First time gym disaster

dopeysmelly

I can't keep up in those classes, either! I took a kickboxing class years ago, one time, and could never seem to figure out which way was which. It sucked! I'm just that uncoordinated. Maybe you can try going to the gym and just starting with something easy, like treadmills or elliptical, to get a little more comfortable in that environment. Then maybe start the class again.

^^This.

I hate classes because (a) that whole repetition thing really bores me, and (b) I don't like being told what to do, and certainly not by someone shouting "go faster! go left! now, go right!" or whatever. I find it too aggressive in something that I want to give me pleasure.

For me, it's more important that I enjoy every minute of my exercise, and for me, walking is great exercise and keeps me in touch with nature (grass, trees, birds etc) even in a city, although I also like yoga as a way of improving my focus, stretching and working on areas of my body that are tight like shoulders, legs etc.

SleepKoala

That vision disappearing thing has happened to me first time I went to this gym after a year of not exercising.
I also have anxiety and stayed indoors for 2-3years.
I know whether you are underweight or over weight.. staying indoors takes a big toll on your health.

CONGRATS on going out and getting some kind of exercise in though!!! REALLY proud of you. I am just starting to try and leave my place and workout a bit this month. So i'm like.. really fresh and new and scared ! lol. I can relate. Please keep going.. try your best. If you don't want to do the classes then do the dvds at home.. but GET OUT. Take a walk once in a while.. I have to really work on this for myself lol. Take care !! Hugsss

jlynnm70

I can sympathize - I hate classes - I am the most uncoordinated thing ever! I too am one who goes left instead of right, down instead of up -but I when I did the classes I just tried to keep moving.

Also - I have LBP too. A few things I've learned to help......1) Stay extremely hydrated - not just at the gym, but all day before you go. 2) Eat something before you go - a favorite of mine - Peanut butter - the extra carbs help my blood sugar from dropping during a work out (another issue I have) and keep me from blacking out.

If you have been cleared by the doctor - then just keep going - you'll eventually catch on to the moves - I did after a while and at least was going the same way! and you will build up endurance and last longer. If you have to stay in the back and take breaks - so be it. You aren't alone - many of us have had the issue - and even the instructor has had it happen in her class as she gave you really good advice.

Give it time - and you'll be less anxious the more you go - and you'll get better at it too. :flowerforyou:

JoRocka

anyone who thinks they are going to be remotely good at doing a fitness class that requires high energy turning and movement and dance moves or boxing moves after only 3-4 sessions is seriously kidding themselves.

So there are two options- do it A LOT- so you get uber familiar with it- which is easily a month or more and going more than once a week

OR dance like you seriously don't care... all out 100%

I go to our dance studio's zumba class not quiet once a week and I sometimes for only 20 minutes- (I work so sometimes I can't stay) and she adds new dances and new moves- and the stuff repeats- but I have no idea sometimes what we are doing- but I'm good at getting low and step touch or cross touch or whatever.... and I effing GO FOR IT.

Even if we change and I catch it 4 beats later?

so what- I was having a good time- laugh catch up and move on.

it's totally okay.

MMarvelous

You did VERY WELL! You were out of your comfort zone trying something new in front of strangers. That takes COURAGE. You did GREAT and didn't give up. That is TENACITY! I believe in you and have been in the same place. Don't give up. Become the member who learns, grows stronger and who encourages other newcomers NOT TO GIVE Up!

amber_michelle30

Huge props for going!! You had probably already built up tons of anxiety before even stepping in the door. I still get anxiety going to the gym and I've been going for quite some time. It takes a lot to work through that fear and just do it.
When I started zumba I would have mild panic attacks from the combination of claustrophobia and not being able to catch my breath, but the more I went the easier it got. If it's something that intrigued you in the first place you should keep going. You got through 20 minutes of it and that's HUGE!!!

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yukimenoko

Again, thank you so so so much everyone for your support! I'll keep in mind every tip you're all giving me, I'll take it slower and I'll try and be more relaxed next times, not to mention I'll adjust my diet better. Really there are no words to describe how much helpful you are.
I wish everyone all the best in your goals whatever they are!

WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr

Hey, you got out there and spent 20 minutes giving it your best shot! That is not a disaster that is a TOTAL SUCCESS!!!

Doc says you're okay except for LBP, like others have said, make sure you eat and stay hydrated before classes, that will be helpful to you. Maybe talk to the instructor before class and let her know a) you're new, out of the box to all this b) last time you had a few moments that you were near blackout and c) are there any tips she can give you about how to handle the class to get through it (remember, it might take more than 3-4 classes so don't be discouraged if that goes by and you're still having trouble). I did this when I started Les Mills Combat because of an ankle injury (I can't do jumps and some other moves) and being asthmatic and socially awkward starting out at the gym was terrifying! Said instructor is now one of my best friends (and will call me if I don't show up, she's as invested in my health as I am).

Check out some of the other classes they have at your gym, you never know, that Tae Kwan Chi Fanny blaster class might actually lead you down an interesting path (almost 11 years ago I took a class called Bellydance Booty Camp.... three months after I started the class, I left the gym on the advise of the instructor, went to a bellydance studio and am now the lead dancer in the studio's dance troupe and a professional belly dancer.... me, who's embarrassed to be seen in public acting like anything but the serious professional.... I still have people who know me who can't believe that I bellydance, never mind that I'm a performer!)

As Super Trainer (this is my friend that I met through the gym) says: Find your Roar and let everybody hear it!

Platform_Heels

First of all, yay you for going to a class!

Second of all this was your first time doing a class. There is NO need to be embarrassed over not being able to finish it or having to leave a couple of times because you weren't feeling well.

The first time I ever did a step class I was CLUELESS. So much to the point that the instructor came over to me and practically shared my step with me. And even after doing step for a few years there were STILL times where I was facing the complete opposite of every one else or going the wrong way.

Don't give up!!

samthepanda

Well done for going, and giving it a go!

I've been going to my gym for 2 years now, and believe me about the only embarrassing/ stupid thing I haven't done there is actually throw up (managed to wait til I got home!)! I've passed out, been unwell, had anxiety attacks, several tears, fallen off equipment, given myself countless bruises and bangs, and am the most uncoordinated person in any class! So I can honestly tell you there is nothing that your gym staff will not have seen before. There are some days, even now, when I do classes when I feel I can conquer the world and other days when I feel I can hardly get up the stairs! I know for me there are physical and emotional barriers. I've had problems with anxiety and still days when I really struggle to go, and I don't want to speak to anyone, but over time I've got to know a lot of the instructors and staff. Sometimes my challenge for the day is just to say hello to someone, sometimes its to get through their class. I do a lot of freestyle classes because I like the variety and I think I push myself more in these than aerobic style where I can and will hide at the back, but the key is finding a style that you like, keep pushing yourself to your own limits but not comparing yourself to others in the class. Never give up.

grim_streaker

Being a disaster as you put it is pretty ordinary, don't sweat it. This is your first time in a gym, and you know what 20min for the first time is a good start... Keep it up my friend, just please don't give up... There's a first time for everything, and nobody does it perfect the first time.
Give me a call when you have reached your 10th time and I'm sure there is another tone.

yukimenoko

Hello everyone,
just letting you know that I managed to go back there today as the second time (some things came up during the past week and I couldn't go) and it went much better.
I went there feeling more relaxed, I kept the words of you all in mind and I did it! I feel a bit less ashamed and a bit more proud of myself, I managed to stay in the class for the whole hour, at my own pace.
Thank you so much everyone, I would've never been as much relaxed as I was if it weren't for your kind words.
This is just the beginning and I am determined to become healthier.

jennifer_a00

Please hang in there, you have so much to gain! Don't let your anxiety get the best of you!

Your instructor was right, it will get easier.

One time I took an aerobics class, and the same thing happened to me. The instructor was very encouraging and helped me, because I kept coming back. It was a little embarrassing, I stayed in the back of the class, and had to take ALOT of breaks, and even by the end of the 12 week class I still wasn't doing everything that everybody else did, but by the end I had got used to it, lost my sense of awkwardness, and really was having fun and felt ok working hard. The other people in the class were kind to me, they saw me working hard, and left it at that, though I may have looked silly!

Don't call it a disaster! 20 minutes is a great start!

jennifer_a00

Oh I just read that you already went back. Good for you, I'm glad it went better!

b218w

I read your post and two things jumped out at me:

1. You got out of the house and went to the gym!

2. You exercised for TWENTY minutes!

For a first step into a healthier lifestyle, these are both huge steps in the right direction! I also think the instructor sounds great and very understanding.

Good for you! Focus on the positives and keep at it!

this!

dracaene

I COMPLETELY understand. I tried Zumba, once upon a time and couldn't follow the instructor at all. Then a couple of years later I tried a step-class with my boyfriend. He loved step class and convinced me beforehand that I would have a great time. Well, I hated it. I couldn't keep up with the instructor, I could follow the steps, I kept running into the people beside me,... I left the class in tears after only 10 minutes. And I never went back. I decided that the horrible experience wasn't worth it for me. Instead, I gravitated towards yoga, which I CAN follow because it is at a much slower pace, or using the treadmill. And even more recently I have started strength training at the gym with a personal trainer. I am more dedicated than I ever had been before, but no way am I ever setting foot in any kind of cardio class ever again. And I don't need to!

Rachelc1992

You did 20 minutes more than you would have done if you stayed in your house!!

I don't have confidence issues like you, but co-ordination, knowing my lefts and rights and keeping the timing ? Pft, I'm the worst! My instructor (who is lovely and I am now great friends with) couldn't stop laughing at me! And still to this day, I will do everything wrong and she'll be like "so everyone's got it apart from rachel..." Haha. I have been going to class for years, and I currently go to 10 a week. They are great for having fun, socialising and exercising at the same time.

Stand at the back, nobody will be able to see you. Then when you get the hang of it you can move forward.

Take a water bottle and next time, just stay in the room at the side until you feel better, that way you can't give up and you are still there watching the moves.

Your not the first person it has happened to and it will get better ! I hope you continue going because you will end up loving it! xx

ChaplainHeavin

1.) GOOD JOB for doing something new and getting off your butt.
<as someone who has struggled with depression- I know how overwhelmingly difficult that can be>

2.) You already were feeling anxious about going + you went to a class where there were other people who were already used to what they were doing.. that's intimidating. I've been a gym rat my whole life- and even I have a hard time getting up the gumption to walk into a fitness class- to me it's very overwhelming- so that's another HUGE accomplishment!!!. I much prefer the weight room!!!

3.) anxiety + overwhelmed + workouts = A THING.

But Jo-what does that even mean?

My anecdotal story for you- I'm a dancer -I'm not a good musician- I didn't grow up with music- and I do not have much of an ear for it. (yet)
As a dancer- sometimes you gotta learn things you don't always want to learn or that are really hard... well- we play finger cymbals in my class- they aren't a prop- they are a musical instrument- so not only do you need to learn to play- rhythms patterns and stuff- you have to do it in time- in tempo- AND you have to dance. oh yeah- AND be fabulous. LOL

There are days in class- when i am so tired- and stressed- and I CANNOT get what we are doing... I stand in the back- and all I can do is the foot pattern and at best catch the ONE of the pattern (ONE e and a TWO e and a... right)
Sometimes I just stand- tears are POURING down my face- I can't see- I can't breath- and I have a voice in my head that says you will NEVER be able to do this. and I do my best to either just do the foot pattern- or just play the cymbals... I have left the room to go do push ups and burpees...> i have stood there in class trying to not fling snot on people... and at best I learn the first 8 counts of something and no more because my brain just tries to shut down.

I'm a professional. I have been dancing for almost a decade.
I get PAID to perform and entertain- this is what I LOVE to do. And my brain says all that- and then goes- if you're so good why can't you do this??? My stupid brain has the power to cripple me and bring me to my knees.

And one day I realized I wanted to learn this so bad that it didn't matter what I did - I was going to stay in the room- and I was going to do SOMETHING.

I was going to play the one.
I was going to do the feet.
i was going to count.

something.
ANYTHING. That kept me there and focused. And not listening to that voice in my head.

Anything worth doing takes time. And it absolutely can cripple you to the point of none functioning. you're brain is a powerful thing. It's OKAY to be upset- and it's okay to not get it. It takes time. You have to just keep pressing onward and upward- at whatever pace that is for you.

But just remember it's YOUR brain. You can tell IT what to do. And no matter what you do- if you can stay present- and say NO brain- we are doing a thing today- even if it's just the feet- or just body weight- okay I need a break- but we are still going to be breathing- and we are going to stay present- this is a good thing.

I say that all to tell you- it happens- even to people who have been practicing and doing things a while- it can still happen- and it's okay- it's normal to be frustrated and over whelmed- sensory over loaded- it's OKAY- not somethign to be angry or berate yourself about.

Just do the best you can- pro tip about classes- you get better at them- and if it's a dance class- watch the feet first- figure out what the feet are doing then add the crazy stuff on top of it.

That's some pretty good advice. Thank you for sharing.

Kelly_Runs_NC

Honey I breathe the gym and if I tried what you did I'd look like a clumsy person!! More power to you for doing it!! I have no balance or coordination haha.

Just go in and do your thing sweetie....you're making an effort - that';'s all that matters.

sportyredhead01

Congrats for being brave and getting out there! That's an achievement in itself!

If it makes you feel better the first 3 spin classes I attended I nearly passed out from my blood sugar dropping.
I scared the instructor to death and it was VERY embarrassing. I know when I came back to try again my instructor was like "that's what you have to do, try, try again" but she was probably thinking, "great, this woman again..." lol

Fast forward, I took classes for 2.5 years and then when my instructor retired she asked me to teach. (I didn't because I already work 2 jobs.)

So keep at it!!! Also make sure you have water and if you think it's low blood sugar and not anxiety--- take a small bottle of juice.

conqueringsquidlette

Well, you're impressive as all get out to me. You went back! You're kind of a rock star!