oh no, you are still young and nowhere near the end of your exercise road! Gluteus medius is right next to the sciatic nerve so you've got to baby it-did the doctor tell you that? Probably not, especially if he's not fitness oriented. It hurts because it's a large muscle involved in many different types of movement-just about everything you do except scratch your nose.
I"m just a few years behind you in age, and when I pulled my gluteus medius, I put cold packs on it several times a day, and it still took about a month before I was 100%. Seems like a long time, but this too shall pass. I did start walking again once the acute phase of the injury passed, so you won't be completely sidelined for months.
Did your doc recommend any nsaids like aleve or advil to help with the inflammation? I don't usually take them, but did in this case because I wanted to minimize sciatic nerve involvement.
I"m sorry you are injured!