For decades, the standard response to exercise in eating disorder treatment was simple. Stop.

There were reasons for that. Exercise can be a genuine medical risk when someone's body is already compromised. It can also reinforce an eating disorder, becoming rigid, compulsive, or a way to compensate for eating. So the safest option seemed to be no movement at all.

But according to Associate Professor Bonnie Furzer, blanket bans were never evidence-based. They left people unsupported, and the behaviour often continued anyway.

In this episode, Dr Beth Shelton is joined by Bonnie Furzer, an accredited exercise physiologist and associate professor at the University of Western Australia, where she leads the Mental Health and Exercise research group. Bonnie also holds a clinical role at Fremantle Hospital Mental Health Service and is a founding director of Thriving in Motion.

Together, Beth and Bonnie unpack what unhelpful, rigid exercise can look like along with the very real benefits of joyful movement for both body and mind.

They also talk about what changes when movement is supported rather than shut down. If someone moves for social connection or to help manage their mood, removing it entirely takes away something that matters. A safer plan works with that, not against it.

Bonnie discusses the updated Safe Exercise at Every Stage (SEES) guidelines, the value of bringing exercise professionals into multidisciplinary teams, and a new position statement to be endorsed by Exercise and Sports Science Australia.

For clinicians, carers and people with lived experience, this is a warmer and more hopeful way to think about moving your body in recovery.

Learn more about Bonnie Furzer, AEP

Safe Exercise at Every stage (SEES) GUIDELINES

Butterfly Blog: finding joy in movement

butterfy blog: how to find a positive relationship with exercise

Butterfly blog: Find the right balance

contact the butterfly helpline

find a professional

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Production Team:

• Produced by Beth Shelton and Sam Blacker from The Podcast Butler
• Executive Producer: Camilla Becket
• Supported by the Waratah Education Foundation

For more information about this episode, visit www.butterfly.org.au/podcast and click through to this episode.

If you're concerned about an eating disorder for yourself or someone you care about, please reach out to the Butterfly National Helpline or chat online with one of their specialist counsellors. Recovery is possible with the right support.