Scared of gyms!!!!!!!!

erin2934

As the subject box reads - I am waaaaay too nervous to even consider entering a gym, as I have an absolutely ridiculous paranoia that I'm being watched!!! I'm hoping that the more I lose weight the more manageable this stupid fear will become!

In the meantime, I am enlisting a fitness DVD (not the best I know, but at least it's something!) to help with keeping active. Can anyone recommend a half decent one?!?!!


Thanks

c_tap77

I love Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred! And the best part is: ITS ON YOUTUBE FOR FREE!!!!!

With warmup and cooldown it's about half an hour--and it's challenging but there's a lot of ways to modify the exercises until you get to a fitness level where you can do them.

I've lost so many inches doing this program

blueyegrl

I have the same fear, I have had a gym membership for a year and three months, and have NOT GONE ONCE! lol Sad, but hey, I'm terrified. And I don't want to cancel in case I get over that fear! Basically I like wasting money! :ohwell: But I would like to suggest Leslie Sansone, Walk At Home videos. I don't know your fitness level, but they are pretty user friendly, and you don't need much room. She's a bit annoying, but it's still a good workout. Good luck! :drinker:

contingencyplan

Losing weight first and getting fit just to go to a place where people lose weight and get fit--you realize how that sounds, right?

Don't worry, nobody is watching.

tdh1991

Check out beachbody.com work outs. Also taebo

Jerrypeoples

i hope this video will alleviate any of your fears

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YvAYIJSSZY

cavia

I nearly passed out from fright in the parking lot of the gym I ended up joining.

Prior to the gym I was a fan of Kelly Coffey-Meyer's fitness videos. Specifically the lifting ones but she also has a bunch of cardio based ones. You can preview her stuff on youtube.

Vivian06703188

I am partially disabled and I can not work out at a gym. I walk my dogs, count my housework and set my setting on MFP to sedentary. Then I get to count what exercise I do. It is working I have lost 30 lbs so far. You can do it without going to they gym. Be diligent about logging your food and drinking your water. Try and eat for a healthy lifestyle. I am eating for health and I believe this is a key. I don't want to just lose weight I want to take care of my body. Good Luck!

redredfox

Nobody is watching you, trust me. People at the gym are either self-absorbed or feel just as self-conscious as you do. Everyone is there for more or less the same reasons. The only bad workout is the one that you didn't do!

Aeramis13

For what it's worth, people don't really care how you look at the gym. You're there for you and they're there for them. Just go in and do your thang.

Regarding the videos, I recommend checking out your local library. Find out if they have a decent workout selection and/or if they can borrow others from different libraries (ours can have over 150 libraries lend them things in just a couple days most times!) This way you can try out a video/set before dropping the cash on them.

Also, check out Craigs list for used copies. And garage sales, when the season is right.

dbmata

As the subject box reads - I am waaaaay too nervous to even consider entering a gym, as I have an absolutely ridiculous paranoia that I'm being watched!!! I'm hoping that the more I lose weight the more manageable this stupid fear will become!

I'm afraid of leprechauns, myself. Little. Green. Angry as all get out. Rich little *kitten* too, so they do whatever they want and don't care. Add in the fact that they can draw their own doors and travel wherever they want with them....

rwstoneman1

I joined the gym a week yesterday and I still feel like everyone is watching me. I'm just ignoring it and thinking that we're all there to work out, so what if I'm the largest person in there?! (also this isn't always the case, people of all shapes and sizes go to the gym). Also, you'll probably find that the people you are convinced are watching you are actually having the exact same fear!

erikmsp72

Long walks outdoors are free. . .

littlesis412

I like most of Jillian Michael's videos. P90X and Insanity are both videos. In theory you can do weight lifting at home but that requires purchasing equipment. I'd say there's no reason to be afraid of the gym. Maybe you need to find one that's less intimidating? Or go with a friend. I know the first few times I went, I was so nervous and had to have someone else there. But then I realized, no one was watching or cared what I was doing so I had no problem going alone after that. Honestly, when I go to the gym, I don't pay any attention to the other people so why should they? The only time I've ever noticed someone is if they're totally kicking butt and I'm impressed. But I've never looked down on anyone. They're there, they're trying, no one is perfect.

p4ulmiller

I admire the heavy guys more than the skinny ones.

And seriously, no-one is looking at you. Meat heads are looking at themselves; the serious ones are absorbed in their own world. Nothing at all to worry about.

dangerousdumpling

There are tons of things you can do at home if you don't want to join a gym. You could buy dumb bells and lift weights using a Jari Love Ripped dvd or just look for workouts on youtube. I believe 30DS is still available on youtube. You could also search for Befit, Blogilates, or Walk Away The Pounds on youtube. A lot of women like The Firm workouts. Turbo Jam, Brazil Butt Lift, and Zumba are some other choices. You don't have to join a gym. My main suggestion is that you get some weight lifting in whether you do it at home or in a gym.

And I understand feeling self conscious at the gym. My family joined the Y a couple of weeks ago and I'm still avoiding the weight room. If at some point you feel ready to join a gym you could ease into it by going when it's least crowded. Just ask the employees and they'll tell you when they quieter hours are. You could also start out with swimming at the gym if you want to avoid the cardio and weight areas at first. I've been swimming with my family in the evenings and am amazed at how much work it is. No wonder I was always starving when I got out of the pool as a kid.

HeidiCooksSupper

You can do lots of great stuff at home -- and cheaper, too. YouTube and other sites are full of free videos. Weights are very cheap at Walmart and Target. I've spent a lot of money on unused gym memberships over the years and I just don't like them. So, exercising at home is for me. It may be for you, too, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Oh, and if even the few dollar weights are too much right now, cans of beans, etc., in socks are an old standard. Here's a cool site on making a homemade weight set: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Homemade-Weight-Set

JenNuma

People are thinking about what THEY are doing, not you. I was worried about this same thing at first. To gain confidence, spring for a few sessions with a personal trainer, and or find a work out partner. When I'm at the gym I'm worried about form, breathing and what gives me a good work out. Step out of your comfort zone and go for it!!! YOU can do it. The results are worth it!

charissh

Honestly, no one will be watching you, everyone is much more interested in trying to reach their own goals

There are all kinds of shapes and sizes and abilities at the gym I go to, from semi-pro athletes to morbidly obese. There are even some people with disabilities who enjoy working out there.

I think if you can steal yourself to go the first time you'll realise it's not so bad and you'll be less and less self conscious with every visit.

I started out using a wii fit to lose some weight before starting the gym or jogging outdoors, especially a game called 'my fitness coach', so that might be a good idea if you can afford it

Inshape13

Not sure of your fitness level so I will recommend based on things I did at each level.

Beginner- The biggest loser has a good circuit that shows modifications to adapt from beginning to above. Also, Gaiam has an abs dvd that includes yoga, pilates and boxing. YouTube has Denise Austin workouts as well-old school, but good.

Intermediate- Jillian Michaels has Fast fix kickboxing which is 3 in 1 for upper, lower and abs. Bob Harper also has Inside Out Method that has 4 dvds in the set to target different things like cardio, butt/thighs, etc.

Intermediate to Advanced- Insanity, Rushfit, Tapout, things of that nature....pricier, but worth it.

That being said.....I had the exact same fear of the gym. I lost 60lbs before I was willing to even walk through the doors. What I have found over the last year is that people really don't care what you are doing there or how you look. They are there to better themselves and get in a good workout for the most part. I have only come across one person that was nasty about people and she quit since. Anyhow, you will have to get out of your own head and just take the plunge if it really is a goal to get into a gym...it is not for everyone so don't feel bad if you don't join, just find other ways to work out. Best wishes!

Hellbent_Heidi

As the subject box reads - I am waaaaay too nervous to even consider entering a gym, as I have an absolutely ridiculous paranoia that I'm being watched!!! I'm hoping that the more I lose weight the more manageable this stupid fear will become!

In the meantime, I am enlisting a fitness DVD (not the best I know, but at least it's something!) to help with keeping active. Can anyone recommend a half decent one?!?!!


Thanks

Good luck with the DVD's...but seriously...nobody is watching you at the gym! Try going in the mornings..its the best time (people are there to do their own thing and get to work).

CMB1979

I used the original Firm video with Susan Harris in college. It's kinda' old but it's a killer workout! It took me a couple weeks of doing it before I even could incorporate the weights.

murphy612

I was concerned about going to the gym too. As it turns out a lot of people are. I wrote about my experience here
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/murphy612/view/does-this-treadmill-make-me-look-fat-263800

KANGOOJUMPS

then don't go, I don't
do your own thing

Jim_1960

Believe me when I say I had the same feeling very recently.
However, I then thought, hold on, I am as entitled as anyone to go to the gym as I pay the same subscription.

Best thing I did. Got a programme set-up, reviewed in 6 weeks and even though nervous on day-1, that soon disappears up it's own *kitten* as you focus on what you have to do.

Go for it....

deksgrl

So, don't go to the gym. A lot of people don't.

There are tons of workouts you can do at home. Google and Youtube are your friend.

eep223

I'm a big fan of walking! And you can try the Couch to 5k program too, and get running! I love the Winsor pilates dvds too, but you'll need more cardio with that.

I don't go to the gym either. Partially for financial reasons, and partially because I don't want to deal with crowds/ think life is too short to be closed up indoors. I love getting out and seeing the neighborhood. That said, no one is looking at you, really. Everyone is busy doing their own thing. Good luck!

missiebk

I used to think everyone was watching me at the gym and it took several months to even a year before I realized nobody was looking at me!!!!!!! Only two kinds of people get looked at: those with super hot bodies working out really hard and those doing something completely moronic or unsafe. Everyday people doing some free weights and using the elliptical are not looked at twice. Believe me. I have a good 40 lbs to lose and I work out farily hard and have received a few compliments from people (usually newbies) for working out hard and that makes me feel good. And it reminds me that I'm going pretty much unnoticed and occassionally noticed for a good thing.

Invest in a few personal training sessions if it's in your budget (at least two if not more) so you get a foundation for proper moves and workouts. See what other people are doing and even ask a few questions. People are willing to share their success stories and ideas.

If you cannot get over your fear, walk outside! I love walking and get a good calorie burn. I even walk in the winter and bought a pair of Yak Trax to fit over my shoes in snow and ice to prevent slipping.

laddibugg

I go to Planet Fitness, and they are very big on 'No judgement'. Perhaps there is one near you, or gym with a similar slogan? Or go with a friend if you can.

missiebk

Oh, you could also try one of those ladies fitness places like Curves. I think it's supposed to be really fun and not at all intimidating from what I've heard. (Never tried it.)

waltcote

I've done the gym and there are plenty of people there in the same shape as any of us. I was doing the community rec center's gym. It's kind of a good social place too because you see alot of the same folks all the time. right now I'm mainly not using the gym just because like to be outdoors so doing alot of walking and also i play golf so I burn alot of calories lugging my clubs for 9 or 18 holes. And my game is actually improving! slightly it couldn't get much worse.