Just joined a gym..!

lolapedia88
lolapedia88 Posts: 178 Member
edited November 2023 in Getting Started
So I'm 25, super overweight and out of shape. A local gym was running a special- $99/year so I joined. I've gone two days so far and my legs are on fire!! I am so sore and just can't believe how much it hurts. Mostly doing cardio and may add weights later on. Also considering taking a Pilates or Yoga class. Any suggestions or motivation to help me go on? I have over 100 pounds to lose and should go back and workout today but just feel super sore! Agh....

Jessie
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Replies

  • bulletproofkasper
    bulletproofkasper Posts: 126 Member
    Nice work on joining the gym!! :happy:
  • sun_fish
    sun_fish Posts: 864 Member
    Congratulations on beginning an exercise program! One idea to stay motivated is to not overdue it. Some soreness can be normal when starting a new exercise program but being in so much pain is probably not going to motivate you to keep going.

    Find what you enjoy doing, and start slow, building up over time. Adding some kind of resistance training will help you retain muscle as you lose fat. :flowerforyou:
  • lolapedia88
    lolapedia88 Posts: 178 Member
    Thanks!
  • lolapedia88
    lolapedia88 Posts: 178 Member
    Yeah I expected soreness but it's intense! Haha thanks
  • leebesstoad
    leebesstoad Posts: 1,186 Member
    Does the gym have some sort of intro session with a trainer or something like that? I know some gyms do. If they do, definitely use that.
  • sun_fish
    sun_fish Posts: 864 Member
    Yeah I expected soreness but it's intense! Haha thanks

    I sympathize! Maybe some ibuprofen, lots of water and rest could help. Otherwise, just time to get over the soreness!

    ETA: Take a look at the Eat, Train, Progress group here on MFP. The folks there are a great source of information in the areas of fitness and nutrition. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress
  • qtgonewild
    qtgonewild Posts: 1,930 Member
    that's so awesome. I don't have the balls to join a gym. at least for another 50 pounds. so proud of you. get it girl!
  • rachaelgifford
    rachaelgifford Posts: 320 Member
    I would advise booking in for a programme with a trainer where they can design you a programme to follow that is tailored to your specific needs. You don't want to go in too heavy and then find that you don't keep it up because it hurts.
  • james6998
    james6998 Posts: 743 Member
    So I'm 25, super overweight and out of shape. A local gym was running a special- $99/year so I joined. I've gone two days so far and my legs are on fire!! I am so sore and just can't believe how much it hurts. Mostly doing cardio and may add weights later on. Also considering taking a Pilates or Yoga class. Any suggestions or motivation to help me go on? I have over 100 pounds to lose and should go back and workout today but just feel super sore! Agh....

    Jessie
    The really strange thing is, you eventually crave that soreness. Its like a badge of honor, good workout. Welcome to the family :heart:
  • Sweetnothing78
    Sweetnothing78 Posts: 86 Member
    Set attainable goals. Success is very motivating!
  • sheard59
    sheard59 Posts: 5
    good job joining a gym. My success was based on I didn't overdo it at first. But the more I worked at it the more I wanted to do.
  • lunaphilia
    lunaphilia Posts: 16 Member
    Am i the only one who doesn't dare to join a gym because im scared of being judge?
  • toutmonpossible
    toutmonpossible Posts: 1,580 Member
    Take a couple of sessions with a personal trainer to learn the proper form.
  • toutmonpossible
    toutmonpossible Posts: 1,580 Member
    Am i the only one who doesn't dare to join a gym because im scared of being judge?

    Most people at the gym are there to get a workout. They're not paying attention to you.
  • lolapedia88
    lolapedia88 Posts: 178 Member
    Take a couple of sessions with a personal trainer to learn the proper form.


    Yeah I just don't wanna spend a ton on a trainer ..
    :-/
  • lima013
    lima013 Posts: 80 Member
    Always do a Warm Up and Cool down! stretching your muscles before and after a workout is a MUST!! T
  • mahanaibu
    mahanaibu Posts: 505 Member
    bravo you for making such a commitment:

    I would advise, though, that you start out slower. You're carrying a lot of weight and there's a good chance you could injure yourself. Then you end up in physical therapy instead of the gym, and you have to start the whole thing over.

    How do I know? I just did the same thing to myself. After weeks of PT, I am just starting back on my exercise. Her orders: Start with 5-10 minutes. Honest. If that goes well, at 5-10 minutes each time. Every new exercise after that, same thing. The buildup is much quicker really than it seems like it will be...within a week or two you're at a good level. But you avoid pain, avoid injury and actually end up getting more exercise because you're not sidelined.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Congrats on joining the gym.

    Slow down on your workouts and alternate the hard workouts with something easier like walking. However, in the case of being horribly sore today, you might want to just take it very easy and walk only if you can.
  • lunaphilia
    lunaphilia Posts: 16 Member
    i just feel unsafe at times. Yeaps. But thank you for telling me this... :)
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Am i the only one who doesn't dare to join a gym because im scared of being judge?

    Most people at the gym are there to get a workout. They're not paying attention to you.

    And, besides this, you can make buddies with people who workout. I go to the gym most week mornings at 5:30 and love seeing the same people there.
  • lolapedia88
    lolapedia88 Posts: 178 Member
    Thanks everyone :-)
  • gramarye
    gramarye Posts: 586 Member
    That's awesome! I filled out an information form for the gym down the streets, but then I panicked and have dodged their calls out of Great and Terrible Gym fear. >_>;
  • AlongCame_Molly
    AlongCame_Molly Posts: 2,835 Member
    Work past the soreness. It goes away/becomes less noticeable as you warm up. Or just work a different muscle group.
  • agrigar
    agrigar Posts: 4
    Take a couple of sessions with a personal trainer to learn the proper form.


    Yeah I just don't wanna spend a ton on a trainer ..
    :-/

    I just joined a gym as well. I am using the Jamie Eason 12 week live fit program. Her trainings are great. There are pictorials of each exercise, a detailed description and a video. There are trainings for men and women. This has really helped me.
  • GingerLolita
    GingerLolita Posts: 738 Member
    I know how you feel with the soreness. I just started doing yoga last weekend and one workout can leave more sore for the next 2 days! I wouldn't really recommend yoga so much for weight loss, but it will definitely help you get in shape.
  • toutmonpossible
    toutmonpossible Posts: 1,580 Member
    Take a couple of sessions with a personal trainer to learn the proper form.


    Yeah I just don't wanna spend a ton on a trainer ..
    :-/

    That's why I said to take "a couple" of sessions. Some people can teach themselves. I did. But if you can't or won't, a trainer can help. Say up front, "I'm not looking for long-term training. I just want to learn the proper form for a few basic exercises that should be part of any routine."

    I also think that someone who has 100 pounds to lose has to approach exercise differently. You could put too much stress on your body too soon and hurt yourself. I would start with three times a week and walk the other days.
  • lilithsrose
    lilithsrose Posts: 752 Member
    Yeah I expected soreness but it's intense! Haha thanks

    Take some sort of pain reliever. When you're first starting out at the gym, take it easy. Take a rest every other day until you get used to the movements and the soreness goes away. Congrats on joining the gym, btw. Its a great start. Just make sure to stick with it.

    Also, if you're using the treadmill, maybe switch it up for the elliptical? Treadmills have always been rough on me and make my knees hurt.
  • Cyclingbonnie
    Cyclingbonnie Posts: 413 Member
    Am i the only one who doesn't dare to join a gym because im scared of being judge?

    You are not the only one. Many stay away ... I stayed away for years and once I started attending regularly I found that it was a wonderful place. Of course there are people who aren't so cool as you will find everywhere, but for the most part the people were great. I found even the muscle bound body builders welcomed me into the free weight "sanctum" once they saw how serious I was. Offering me advice and offering to spot for me and I am far from a young pretty little wisp of a girl.

    I do not currently belong to a gym and it is purely a financial thing ... I miss the social side of being in the gym, I miss the variety of workouts I can get, and I miss the support from the other members. So I want to encourage you and everyone who can afford a gym membership to go! Also if you can't afford one there are many ways you can get the social interaction as well as workout support. Most communities have group runs, rides, and hikes free for everyone. Working out is fun and makes you feel good. Working out with others is too.
  • Cougar7279
    Cougar7279 Posts: 18
    Congrats! Remember this pain... because if you stop and then start back up, you'll hurt like this all over again! that said, you need to give yourself rest time between workouts... especially first starting out... This is a 3 part process: we work our bodies (both strength and cardio), we feed them nutritious foods in the right quantities, and we give them rest so they can repair and replenish before we do it to them all over again... The rest time is when all the magic happens... This is a life long endeavor! Make slow but steady increases/improvements... you'll suffer far less injury that way that will only cause you to go backwards and lose progress... Stick with it... the pain will only last about 2 weeks.... don't give up!
  • BlueBombers
    BlueBombers Posts: 4,064 Member
    Awesome. Just keep doing what you are doing. Once your body gets used to it you won't be so sore...just don't do too much too fast, build up slowly with your workouts. Remember to take a rest day. Mix it up a bit so you aren't doing the same exercises all the time. Cardio and weights is what I do and it has done wonders for me.

    If I can do it, you can :) Good luck!!!
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