The Treadmill

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Ignore what every one else thinks. To be honest, no one really cares what you are doing. And if they are paying more attention to you than their own work out then politely finish, walk past them with a smirk of confidence and pride as the sweat drips from your brow.

When I joined the gym a couple of months ago I went on the treadmill and never went back on. I find it so embarrassing being on there. I have never run properly before and do not know how to do it properly, especially on the treadmill.

Does anyone have any tips to overcome this....

I totally understand how you feel. I was on vacation this past week and the hotel had a fitness center. I went in the last hour it was open (hoping that no one else was going to be down there). There were 3 other people in there, 2 of which who were using the treadmills. No one said anything to me about doing brisk walking, even though there were running (darn rail thin pre-teens/teens, make me jealous with their ability to run).

But, as other people have said, just walk until you build up to a jogging pace. Most people are going to be really understanding and won't mock you for walking.

I try to think that I may look stupid now, but once I hit my goal I will forget how dumb I looked while I worked out lol. Seriously no one is going to remember what you looked like working out. I don't even pay attention to other people at the gym.

When I first tried to run on the treadmill, I felt like a drunken elephant who might go careening off the belt over the welcome desk at any moment. I held on to the handrails for dear life while I cranked that baby up to, oh... 4.5 or so. I cringed at every footfall because I felt like mine were louder than anyone that ever ran on a treadmill before. My legs and feet felt disconnected from my body and I had to focus on every single step.

I kept at it, a little at a time. I didn't careen off the belt, and no one ever overtly pointed and laughed at me. My cell phone (I use it for music) did go flying several times, until I figured out that I needed an armband instead of putting it in cup holder, where I'd catch the headphone cord with my wildly waving arms and send it flying in pieces two rows over.

I started C25K, and it kicked my *kitten* so hard every time that I forgot to be self-conscious because I was just praying to suck in enough oxygen to keep from suffering a cardiac event.

I kept at it, and now, believe it or not, I do an "easy mile" on the treadmill as my regular warm up. An "easy mile!"

If I can do it, you can do it. Be brave, you too can run on the treadmill!

just get your headphones on and run like no ones watching! i often find myself mouting away to songs or giggling when i remember something stupid from a memory that a song brings. i understand though, the gym i go to is full of half naked girls and theres nothing worse than feeling self concious when you are a sweating mess! (or maybe thats just me?)

just think, the results that you will get are worth it!!