Hello doctor, I was really sick this summer in the hospital after being diagnosed with a viral infection that put me out for a month and a half. I lost a lot of weight and strength. My doctor told me to start off with walking, which I did as I got better near the end of summer. But now I am back at school and have been trying to exercise to get stronger and tone up because I struggle walking to class over the hills and long distances. But when I exercise, like with weights or even a bicycle or rowing machine or 1-minute job on the treadmill, I start to hurt. I will either get sharp stomach pains where my pancreas was swollen or the area below my armpits in my upper ribs will ache. Or my body will start to tremble and I will pass out. But I have only tried 10 to 15 reps of low weights, going slow, only exercising 10 to 15 minutes at a time. I eat extremely healthy because I have a strict diet focusing on cutting out foods causing inflammation so I make sure I get my healthy fats, proteins, and veggies. I would like to tone my body, but I am more concerned with getting stronger and feeling healthy. But I do not know how. Could you help me or give me some advice?
Hello. After such a severe infection, the recovery is going to be prolonged. My recommendation is to do aerobic mainly mixed with a small amount of strength training 90:10. Once you are able to go 30 minutes in one session without feeling faint and this may take time. Also check with your doctor the intensity he recommends as only fat-burning intensity is recommended, not any higher. The passing out and chest pain are worrisome, again check with your doctor. You are eating healthy which is good to eat more portion of proteins and healthy fats than carbohydrates.