How do you stay motivated to work out alone?

ataraxial
ataraxial Posts: 185 Member
in Motivation and Support
I moved to a new city about a year ago and I am very busy between work school and my children. I don't have a lot of time to socialize, so I don't know hardly anyone here. Even after being here so long. Anyways, I have a gym membership and I don't like going alone. I just wonder if anyone else has this obstacle and how do you break through it? I want to work out but I am shy about going places alone. I feel like everyone stares at me if I am not with someone.
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Replies

  • brraanndi
    brraanndi Posts: 325 Member
    I gave up going to the gym, it was so boring and I hated it compared to the gym in my old city.

    I work out from home now and use the gym in my apartment. No excuses for me then heh.
  • ataraxial
    ataraxial Posts: 185 Member
    I really like my gym. I don't think it's boring, and I have an upgraded membership so I get free tanning (which is an awesome deal) I get a discount because I am a student. I like going, just not alone.
  • Tiff050709
    Tiff050709 Posts: 497 Member
    Maybe you can find someone there (at the gym) to meet up with.
  • jay10587
    jay10587 Posts: 57 Member
    I feel this way sometimes too...only because I tend to go in the evenings when all the "meat heads" go...then I feel kinda like a weak little girl in the weight room in front of all those guys :embarassed:
  • raisealittlehell
    raisealittlehell Posts: 341 Member
    Not to sound harsh- but learn to be comfortable going alone.

    The more you do, the better it gets. Go in there, music in your ears and focus on what you are there to do, and not the people around you. Only way to conquer a fear is to face it head on.
  • Ely82010
    Ely82010 Posts: 1,998 Member
    There are plenty of people at the gym, so you will not be alone. Take a fitness class (Pilates, aerobics, yoga, etc) and you will be around people that also want to exercise. That is what I do.

    I love to workout at the gym too because I am not shy at all, and I prefer to work out alone. I am my own motivation. People are too busy doing their own routine to stare at others. And if they do, just flip them with a dumbbell and continue with your workout.
  • ataraxial
    ataraxial Posts: 185 Member
    I do feel better once I am there. It's just psyching myself up to go there. When I walk in the door is when I feel uncomfortable. And just thinking about that makes me cringe. So I often times (like now) procrastinate going by just trying to find someone to go with me.
  • VetGirl13
    VetGirl13 Posts: 73
    If you really can't get the motivation to go alone why don't you look into joining a class at the gym - aerobics/calisthenics/tae bo - the list is endless
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    I was working out at home until a couple of weeks ago, the first time I went for a workout I was so nervous it was quite ridiculous lol!

    But I'd paid my membership and I needed to go as I couldn't keep progressing with my lifting at home as I don't have a squat rack and bench. So off I went, funnily enough no once cared what I was doing!

    Just go :wink:
  • lfrazza
    lfrazza Posts: 14 Member
    At age 51 I joined a weight loss challenge at the local YMCA. I had never been in a fitness room in my life. I slowly got to know people, paid for some sessions with a trainer and keep rejoining the weight loss challenge. It gives me the motivation I need. I am hoping that this time I will have more success than I have had in the past. The best part of my story- I now have gym friends
  • VetGirl13
    VetGirl13 Posts: 73
    There are plenty of people at the gym, so you will not be alone. Take a fitness class (Pilates, aerobics, yoga, etc) and you will be around people that also want to exercise. That is what I do.

    I love to workout at the gym too because I am not shy at all, and I prefer to work out alone. I am my own motivation. People are too busy doing their own routine to stare at others. And if they do, just flip them with a dumbbell and continue with your workout.

    Oops, you beat me to it :drinker:
  • BL_Coleman
    BL_Coleman Posts: 324 Member
    Guilt...I guilt myself... I never want to go ( once I am there I love it and would stay longer)

    But If I'm going to be the person I want to be, I have to be in shape, I won't get the same workout just running around my neighborhood so I HAVE to go to the gym...sigh...
  • ataraxial
    ataraxial Posts: 185 Member
    Thanks everyone for the advice. I won't be joining any groups due to my sporadic/hectic schedule, but I will be getting off my butt now and going-- alone. =]
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    I prefer going to the gym alone. I am always up for going with a girlfriend if she asks me too, but the constant "wait until I am done until we move to the next machine" and wanting to ramble on when I want to listen to music or focus during my sets can sometimes get a bit irritating. I guess it really depends on the personality type of the person I go to the gym with.
  • morning_joy
    morning_joy Posts: 1,063 Member
    OK, I love my time alone in the gym. Maybe I am truly weird. For me, it is my time to calm down and breathe. So first of all, I have a great workout playlist to listen to on wireless headphones. That keeps me moving. I use that when I am doing strength training and cardio. The key to my long cardio time is my IPAD. When I am on the treadmill, I watch movies because it is too hard to read. When I am on the bike or elliptical, I read. I am able to do 60-75 minutes because I am wonderfully distracted.
  • _jordy_
    _jordy_ Posts: 26 Member
    I love working out alone. I work out from videos on the YouTube and I also jog, so there's no gym issue for me.
    I would hate if I always had to work out with people.

    I guess you'll just have to learn to be accountable to yourself, or make some friends to go with.
  • skeo
    skeo Posts: 471 Member
    I personally prefer to work out alone, lol. The times that I've worked out with someone, the rest periods were too long, and we would spend more time chatting than working out.

    Just go in with an agenda, "I will do such, such, and such today and then leave." Knock those out, have your music, zone out, get in and get out. I don't find the gym to be a "social" place, maybe that's just me, but if I wanted to chat, we would go get coffee, that's just my personal experience, I know not everyone is a chatty Kathy.
  • Alisontheice
    Alisontheice Posts: 9,611 Member
    I would suggest trying out a class or two. You might find someone in a similar situation. Even if it's just someone to say hi to when you go to the gym. Just like MFP, most things are easier with friends. :)
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    I do all of mine alone!
    I LOVE IT!
  • get10fit2013
    get10fit2013 Posts: 87 Member
    I love going alone. I can be more flexible with what I'm doing. If I am running late and a class has already started, I can just jump on the elliptical or do weights without having to accomodate anyone else. Plus it gives me some quiet time, which I LOVE. I usually try to go on the same days so the same instructor and members are there. I've already become friends with people there just from showing up at the same class. In Zumba or whatever, the music is too loud to talk during the class (which is good) and if I'm on the elliptical, I watch one of the tv's or listen to music so time seems to fly by. Just go. Once you go a couple of times, you'll feel more comfortable and it won't be so intimidating.
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    I prefer to work out alone, with no one around....so it's not a problem!
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I hate working out wtih people.

    I have found- ONE person I like working out with- and we kind of stumbled into a weird on and off again workout thing. we don't plan workouts together- if we happen to be going same day - we go same time. But it's not often.

    I like it.

    I don't understand how you would rather be at home than not lifting.

    I work 4 jobs. I leave at 7 am and get home often at 1130 PM.

    My bf lives 2 hours away- and his weekend is in the middle of my work work.. he also works 3 Pm - 11 PM.. so EVERTHING is backwards. I cook for myself. I clean my house- and when BF is here- WE take care of my 30 year old grown *kitten* child- who is an *kitten* and can't clean ANYTHING himself. (seriously- pretend living with a 15 year old- who refuses to accept ANY responsibilty for ANYTHING and doesn't even realize how much work you do- because- it just wouldn't get done either wya- perfectly happy living in his own dirty clothes and dirty dishs) it's overhwelming.

    it's my time to be extraordinary.

    it's my time to make the world disappear

    it's my time to be amazing- larger than life. I refuse to be the fat mom who sits at home and complains she has no time because of everything else (not saying you are- but I hear that a LOT).

    refuse to be ordinary. Refuse to let life make decision for you.

    I feel this way sometimes too...only because I tend to go in the evenings when all the "meat heads" go...then I feel kinda like a weak little girl in the weight room in front of all those guys embarassed

    I find this kind of offensive. I work out primarly in the free weight section- and while there are some epic douchcanoes there- most of them are really nice guys. If i need a spot- a lift- or some help getting a weight off my shoulders b/c I cna't get over head any more- I don't have to wander around aimlessly.

    Being strong or weak has nothing to do with it. plenty of girls lift in our free weight section- some suck. some are awesome. same with the guys. Some suck- some are awesome. but you cnt' just say- all the meat heads in there... my gym is a BIG box gym- and we have maybe 10-15% that are TRUE meat heads... everyone else is just there to lift.

    They look scary- sure- they are big- tattoed- and probably have Ironmaiden, or something raging in their ears (I'm partial to Five Finger Death Punch and Asking Alexandria right now myself) but really- they are nice people. Very helpful. they are just doing their own thing.

    How about you not be so quick to judge them and just show up and work out.
  • wilmnoca
    wilmnoca Posts: 416 Member
    Go to the gym with a plan (write it out if you have to).
    i.e. 10 minute elliptical warm up
    3 sets 10 rep glutes, quads, shoulders,biceps, etc
    20 minute cardio
    10 minute stretch
    Go in, stick to the plan, crank up your iPod and pretend your the only one there. You are on a mission to complete that list and then you can return to your comfort zone. Eventually, the gym will become a comfort zone. No one is watching, no one is judging, and even if they were, repeat this: what others think about me is none of my business!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    It's the gym and a workout, not dinner and a movie...
  • EmilyOfTheSun
    EmilyOfTheSun Posts: 1,548 Member
    Look at old fat pics of myself.
  • A_Warrior_Princess
    A_Warrior_Princess Posts: 344 Member
    I like my gym too and just started saying hi to everyone and started to make friends at the gym. Join a class and you start seeing the same people in class and just start talking to them, eventually you make plans to meet for a specific class or to try something new that the gym offers. Now I go with gym friends on different runs, - mud runs, spartan, 1/2 marathon all kinds of funs stuff I would have never done by myself. Hope this helps you!
  • cookiealbright
    cookiealbright Posts: 605 Member
    I go by myself all the time. My husband quit going and I'm not a quitter. I feel strong and I don't care what anyone else thinks about me! You need to get that thought into your head! :flowerforyou:
  • DublinDanny
    DublinDanny Posts: 13
    Knowing how good I'm gonna feel afterwards is cause enough for me to go to the gym. Plus, given the choice I would rather be there alone, whether to focus on my own exercises, or more usually so I can fall in to a trance as I run. That's my favorite, feels like mediation, nice nice feeling.
  • arghbowl
    arghbowl Posts: 1,179 Member
    Umm... a hell of a lot better than I do when I go with a buddy. No one to talk to, no one to bug me. All I have to do is ask for a spot here and there and we're good to go. Hate hate hate going to the gym with other people.
  • ToFatT0B3S1ck
    ToFatT0B3S1ck Posts: 194 Member
    How do I work out alone? I enjoy it. I love the time I get to work out because it's time for me. I devote my entire life to my husband and children. I crave those 30-60 minutes a day where I don't have to cook, clean or take care of somebody else. I get to clear my head.

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