Gym Anxiety!!! HALP!

If you know that after you go the first time that you are fine, then just suck it up and go - get it out of the way and just do it.

Since your work pays for your gym membership, maybe see if some of your coworkers would like to join you. Or you could even ask a friend outside of work to go. Most gyms are happy to give your friend a free trial class if you ask ahead of time.

I totally relate to the anxiety of trying new things, it is terrible. I have suffered from it most all my life, but that being said, I just tell myself what is the worst thing that can happen, and realize that no, I will not die from this, and then I JUST do it. I attended a Boot Camp class last year, and it was the same anxiety, but I did it for 2 months, about 4 years ago, I could not find anyone to go hiking with, so I started doing it alone, going on 9 mile hikes up mountains on the Appalachian Trail, and for the last 4 years I do that about once a month. It is always the same, anxiety driving there, but then I have the most wonderful time. So that is my advice to you, yes, there is anxiety, but YOU CAN do it and YOU will be so proud of yourself afterward and your body will thank you!!!!! let us know how you do.

I understand your fears, but I'm here to tell you, there is no need for them. No reason not to go alone - once the class starts, it's not a social event. People don't talk - they dance, they sweat, they laugh at themselves, but they don't judge you. They're either focused on all their own insecurities, or they're focused on the workout. No one is even going to notice you.

I went to the same class three times a week for months and the only person I remember was the teacher, and a ballerina, who was recovering from an injury, so she was taking our class. She was hard not to notice because she had the most overstated perfect graceful form that was ridiculously out of place in our bumbling class.

Zumba is tons of fun and unless you also happen to have an injury-recovering professional dancer in your class, no one is good. Zumba classes are not attended by people who are ready for So You Think You Can Dance. They're attended by the people who love to dance, and think it's a fun way to exercise.

Let go, have fun. I know it's a very difficult thing to overcome, but the greatest life lesson you can learn is your life is yours and what other people think of it don't matter in the slightest. Whenever I find myself slipping back into my insecure ways, I remind myself of the very wise words of Dr. Seuss - "Those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."

Just go have fun and start at the back of the class. Before you know it you will addicted to Zumba and will start teaching it part-time. Seriously!!

arditarose wrote: »

It's a dance class. You move your feet and shake your butt. Just go. Save your anxiety for the post office and the DMV.

Ugh. I just shuttered reading that. Brought back terrible flashbacks of when I went to the post office to get my passport a few months back!

Anyways, OP, just make a vow to get ready in your gym gear and at least arrive at the gym. You can always leave and not attend the class. But chances are, since you are already at the gym, you would be less likely to just go right back home.

I've done that before when I just don't feel like working out. I just tell myself to make the effort to actually go to the gym and that I can always just turn right back around and go home if I'm still not feeling it. I always end up staying!

It is so hard, especially with anxiety issues to put yourself in that kind of position.

But remember... the people in the class 1) were probably just like you when they started 2) are there for themselves and won't notice or care if you don't know what you're doing.

I did zumba before, I was awful at it (no coordination) and despite feeling like an idiot it actually was a good experience. All the people in the class were supportive and tried to help if I didn't get it

Go just once and you might just love it!

KristaJeanMFP wrote: »

****Update:

ZUMBA WAS GREAT!! Going again on Tuesday.

Yay!! So glad it worked out!