Should I go to the gym or not before starting meds?

[foxes]

I had fallen off the wagon on going to the gym (weightlifting) but had been wanting to get back to it... now that I've tested positive, should I hold off? Intuitively the answer seems to be yes, hold off... rather than distract my body with trying to build up broken down muscle fibers, I imagine I want to let it devote all its resources to immune defense. But wanted to ask for other perspectives/experiences.

[jkinatl2]

I certainly went to the gym when I was not on meds. Strength training and cardio are essential for a healthy body, and the minute damage done in the "tear and repair" system are MORE than worth the gain in overall health.

Not only physical health, but emotional health. It's a matter of scientific fact that regular exercise helps promote good sleep, emotional stability, good digestive function, and heart health. There is absolutely no reason not to exercise. It staves off depression, it increases self esteem, and will not have a negative bearing on your body's fight against the virus.

Being mindful of your body is admirable during this time (and of course, all the time.) There is nothing to be gained, and plenty to be lost by babying it,

Trust me, there's always an excuse not to work out

HIV should not be one of them.

[mecch]

I had fallen off the wagon on going to the gym (weightlifting) but had been wanting to get back to it... now that I've tested positive, should I hold off? Intuitively the answer seems to be yes, hold off... rather than distract my body with trying to build up broken down muscle fibers, I imagine I want to let it devote all its resources to immune defense. But wanted to ask for other perspectives/experiences.

Go to the gym if you feel like it.  Or don't go. 

Don't make up fantasies about the gym having anything to do with your body's immune response to HIV infection.  This is the luck of the draw.  You fight HIV with doctor visits, lab monitoring, and meds when you need them.  Its good to stay healthy whether you are HIV+ or HIV-. 

I highly doubt your muscle tone has anything to do with how your body is going to deal with HIV.

[surf18]

You most certainly should go the gym. There is no reason why you shouldn't . I went before and while on med's . Makes no difference what so ever. get there!

[foxes]

Thanks folks

[foxes]

Actually, still curious... trying to reconcile the replies here with Anne's reply in my question on ARS:

As you have already seroconverted, you are no longer experiencing ARS.
...

However, that doesn't mean that you can't still be feeling unwell. Your body is fighting an almighty fight right now, trying to get hiv under some semblance of control. Your body will be busy lowering your viral load as much as it can and that takes a lot of energy, hence the tiredness and general weirdness.

So that's some information I didn't include in the thread here, I'm not feeling normal

[mecch]

When did you get infected and/or seroconvert?  Everyone is different. It can take days, weeks or months to reach your new normal. 

[Common_ground]

I went back to the gym about 1 month after I started meds with CD4s just above 200.

Isnt it something that just after working out your CD4´s dip for an hour or two?

So if you have (very) low CD4´s it might be an idea to take it a bit easy since picking up community acquired diseases in a gym is a possibility.

For us pozzies, once stabilized and "settled in" with numbers, meds and the HIV in general, I think its a very important part of your health to stay active both for physical and mental reasons.

[Ann]

Actually, still curious... trying to reconcile the replies here with Anne's reply in my question on ARS:

As you have already seroconverted, you are no longer experiencing ARS.
...

However, that doesn't mean that you can't still be feeling unwell. Your body is fighting an almighty fight right now, trying to get hiv under some semblance of control. Your body will be busy lowering your viral load as much as it can and that takes a lot of energy, hence the tiredness and general weirdness.

So that's some information I didn't include in the thread here, I'm not feeling normal

By all means, exercise. It's one of the best things you can do for yourself right now, along with eating nutritious foods and getting plenty of rest. As Jonathan noted, exercise has many benefits. It just might be what you need to start feeling better. It may seem counter-intuitive, but exercising will actually increase your energy levels.

Just ease into it, don't push yourself too hard at first. Don't forget to include some aerobic exercise with your weight-lifting. You could even start out by taking brisk walks (outside or on the treadmill) and build up from there. You'll probably be surprised at how much better regular exercise will make you feel.

Go for it!

[foxes]

Update: doc advised me not to do weightlifting or aerobics right now... suggested tai chi or gentle yoga.

[leatherman]

Isnt it something that just after working out your CD4´s dip for an hour or two?

yes. never exercise just before having your lab work done ...


...unless of course you like freaking out about why your cd4s have taken such a dip. LOL