New to MFP; anyone else have gym anxiety?

I have a gym anxiety. My solution: Don't go to the gym.

Everything you can do at a gym, you can do in your own home, or outside. Read up on body weight strength training and do something you enjoy and doesn't require equipment for your cardio!

Most importantly: Have fun. If it turns into a chore, you're going to end up quitting before you reach any goals.

I have bad social anxiety so the gym sometimes freaks me out. I avoid the free weight section and have opted instead to take a lifting class offered free with my membership. The cardio area doesn't bother me, I put on my headphones and ignore everyone. But even at first that was scary. I started by walking my dogs and setting distance vs time goals and then would beat it the next day.

I think there is always a little anxiety about going to do new things when you are new to them and they are out of your element. But one thing I remember when I go to the gym is I go for MYSELF. No one else. I also make a joke when I talk to my friends about the gym who dress up and put makeup on to go to the gym. I put my blinders on, I look at no one and I hope no one looks at me. I enjoy being there and doing what I came to do. I personally do not go to talk and meet people, I want to get in and out. My mom started going to the gym about a month ago and it took a lot of convincing for her to get a gym membership. She was feeling like it was out of her element and she was really self conscience about being over weight. No one should be there to judge you. If anything you know where you went wrong and you are fixing it. Just remember this is for you and think to the future. When you get to certain points in your journey you will realize how far you have came. I have came so far from where I used to be. I am confident and happy about the person I am. Plus I am the only one in control of my life. If I am still at the same weight next month, it is my own fault. I say go to the gym and put your blinders on. Get some good music and dance to your own beat. You will see the benefits in the future. And if you find classes that you enjoy, keep doing them. I know I loved when I found classes where an hour of working out went by so fast because I was having fun.

I don't have gym anxiety. I just don't like the gym. I, therefore, do the vast majority of my workouts at home or outside. I've discovered that I like cycling, inline skating and cold weather runs (so different from running in the summer months). I invested in the insanity workout, and only use my gym membership for group exercise sessions like spinning and Zumba, mostly during inclement weather.

No one will be judging you for your size while you are at the gym. We will judge you when you stuff your face with a massive burger, but not when you are going and working your butt off at the gym. We will be be awed and impressed at your resolve.

That being said, exercise where you are comfortable or you won't keep it up. Try Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred (DVD or on youtube), try zumba, pilates, kickboxing, or whatever gets you going while in the privacy of your own home. Pick up a couple of kettlebells, dumbells, and resistance bands. Look up workouts on google or youtube. You can get yourself set up pretty easily and save money on the gym membership too!

I don't like all of the home workouts because I am embarrased to do them in front of my husband. I would do them with him, but not while he sits and watches lol.

I weighed 400+ pounds when I started. Was treated great. People don't "all" look at you like your just a fat person. I have found them to be amazingly encouraging and supportive. They see you are working at change, and I think most of them give you credit for that. There are the chosen few who are just *kitten*. Fortunately I don't care!

Don't let anyone or anything stop you from going to the gym. It is such an important part of the weight loss equation.

I had majorly gym anxiety until I found one where I am truly comfortable. A friend invited me to come try a Zumba class and I was SO nervous! When I got there I saw how diverse the group of people was and felt a bit more comfortable. I still have a bit of anxiety about working out solo, but try joining a class. There's going to be people who are in a better and worse place than you, but I think you will find that everyone supports you in your journey. Everyone at a gym had to start somewhere! I love my gym and I NEVER thought I would hear myself say that!

I once sat in the gym parking lot for 2 hours before giving up and going home. Even worse, I have turned around in the parking lot and gone to a drive through before. It takes time but it goes away as you gain confidence. Just keep trying.

For a year I went to the gym at 4:30 am just because it was empty.

Now, I practically own the place. Just don't give up.

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.

I get where you're coming from with the gym anxiety. Before I lost weight, any time my sister suggested I go to the gym with her, I would always come up with an excuse. And the reality of it is, some people are just more insecure than others, no matter what the scale says (I am one of those people).

But, as much as I see where you're coming from, I can honestly say I have never seen a larger person running outside, working out at a gym, etc and thought anything even slightly negative about them. The first thing that pops in my head is "Good for them!". If anything, I give "larger people" who work out in public more credit than the average person. That person may have put aside some very strong "fears" of what other people may think just to even step foot out the door...and that shows some serious strength. And most importantly, it shows true commitment to obtaining a healthier lifestyle...and that should be applauded, no matter what their size is.

Yes! I have anxiety sometimes when going to the gym, especially if it's a new class. Before I started lifting weights I would freak myself out. But in the end, no one cares, and if they do, then they aren't working out hard enough.

My advice is just go and get it over with. The more you go to the gym you'll get into a routine and focus on what you're doing, not what everyone else might be thinking. In the end those are your thoughts anyway! If you focus on what you want three months from now, realize that the only way to get it is to work out, and just go go go, and notice that people aren't paying attention to you.

Good luck, and get going!

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.

I workout at home.

However, back in January I joined a running group. The first night that I was scheduled to attend the class I drove all the way there, looked inside and panicked. Everyone was all decked out in what I thought at the time was appropriate running gear... meanwhile I was wearing a sweatshirt and sweat pants! LOL I felt like a loser and thought for sure that everyone would be judging me...so, being the big baby that I am, I turned the car around, started crying and drove all the way home. I was so mad at myself!

Of course, the week after I made sure that I bought myself a nice new pair of workout pants and a new workout jacket. It still wasn't the expensive running room attire that I thought everyone else was wearing, but I felt so much better putting it on. It gave me confidence. So, I literally forced myself to go and I am so glad that I did as I made some new friends and I am now running three times per week (a 5km distance). And hey, that night I was surprised because someone else in the class was wearing a pair of sweatpants too!

Sometimes our own personal insecurities make moutains out of mole hills. What I suggest you do is do what you need to do to make yourself feel a bit more confident, and then walk into that gym like you own it! No one is judging you...they are all there to do the same thing as you...get fit and be healthy!

When I first started working out I was self conscious and nervous because I didn't want to look stupid because I didn't know what the hell I was doing lol. I could see our gym from my living room window and I would wait until everyone left before going over there. After I got more comfortable with my workout routine and started seeing a little progress I was able to workout with people around, it just stopped bothering me. It took me the longest to have my boyfriend see me workout because he is skinny. But we worked out together once and I was able to go longer than him! It made me more confident and now we do most of our workouts together. So I think it just takes some getting used to, might be uncomfortable at first but you'll get over it! Plus the more you do it and the more results you get, the better you will feel and it'll be easier.

I used to hate the idea of going to the gym and I still prefer to work out at home. It helps to remember that everyone at the gym is there to better themselves, whether they weigh 450lb or 100lb. Everyone is focused on their workout. I rarely pay attention to anyone at the gym unless they're being obnoxious (yelling on the phone, grunting WAY TOO LOUD while lifting weights) and I never cast judgement on anyone's workout. If someone focusing so heavily on me and worrying about how I look or what I'm doing, they must not be too worried about what they're working on, and I'll probably pass them up one day because of that.