Lost and in trouble

esheepie
esheepie Posts: 23 Member
in Getting Started
I've frequent the forums, and am very proud of all of you. I've even asked a few questions before and loved the responses, but there has been a few draw backs.

Let me introduce myself. I am 24 year old female from Newport News, VA. I have no children, work an 8-5 desk job, and have no other commitments whatsoever. I'm 5" and weigh about 187lbs. My goal is to drop myself down to 125lbs. To be honest, I have started many times before, and made up some excuse as to why I couldn't continue to work out. While they are just that (excuses), they felt like real excuses to me and without asking someone for advice, I just give up for a while. Although I have given up a few times before, I still want to go on this journey. It seems like everyone is passing me by and here I am at the starting line. Here is what has happened so far:

**I started working out at home. There was this list of workouts to do, and I did just that for 3 weeks. I worried though, because I didn't sweat very much. It wasn't as if it wasn't challenging, but maybe it wasn't challenging enough. However, I felt like it was a start to get me in the habit of moving. I stopped when my space was crowded. The time and space I felt comfortable to work out in was invaded, and I never resumed the activities. I considered going to the gym, but my closest friends (that lived near me) weren't exactly gym types. I couldn't convince them otherwise even though we all talked about losing weight. I feel slightly embarrassed at the idea of going alone and staring at the machines. I have that dark cloud over me telling me how ridiculous and alone I would appear. Even if others weren't watching, I think that about myself. One thought is saying that I should just go and get a membership at Crunch's gym, and go at less populated times to do SOMETHING rather than nothing. Paying for the membership should be enough motivation to get me there since it is money I shouldn't waste. The other side to me is telling me that there is a likelihood that I'll quit again and the money will take a toll on me. I will be paying for nothing. I have always had a slight fear of gyms, but I have no space at home anymore.

**Being overweight is seriously uncomfortable in odd ways. I can sprint down the halls and up and down stairs (we are on the 3rd floor; no elevator) at work NO PROBLEM. I had a boss make fun of how "no one can catch this shorty." However, if I were to do a body weight exercise such as push-ups, or lunges, it is difficult for me to complete them successfully.

Where do I start??

Replies

  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Take "before" photos & measurements. And read the Sexypants post: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • CindyMarcuzAdams
    CindyMarcuzAdams Posts: 4,007 Member
    Hi there, have you read sexypants yet? I assume you have but just in case here it is...

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    Now about joining the gym...do it. If you can afford it go for it. I am sure there are lots of regular people there. There will be the hard bodies but there will always be beginners as well. Go, have fun and work your azz off.
  • grandmothercharlie
    grandmothercharlie Posts: 1,356 Member
    I go to the gym alone and I love it. Seriously, working out is much better alone. You need to focus and/or go into your own place. When I walk I put on music, stick in the headphones, and just keep up with the beat. On the stationary bike, I watch shows on Hulu. When I stretch, I put on gentler music. In any case, I put my earphones in while in the locker room and don't take them out until I'm in there when I'm done. I might wave at the attendents and now a couple regulars, but I have never in 6 mos. had a conversation with anyone. As I look around, no one else does either. And I would say that 90-95 percent of those working out are there alone. Actually probably more than that. Ages range from 80 to 18. My gym accepts Silver Sneakers for the senior citizens so you see a lot of people much older. I would say that 60 percent of the people there are not buff, but are overweight or just "normal" trying to get healthier.

    I'm much older than you and was much heavier than you when I started working out in January. I could only walk the track slowly a couple times around. At 230 lbs. and 63 year old (about your height), I thought I would really be the odd person out at the gym. I realized quickly that no one watches and all sorts of people go. I was the heaviest person at the time when I first started 6 mos. ago. But at 178, I'm not now! I still have 60+ pounds that I want to lose, but it will come and I'll enjoy every minute of it. I now even use the pool which I would not do when I first started. No bathing suit was donned until I hit 200. I'm on my second suit now!

    Tonight I spent 1 1/2 hours at the gym -- 1/2 hour walking, 1/2 hour on stationary bike, 15 minutes stretching, and 15 minutes in the locker room, wiping down equipment, etc.) I had walked 2 miles at lunchtime, too, and did my resistance bands in my office when i came back from my walk). I don't have to work out that much, but it really has become addictive. I go almost every day after work and on weekends. I will usually take a days break just because my body says stop. About every 10 days.

    You just have to do it. No matter what. Give yourself enough time that it becomes easier. Give yourself enough time that you see the difference. I can't believe the flexibility I have gained now. I'm not one for "exercises" but I do stretches. I also use the Stretch Trainer for stretching/flexibility. The flexibility also help with stability. You will be able to do lunges before you know it. My gym has a railing you can hold onto for support if you need it.

    But, if you are serious about losing, you have to cut calories. Exercise is for fitness; cutting calories is for weight loss.

    Come on, if this old girl, who has arthritis and an implanted defibrillator for my heart can do it, you can, too! We have about the same amount to lose. I'm not giving up and hope you won't either.
  • esheepie
    esheepie Posts: 23 Member
    I will read into sexy pants. I saw it before, but at the time I was at work and I had forgotten it by the time I got home. Thank you for the suggestions.
  • chadya07
    chadya07 Posts: 627 Member
    i go to the gym alone.

    almost everyone there does from what i can tell. there are a few couples who go together and some clicques in the freeweights section and in classes.

    but for the most part people go alone.

    in fact relying on other people to accompany you is almost like... not taking your own future in your own hands. what happens if they go with you for a week. or two weeks. and quit. will you quit too?

    just go. start by doing something you already know like the treadmill or a bike. over time you will start wanting to do more and you will see someone using something interesting and try it too. and maybe you will want to try working your arms out a little and grab a machine. then you might think... this is a little chaotic and i dont have a plan, maybe i can just try that one class that seems easy. and then someone will be talking about a class they thought was awesome and you will get the guts to try it. and then maybe you will like it. after a while... maybe you will even get the guts to accept their free personal training session and have someone show you a few things to push you. and who knows, you may even learn to like it. and to like taking the time for yourself, by yourself.

    maybe.

    or maybe not.

    but who knows.
  • kimberlyblindsey
    kimberlyblindsey Posts: 266 Member
    If you get a gym membership just go, everyone's got headphones on usually and are in their own world, not that they won't be helpful, bc if you ask how to use a piece of equipment at least at my gym they are willing to help out.
    I have found most people in my gym to be rather normal, or average looking, sure there are some meat heads in the free weights and some really cute young girls, but pretty diverse outside of that.
    The point is stop caring what other people think, well bc human beings to some extent are selfish and in their own world, so you need to take care of you and start this journey bc no one else will.
  • esheepie
    esheepie Posts: 23 Member
    There is a gym here called One Life (I'm not sure if y'all have in your states) and it gives you one week free gym membership with one week free personal trainer. I may look into it

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