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all you who feel weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Practical Steps to Implement This Week
Start Small
One Minute Method: Stop your workout 1 minute earlier each daySitting Practice: Sit for 5 minutes without doing anything productiveWeekend Rest: Allow yourself one full rest day this weekendChallenge the Thoughts
When you think "I'm being lazy": Remind yourself "I'm healing"When you feel guilty: Remember "Rest is part of recovery work"When you fear weight gain: Focus on "My body needs repair"Find Your Rest Activities
Rest isn't just napping—it's anything that makes your nervous system feel safe:
Professional Support Recommendations
Lindsey emphasizes the importance of working with qualified professionals:
"The best thing you can do is give yourself permission and work with someone who has lived experience."
Recovery Encouragement
You're Not Alone
Exercise addiction is common in eating disordersYour struggle with rest is valid and normalRecovery is possible, even from severe exercise addictionPermission Granted
You have permission to restYou deserve to discover who you are without constant motionYour worth isn't determined by calories burnedThe Promise
"If I can have an addiction with exercise, if I can completely break the chains of that bondage, I know that's God's plan in your life too."
Ready for Professional Support?
If this episode resonated and you're ready to break free from exercise addiction, you don't have to do this alone.
Remember: You deserve freedom from the chains of compulsive exercise. Rest isn't your enemy—it's your healing.
Share This Episode
If this episode gave you permission to rest: ✨ Leave a review about your exercise addiction recovery journey
✨ Share with a friend who needs permission to rest
✨ Tag us on social with your rest day victories using #PermissionToRest
"Grant yourself permission to rest this week. Grant yourself love and compassion and grace. The world is not gonna crumple and fall apart if you don't get in your exercise this week."
Your rest day starts now.
Coach with Me -＞Client Application
* While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.
