Q: I am a 21-year-old woman and had an appendix operation four years ago. Since then I have put on a lot of weight, especially around my abdominal region, though I eat very little. Please advise.

PK, Alipore

Ideally, you should have started exercising within three months of your appendix operation. As of now, 15/20 minutes of abdominal exercises daily, comprising crunches, leg raises ? single and both legs ? with shoulders lifted off the ground should yield positive results. Make sure you join a gym to get the exercises right before continuing on your own at home.

Q: I am a 30-year-old woman and have joined a gym recently. Initially I felt refreshed and fit, but of late, I feel a piercing pain in my shinbone. The more stress I undergo, the more intense is the pain. Initially I was hopeful that the pain would gradually subside. But now I am a little doubtful. Should I continue going to the gym?

AB, Chetla

Check your sneakers and see if they have an arch support. Reduce the speed of the treadmill. Exercise your upper body one day, and the lower body the next day. Take neurobian forte for a month, especially if you are a vegetarian. Vitamin B tends to get destroyed with overcooking and is sometimes in short supply with meals. Include sprouts in salads or curd. Don’t forget to carry a lemon drink to the gym and sip at intervals. Also, keep an eye on your water intake throughout the day.

Q: I am a 27-year-old girl. I had hurt my knee about three years ago while playing badminton. The pain had subsided about six months after the fall. But since then, the pain keeps coming back off and on. What should I do? Please advise.

TK, Behala

Check with an orthopaedic doctor for a proper diagnosis. A tube kneecap like the one used by football players can be strapped around the knee while playing strenuous games or doing stressful exercises. Take it off at night. Try a heat pad for temporary relief.