Getting up the guts to go to the gym?

NervousHomeowner

Hi all :j

Over the past year I've put on a stone in weight and I want to get it off while I can. My boyfriend has very kindly offered to pay for me to join a gym, so I did that on Monday and I was really excited about it! However, since I joined I've really struggled to actually make myself go! It isn't a case of not wanting to do exercise, I'm really dying to lose this weight & feel good about myself again but I'm really embarrassed about going on my own.

The gym is quite a big one in the centre of Birmingham and I'm worried that the people there will laugh at me for being inept I'm also pretty small (5ft) and not particularly fit so I'm worried I'll look really feeble and pathetic trying to use the machines.

I know I have to start going because it'll be a waste of money and I won't ever lose this weight otherwise but it's really daunting. Has anyone else felt this way? How did you overcome it?

loveabargain13

The best thing to think is ' No one is looking at me ' just get on with it, no one bothers, most are too busy looking in the mirror at themselves anyway

Bigmoney2

Firstly you need to book an induction, so they will show you how the stuff works and write you an exercise programme.

Usually when you first start they keep it simple just to get you into the habit of going, then change what you are doing as your fitness improves and to stop bordom.

Alternatively book a couple of sessions with a personal trainer.

I've always found large gyms better, as there are more places to 'hide'. In a small gym often you can see all areas, so feel like every one can see you. in reality no-one is interested they are too busy concentrating on themselves.

If they run classes you try some of those, or just aim for say 30mins,
10mins treadmill (walking), 10mins bike, 10mins rower.

Everyone has to start some where so don't be afraid to start off slowly.

HeadAboveWater

Mind over matter!

I've always wanted to run, and other than the fact that I wasn't fit, I dreaded the thought of people actually seeing me out on the roads attempting to put one foot in front of the other :rotfl: One evening after work I just thought 'stuff it!', stuck on my trainers, and off I went. I'll now go out once a week (2.5 miles!!) and I don't even think about it. I keep my eyes to the ground and I concentrate on what I'm doing.

Since starting running I've noticed there's actually a lot of other people do the same thing! I never paid attention before! And you know what? They're all ages, they're all shapes, they're all sizes, and they're all fitness levels.
BUT one thing is for sure: I have every respect for them for doing what they're doing. And I'm now 'one of them' regardless of what state I look as I'm plodding along! Be proud of yourself for being proactive and keep yourself fit and healthy!

Go for it

NervousHomeowner

Thanks for the replies, very helpful & encouraging Just called up to book my induction as I didn't even know about that! So that's now booked for Monday.

I quite like the idea of trying the classes because they do things like spin classes & yoga. I honestly hadn't even thought about what I'd do when I got there, so thanks BigMoney for the suggestion about 10 mins walks, rowing, cycling.

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

Mind over matter!

I've always wanted to run, and other than the fact that I wasn't fit, I dreaded the thought of people actually seeing me out on the roads attempting to put one foot in front of the other :rotfl: One evening after work I just thought 'stuff it!', stuck on my trainers, and off I went. I'll now go out once a week (2.5 miles!!) and I don't even think about it. I keep my eyes to the ground and I concentrate on what I'm doing.

Since starting running I've noticed there's actually a lot of other people do the same thing! I never paid attention before! And you know what? They're all ages, they're all shapes, they're all sizes, and they're all fitness levels.
BUT one thing is for sure: I have every respect for them for doing what they're doing. And I'm now 'one of them' regardless of what state I look as I'm plodding along! Be proud of yourself for being proactive and keep yourself fit and healthy!

Go for it

Thank you, this was soo encouraging! I'm kind of hopeful that I won't be the only one who isn't a gym bunny and so we'll all do like you said & just keep our heads down & get on with it! I just have this mental picture of me walking in and being surrounded by loads of tall, thin people!

I'm gonna try and go tomorrow morning really early, because then most people will be in work & it should be fairly deserted

elsien

The first time my mum went, she sat outside for nearly an hour plucking up the courage to go in. Now she goes 3 or 4 times a week, and is enjoying the social side as much as the exercise. (With the added bonus that she's stopped toppling head first into her shopping trolley as her balance has improved.)
There'll likely be all ages, shapes and sizes, it just needs that first step to get you started.

HeadAboveWater

Yay! Glad you got your induction booked!

If you can avail of classes, do try some out! I'm not a gym person at all as they bore me to tears, but I go to Zumba every week without fail and absolutely love love LOVE it! Again, all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities! But everyone has a chat, a laugh and a giggle, and gets fit! Win! Win! Win!

(and yes any classes I've ever joined has turned into a social thing for me too! It's nice to catch up with folk after a week, or be able to say 'hi' when out and about )

EDIT:
If there are...

NervousHomeowner wrote: »

...loads of tall, thin people!

...then they'll be...

loveabargain13 wrote: »

...too busy looking in the mirror at themselves anyway

heartbreak_star

http://imgur.com/6jEWN

I love this - ignore the first line and read the rest.

Good luck with the gym, OP!

HBS x

NervousHomeowner

elsien wrote: »

The first time my mum went, she sat outside for nearly an hour plucking up the courage to go in. Now she goes 3 or 4 times a week, and is enjoying the social side as much as the exercise. (With the added bonus that she's stopped toppling head first into her shopping trolley as her balance has improved.)
There'll likely be all ages, shapes and sizes, it just needs that first step to get you started.

That is so inspiring about your mum! My aim is to eventually go 4 or 5 times a week, so I'm glad to hear that others like your mum have gone from not even wanting to go in to managing to go multiple times a week and enjoying it. Thank you

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

Yay! Glad you got your induction booked!

If you can avail of classes, do try some out! I'm not a gym person at all as they bore me to tears, but I go to Zumba every week without fail and absolutely love love LOVE it! Again, all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities! But everyone has a chat, a laugh and a giggle, and gets fit! Win! Win! Win!

(and yes any classes I've ever joined has turned into a social thing for me too! It's nice to catch up with folk after a week, or be able to say 'hi' when out and about )

EDIT:
If there are...


...then they'll be...

Thank you, that last bit made me chuckle!

I've been thinking about Zumba actually! They have some Zumba classes & I think that's probably one of the things I'm really interested in doing there. I'm just worried I won't make it through the class at first as I can barely run for a bus, let alone dance for an hour

heartbreak_star wrote: »

http://imgur.com/6jEWN

I love this - ignore the first line and read the rest.

Good luck with the gym, OP!

HBS x

That is really fantastic, thank you! Might have to print that off and stick it on my fridge as inspiration

As for going to the gym, I'm taking the plunge & going tomorrow morning! My OH is going to drop me off there on his way to work so he can give me some moral support

Pinkdebster

I've just joined a gym local to me as a means of recovering from some serious health issues. I'm also petite but have a different problem - I only weigh just over 6 stones (my surgery was to remove my stomach as it was diseased - I am now fed by a tube) so when I joined I was also very worried for exactly the same reasons. I had my induction and they started me off gently - this is week four and I'm now loving it. There are all ages at the gym - young, middle-aged and old and all sizes...........I just remind myself that we are all there for the same reason and it works just fine. Good luck and enjoy x

HeadAboveWater

NervousHomeowner wrote: »

I've been thinking about Zumba actually! They have some Zumba classes & I think that's probably one of the things I'm really interested in doing there. I'm just worried I won't make it through the class at first as I can barely run for a bus, let alone dance for an hour

You don't have to be able to run. You don't have to be able to dance. You don't have to be fit. All you gotta be able to do is wiggle and giggle :D