I hate the gym!

MisterDerpington

Everyone is intimidated when they're first starting at the gym. You need to stick with it. 3-4 years ago, I was afraid of walking next to someone on a treadmill. I had a hard time getting up from the benches after lying down on them (I still do, but now I know how to use the bar to help myself up). I'm unfit again, but I'm not afraid of the gym because it's been a part of my life for a while. The only way to get over intimidation is to build a bridge and get over it.

tigersword

I caution people to avoid the "temporary trap."

What this means is that to achieve long term success, you need to take a long term view.

I know a lot of people who are in fantastic shape. I know a lot of people who used to be fat and are now in fantastic shape. I know a lot of people who used to be fat and have maintained fantastic shape for years. I also know a lot of people who are not in fantastic shape, despite attempts to get into fantastic shape. Some of those people have achieved fantastic shape but regressed.

Let me tell you something every single one people who have maintained good shape for years all have in common that the people who have failed do not share: none of them started with a temporary plan. None of them. Not one. None of them did P90x, none of them signed up for a gym and went there to run on a treadmill for an hour three times a week. None of them stocked up on Jillian Michaels DVDs. Literally none of them.

That's because those things suck. They're boring. No one plans on doing workout DVDs in their living room for the rest of their lives. No one plans on running on a treadmill four hours a week for the rest of their lives.

No, the successful people all do active things that they genuinely enjoy. Some run because they love running. I hate running. I enjoy tennis and racquetball and lifting weights. Some play frisbee with their dogs. Some just walk on their lunch breaks because they like getting out of the office. Some joined a local recreational Ultimate league. Some have taken up martial arts.

It doesn't matter what you do, to a certain extent. Resistance training/weightlifting is something everyone should do, but that's kind of a different story. The point I'm trying to get across is that if you look at this as "I will do activity X that I don't enjoy for a certain period of time until I lose weight and then life will be rainbows and unicorns forever" then you will probably fail. That's the short-term view. Once you're done making yourself miserable with activity X you will go back to your old ways and go back to looking like your old self.

Take the long-term view. Find things you enjoy. Find things you enjoy.

ChristineGoBrigands

Any nice parks around your home? Start walking. A couple of weeks later, walk faster and faster and faster... If you have some extra pounds, start eating a bit healthier and add some cardio to your lifestyle. After a while, you'll feel a lot better and you can start some weight training as well. Your stamina will be way higher and you'll be able to do some more fun cardio like jumping jacks.
Youtube everything! You'll make the ideal workout for yourself

kdeaux1959

1. Any movement is better than none at all. If you don't like the gym, there are plenty of options. Walking, running, etc. Honestly, if you are intimidated at the gym, most of the videos will be too intense for your current level of fitness, especially insanity, etc.

2. Don't worry about what others "think" at the gym. Honestly, unless, you are sitting on a recumbent bicycle, reading a book and pedaling 2 rotations per minute, we probably don't think much about what you are doing at all... and if we do, we are just glad that you are there and doing what you can... If you are the book reader, we sort of know you won't be there long anyway....

3. We all started where you are at... or worse... I was 344 when I started losing weight... got down to 213 and am hovering about 230 right now during the holidays... When I first started, I could not get up to 3 mph.. but I kept trying. After a while, I could do more and some of the guys at the gym would mention how much I had accomplished... Yes, OK, they noticed but when I persevered, they also noticed that... In the end, I wound up making some great friends in the process...

4. There are different types of gyms and not all are the same. As one mentioned, the Planet Fitness seems to be a relatively relaxed atmosphere, conducive to non-athletes trying to get fit. At least I have heard that from several sources. I am a member of the YMCA and also another gym in town (that has a cheaper rate but much better hours)... I am no longer intimidated but that was a process.

5. This is about YOU... do what it takes to get healthy and fit. You owe it to yourself.

Best wishes on every success. We are pulling for you.

nuttyfamily

I run on the treadmills and I don't judge those who walk and tbh, I don't even pay attention much to those around me. I'm usually plugged in thinking about my own thing.

CharChary

Don't pay any attention to anyone else! I certainly don't care what anyone thinks. The gym is all about me and I go there to get my workout in and leave. I also go to Planet Fitness and had a wonderful experience. There are all different kinds of people that go. Different body shapes, different fitness levels, etc. Nothing to be ashamed of.

Kiayaxo

30 day shred and insanity got me good results and have me the fitness levels and confidence to hit the gym without fear. Give it a go abc try not let things stand in your way, good luck