Feeling Discouraged. Hate the gym. Help!

Then take the Hatha yoga class and skip step aerobics. Can you sit in on classes? It would give you a way to check out the other available options without being ashamed or discouraged. Maybe the gym isn't for you and you'd do better working with dvd's or being outdoors?

Hi,

I haven't posted much on these boards before but I can understand exactly what you feel. I went on a health kick a couple of years ago and bought a 1 year membership to a gym (at a cost of $995) and went about 3 times in that entire year. I recently signed up again and am loving it so far.

I think the best advice I could give is to do what you like doing. If you liked Yoga then keep at it and maybe just add in some walking/jogging to get that cardio in. Eventually when you see results you will most likely love it.

I have done about 3 step classes now and i still get really lost sometimes and i often stop for a breather. My friend tried it with me for the first time and she couldn't keep it up. You aren't alone, a lot of us struggle with these classes. The teacher says it takes several to get used to it. If you aren't fit then you will get out of breath.

Don't be ashamed, just continue. Doing ANYTHING is better then NOTHING. Whether that's yoga or swimming or walking. Just something to get you moving. A tip if you are bored try listening to music/reading while on a stationary bike or even watching tv shows if you gym has tv. Something so you don't look at the clock and think 'how much longer'.

I'm not sure why you need to like the gym. Many people find ways to exercise outside of the gym. Perhaps cancel your gym membership and join a yoga studio or maybe try Spinga. Then look for activities that you like doing that don't involve a gym.

Wait...Do you think that everyone who goes to the gym regularly enjoys doing it? There's your problem right there.

I personally hate the gym 90% of the time. But it's called "sucking it up" and "getting over myself". I force myself to go, because my discomfort at the gym no longer outweighs my dislike of my fat, saggy *kitten*.

The good news is, once you get used to it and get more comfortable being there, you'll start to to dislike it less and less.

ETA: Legitimately not trying to be rude. Just keeping it real. Oh well if that offends any delicate constitutions.

Totally agree with everyone on go with what you enjoy doing, but for me what I found was I don't hate the gym. What I actually hated was my old gym. I didn't feel that comfortable there, & as a result rarely went. Cue new gym & I really enjoy the atmosphere. As for classes try as many as you can till a couple click for you. If you think you'd like to continue with the step then keep plugging at it (I loathed spin the 1st few times. Now it's a class I never miss!"). If it's not for you then just do the ones you love :happy:

I encourage you to not be discouraged. Do you like to dance? Zumba is dance fitness and lots of fun. It can get really intense but you can do it how it works for you with no judgement.

I did my first Zumba class last Saturday and it was a blast. And I got a great work out.

Yeah it is part of gym membership so it doesn't cost me anything, but I really recommend it as a fun alternative.

I do some weights as well as some sitting/standing stuff as I have really bad knees and have issues, etc.

I wish you the best in your journey.

I encourage you to not be discouraged. Do you like to dance? Zumba is dance fitness and lots of fun. It can get really intense but you can do it how it works for you with no judgement.

I did my first Zumba class last Saturday and it was a blast. And I got a great work out.

Yeah it is part of gym membership so it doesn't cost me anything, but I really recommend it as a fun alternative.

I do some weights as well as some sitting/standing stuff as I have really bad knees and have issues, etc.

I wish you the best in your journey.

Agreed! Zumba is awesome! The instructors are always encouraging and there are ALL levels of fitness. My 69-year-old mother who had a heart attack in January 2012 even does it with me. She does what she can and pushes as far as she knows her body will let her. I burn anywhere from 375-500 calories in the class.

Wait...Do you think that everyone who goes to the gym regularly enjoys doing it? There's your problem right there.

I personally hate the gym 90% of the time. But it's called "sucking it up" and "getting over myself". I force myself to go, because my discomfort at the gym no longer outweighs my dislike of my fat, saggy *kitten*.

The good news is, once you get used to it and get more comfortable being there, you'll start to to dislike it less and less.

ETA: Legitimately not trying to be rude. Just keeping it real. Oh well if that offends any delicate constitutions.

^^^THIS. Now that I'm stronger and leaner, though, I kinda like watching my muscles ripple in the gym mirrors. (Also, I view the gym as my metime. During that time, I don't look at my phone, I don't talk to anyone else, and I just go to my own special happy place.)

I know exactly how you feel. I also hate the gym. I only go in the winter because I find running in the snow awful.

I think the best thing you can do is to find something that you really love doing. For me that was figure skating. Everybody thought I was crazy for starting skating lessons as an adult. That was back in January and now I feel better than ever. Probably helps that I was a serious dancer until I was 17 so I dont have the flexibility and balance troubles that many adult beginners have. You need to figure out what your workout style is. For years I tried to get into yoga and I tried just about every kind I could but I just didn't find it that exciting. I felt the same about spin classes - here I am all sweaty on this bike, pedaling like I have a gun to my head and I'm not moving anywhere. Hah.

My point is find something you enjoy and that you find challenging. Don't let yourself feel bad about hating the gym- there are many ways to keep yourself fit.