I haven't been outside in 3 years, have some health questions

Hello all.

I have some general health questions relating to this long period of lots of inactivity in my life.

But first, let me give some background info... I am a 23 year old male and as the title states I haven't been outside my own home in over 3 years now.

It all started when I was 18... before that when I was 17 I was very healthy and happy with my life, I felt I really came into my own at that age and I loved to be outside... I would just take walks through the entire city some days.

A year later (age 18) however, I made some bad mistakes in terms of how seriously I took going to school, and eventually I had to leave alltogether due to my attendance record.
After that I basically continued doing what I was doing... spending a lot of time at home.. I felt I was taking a temporary break from schooling, but eventually this long period of inactivity resulted in depression and listlessness... I felt the gap between my situation and picking the thread back up was only getting wider.

Considering it is now 2012, the gap has obviously only gotten wider over time, but in recent times I've been feeling better and I really want to end this period... 2010 and 2011 have flown by and I won't let the same happen to 2012.

Now as for the questions... first here are some relevant facts about me.

-I am 6'1" tall and weigh roughly 155 pounds... I've had a good BMI ever since I was about 11 y/o. (though I used to be on the very skinny side... now I'm just thin... I'm also an ectomorph)
-I run-in-place and dance a lot, that's most of my exercise... I wanna start doing more situps and dumbbell exercises too
-I feel healthy, and my mother and I try to eat healthy (usually it's rice/pasta dishes)

Now my questions...

1. Even though I feel healthy, is it possible this long period without much exercise has taken some kind of toll on my cardiovascular health even though I don't know/feel it?
I've sometimes felt discomforting pain in my chest but I'm very sure it's related to GERD because it usually coincides with that.

2. Do you think I have a lot of vitamin deficiency due to lack of sun? I take some vitamin supplements and try to eat healthy.
Also, if I had vitamin deficiency would it be serious?

3. Kind of related to the last question... do you think it will take longer for me to tan due to my long times without sun?
I don't think I'm pale in the first place.. (I'm half white/half black and have an olive complexion), but I would definitely look better if I had a bit of a tan.


That's it, thanks for reading and any answers are appreciated.

[broomo81]

holland & barrett herbal healthcare do tanning tablets if thats any good to you chick, i love a nice colour, lol i wasnt blessed with the colour of my great grandad who was pure jamaican. anyways the tan tablets. they have a hollandandbarret.com reorder number which is hb6495, and as for u not going out, me neither. i do sometimes but feel that its got to be important enough to do so as i dont and wont take note of other peoplkes mishaps as i have my own to deal with. im sorry if ive not helped you in any way, this is the first Q i have answered. x

[broomo81]

holland & barrett herbal healthcare do tanning tablets if thats any good to you chick, i love a nice colour, lol i wasnt blessed with the colour of my great grandad who was pure jamaican. anyways the tan tablets. they have a hollandandbarret.com reorder number which is hb6495, and as for u not going out, me neither. i do sometimes but feel that its got to be important enough to do so as i dont and wont take note of other peoplkes mishaps as i have my own to deal with. im sorry if ive not helped you in any way, this is the first Q i have answered. x

[Heyaw]

Thanks, of course you've helped. :)

I didn't even know tanning tablets existed (or forgot about it).. I'll definitely look into it.

[remar]

I think natural sunshine would be so much healthier than any supplement. Are you starting to get outside at all lately? As long as your still exercising you should be fine. But, getting outside will be great for your mental and physical health.

[Heyaw]

Yes I totally agree, I need to be outside again.

I haven't yet started, but once I have a reason to go outside again like work/school/volunteer work, I don't think it will be a problem to stay there.. because I've had enough of my home.

[remar]

Good for you. Maybe you can start with just getting out and taking walks, going to the store or visiting friends.