Gym intimidation

OK. I go to a gym. There are other people there. You know what I was thinking about? I forgot my gym clothes, and I was thinking that I might have camel toe in the stretch pants I had for under my jeans on cold days that I found in the bottom of my coat rack, and the tiny spare shirt I keep in my desk for if my daughter makes a mess in my office would not cover that, and I was in a squat rack with mirrors on EVERY SIDE, SHOWING ME MY FASHION FAUX PAS FROM EVERY ANGLE. Plus I had on super festive Christmas Fuzzy Socks that I got as a present 4 months ago and forgot to take home.

I am so far from even NOTICING your limp, girl. Get in there and do what you have to do to be your best self. You'll be FINE.

You walk in there with your head up, focused on what you went there to accomplish, if anyone looks at you, you look back at them and smile, do you workout, enjoy it and go home! Chances are they're not even looking at you and you wouldn't know if you weren't looking at them. I used to feel like that but I'm over it...but focus on YOU

You're there for you. Focus on your workout and get it done. We're watched and judged everywhere we go anyway. You'll feel like a regular there in no time.

Nobody is interested in you and its just built up in your mind they are, when that isnt the case. A gym isnt essential at all, but if you wnat to start using one then maybe:

1. Pick a gym you like, they are not all the same and some are a lot less intimidaing/ friendlier than others. Go and visit various ones and see which you feel comfy with. Community gyms tend to have a bigger mix of people, pensioners etc.
2. Go at a quieter time when there wont be so many people around. Peak tends to be about 4-9pm.
3. Consider just using a personal trainer for a few visits so you get a routine and you have someone else to keep you company.
4. Knowing what you are doing gives focus and makes you more efficient.

After you go for a while you will feel comfier. Part of your journey and getting to your target is dealing with things and overcoming obstacles. This phenomena of gym phobia is common, but dont let it hinder your progress, look at it as a place that will help you achieve your aspirations. Thats a good thing.

vblair77 wrote: »

Ok here's the deal...I am overweight and for some reason the gym scares the hell out of me. I didn't use to be this way...for a long time I went by myself and I was fine. Then I had marital problems and through that I was still fine. A few months ago I fell and ruptured my Achilles. It sucked. I gained 20 lbs and just fell into a funk. After I got my cast off I decided to get healthier and I have. I've lost 16 pounds and I'm feeling good...but the thought of dealing with strangers who may or may not judge me scares me. How do I conquer this? I still limp more often than not and with the amount of tendon removed I may have the limp forever.

The thing that rarely gets said about gym 'meatheads' is that they are mostly really good people who are dedicated to lifting iron a lot and have respect for anyone else who does likewise. More than likely you'll be able to ask other gym users for help and advice and they'll gladly give it. If anything, you're more likely to be judged positively for getting your rear end in there and putting in the work to be better. But, as a last resort, if you absolutely cannot overcome your anxiety just yet - get yourself some basic exercise equipment on-line or at a store, such as a barbell with some light weights, and do some things at home until you feel more confident. But I'd absolutely encourage you to just get yourself into the gym just so you can see it's a place you're more than welcome at.

Gym rat here. Depending on the crowd at your gym, I'd be willing to bet that most of them don't give you a second thought. I've got the "early morning, Spring Training Kids" at my gym now that probably judge everyone. And some times I'm there late in the morning when the trophy wives come in. But in my experience, for the most part, no one cares that you're there. They're either too focused on "getting theirs" or busy socializing.

I used to be self conscious about the faces I would make, and the "grunting/exerting" myself in the gym. I didn't want to be "that guy" that is trying to draw attention to himself. Then I had the good fortune of being in the same area as some power lifters that grunted. That's when I realized "they're not worried about me and what I think of them. They're here to get theirs, and they will whether I'm here or not." So I've begun grunting.

Go to the gym. I always ask myself "When you're at home, alone, looking in the mirror and unhappy with what you see, where will the people that you were too afraid to exercise in front of be?" There are worse things than being "judged" for getting healthy/in shape.

1. They aren't as interested in you as you seem to think they are. They are worried about their own stuff.
2. The others in that gym don't have their act together as much as you seem to think, nor do you have as big of an issue as you are blowing it up to be. You basically are an overweight person who is losing weight and recovering from an injury? Is that seriously a strange thing to see in your gym?? Certainly not in mine! Where I go there are people in all shapes and sizes and ages and ability levels, especially in some of the more beginner-oriented classes and equipment areas (if you go to the area with free weights or to the advanced yoga class there will be some stunningly fit people. They don't seem to pay much attention to me either way). It isn't unusual to see someone with an obvious disability or injury they are working with, perhaps doing physical therapy to improve it. I don't really pay that much attention, other than occasionally observing what is around me the same as I might in a restaurant or mall or anywhere else in public. But if you are in a place that is unwelcoming to anyone imperfect, I could see that as a reason to change places. I work out at the local YMCA and everyone there does not look alike or look perfect.
3. Even if someone is thinking horrible thoughts about you.... so what? I have no amazing mind powers to hurt someone else physically or emotionally with my thoughts, nor does anyone in that gym. Any power they have is from YOU choosing to let their thoughts (or what you imagine them to be) have meaning in your life or dictate your behavior. Take back that power!

As someone who has been on both sides of the coin, I can promise you that you notice the fit people more than the fit people notice you. I applaud (in my head obviously) anyone who is in the gym putting in work. So if I am the one looking at a person trying to get fit, it is nothing buy positive thoughts in my head.

I always find it a little intimidating to go the gym if I haven't gone in awhile. Even if "awhile" is just a week, I feel a little awkward at first. Not sure why, really. I don't know if that's normal per se, but it's not weird so don't feel bad about feeling awkward.

But like everyone else said, just do it. The awkwardness goes away quickly and pretty soon the gym will be your dojo and you'll totally own it.

Listen to some inspiring music , don't make eye contact unless you want to, and just do your thing! That's what I do. I really only notice people when they are either having very loud, very personal conversations on their phones, or are doing things like spraying themselves with cologne while running on the treadmill next to me.

A quote I read a few days ago...this is for you and all of us:
In the end, people will judge you anyways,
So don't live your life impressing others,
Live your life impressing yourself.
---Eunice Camacho Infante

P.S.: I'm a regular gym-goer, and I see that people are engrossed in their workouts. Most people are there to achieve their set goals...you can do this too. Set a goal and go to the gym! You will end up making friends and you will enjoy going to the gym - I can absolutely guarantee that!!

Great attitude!

You went in. You saw. And you did more than survive. You conquered your fear. Good job. Keep that up and you will be fine. I talk to so many people who are scared to hit the weight room cause of the people in there. I tell them don't worry about anyone. If they bother you then they have the problem. Not you.