what kind of exercises should an underweight person do?

Question

I tried running 20 min 3 times a week, but I think it's too much for my fast metabolism. So what other exercises can I do that aren't as intense and don't require a gym or someone else to play with? Just trying to stay healthy. Does walking count?

Are ppl that stupid? Of course I eat, but my fast metabolism gets rid of it quickly. It's genetics.

My doc says I need to exercise. Doesn't matter how much junk food I eat, I still stay slim, BUT, I do run out of breath walking up the stairs :/ . So i need exercise.

Answer 1

Try working your upper body. weight lifting pushups free weights, and take some protein. This worked for me.

Former US Marine

Answer 2

What you need to understand is that your metabolism can be manipulated to an extent. If you snack less then your metabolism will slow down.
Personally though I think you're in the prime position to start some real training!! I spend a lot of my time lifting weights, they make me bigger and stronger but I don't expect you to lift tons; forget running and any other cardio vascular work, they have no use for you if you want to gain weight. Stomach crunches will tone what you have, free weight sessions and eating more substantial food rather than healthy food less often will make the rest come true (I weigh in as half a sone lighter than I did when I joined the gym, the difference is that - then I was fat! Now I am not! Why did I only lose half a stone?? Because the the work I did piled muscle on instead.
You need to eat healthy but if it isn't doing your body any good then defy it as it isn't what your body craves.

Answer 3

first of all how old are you as your metabolism should slow with age. i have one that is quite fast as well but in my mid 20's started filling my frame. either way, it is great that you have a fast metabolism but you're right even though you are thin you should exercise or work out. personally i would recommend weight training and don't be discouraged if other guys in the gym are much bigger and lifting much more weight as you will get there with time. i would think about taking in as much protein as you possibly can and eat a small meal of lean protein (i.e. turkey, tuna, salmon, chicken, hell if you have a high metabolism beef too as you could probably use some fat and you'll burn it anyway) with a cup of veggies and half cup of good carbs 5 to 6 times a day. also drink two to three protein shakes or weight gain shakes a day as well. expensive yes but if you want to gain weight you're going to have to take in more protein and fat than you burn. i suggest lifting b/c with little fat on your body you could gain some good muscle and probably look pretty good eventually while at the same time being in shape. also stick with the walking 20 min on top of the lifting for cardio and warmup. when you get to the point you can maintain weight, cut back to 5 the 5 meals a day with 1 to 2 of them being a protein shake. i'm no expert but do have some experience with fast metabolism.

Answer 4

To help maintain your body weight you should exercise before you eat and relax afterwards. Obese and overweight people with heart problems should exercise before their meals too as it is less stressful on the heart. Under weight or over weight it does not matter, the best thing for your body is movement and walking is very good exercise. Being senentary for long periods of time is not good for anyone.
You spoke of getting winded. What you need is an exercise that will give you a quick cardiovascular workout. You can do this by simply jumping rope for a few minutes before you eat. It will not take long for your heart and lungs to get a good work out. There is not much of a time commitment involved and its easy to do. Three times a week is good to start.
In a relatively short period of time doing both these things, you will be able to run up that same set of stairs without getting winded and accomplish this without loosing any weight.
The junk food you spoke of should be avoided. It can trick your mind but it can not trick your body into thinking it's real food. It's just fake food and leaves your body craving for the real vitamins and minerals your body needs. Your metabolism has learned to work fast to get the nutrients your body needs.
If you want to slow your metabolism: Eat real food (the cook yourself type without a mile long list of ingrediants) and add nutritional drink such as Ensure before bed time. Do this and you will reteach your body to metabalize at a slower rate because the nutrients will be there without having to eating mass quantities. Once your body realizes you are getting the nutrients required you will metabolize your food at a much slower rate. After a couple weeks of this, that and the other things I mentioned you will be on the right road to becoming more healthy without to much effort.

Answer 5

What "other" exercise? First stop running!
In my opinion, if you have a weight bench and some weights,
start using them, using light weights at first, but no more
than 8 reps and 3 sets each of squats, bench presses
and curls, to start with - then gradually increase the weights,
but not the reps and sets. Try using some good protein powder.
Do this 3 - 4 days a week.
If not weigts, start doing some push ups, squats with your hands
crossed and on your shoulders with very slow movements, and
do some other exercise that will work out your arms.
This is only the beginning - do for three months.
Later you would need to own some weights or go to a gym.
Don't expect overnight weight gain. Good luck

Answer 6

Jog up and down stairs for 5 minute intervals. Lift weights on the machines at the gym. That's what U do for track and I've already grown about 3 pounds in the past week. Lunges are good, and do excercises on a balance ball.

Answer 7

Well if u r underweight you can lift some weights u will gain muscle weight but not fat, if u don't want to go to a gym by some weights and to it on ur home. Or just try swimming its really a complete exercise. Yes, walking count. Try a balance diet too. Don't eat a lot of junk food. Go to http://www.mypyramid.gov

Answer 8

weight lifting should help you to gain some mass, plus muscle weighs more than fat. I would stay away from cardio exercising, unless it's light. And if you lift weights hire a trainer for a couple of sessions who can show you what to do. Also be prepared to eat before and immediately afterwards so that your body can build new muscle for you. If you build muscle that will help with being out of breath when you do other things. If you want to avoid the gym, weight bearing exercises (using your own body weight - like push ups, squats ets) are a good alternative. A trainer can help you with those as well. Good luck

Answer 9

I've been underweight all my life (except birth, when I was above average!). Running is a great form of exercise, and it's especially great in your case, since you say you get out of breath walking up a flight of stairs. In fact, running up and down a long flight of stairs is a great form of exercise (a popular form of athletic training is to run up and down the stairs in a stadium until you've completed a circuit - but you probably haven't got a stadium handy). Aerobic exercise is great for your heart and lungs. Don't worry about it being too intense - your body will first of all adapt to deal with you doing more exercise, and your appetite will help you out. If you feel hungry after exercising, eat.

Other suggestions given are good as well - push-ups and squats are useful, as are pull-ups, back-bridges, etc. There's a whole variety of cool bodyweight exercises you can do. Try this site for some suggestions:
http://koreantaekwondo.tripod.com/articles/exercises.htm
They're directed at martial artists, but they're great for just about anyone.

Finally, in addition to strength and aerobic exercise, you should do plenty of stretching. Learning how to do good leg, back and shoulder stretches and improving your flexibility will greatly improve your health and reduce the chance of you injuring yourself.

Answer 10

It's probably a good idea for you to do weight lifting as your form of exercise because that way you can build muscle mass and still get your exercise in but you won't be losing muscle or more weight

Answer 11

Focus on building muscle strength with weight training, pilates, etc. You should still do some cardio/build up endurance if you're running out of breath... For me, alternating between running/walking (in one session) and gradually extending time will help with endurance. Since you have a fast metabolism, I'm sure you'll fuel up when you start getting hungry. Ignore people's misconceptions about weight and who you are as a person.