I can understand how painful it is to exercise when you are in chronic pain. I have RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and a partial knee replacement. I have been using a physical therapist to guide me through exercising to start out with a year ago and now I have a trainer who keeps me using proper exercises to not injury myself. It little steps along the way that really do make you stronger.
I am 1 year out and cut my hair in a pixie cut as well and it had made my hair seem thicker and super easy to workout at the gym. I'm just wash and go.