Is it just an excuse?

You can do quite a bit at home with free weights, push ups (modify if need), an exercise ball, etc. However, if someone's job at the gym is to help people, then ask for the help. Ignore the attitude and just be polite and appreciative. It won't take you more than a session or two to figure it out and you'll be a on your own. Keep this mantra in your head...."So what if ___ " and fill in the blank. Don't let thoughts about what other people think stop you from reaching your fitness and health goals. Good luck.

I had the same fears at first. One day I decided to jump in the pit and start working and I've been doing it ever since.

Honestly, everyone has their headphones on, watching the TV or working with a partner. No one is really paying attention nor do they care about much going on outside of their workout.

Remember all of us have been there before.

I started my weight loss journey last year the end of March 2012. I walked 3 miles a day and did a workout video in the afternoon. I love 30ds! I managed to lose 58lbs in a year, start weight of 240 and current 182. I live in WI and the winters are cold so I had to join a local gym to aid in my exercise. I finally mustered up enough courage to workout in the main cardio area, and have been doing that since January. I workout 5-6 days a week and usually 1-2 times a day. I now want to start lifting.I am reading NROLFW, I am terrified of stepping foot in the weight area of the gym. I have never lifted before and I don't know where to start. I think they have someone to show me everything, but I don't want to look stupid even asking for help. I asked for help with learning about the weight machines and the guy seemed annoyed with helping. I don't do well with new things, so I am having a really hard time with this. I don't know if deep down I am afraid of succeeding at my goals, or if I get to my goal I still won't be happy with myself. So frustrating!! Am I the only person that has issues like this, everyone else seems so confident at the gym but me

You have made PHENOMENAL progress! Congratulations on how far you have come :)I think you shouldn't let any of that stuff stop you. Remember why you're doing this. If asking for help is what will help you reach your goals, then it's something you must do for yourself. The way I try to think about it when I'm afraid of not knowing as much about something as other people, or not doing as well at something as other people is: we all have to start somewhere. Even that obnoxious guy who seemed annoyed that you asked him for help wasn't born knowing how to use that machine. Someone had to help him at some point right? And the same thing with all those trainers. They had to learn what they know about fitness from someone else as well. Try to remember that the next time you feel afraid to ask for help

You have made amazing progress! If a gym assistant is reluctant to assist you, he needs to get another job. Read, study, and accept the assistance that the other members offer you. Just don't hurt yourself!

I started my weight loss journey last year the end of March 2012. I walked 3 miles a day and did a workout video in the afternoon. I love 30ds! I managed to lose 58lbs in a year, start weight of 240 and current 182. I live in WI and the winters are cold so I had to join a local gym to aid in my exercise. I finally mustered up enough courage to workout in the main cardio area, and have been doing that since January. I workout 5-6 days a week and usually 1-2 times a day. I now want to start lifting.I am reading NROLFW, I am terrified of stepping foot in the weight area of the gym. I have never lifted before and I don't know where to start. I think they have someone to show me everything, but I don't want to look stupid even asking for help. I asked for help with learning about the weight machines and the guy seemed annoyed with helping. I don't do well with new things, so I am having a really hard time with this. I don't know if deep down I am afraid of succeeding at my goals, or if I get to my goal I still won't be happy with myself. So frustrating!! Am I the only person that has issues like this, everyone else seems so confident at the gym but me

This could sound harsh, but trust me, I know the fear of looking stupid (and my buisnes not knowing the answer makes people question if you even belong), so don't take it that way:

You are afraid to ask for help because you don't want to look stupid, but right now you ARE stupid because you don't know. Ask and you will actually be LESS stupid because then you WILL know. So, you can A) stay fat and stupid, or get less fat and less stupid.

And congrats on your phenomenal progress, you rock my socks!

Just my two cents so please no one flame me for this:

(1) Don't bother with the trainers unless you are at a serious power lifting or body building gym, and instead, finish your book (good stuff) and study the lifting videos on bodybuilding.com or youtube.com so you learn proper form. If you need someone to help you then research and study the available trainers and hire one willing to teach you how to squat and deadlift. If they refuse, then walk away. If they want to teach you how to use machines, walk away. OR, go ask one of the bigger dudes after he finishes his squats (to make sure he squats) to help you. 9/10 he will help you.

(2) Ignore everyone else in the gym and focus on you. Everyone was new once. If it helps, listen to your music while lifting.

Good luck!

I started my weight loss journey last year the end of March 2012. I walked 3 miles a day and did a workout video in the afternoon. I love 30ds! I managed to lose 58lbs in a year, start weight of 240 and current 182. I live in WI and the winters are cold so I had to join a local gym to aid in my exercise. I finally mustered up enough courage to workout in the main cardio area, and have been doing that since January. I workout 5-6 days a week and usually 1-2 times a day. I now want to start lifting.I am reading NROLFW, I am terrified of stepping foot in the weight area of the gym. I have never lifted before and I don't know where to start. I think they have someone to show me everything, but I don't want to look stupid even asking for help. I asked for help with learning about the weight machines and the guy seemed annoyed with helping. I don't do well with new things, so I am having a really hard time with this. I don't know if deep down I am afraid of succeeding at my goals, or if I get to my goal I still won't be happy with myself. So frustrating!! Am I the only person that has issues like this, everyone else seems so confident at the gym but me

1. Fantastic results so far, good for you!
2. You look stupider NOT asking for help and not using your gym membership to it's full extent. The people who work there will be more than glad to help you. It's their job and most trainers enjoy, duh, training people, including how to use the weights.
3. Loads of people are lacking in confidence, they just don't show it. Probably people look at you and think the same, "Wow, she's lost a load of weight, she's so cool! I bet she knows what she's doing". Go in, big smile and ask the questions you need. You'll look confident enough of yourself that you are ok asking for help.

Some ideas:
- Find a personal trainer to teach you some exercises or show you around.
- Try to find out when the "quieter" times are and go when there's less people around
- Go with a friend who's into fitness or willing to show you a few things. Or even just a friend who's willing to work out with you.
- Research, research, research your exercises! There are lots of books, magazines and videos that will show you what to do.
- Practice at home - you can get some lower-weight dumbbells for cheap or use cans or water bottles. It might not be the ideal weight but you can practice your form until you gain the confidence to use dumbbells in the gym.
- Listen to music - sometimes I get into a "zone" listening to my iPod that I hardly notice who's around me or what they're doing
- Find a gym that's smaller, more friendly or "women only"

Surprisingly what helped me was Youtube. If I had a list of exercises I looked up a video for each one and watched. You have to be VERY careful because people don't need credentials to post a Youtube video (so you'll get a lot of hacks who don't have proper form/technique) BUT at least I got an idea of what the exercise should have looked or what I was supposed to be doing.

Or just dive in with both feet, face your fears and rock the weight section! I understand that terrifying feeling but I've come to prefer weight-lifting over cardio. It's worth the plunge. Good luck!

Take NROL4W along with you and book a trainer session (or short series of). Be specific that that's the program you want to do and that you want to be shown how to do the lifts correctly.

If it helps try to go to the gym when you know it will be quieter as that may be less intimidating for you.

After a few weeks it will become second nature to you. Lifting will boost your confidence and make you feel awesome.