I joined a gym/fitness center today...

that's awesome!!! Good luck, I know you'll do well. Everyone was a newbie at some point!

1st off - woohoo and way to go!

2ndly - if you're anything like me, that 1st day - just that push - that c'mon let's do this - getting in the 1st day is the hardest. Then you'll enjoy it more!

Maybe go in with a set in stone gameplan? I figure you didn't go the personal training route yet - so maybe say specifically:
"I WILL GO TO THE GYM __X AMOUNT OF DAYS__ FOR __X AMOUNT OF TIME__"

That seems to help me. I only work 3 days a week - so i told myself, everyday you're not at work you will go to the gym.
So even if I walk in, and say not feeling it and just stroll on the treadmill for heck 10min - that's 10min better than if I had blown it and chose not to go at all.

Some days I'm all on it - and will stay for hour and a half or so - some days - i'm not 'feeling it' - but the idea is go go go! it's so good for ya.

i have been out sick with the flu and missed 2 weeks worth - and i'm looking forward to getting back.

good luck and way to go pal!

Just go and try stuff out, ask for a trainer to give you an intro to the equipment. They'll do it for free.

Just remember, by the day after tomorrow there will be tons of people even newer than you.

I would strongly recommend going TOMORROW (NYE) and getting yourself acquainted before the big rush starts on the first.

Fantastic! Go, ask for help, do what you can- then repeat! Enjoy and best of luck!

Congrats! You've gotten lots of great advice. I agree with the others - start slow! It's easy to push too hard & end up hurting yourself.

I do the "10 minute rule" too when I'm not feeling it. And sometimes after 10 minutes I really do quit, but not very often. It just helps get yourself in the gym in the first place knowing you've given yourself permission to cut it short.

Just know EVERYONE is getting ready for new ppl to go to gyms on January 1st, including the staff so don't be afraid to ask questions NOW is the time. It will be assumed you are in need of knowledge and so don't be shy to ask about the equipment there. For food advice though, better to come on here and see if you can suss out the most famous food and cal counting threads made here. Level Obstacles is one Guide to Sexypants is another. Good luck, you got this! :flowerforyou:

Well done, ease yourself in!

If you can find someone to work out with, it will make it more enjoyable and you will more likely go instead of finding ways of missing.

Start slow, walking on the treadmill at 2.5 to 3.5 mph if you are truly out of shape for no more than 30 minutes
Do a slow warm up and cool down of 5 minutes each.
Stretch the muscles a little.

Find a program that will work for your needs.

Congrats!

Make your goal to still be there at the end of February...and then look in amazement at how you no longer have to wait your turn for equipment and then remember how crowded the gym was at the beginning of January. You make it to the end of February --- just 8 weeks from now --- and you will still be going in May, August, November...etc.

Seriously, sign up for some courses too - they are often part of the membership (aka - free) and will break up the monotony.

Diet and exercise really works - I lost 75 pounds in 18 months and have kept it off for 2 years.