First Day at The Gym

Dress comfy, wear good shoes, and bring water. Audiobooks are your friend on the treadmill. It's easy to just start with a treadmill in any new gym, because you can hop on, push the + button until you find a comfortable pace, and then just hang out there, scope things out, and get the lay of the land while looking like you at least kind of belong there

Get a tour and ask questions to the people at the front desk.

Get a tour and ask questions to the people at the front desk.

definitely do this. and watch youtube vids on how to use the equipment and what the proper form is.

The gym is just a smaller version of life. Like work or school or whatever. Sure some people will judge you, but the vast majority honestly aren't focused on you at all they are just living their lives and doing their thing. I learned a long time ago to simply not care what others think about my appearance at the gym. I am so focused on what I am doing (making my body and mind better and stronger and healthier) that I am too busy to care. Once you go a few times it will be awesome. Good luck!

Be careful not to push yourself too hard. It's very easy to overdo it, which makes you feel bad physically, which makes you feel bad about yourself, which makes you feel like it's pointless to even try.

Make sure you pay close attention during the initial walk-through, and invest in a trainer if you can. Even if you can only do one or two sessions, he/she will help you establish a baseline and give you instruction on stretching, how to use the machines, etc.

Also, get your measurements written down right at the start! It happens often that people might not see immediate changes on the scale, but have dramatic shifts in the number of inches lost.

Establish a rapport with the gym staff. The majority of them are very friendly, and won't hesitate to offer you assistance whenever you need it.

Water, water, water, comfortable clothes (Walmart has awesome capris I use almost exclusively at the gym, and they're only $5/pair), a towel, a magazine, and your ipod, and you should be good to go!

Oh, and please don't worry about what you look like while you're doing your workout. There are always going to be "those girls" with the matching lululemon outfits (not that I have anything against lulu - I love their stuff!) who look like they've never broken a sweat in their lives. Personally, I always look like I walked out of a sweat lodge and got straight on the tilt-a-whirl. :laugh:

Well done to you for taking that first step. As others have said, use the gym staff. Tell them how nervous you are, and that its all new to you. You won't be the first to have done that, and they can help best when they know what you need - some people want lots of support and interaction, some just go in and get done, don't want to talk to anyone. They should offer an induction and/ or free PT session - use it! Make sure you get a suggested programme that you are comfortable with, and get a suggested review date so you can build up as you get fitter.
I have had really confidence issues in gyms before, and have had another blip recently. Believe me, they've seen it all before - tears, vomit, nearly passing out, falling off treadmills, hitting yourself with dumbbells, arguing with PT's - I know because I've done all of these! Mostly no-one else noticed because they were busy with their own stuff when I've fallen/ hot myself etc. Staff have been really supportive when I've told them I'm struggling with confidence, and when I've had injuries.
Don't compare yourself to anyone else in the gym - just do the best you can. There will be some of the beautiful people - there to pose - ignore them! I now plug in, and take my specs off so I can't see them!
Let us know how you get on. Good luck.