Overwhelmed at the Gym

So true! I love Jim! (And the gym...).

I don't care how jacked they are, no one in the gym is looking at you wondering why you're there. You're in the gym, we know why you're here. To get in shape, which is the same reason the jacked people are in the gym. Everybody in the gym is happy you're there and will answer any question you have or show you how to work a piece of equipment. Don't be intimidated about any part of the gym (except the men's hot tub. be afraid. VERY afraid)

Best thing to do is to have a plan. I recommend you buy and read New Rules of Lifting for Women. It will explain what you need to do, why you need to do it, and how much of it you should be doing. Having a plan will help you walk in there with confidence.

^^^ Hahahaha. Loved this!

Ok, free advice from a fat chick: Go with a friend! I always have my boyfriend show me how to use unfamiliar machines, or I ask him to "adjust this one for me." It makes him feel useful, and it shows people that fat girls are awesome enough to have friends. But, as everyone else said, no one else is paying attention to you (or me) anyways. And if they are, they're saying "good for (that person) for getting off their *kitten* and coming to the gym!!!" Or maybe they're on 'roids and thinking something perverted but worried about their shrunkin junk. Who really knows?

If you can't get past the internal mindgames..... find a smaller gym. We use the fitness center at the local parks and rec center. It's cheaper, no commitments, closer to the house, and there's no muscleheads. It's kinda funny actually. Early in the morning is when the seniors do their workouts. Before noon, there appears to be a group of housekeeping ladies on their lunchbreak. There's a dozen regular fat people. It's where people go to workout to get in shape for the regular gyms. Hahahaha. Everyone is really friendly and always willing to help.

And like someone else said, if there's a machine you want to try, look at the name of it, research it, and try it out next time. That way you aren't fumbling with it and feeling all self-conscious.

Above all, HAVE FUN!!!!! Enjoy your time because it's YOUR time.

Usually gyms will offer a 1-3 session package to show you the equipment (the motive is to get you to sign up for more sessions). You do not have to sign up of course but this is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of so someone can show you the machines if you want to do them. Plus they usually have stickers on the machines on how to do the movements anyway. If not, memorize or jot in your phone the name of the machine, google it, watch the videos, go back to the gym and do it.

This^

My gym offers free sessions 12 times a year (1 per month) to make sure you know what your doing, Getting the most out of your work outs, Checking your progress or change up your program, They also do technique checks so at any time you feel like your not doing your program right they will go threw it again with you.

That's what they are there so i i always try and take advantage of them as much as i can!

edit: i have the worst spelling :blushing: :blushing:

I feel the same way but in the classes, oh my god I can't keep up or do the things right .

I posted this earlier. Is this an option for you and save yuour money?

I never get to the gym or the swimming pool and when I say I will go for a walk I don't get round to doing that either, I have exercise games and DVDs but again I never put them on but I've found something I love doing. I hope it appeals to everyone who struggles making the time to exercise or who just wants to up their activity.

I put on my favourite music and I walk up and down my lounge and swing my arms or dance. It means after 5 songs I've done 20-30 minutes of exercise and my endorphins have shot up due to the combination of music and exercise. Guidelines advise us that we should be doing 150 minutes of exercise each week, I'm confident that by doing this I am hitting that target.

I don't need special clothes, it's free, I'm not self conscious because no-one can see, it's fun and I can also fit it in at some point during the day. I use my headphones if it's early so I don't wake everyone up.

I've been doing it a few weeks now and my legs (and especially knees) have really toned up.

I started off simply walking but I'm now holding cans of food as weights to try and tone up my arms at the same time.

For me this works because instead of sitting there thinking shall I exercise? If I just get up and start it I've done it before I know it. I can honestly say that I've never thought that I haven't enjoyed it, and you will probably find that after 5 songs you may want to carry on.

My family have been really supportive and ask me "Have you done your homefreestyling today?" I call it homefreestyling because I think there are so many variations on this, please try it.

Start it and see what you think. If you like it join the group Homefreestyling, I will post music and exercise information and we can share our ideas.

Lindsay