In a world where fitness inspiration is everywhere, it's easy to forget that some women don’t need help getting to the gym—they need help stepping away.

For many, exercise has evolved from a health tool to an unhealthy obsession.

However, living in a culture where most people would benefit from more exercise and a better diet, it’s easy for those who have taken it to a dangerous extreme to be overlooked, dismissed, or even praised for being “healthy.”

Not sure if that’s you? Let me ask you a few questions…

Does this sound familiar?

You're constantly thinking about exercise and planning your next workout
You feel anxious or guilty if you miss a workout or take a rest day (and definitely can’t take more than one)
Your workout comes before other important parts of your life
You feel jittery or stressed if something interferes with your workout routine
You cancel plans just to fit in exercise
Your mood drops or you feel distracted if you can’t work out
You only feel okay about your body when you’ve exercised
No matter how much you work out, you still don’t feel good about your body

If you said yes to any of these, your relationship with exercise may be doing more harm than good.

And in today’s society, exercise addiction often goes undetected, or worse, is praised as "healthy living."

Now, to be clear, I wholeheartedly believe that exercise is vital to our physical and mental wellbeing. But having worked as an eating disorder therapist for many years, I know that some women take this to an unhealthy extreme and it’s those women who I’m addressing today.

Signs Your Exercise Routine Might Be Unhealthy

The difference between a commitment to health and a disordered relationship with exercise lies in a few key factors:

Intention: What’s the ‘why’ behind your routine?
Flexibility: How rigid are you when it comes to exercise?
Impact on Life: How does your commitment to exercise affect other areas of life (work, relationships, health, hobbies)?

If your workouts are driven purely by aesthetics, they’re super rigid, and they interfere with your physical health or relationships, it’s time to reassess.

An unhealthy relationship with exercise can negatively affect your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. In addition, exercising to avoid guilt, compete with others, or punish yourself can fuel negative body image.

So, how can you stop obsessing over exercise and start to create a healthier, more sustainable relationship with it? Here are 5 tips to get you started.

5 Tips for a Healthier Relationship with Exercise

1. Get Clear on Your Why

What’s your intention around exercise?

If your motivation is purely aesthetic—like trying to get flat abs or look like your favorite fitness influencer —you’re setting yourself up for a cycle of negative body image. Exercise should be about improving your health, reducing stress, and boosting your confidence, not punishing yourself or trying to look a specific way because you think it will make you happy.

At Ivy Rose Moon, we exercise because we love our bodies, not because we hate them. We work out to feel empowered and to improve our physical and mental well-being.

2. Find Your ‘Sweet Spot’

Fitness should be both fun and challenging.

Find an activity that you enjoy and that pushes you physically without feeling like a punishment. Whether it’s yoga, hiking, strength training, or a dance class, choose what feels right for your body.

But here’s the thing: The challenge should come from a place of self-love and curiosity, not guilt or punishment.

Avoid workouts you think you "should" do just because they’re trendy, you think they’ll yield an aesthetic result, or because someone else is doing them. Exercise should feel fulfilling, not forced.

3. Avoid Toxic ‘Fitspiration’

If following someone on social media makes you feel worse about yourself, unfollow them. Seriously.

Many fitness influencers promote unhealthy habits disguised as "wellness," and constant comparison can damage your self-esteem and your body image, not to mention lead to destructive habits.

Pay attention to how you feel after browsing fitness pages and wellness accounts. If it causes stress, anxiety, or comparison, it’s time to step back.

Your mental and emotional health should always come first.

4. Challenge Distorted Thoughts Around Exercise

When you feel the urge to exercise out of guilt, stop and get curious.

Are these thoughts rooted in self-love or punishment? If you think skipping a single workout will make you "lose progress” or “gain weight” ask yourself: What’s really going on here? What will actually happen if I skip a workout? What feeling am I trying to avoid here and why?

Challenging these thoughts is key. Remind yourself that your worth is not tied to your workout performance or your body’s appearance.

5. Seek Professional Support

If exercise or food is starting to control your life, it’s important to seek help from a trained therapist, sports psychologist, registered dietitian, or primary care physician. Professional support can help you regain a healthy relationship with fitness and body image.

Be cautious though: Not just any therapist or mental health professional will understand the nuances around food and exercise. Be sure to seek out a licensed therapist (not a therapist candidate) who has experience working with eating or exercise disorders.

Remember, healing takes time, but it's completely possible to develop a balanced, non-obsessive relationship with exercise.

The Bottom Line:

A healthy relationship with exercise is about balance, self-love, and listening to your body. If your workouts are starting to feel like a burden or are damaging your mental health, it’s time for a change. You deserve a fitness routine that enhances your life, not one that takes over it.

Need some help with your body image? I’ve got you covered. Download my free guide today!

How to Stop Obsessing Over Exercise