apfeltchus

Although my BMI is higher than you ladies, I am still within the normal range for BMI (although I dont really listen to BMI since I am a former national level athlete and muscle weighs more than fat...so BMI doesnt really work for me.)

As far as exercise goes, along with a low GI diet I have had great success keeping my acne down and my periods regular. What I do is probably more intense than most women, but I do recommend weight lifting, if you want to up your BMI start to weight lift. It will help you gain healthy muscle and fat, try going to the gym and finding a personal trainer, they will be able to guide you. Mention to the personal trainer that you are looking to gain weight and not lose and lean out (You wont look like a body builder I promise).

On the side for cardio I play sports (I hate treadmill running...and really, just running in general), I play rugby and touch football during the summer, and swim during the winter. Swimming is an awesome exercise for building muscle and getting healthy, it is great for cardio as well.

Also, keep your diet in mind, if you want to gain weight and muscle, then you should look at how many calories you are taking in, as well as your basal metabolic rate. Most women who work out, need to take in 2000-2200 calories per day in order to just maintain their current weight. Since you are so thin, you would likely need to eat more than that to gain. If you are eating 1500-1700 calories per day and working out, you will lose weight. Remember to keep the calories healthy though, I am on bodybuilding.com (Im not a bodybuilder..not even close) and you would likely need a food breakdown of 40% carbs, 30% fats and 30% protein. (Recommended to me by another woman with insulin resistance, and she has has amazing results...everyone is different so you will need to tailor it as it suits you) I have had great success with this, even in the last few weeks...although admittedly I am having a hard time eating the required calories.

Keep the fats and carbs healthy, whole grains, avocados, nuts, etc, etc. I do recommend going to a nutritionist, and buying some books on low GI foods (great for women with PCOS, it helps clear up symptoms like crazy)

Good luck, you are on the right track! I am always open for questions about exercising as well, I have been weightlifting and training for sports seriously for 9 years, and a lot of it really relates to real life (I am no longer a national athlete, mostly rec now) If you need suggestions of exercises send me a PM.

...also..sorry I am really long winded..........