How did you get your first foot in the door?

AlmstHvn

I've been "at it" now for about 6 months, but still very much recall how much anxiety I had to overcome to get my butt through the doorway of a gym. Does any of this sound familiar?
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/AlmstHvn/view/not-as-scary-as-i-thought-196024

AlmstHvn

Or maybe you're still working on getting into a public place to exercise? No judgment here, just curious!

deniseselah

I had a really good friend cheering me on (and holding me accountable). That, and headphones so I could block out the other people ('if I don't look at you, you can't see me'!) I also kept sating to myself 'yeah, I'm fat - so what? I'm here trying to change! and anyone who looks down on me while I'm TRYING TO GET better is just mean!' It also helped that there was some equipment in an out-of-the-way location so I could get used to it. Man, the first time I went 'on the floor' with all the bright lights and machines, I was intimidated. Headphones to the rescue! I was probably distracting myself from my own fear.

I went consistently for 5 months with 'the morning crowd' - and then stopped going for like 7 mos. Went back for the first time last week. Going back was SOOOO hard. I felt a LOT of shame going back because I hadn't been in a while. Finally had to take everyone's advice and just think of the present - the good choice I was making by going to the gym that day - and stop beating myself up about the past.

Like I said I went back once last Saturday - and it didn't kill me! And I saw 2 friends and they weren't like 'tsk tsk shame on you' - that was a relief!

My plan is to go after work and Sat morning (because to be honest I am still afraid of the 'tsk tsk' from the morning crowd :embarassed: )

In the end, it's just me and me. The judgmental types don't matter. And everyone is usually too wrapped up in themselves to pay attention to me.

AlmstHvn

I'm glad you're back in there, swinging away at it! Thanks for chiming in - I thought it was only me that felt that way!

It's sad how often I let fear of other's opinions keep me from trying some really good things. Odds are that no one else in the room is even paying the slightest attention - they may even be thinking "good for her!" Either way, what they think doesn't really impact my energy and abillity to get through the workout.... wonder why I even let it into my head?