My first time at the gym was a disaster

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  • kelseyhere
    kelseyhere Posts: 1,123 Member
    It's very important to start slow. It's tempting to start going as hard as you can, because you came here to lose weight, right? And no one wants to weight. You think if I work out harder, I will lose weight faster. That's not exactly the case. You have to get your body used to working out. It's best to start slow and work up to higher weights, longer times on the machines, etc. If you go to hard too soon, you may get injured. Then you'll just be sitting on the sidelines making no progress. Slow and steady progress is the best, most sustainable way to lose weight. Start with shorter workouts, maybe only 30 minutes, and work your way up to a full hour at your gym. Start with only 10 minutes on the machienes, and don't turn it up all the way either. As you've already experienced, that just poops you out. You want to build endurance when you work out, that takes time. Soon enough 10 minutes will be easy, then you can go for 15 minutes, then 20 minutes, continually increasing the resistance as you get better.

    Also don't be afraid to stop and ask questions. I see people at the gym all the time doing silly things, which is a great way to hurt yourself. If you don't know how to use a machine, have someone show you. You may consider getting 1-2 sessions with a personal trainer so they can show you the ropes. Once they have taught you the basics, you'll feel more comfortable going back on your own.

    Don't give up, just remember progress takes time and there is no quick, easy way to lose weight. It takes hard work over time. Get back in that gym and get to work! And remember, most of the people there are so concerned with what they are doing, they will hardly notice you. So don't worry about looking out of shape or being slower than others or anything like that, you are there working and that is what counts!
  • walkinthedogs
    walkinthedogs Posts: 238 Member
    Quit worrying about people watching you so much. First of all, they probably aren't watching you and second even if they are, it's just a distraction from what they are doing because they are probably focusing on the task at hand. I know most people at the gym are actually trying to focus on themselves and for those that are not and are actually judging you, forget about it. Who cares. The important thing is you are there and you are there for yourself and your health. I do know how you feel, I always feel like people are judging me too and thinking that I don't belong there, but deep down I also know this is not true, I know they are probably not even noticing me at all. Do you care who is there and what they are doing? Are you judging them? Probably not, so they are probably not judging you either. We all have to start somewhere. Go to your induction, learn the machines, focus on you and smile. If anyone notices you at all, they will notice you are always smiling.

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