Never been to a gym. HELP!

I don't have any magical cure for gymitis but I can relate to being a little intimidated at first. All I can say is push through it. Get in your own head and realize you are at the gym for you because YOU need it and to hell with anyone else and what they think or if they are looking at you. Soon you will find you don't care and frankly neither do they everybody is there doing their own thing and frankly hopefully/probably wishing you the best with your fitness. Try some of the free passes to find a place you feel comfortable using.

First of all, when at the gym, seriously, no one is judging you for being fat!!! If anything, you will get people that are willing to give advice if they see you are trying your best! I see the personal trainers at my gym working with all sorts of clients. They will have you work out based on your abilities. You won't get a Jillian or Bob type trainer. Make sure you tell them up front about your heart condition and your limitations due to it. They will work around it. (They may also want a doctor's release just a forewarning.) I am a member of my local Y. There are many classes available, the water aerobics class is a great low impact class to start out with. I used to fear the gym. Now I love it!!

This. Gyms are filled with real people just like you. Using a trainer will actually help you learn all of the equipment . If you find a gym where you don't feel welcome, find a different one. Regarding Bob/Jillian, realize that is TV. I doubt they are even like that in real life. Your fears really are bigger in your head than in reality. Really.

Good luck and I hope this is the wake up call that gets you on the path toward health.

If you don't want to go to a gym. DON'T GO. I can tell you I have never steped foot in a gym for many of the same reasons. Instead I did a lot of what I like. I started running, hiking, biking and kayaking. For stength I got kettle bells and handweights I got some Jillian Michaels DVDs and that's it. Start with wii workouts if you have a wii.

It is a bit intimidating at first. I recently started back at a gym after a 13 yr hiatus. At 62 yrs old/ 5'7" and having balooned to 250lbs, I HAD to go back. Concentrate on your own workout, and if you can afford it, hire a personal trainer. My trainer made all the difference in my comeback. Don't just hire anyone however, get recomendations and interview them to discover what their philosophy is after you tell them your goals and expectations. Be as honest with your trainer as you are with yourself. Don't lie to either. If a certain exercise set is out of reach for your current level, tell them. They will find an alternate. Conversely, if you feel that you need to push harder, tell them that too. Also, by all means take it slow. You didn't get where you are now overnight, and you are not going to get where you want to be overnight either. Combine diet and exercise with adequate sleep and good hydration. You will encounter muscleheads, VERY fit people and people dedicated to working out as a lifestyle. But you will encounter many more folks just like you who are out to make a difference in their lives. Anyone that judges another's activity or fitness or whatever at a good reputable facility isn't worth worrying about. It has always seemed to me that the "too pretty" people or far more self-conscious than us plain old folks. Dedicate the time, the energy ( and the money) but start now, and accept no lame excuses from yourself rationalizing why you should not make a workout session. You will enjoy the difference that YOU make with your life.

I just started going to the gym about a month ago, I was nervous, a little terrified, and no matter how much I read about "no one cares" it never really sank in. Terrified. And so I forced myself to go and sign up (lot of mental bullying), I went to a gym near my work/home, they gave a tour of the different areas, let me look in the locker room (phew it has changing areas - yay), etc. then I signed up. Then it took another 2 days to actually go. And you know what? Everyone is right. No one cares. Some people will look, but I think they're not actually looking at you, they're working on their own thing and concentrating.

If you decide to go, take a tour, ask any questions, observe the atmosphere. Ask if they have an orientation where people can show you different equipment, and if they offer it, take them up on a gimmie 1 time with a trainer (if you can't afford it or don't feel comfortable with the person, then that's fine, explain that, move on. They offered it, you took it) which can also give you some idea on different exercises to try.
Are you going to a gym (which is primarily weights) or a Fitness Center (weights, cardio, maybe swimming, etc). Do they offer classes? My gym offers cycling, Zumba, yoga, water aerobics, etc. and I do try and hit a class, knowing it may push me more than I push me. A lot of people recommend the rules of weight lifting for women if you want to get into weights (I'm a beginner, me and my 6pds. >.<) which I recommend in balance with cardio. I also do a lot of walking/slow jog on the treadmill as it's disgustingly hot and humid in Houston.
I'm over 300pds, and I may not be fast, I may not be strong, but I'm still in there at least 3 times a week right in prime time with the hard core gym rats. Bravo to their accomplishments, and bravo for me being in their working out like I need to.

And sure, if you don't want to go to a gym/can't afford it, then honestly don't. You don't NEED a gym to lose weight and get in shape. There are plenty of videos you can work out with (don't push yourself too hard!), and you can get a weights (not a set, but maybe 2 or 3 different pounds) for $5+ (check used sporting goods stores too). I lost about 80pds with doing the Biggest Loser Cardio and Strength videos (with 3 and 6pd weights), and walking 5/days a week for a half hour a day, and logging what I ate.