new year GYM newbies argg get ready

I find 5 AM is prime "No Noob" time.

Dawn Patrol is the BEST! But not because it's easy to avoid newbies, more cause the gym is less crowded and it's a great way to start the day with such intensive "me investment time"

As to newbies, yes we all were once.

Whenever I see newbies, I try to catch their eye to give them a smile of encouragement. Especially for the older, very overweight women like I used to be. (still older chronologically, but no longer obese). I think to myself "hey fat girl, I'm like you, you can do this... I would love for you to feel as healthy, strong and confident as I do now". But it's hard to catch their look - I remember being new and just wanting to be invisible, and making myself invisible by not letting them see me seeing me.

Bigger picture on newbies - it's good they are there. Everybody has to start somewhere, they shouldn't have to feel uncomfortable and want to be invisible. Maybe they are trying to hide in the iphone screen? One of the topics on the forum has often been the obesity epidemic in the US/Canada. Truely it is a serious problem, if each of us can be a welcoming and motivating factor in just one person's commitment to change themselves, then maybe they can pass it forward in a year or two as well?

I know I know. Smacks of pollyanna-ish idealism. But in reality, we can all have an impact on the lives of others, why not make it a positive one?

I just learned that I've been having a positive impact on the most unlikely of people at the gym.


A few months ago, one of the most diligent, hard training, buff women at the gym made an encouraging comment to me as she walked by while I was doing some lifting. Thus started a nice gym friendship. I've learned that she used to be skinny fat, currently competes nationally in fitness competitions (placing top three provincially). About a week ago, she told me she was interviewed for a fitness magazine on the topic of inspiration and motivation. She told the journalist my story and that I am one of the people that inspire her cause I've lost so much weight, slowly through good old fashioned hard work, sweat, smart workouts and smart eating. I was floored. She inspires me, yet draws inspiration from me. Quite an affirmative moment.

So rather than see the New Year's gym newbies as a pain in the *kitten*, I'm going to try and see them as people trying to do the right thing. I understand the impulse to be annoyed, but perhaps the annoyance is less at the people and more at the interruption to our familiar, comfortable routine and environment. Those people yacking on the phone or texting are trying to make a connection with something they are familiar with in an unfamiliar and sometimes intimidating environment. They may be trying to make themselves invisible too.

Okay, PollyAnna out! Merry Christmas everyone.

I've thought about this already and decided to wait to start swimming again till February, especially considering the pools already difficult to swim in with people already! However, I do hope for their health that they can keep it up, just want them to calm down fast on going every available time =/

I love new people at the gym. I hate people at the gym who aren't serious. Not breaking a sweat? Not doing anything useful with yourself? Not pushing yourself or trying to get better? WTF. S e r i o u s l y !!!!

!!!!!!!!

=D

I be one of those noobs...sorry that I offend you so much in my desire to get fit. Sorry that I didn't time it better...had no choice really, I got the bad news from the doc in late October and that's where I am...sorry I can't just wait until some other time that would be more convenient for your dumb *kitten*. I shouldn't be too much in your way though...I'll be there at 5:30AM.

you did not offend me im talking about the Kids that join the gym after new years and then waste time on the benches talking and texting when their wasting time thats all im saying no need to be angry

To a point, I can see the humor. It's been a very long time, but I used to spend a great deal of time at the gym and yes....I do recall the first couple of months after the New Year being quite crowded. That said, you have to realize who your audience is here. The majority of people on MFP are either trying to change their lives or have changed their lives through diet and exercise. A post like this comes off as a slap...for many of us, the journey to being a fitter and healthier person is a difficult one, and one that is often fraught with any number of things that can de-rail and/or side-track.

For many of us, the gym is already an intimidating place...I'll be walking into a room full of muscular and fit individuals with my big fat *kitten*. While they're pushing up tons, I'll probably be lucky to be pushing up the bar on the bench...and I'll probably look pretty goofy too...and I'm sure there are going to be some people laughing at me. Such is life I suppose...by next year at this time I will hopefully have earned a few stripes.

OMG you are SOOO right!! How DARE these people try to get in shape, get healthier, and make a better life for themselves?!!! UUGGGHH, it's just SSSSSIIICKKK how people have the NERVE to join a gym and take up space in YOUR universe just because it's a new calendar year!! They should just give up, sit at home, and wait for death....





:drinker:




:noway:

that's right. here we go !!!

Oh great! I was really planning on signing up for a gym membership this year too.... Just what I was worried about... a bunch of a-holes judging me while I'm there. I just joined MFP about a month ago, doing well with my food so need to add in weights and cardio. I wasn't really planning on the first of the year thing, but turns out that's when I'll have the money to do it and I can prob get somewhat of a discount... Thanks for the motivation and inspiring words OP.

I personally tend to go to the gym more in the winter because it's too cold or slippery to go out for my run. During the warmer months my gym only really sees me for my strength training days, or when it's night time and I can't go running outside. I've found the gyms get crowded because of this, as much as with the "resolutions" crowd. I just buck it up, deal with it, and keep on running. If the weight room is crowded...I keep running until it isn't. Poof. Problem solved.

Why are people so uptight on here? SIGH.

^This.

@Azrar - must suck in a gym with not much equiptment when the 'noobs' are farting about & socialising when you're trying to get stuff done. People are taking this the wrong way and getting all defensive. My gym's pretty big though so don't really have this problem but at certain times its packed out to the max with experienced and inexperienced lifters so I just pick times that its pretty dead and go then without any bother!

my peeve is the people who take up the running treadmills and do a half hour walk at practically .1 speed...cant wait for january to fly by

I get the frustration - I've watched people exercise before and was amazed that all they could do was march in place. And then I got on the treadmill for the FIRST TIME EVER a couple of days ago.

Pretty much all I could do was march in place. I would switch it up by zooming the speed up to 4.0 but could only hold that a few minutes before dropping it down to 3.0 or even 2.7. I made it exactly 30 minutes and felt like falling off afterwards. I don't think I'll be strong enough to actually RUN on the treadmill for some time.

We love you tizzy!!!

We love you tizzy!!!

Daawwww!!! Thank you - I love you, too Siege! You KNOW I wouldn't have made it as far as the treadmill without you!

At least you don't work in a Gym.

I mean - I LOVE my job but I am the only person in town over new years so am on by myself.. fml