Anemic and trying to get into shape

Hey everyone. I'm trying to get back into shape but the problem is I'm anemic. Been to the docs and said it was iron deficiency. So I'm on iron treatments but they can take up to 6 months to fully work. How can I stay in decent shape? It's been 7 months since I've been able to do some hardcore training at the gym. When I exert myself (such as weight lifting, intense cardio or even walking up the stairs) I get dizzy and lightheaded due to the low red blood cell count. What can I do to avoid putting on weight?

Nutrition is critical. I don't know what you can / can not eat due to your medical condition. And, I would consult your doctor before doing anything severe. However, proper nutrition is just as important as exercise if you want to look lean and strong.

I'm not sure what you're eating or how much you eat at every meal. A basic approach, however, would be to cut your portion size in half per meal and then double the amount of meals you're eating daily. So.....as an example: if you buy a foot-long subway sandwich, eat half of it for lunch and the other half about 3 hours later. You should get between 5-6 small meals (350-450 calories) per day depending on your level of exercise. This will speed up your metabolism and burn fat (even without a ton of exercise). What you eat is as important as how much you eat. That's a whole other reply, however. Let me know if you need more help. Good luck.

First and foremost, going to the gym isn't such a good idea in your case. Home workouts or jogging will do just fine for the moment, if you only want to stay in shape.

What kind of treatments do you take, orally or subcutaneously? More specific, folic acid or vitamin B12

Have you tried taking oral iron supplements with orange juice? Vitamin C will work great, because it helps the body's ability to absorb iron.

Well, I advice you to consult a medical professional. You can take your vitamins, eat nutritious foods and work out to get in shape.

Have spinach, apples and pomegranate. These are iron rich food. You can go for sprouts also. And being healthy is more important than being under or over weight