New to MFP; anyone else have gym anxiety?

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Replies

  • commandax
    commandax Posts: 38 Member
    I was scared to death to walk into the muay thai gym for the first time, and it took me years to get up the guts to actually do it. It was a very hardcore environment, a dirty old warehouse full of boxing gear and hard men. Three months later, all of those tough, intimidating guys are really sweet and supportive and I look forward to going in and kicking my own *kitten* every day.
  • Enigmatica
    Enigmatica Posts: 879 Member
    I flat out refuse to go to a gym. Ain't gonna happen. I lost over 90 pounds by walking and controlling what I ate. And am now maintaining just fine. We're all different and can succeed with different approaches.
  • jsj024519
    jsj024519 Posts: 400 Member
    I can tell you from personal experience, NO ONE JUDGES YOU AT THE GYM.

    The majority of people are very supportive and they think you are better off than the population that isn't trying.

    When i first started i never was made fun of, or anything.

    Just go, once you get the feel for it, you will never want to stop going.

    Best advice on this specific forum.
  • sdavis448
    sdavis448 Posts: 193 Member
    90 percent of the people going to the gym, are cheering you on, honestly.

    I'm currently 230 pounds. and had the same anxiety as you, and had it the first couple weeks. Then one day, a woman that was at least 300 pounds came in, got on the treadmill, and started walking. She was panting, heavily, and sweating in 5 minutes, all I could think was "Good for her".. and then it hit me, that's what everyone is thinking. People don't look down on you for working out, they look down on you for not working out.
  • vytamindi
    vytamindi Posts: 845 Member
    The best advice I can give is to go in with a plan. If you feel unsure of yourself, you're more likely to start thinking other people are looking at you. And they probably aren't; most people go to the gym to do their own workouts, not to watch other people working out. (That One Guy goes to the gym to load plates on the bar and then sit on the bench chatting and drinking coffee. THAT'S the guy we all judge; don't be that guy.)

    If you can, set up a couple visits with a personal trainer and explain that you want a plan, get them to show you all the exercises and check your form. If you can't, at least make a list of the exercises you want to do; practice them at home a couple of times (seriously, put a soup can in your hand and pretend it's a dumbbell - you'll get the feeling of the movement without the weight), take a deep breath and go for it. Everyone was a beginner at some point, and you will be surprised how quickly you shed that beginner feeling.

    And if someone does say something rude to you (which they won't) that somone is a jerk, and you can safely disregard their opinion.

    AWESOME advice!
  • melsmith612
    melsmith612 Posts: 727 Member
    I learned an expensive lesson about gym-phobia... if you have it, you are more likely to get taken advantage of by the gym's sales staff. This happened to me. I was gym-phobic but joined one anyway because it was convenient and then got roped into buying 12 personal training sessions because I felt like having someone there to guide me through things (and keep me company) would be helpful. $1200 later I didn't lose much weight/inches, my trainer was a club kid that had very little knowledge of fitness/nutrition aside from understanding how to use the machines, and once the training sessions were over (and I couldn't afford more) I lost all motivation to go to the gym because I didn't want to go it alone. Moral of the story? Calculate how much money you would spend on a gym membership then put that towards buying fitness machines for your home and make sure you have someplace to put them where you'll actually use them!
  • cici1028
    cici1028 Posts: 799 Member
    Yeah, I had gym anxiety. It's true, though, no one will make fun of you for being there. However, if you aren't confident enough to go yet, no big deal. Do it at home.

    I lost my first 35 pounds using my Wii and the EA Active Personal Trainer game... got me into shape nice and quick! :) And it all happened in the privacy of my living room with only my dogs and husband to gawk at me. :) Luckily husband and dogs learned to stay upstairs while I was working out... I tend to swear a lot.
  • Seriousmom3
    Seriousmom3 Posts: 164
    the one time I tried to go to a gym (years ago) some cute girls leaving remarked that it was "too late " for me. i have yet to work up the courage to go back to a gym. i feel you have to look a certain way to get in or something. i know it's silly, but I'm still not going until I lose some weight .
  • evereadysmile
    evereadysmile Posts: 137
    the one time I tried to go to a gym (years ago) some cute girls leaving remarked that it was "too late " for me. i have yet to work up the courage to go back to a gym. i feel you have to look a certain way to get in or something. i know it's silly, but I'm still not going until I lose some weight .

    Ain't nothing "cute' about those girls. Vituperative snakes. I hope you get to the place where you know how much better you are than them and can confidently go show them up in work outs. I say this as someone who has been in your shoes.
  • zachatta
    zachatta Posts: 1,340 Member
    the one time I tried to go to a gym (years ago) some cute girls leaving remarked that it was "too late " for me. i have yet to work up the courage to go back to a gym. i feel you have to look a certain way to get in or something. i know it's silly, but I'm still not going until I lose some weight .

    Disrespectful people are everywhere.

    Don't listen to them. The only person that keeps you from the gym is you.

    While I understand it is hurtful, just realize that there will ALWAYS be someone to open their mouth and say something rude.

    Shrug it off, move on. Show them you are the stronger person by coming back and staying back.

    When you let them get to you and quit, you just let them win.

    EDIT: I am a little surprised though, i have never received a negative comment from the gym.
  • greatthatsgreat
    greatthatsgreat Posts: 36 Member
    Oh my, I wasn't prepared for how supportive everyone would be. Awesome. Thanks!

    I really appreciate everyone's perspective. Right now I'm walking wherever I can and monitoring what I eat. I think I will try some early classes offered by my gym and see if I can ease myself into a routine I like. If not, it's great to hear that so many people have been successful without hitting the gym 5-7 days/week. Thanks again, everyone.
  • krissielynn87
    krissielynn87 Posts: 214 Member
    I've been diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder, for the past 3 years.
    It's taken me a year into my gym membership to work up the courage to go by myself or with a friend.
    People don't care, I'm doing this for me, not for any one else.

    Stay strong :)
  • bertoliniracing
    bertoliniracing Posts: 20
    First let me say congrats on becoming sober! i totally understand how you feel as I am currently 245lbs. i have recently started back to the gym. I had to decide that my health was more important than what anyone was thinking. You are a extremely strong person o have become sober so use that strength to get you to the gym. Download your favorite songs & go into your own little space. I do think a gym buddy may help but I know you can do it yourself just find your inner strength.
  • greatthatsgreat
    greatthatsgreat Posts: 36 Member
    Thanks! Getting sober, along with writing my PhD, and losing weight -- these are all one-day-at-a-time activities. You can't rush a good thing. :) I'm so encouraged by what everyone has said already! Thanks, guys.

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