Patients with HIV can develop wasting, defined by experts at Tufts University as losing 5 percent of body weight in six months. Wasting may be treated with diet, medications, growth hormone injection, testosterone replacement in men and exercise. A regular weightlifting routine done at a gym or at home can help put on weight and build muscles.
Wasting
Patients with wasting experience weight loss, changes in body tissue that results in a change in muscle mass and an increase in fat. According to Tufts experts, HIV weight loss may be explained by nausea and loss of appetite, medications, certain opportunistic infections, mouth or tooth infections and extreme fatigue, which might make normal daily activities too difficult. Diarrhea is also common in HIV-positive people and may be associated with malabsorption.
Exercise
There are many benefits to exercise, including improved muscle function, body fat reduction, increased muscle mass, increased strength and decreased bad cholesterol or LDL. These exist regardless of HIV status, but The Body website indicates there is evidence that exercise in HIV-positive people, when combined with certain medications, may slow disease progression. There are two types of exercises you can do: cardiovascular and resistance training. Cardiovascular improves the way your body uses oxygen, increases metabolism and lowers cholesterol and blood sugar. Resistance training uses weights to build muscles.
Weightlifting
Weightlifting refers to resistance or strength training that involves using force or pushing or pulling objects of weight. You can use light weights, machines in gyms or household products, like milk cartons filled with sand. Pushups are beneficial because they require you to resist your own body weight. Before you do any type of exercise, warm up for at least 10 minute to avoid joint or muscle injuries. FamilyDoctor.org suggests starting by doing a weightlifting exercise with a weight light enough that you can do 10 repetitions. Try to do two sets and rest for 90 seconds between sets. In the first week, do one or two weightlifting exercises with light weights once or twice a week. Each week you can increase the number of exercises you do and the amount of time you spend.
Meet With Your Doctor
You should always talk to your doctor about any new exercise routine even if you don't have HIV. Whether you plan on lifting weights or doing another type of exercise, your doctor will give you a thorough physical exam and specific instructions and exercises to do based on your health situation. If you ever feel pain or become dizzy when you exercise, stop and talk to your doctor immediately.
