Gym noob....feel so out of place

I suppose I was at the gym for about 6 weeks before I felt a little more comfortable. But hang in there and keep this in mind. The people in the gym right now may look to you like they know what they are doing.....but guaranteed they are worried that they are doing things wrong...have bad form etc. To them, you are just another gym bunny!! They have no idea that you are a beginner. So there is really no need to feel uncomfortable. Be a boss in there!!!

You have to start somewhere, don't think about what other people are doing. The only person you are competing with is yourself. If you later decide you want to do some lifting later on and get nervous (like I used to be when I first started) I would recommend just looking up some strength training routines or proper form when using free weights on youtube or something to give you extra confidence at the gym.

I feel your pain. I am about to recommit after not lifting for regularly for 3 years. It is going to be bad! but, just remember everyone has to start somewhere. the biggest person at the gym that has 6 45lb plates on each side while they bench press started out scrawny just like everyone else.

The ones that are all hardcore 3 inches from the mirror lifting while staring down everyone else are just d-bags anyways. dont worry about them.

I felt the same way you do when I first starting trying to do anything but running on the treadmill! I agree with several others that ones of the best things you could do is schedule some time with a trainer. I have been working with one for 8 months now and it is one of the best decisions of my life in terms of giving me confidence and knowledge about all of the machines in the gym. I now only meet with him once a week as he works on adaptive exercises with me (I am currently pregnant) but thanks to have worked with him before, I go in and use the machines and do the stretches he taught me on my own with no fear.

It is not just about the intimidation either--it is hard to teach yourself the proper way to use many of the machines to limit injury as well. You don't have to make a long term commitment to a trainer--just a few sessions and be clear about wanting to know about the correct form and method of many of the machines, what they are used for, and get a basic set circuit built up that will be your base.

Also, a lot of people you see looking at you are not necessarily judging you but looking in appreciation. I often find I am looking at someone in the gym thinking "boy, she looks really great and she can lift X"! I think it's great when I see a fat person in the gym or doing yoga with us, but I think it's disgusting when I see a fat person filling up their 6th plate at the Piggy Buffet". Just the fact you are in the gym and doing something for yourself speaks volumes to those around you.

I lost most of my weight before strength training so I felt more confident than I think I would've at the beginning. But I regret waiting. People at the gym are friendly (exercise makes you happy after all!!) so don't be afraid to ask your peers, a trainer, etc.

More importantly, have a routine. When you have a routine you can go there, do your thing and leave. You don't have time to think about who is watching you or what you want to do.

I felt more in place after about 2-3 weeks, you seem to see the same faces and you become a regular give it abit of time!

I go to the gym regularly, and I look at new people as wow great for them. I know the gym at times can make anyone feel uncomfortable. No matter what size you are its great to see people trying to be healthy. Keep it up .... even if its just walking, you are trying that is what matters. Set your goals a little higher each day.

P.S. Peeked at your profile and saw you havent added friends or filled out the info. If you can, take time to put down your info, your goals. It helped me 'commit'. It was like telling myself "I am here on mfp. I am here to succeed. I am who I am, the weight I am, and who I WILL be. This is ME. I get to be myself here (safely). I can say what I don't say to others." This gave me a strange feeling of empowerment to make the changes I needed to be who I wanted.

Make some friends. You see someone whose success inspires you, or with similar goals, or similar age, or somone who makes you laugh (very important to me)--and just reach out to them.. Send a brief message why they caught your attention with a friend request. I have only had one person say no and they nicely explained they were doing this with a group of personal friends and that was all they wanted to work with. it did not hurt my feelings at all. I have friends here that make me laugh every day, keep me focussed, and mainly keep me inspired/motivated enough to keep at this process.

Take charge -- OWN the gym and OWN yourself in this journey. Have FUN with it! It makes it so much easier when you are having a little fun and making new friends. I hope to visit a few when my hubby retires and we dust off the old travel trailer Good Luck and NEVER give up.

I joined about a month ago, and I felt exactly the same! In fact, I still feel a little awkward sometimes, but I've started to realize that what everyone else is saying is true - everyone is there for their own benefit.

The super fit girls and buff guys that used to be my excuse for avoiding the gym - because they were obviously judging me (in my head!) aren't doing so. In fact, they smile at me encouragingly are super polite and are generally just nice people.

This is especially true once you've been going for a little while and you see the same people. I haven't struck up any friendships yet, but there are definitely people who are around at the same time as me. I have a LONG way to go, and seeing the same people is encouraging. Because, you know what, they probably had to work to get where they are. And, they're obviously still working to stay there. It's pretty motivating.

So, I guess a month is how long it took for me. Of course, you might take less or more time - but just remember (like everyone else said) it is ALL about you - don't worry about anybody else!