Starting gym tomorrow..

ShivPal92

I'm starting gym tomorrow and extremely nervous. I've never been alone. My weight is something I've always struggled with and I need to do something about it. I'm a emotional eater. Whenever something goes wrong or something bad happens I turn to carbs. Is it just me? I want to feel comfortable in my own body and right now I can't even bring myself to look in the mirror. I hate how I look. I hope I don't get too scared tomorrow and give up

kommodevaran

To lose weight, we have to eat less. Not much less - we still need to eat - just less enough to tip the balance in the opposite direction. Many of us eat too much just because it tastes good, and because it relaxes us. Many of the foods we use for comfort, are high in fat as well as carbs. Feeling like we're different, and that something is wrong with us, can make us shameful, and demonizing foods we like, increases anxiety, and shame and anxiety increases the need for comfort food. I'm sure there are gentler ways to say this, but the message is the same - snap out of it

Meghanebk

Are you comfortable with your gym? If this one doesn't work out, try to find a better one, don't give up on gyms entirely. Most gym staff I've met are helpful - you can ask them when the least busy times are, how to get help with machines or exercises.

For emotional eating, it helped me to eat - but control portions or choices. When I needed ice cream after a ridiculous day, I measured out half a pint of Halo Top instead of a giant bowl of Breyers. Eat the pasta I was craving, but weigh out a reasonable portion and tell myself I could have more in half an hour if I was hungry - by then I was usually distracted by something else and had forgotten I wanted to eat more.

Oddly enough, mild exercise helps me with emotional eating. If I want to sit on the couch and eat half a pizza, I go for a 10-15 minute walk. Then I usually feel better enough to make different choices for dinner. But if you're exercising a lot at the gym, be aware it can increase appetite a lot - eat back some of those calories but try not to go overboard.

RadishEater

I was super nervous the first couple of times I went to the gym, but one of the easiest things to do is walk on a treadmill. You don't even have to run or jog and can bring something to read or just watch tv for 15-20 mins then hop off and be done.
Also as a bonus you can use the treadmill time to watch what other people are doing on machines until you get comfortable to venture on to something else.

CowboySar

You will be nervous you first few times at the gym. Don't fret, just overcome those feelings. I know its hard but trust me once you do and get a few work outs in you will love it. Think about it this way, everyone in there was in your shoes at one point in time, they are to busy and involved in what they are doing to pay much attention to you. Best of luck you will do fine

nancybuss

It's human nature to be afraid to do something new. Everyone is the first time. Magic happens at the End of the comfort zone. Tell yourself you WILL do this! You CAN do this, even though you're afraid. Here's to the first day of your journey!

And yes, many stress eat. It's a habit. Try writing down every time it happens. Then consider something else you can do when that feeling hits again. One step at a time! The mind needs work as much as the body. For Most of us!