Moobs go away

I'm starting to try and push past my nerves while going into the weights section of the gym avoiding the feeling that everyone is starring at me, I've read that stronglifts is a great routine and I will try that out very soon. But my moobs are making me more nervous than anything else especially in public and wearing a thick sweatshirt all the time. :{

Replies

  • I'm starting to try and push past my nerves while going into the weights section of the gym avoiding the feeling that everyone is starring at me, I've read that stronglifts is a great routine and I will try that out very soon. But my moobs are making me more nervous than anything else especially in public and wearing a thick sweatshirt all the time. :{

    Nobody will really notice or care. Just get in there and commit to work on the weights!
  • Yanagibashi
    Yanagibashi Posts: 58 Member
    Every other man in there lifting was once either flat chested or sporting moobs. I say go for it.
  • mblair1968
    mblair1968 Posts: 323 Member
    You may get a few looks at first(new person in the gym), and possibly a comment or 2(there are jackwads everywhere), but stick too it, and you will find that people will be impressed with your gains. Down the road, someone will likely come up and tell you they notice your committment. Don't worry about everyone else.GO FOR IT!
  • lisaabenjamin
    lisaabenjamin Posts: 665 Member
    The gym is (or at least should be!) the last place anyone will judge you. Not a single person in that gym was born ripped and toned - those that do look that way work really hard to achieve and maintain that look! Everyone will understand that you gotta start somewhere! Better to be in the gym working towards your goals than sitting on your butt doing nothing!! :-D
  • earthboundmisfit
    earthboundmisfit Posts: 192 Member
    Everyone else is probably focused on their own workout. Go for it.
  • navyrigger46
    navyrigger46 Posts: 1,301 Member
    I'm starting to try and push past my nerves while going into the weights section of the gym avoiding the feeling that everyone is starring at me, I've read that stronglifts is a great routine and I will try that out very soon. But my moobs are making me more nervous than anything else especially in public and wearing a thick sweatshirt all the time. :{

    Nobody will really notice or care. Just get in there and commit to work on the weights!

    This, no one cares, we're all in there focusing on ourselves, that's why they put mirrors on all the walls. Just get in there and work on you, don't sweat what others are doing.

    Rigger
  • ROBOTFOOD
    ROBOTFOOD Posts: 5,527 Member
    Every other man in there lifting was once either flat chested or sporting moobs. I say go for it.
    Truth.
    Mine is pretty flat.
    Just go in there and KILL those weights! Cardio too.
  • luckydays27
    luckydays27 Posts: 552 Member
    main thing to remember no matter where you but especially when at the gym.

    YOU ARE THERE FOR YOU!!! Not anyone else. Do your thing. Sport the moobs until you have pecks that you can flex. Then when the next guy comes in and has moobs, you can tell him that he has a friend in you because you have walked in his shoes.

    Take pics throughout your progress also. Its an awesome way to compare where you were and how far you have gone, plus its all sorts of awesome to show off your accomplishments when the moobs are gone ;-)
  • KaleDOG
    KaleDOG Posts: 37
    I went to the gym after reading strong lifts site, but when I got there is was clearly peak hours and everyone that was stronger and intimidating was there, I waited at the other side of the gym for like an hour to get an opening but when I walked in I immediately felt like all eyes were on me when I barely got in a few steps.

    So I turned around and chickened out :{

    any tips, I feel like I cant do anything
  • watto1980
    watto1980 Posts: 155 Member
    I went to the gym after reading strong lifts site, but when I got there is was clearly peak hours and everyone that was stronger and intimidating was there, I waited at the other side of the gym for like an hour to get an opening but when I walked in I immediately felt like all eyes were on me when I barely got in a few steps.

    So I turned around and chickened out :{

    any tips, I feel like I cant do anything

    Spend some cash and setup a home gym. It's the way to go for sure, especially if you are looking to do stronglifts 5x5. Buy a power cage, bench, barbell and some weights.
  • RibStabsHeart
    RibStabsHeart Posts: 71 Member
    I'm in no position to tell you what you should and shouldn't take, but if this kind of anxiety is something you deal with on a daily basis, you should maybe talk to a doctor about it to get something to help you when you get that feeling in your gut that won't go away.

    If it's not, then you're probably like me -- I JUST started going to the gym, and felt very intimidated by all the people there who are doing big reps and know how all the machines work. I realized that I had to put all of that aside and just focus on the job at hand: doing MY workout at MY pace. Yeah, I started out doing 50 lb chest presses, but I felt no shame because A) Everyone there, at the end of the day, is solely focused on their own gains, and B) There's no point in rushing things and hurting myself when I'm trying to work at my own pace.

    Do what feels comfortable to you, and do your best to not fixate on those around you. Put on some music. Go into each activity with a clear goal, and crush it; don't let that little voice in your head get the best of you. Maybe try and avoid peak hours at first, or do cardio when there's too many people hogging the stuff you'd like to use. Once you get comfortable in your own skin and with your own routines, you can zone out and do what you need to do to better yourself without worrying about the folks that can bench you without breaking a sweat.

    Just my $0.02.
  • GreatDepression
    GreatDepression Posts: 347 Member
    I think people in the weight area are more likely to judge you for bad form and poor gym etiquette than how you look.
  • Inkratlet
    Inkratlet Posts: 613 Member
    Can you get a session with a personal trainer to show you around the weight room? Helps for the first few times to get the hang of how stuff works and to not feel like you're all on your own. They'll also help you get form right.
  • navyrigger46
    navyrigger46 Posts: 1,301 Member
    I went to the gym after reading strong lifts site, but when I got there is was clearly peak hours and everyone that was stronger and intimidating was there, I waited at the other side of the gym for like an hour to get an opening but when I walked in I immediately felt like all eyes were on me when I barely got in a few steps.

    So I turned around and chickened out :{

    any tips, I feel like I cant do anything

    Walk up to one of those big intimidating guys in between sets and ask him for tips, tell him you're a newbie, he'll probably be one of the nicest, most accommodating people you have ever met. No one in that gym is going to rack your skull with a barbell, or scream at you for being new (unless you come to my gym and don't re-rack your weights, then I'll jump in your $#@!.) Seriously bro, just ask for a little advice, lifters are always up to discuss their program, or their max weight, rep ranges, diet, and supplements. It's just not that serious, we all started out the same way you did.

    Rigger
  • xenu01
    xenu01 Posts: 117 Member
    I understand! Most of the time, nobody cares, but I am a bulky, strong looking woman and I get red when I exert myself so I get those obnoxious stares from young guys who are probably going to tweet later about how gross I am. I am very thoughtful as a gym-goer, wipe down the equipment, ask if anyone needs to work in, make sure everyone has enough room, no grunting or anything, but sometimes people are just jerks.

    **** 'em, basically. I get around the jerks by bringing a friend with me and by concentrating very hard on improving my routine. Also if you're not already bringing music with you, I would suggest that.
  • petter26
    petter26 Posts: 9
    Great Depression you nailed it.

    I see new guys come in and do half squats or deadlift with terrible form. That is what makes me cringe, not their appearance.
  • petter26
    petter26 Posts: 9
    And Rigger is dead on. Ask somebody for help. Most likely they will say learn to Squat, Deadlift, and Bench Press properly. Then after a year (yes a year) incorporate other exercises.
  • MagnumBurrito
    MagnumBurrito Posts: 1,070 Member
    The first day is always the hardest. Bring a friend and figure it out with them, ask a employee for help, or ask a friendly looking stranger in the free weight section. Most people love to talk fitness and help a fellow friendly gym goer. Just ask them for help unashamed and confidently.

    You're going to look back on it and think that wasn't so hard.
  • lockeddoor
    lockeddoor Posts: 103 Member
    Does your gym offer personal trainers? If you go in and make an appointment with a trainer, they will figure out a good plan with you, help you with your form, and it will be way less scary because you have someone experienced right by your side.

    If that's not an option, I would buy a home gym.

    That's what I did, as i felt the same anxiety about lifting (and still do). For me, it was just scary since not only am I really really scrawny, but I never see women lifting down there. I don't know, I guess if there were other women, I could go down there and get advice from them or at least know that I'm not the only one, but it's all men. I do have social anxiety, for what it's worth.

    So, I bought my bars and weight plates and bench pretty cheap by finding something second-hand, and that was all I needed to get started. I can lift in the comfort and social safety of my garage.

    If you want to go to the gym though, ask an employee when the weight room is the least busy so you can plan to arrive on a day where you'll get a chance to get comfortable there
  • KaleDOG
    KaleDOG Posts: 37
    I'll give it another shot Monday,and a different gym with the proper squat rack etc, I'll call and ask when the gym is least busy, and ask someone for help.

    I'm practicing squats at home, i'll get some recovery drink by vega since I have college classes in the morning. atleast I may be able to squat the bar :{ gotta keep myself motivated because I want to get stronger :)
  • KaleDOG
    KaleDOG Posts: 37
    Hurray I did it!... sorta

    I wasn't able to squat the bar so I tried to do dumbbells the first one was 15 lbs but I couldn't manage 2 reps, so I went lower to 8 lbs, which I managed to 3 reps of five sets. Oh boy I was sweating bullets after the 2nd set, I took off my glasses so I could be in my zone and it worked, I wasn't too nervous and I finished squat's, bench, rows with dumbbells.

    My form was terrible but I'm new to this, I'm proud of myself ^_^

    Note: my legs were shaking after my workout, is this normal?
  • MagnumBurrito
    MagnumBurrito Posts: 1,070 Member
    Nice work man! The leg shaking is normal. They were basically atrophied before. You're probably really sore today. You can actually just workout through the soreness. It'll be a lot less from now on. Stretch in mean time. Foam roll too if you have one.

    See you in weight section.
  • Tedebearduff
    Tedebearduff Posts: 1,155 Member
    I'm starting to try and push past my nerves while going into the weights section of the gym avoiding the feeling that everyone is starring at me, I've read that stronglifts is a great routine and I will try that out very soon. But my moobs are making me more nervous than anything else especially in public and wearing a thick sweatshirt all the time. :{

    No one cares bud come on over and lift away!!!

    Remember no matter what you do or where you go there are always douche bags around, nothing you can do about it just ignore them.
  • RINat612
    RINat612 Posts: 251 Member
    Hurray I did it!... sorta

    I wasn't able to squat the bar so I tried to do dumbbells the first one was 15 lbs but I couldn't manage 2 reps, so I went lower to 8 lbs, which I managed to 3 reps of five sets. Oh boy I was sweating bullets after the 2nd set, I took off my glasses so I could be in my zone and it worked, I wasn't too nervous and I finished squat's, bench, rows with dumbbells.

    My form was terrible but I'm new to this, I'm proud of myself ^_^

    Note: my legs were shaking after my workout, is this normal?

    Wow that's awesome! I'm currently squatting 70lbs at home (as I am pretty new myself). I respect your drive to keep trying in a gym. I don't think I could do it. Hence why I am planning on setting up a home gym. And yes, the leg shaking after your first couple times is normal, well, for me at least. It eventually goes away and you'll only have a good burning soreness.

    Mad props dude! :drinker:
  • 212019156
    212019156 Posts: 341 Member
    Less people are looking at you than you think. I remember when I was 15 years old and walked into the gym for the first time. I was 6 feet and 140lbs. I felt the same way. Everyone is a beginner in the beginning.

    Unless you are a bothersome person I guarantee no one is going to pay very close attention to what you are doing.
  • Mbierschbach
    Mbierschbach Posts: 94 Member
    Walk up to one of those big intimidating guys in between sets and ask him for tips, tell him you're a newbie, he'll probably be one of the nicest, most accommodating people you have ever met. ... Seriously bro, just ask for a little advice, lifters are always up to discuss their program, or their max weight, rep ranges, diet, and supplements. It's just not that serious, we all started out the same way you did.

    Rigger

    This^^^

    Even the scariest of us heavy lifters aren't about to judge the guy walking in for the first time with no clue. You know who we judge? The guys that do dumb $h1t with no want or respect for advice. I'd never judge a guy for doing 10 lb dumbbellls or just the bar but if you act all tough, throw a bunch of weight on there and do a 1/4 squat with your back all out of whack I'm going to shake my head. If I really see something unsafe I'll say something. About 1/3 times the guy that's really going to hurt himself just runs his mouth and I decide to shut mine. It's not MY back...

    Ask me for tips in the gym and I'll give you pointers as long as MY day can tolerate and I'll catch up with you another time to see what your new questions are and how you're progressing. I've honestly never met a serious gym goer that ridicules gym goers. Just look for the guy who's not chit chatting, not sitting on a bench doing nothing - that's your non-intimdating advice giver.

    FWIW - this all applies to women too - but given your insecurites I doubt you're going to go up to a seriously dedicated female squatter and ask her for some pointers. Maybe I'm wrong - so it applies either way.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    bump
  • swertyqwerty
    swertyqwerty Posts: 81 Member
    As long as you're not shirtless nobody will notice even the worst case of moobs.
    That's with a thin t shirt too, not the sweatshirt you're wearing.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    I have been going to the gym for years. My diet was trash all this time so my workouts did not do that much so I still have moobs. I jump rope at the gym and do not care about how much my moobs bounce around in my shirt.

    For real dude no one more likely care about the way you look. People are there to improve themselves and anyone else who asks for assistance. I ask for spots all the time. What people do judge is if you walk into the gym and play round and not make any gains or loses whatever your goals are. Gymgoers can tell the slackers from people who get in there and work hard.

    Don't fear the one place that can physically make you stronger. Maybe even mentally too.
  • alereck
    alereck Posts: 343 Member
    These are the things that helped me get more confident and step into the weight area:

    Watch a lot of videos to learn proper form.
    Always have a plan, know what exercises you are going to do and in what order, that way you are not just standing there looking lost.
    Try using weights at home or a friend's house to get the hang of it, once you do it a few times you feel confident. You also have an idea about how heavy you can start with good form.
    Listen to music, it helps me focus on myself.

    Also, understand that people don't look because it's you and you look a certain way. They look because they have a 1 minute rest between sets and they have to look at something.... but if you notice, no one will stare unless you stare at them to see if they are staring at you..... lol - it's true. I sometimes look at the floor when I'm resting but at some point I have to look up, a lot of times guys think I'm interested, because I looked. Once I don't look at them again they get it.....

    Don't overthink it. People at the gym come and go and the ones that are always there won't even notice you because they have a purpose.

    Good luck!