Underweight but unfit - best exercise?

[LilaLila]

Hello,

I've been recently diagnosed with a chronic illness and have lost a lot of weight. My BMI is now 18 and I am underweight!

I haven't done much exercise over the past few years other than walking a lot, but I am now wanting to get fit. However, I'm wary about suddenly undertaking exercise and losing even more weight!

Part of my illness causes extreme fatigue, but I know exercising can help with that. I'm also at risk of developing osteoporosis later in life, so I know weight bearing exercise is what I need. I also had a baby last year and developed diastasis recti - I did the exercises the midwife showed me to help close it (though not religiously tbh), and I think it's now down to a 1 finger gap, so there's that to think of as well.

I'd love to go to some sort of exercise class but it's difficult being a single parent in the middle of nowhere, so I was thinking DVDs would be the best bet.

I was thinking of something like pilates to start off with, to work on my core fitness / watch my diastasis. Continue with the walking but do more / go at a faster pace. I feel like I really need to work on my cardio, but I'm wary of losing more weight. I think I also need to do some sort of strength work / weights / toning, but not sure where to start!

Can anyone recommend any good DVDs, or has any advice? :)

Sounds like you might need some professional advice to be honest!
You don't want to do more harm than good!

Pilates will be good for the diastasis but not using a DVD - you need a professional Body Control Pilates (not classical) teacher at least for a couple of sessions first to make sure that you're breathing is correct and that you're holding and using the correct muscles. One you've done this you can use DVDs. I would then have a personal training session with someone to ensure that you're moving correctly and able to carry out basic exercises at home....they could also recommend some good DVD's. If you can afford it, have another session with them 3 months after that to see how you've improved and for some more exercises to keep you moving forwards. The exercise should increase your appetite and you'll need to eat sensibly, regularly and not fill up on rubbish.....fuel is what you need, not crappy stuff. Good luck xx

aggghh - YOUR breathing, not you're!