Ok, exercise is my big thing....well, lack thereof
I have many health issues that make exercise difficult, the first one came when I was 7 years old - neurologist diagnosed "exertional migraines" whereby at any increase in heart rate, the blood vessels in my brain swell, causing terrible pain, nausea, vomiting, a stint in the hospital and an overall inability to function. I learned to stop moving and hence, massive weight gain (diet was also a huge problem). I can and have corrected the diet side of things but exercise continues to be a problem. Over the years I learned that anything with impact or anything that increased the heart rate quickly, such as running, especially aerobics was just out of the question and things like swimming were the only options (but getting in my togs in public at this size is something I am struggling to overcome and I'm not sure how to get the best exercise success). These days I walk (slowly) only, but still have to be really careful. Sorry for the long story - my questions are two fold:-
1) any suggestions on other types of exercise, something low impact but gives me more calories burned without making me sick (also, I don't have a great deal of $$ either so can't spend heaps on it)
2) I have noticed with my walking that I get pain in my side eg the old "stitch" thing. It is located under old scar tissue from an operation. Is it just a lack of fitness and it will go (embarrassed that I don't know that being a beginner or non exerciser) or am I doing something wrong? I thought I could have being doing something wrong like drinking too much water beforehand, tried stopping that but still getting it - any suggestions? Thanks, Alexandra