Terrified of the gym

Charlenelindsay5 · November 2016

I used to go to the gym regularly (about 6/7 yes ago) I felt great, looked pretty darn good, and never had a 2nd thought.

I had an incident at work where I was seriously assaulted a few years ago and everything seemed to go downhill. Add years of counselling, a depression and anxiety diagnosis, PTSD, 40 lbs, and I am now TERRIFIED of going to the gym.

I bought a membership 2 months ago and have gone... ONCE! I've driven by the gym lots, gym bag packed, and gone right back home. As I type this, I am sitting in the parking lot, trying to convince myself to go in... omg!

Please tell me I'm not the only one and that people overcome this?

PennWalker · November 2016

I'm sorry this happened to you. Do you have a good friend you can tell about this who can go with you the first few times? Or if not, could you talk to the gym about it on the phone and maybe someone could meet you and walk in with you? I would try that route. Good luck.

PennWalker · November 2016

One more suggestion. Go the first time, not to exercise, but just walk around, take a look at everything, maybe put some water or something in a locker, and then go home. Do that a few times if you have to before you exercise.

Charlenelindsay5 · November 2016

Thanks a lot for your responses...

I have a friend that belongs to this gym but she is very rarely here (she works in a different city) Looks like tonight is another night that isn't going to work out for me (literally!) I can feel my anxiety shoot right up just sitting here... I can't believe I went from such a people person to terrified to walk into a gym.

I tried working out at home, but with 5 children at home full time, 2 children part time, 3 dogs, a cat, husband, and a full time job, well, it didn't work out so well. Either WWIII is breaking out with the kids in front of me or a dog decides it's time to sit on my head and give me cuddles when I'm on the floor lol

PennWalker · November 2016

I don't have gym anxiety but I've had anxiety about other things in the past, so I sympathize.

Can you find some positive thinking sources -- tapes or books -- and find one or two phrases that make you feel good and repeat those in the parking lot?

We're not our thoughts or our feelings. We can stand aside and look at them and either go with them or not. We can even talk to ourselves as if we were two people ("I know you feel that way, but just for today, we're going to do something different and keep it simple. Let's go, come on.") And once you go inside (and I believe you will soon), just walk on a treadmill for 10 minutes. The next time do a little more. I will be walking on a treadmill in my town and so will all your MFP friends where they live, so remember you are not alone, but part of a fitness community.

alyangel123 · November 2016

I have c-ptsd and had this same issue

i walked in, walked around and looked at machienes then used an easy cardio machiene and left. Did that a couple times. Then i asked to be shown how things worked. 2 months in i still haven't worked up to everything i want to do but i dont panic there and enjoy it. Sometimes when you google a place online it actually shows you when it's least busy! Which is a great tool lol

Going into places with a focussed plan will reduce the anxiety. I play through the scenerio in my head several times then run through the motion (even if rushed) and leave. The anxiety to new places doesn't get much easier but once you've been there done that it actually becomes enjoyable

The hardest part is stepping out of the car, trust me lol the worst feeling is before you step out of the car, ironically

pomegranatecloud · November 2016

I've felt this way when trying a new gym or studio. I always have a ton of anxiety about trying a new place or new class, but once I do I'm always glad I did. The first time is always the hardest. Once you go you'll feel better and get into a routine.

Not to pry, but are you still in counseling or receiving treatment? If not, starting again or just bringing this up to your provider might help.

Charlenelindsay5 · November 2016

Thanks

I know that if I push though I will likely feel much better. I notice all my symptoms are increasing again, in all aspects of my life. I can't help but think that if I was back into a regular workout routine I might feel even half as good as I used to. I think it would help me HUGE! I just need to get myself in there.

My next chance is Friday... 30 min elliptical I CAN DO IT!

canadianlbs · November 2016

could you also reach out to a crisis line? assault has such long-term effects, and they might understand how this feels.

PennWalker · November 2016

Charlenelindsay5 wrote: »

Thanks I know that if I push though I will likely feel much better. I notice all my symptoms are increasing again, in all aspects of my life. I can't help but think that if I was back into a regular workout routine I might feel even half as good as I used to. I think it would help me HUGE! I just need to get myself in there.

My next chance is Friday... 30 min elliptical I CAN DO IT!

About trauma: my wonderful husband died because of a medical error. Afterwards, I refused to have anything to do with doctors for years. I can't stand even going into a hospital to visit a sick friend. But I'm an adult and know I need basic checkups, and want to visit my sick friends, so I've forced myself to get past it -- I ignore my thoughts and feelings and just walk in.

Okay, here's the deal. You pledged to go in this Friday, so come back here and post what happened. If you do 30 minutes on the elliptical, great. Ten minutes, great also. If you just walk in and look around, fine. I will bookmark this thread and check to see if you let us know what happened.

jolive7 · November 2016

Is this onset by just the gym or going other public places? Maybe you could hire a PT or just ask one of the gym staff to show you around that way there is less pressure just on you?

PennWalker · November 2016

PennWalker wrote: »

Charlenelindsay5 wrote: »

Thanks I know that if I push though I will likely feel much better. I notice all my symptoms are increasing again, in all aspects of my life. I can't help but think that if I was back into a regular workout routine I might feel even half as good as I used to. I think it would help me HUGE! I just need to get myself in there.

My next chance is Friday... 30 min elliptical I CAN DO IT!

About trauma: my wonderful husband died because of a medical error. Afterwards, I refused to have anything to do with doctors for years. I can't stand even going into a hospital to visit a sick friend. But I'm an adult and know I need basic checkups, and want to visit my sick friends, so I've forced myself to get past it -- I ignore my thoughts and feelings and just walk in.

Okay, here's the deal. You pledged to go in this Friday, so come back here and post what happened. If you do 30 minutes on the elliptical, great. Ten minutes, great also. If you just walk in and look around, fine. I will bookmark this thread and check to see if you let us know what happened.

Can't edit my post, but I want to say I hope you will come back (didn't mean to order you!). Best of luck.

Therealobi1 · November 2016

You really can do it and we are all routing for you.
Would you feel safer with going to a group class or then if not have a PT until you feel comfortable.

Post back to let us know how you are getting on.
Good luck.

lorrpb · November 2016

This is such an unfortunate and stressful situation for you and I'm so sorry. I don't think you should force yourself into such an uncomfortable situation. I would encourage you to develop a home workout routine. There are lots of videos and info out there. Tons of MFPers do all their workouts at home.

Therealobi1 · November 2016

lorrpb wrote: »

This is such an unfortunate and stressful situation for you and I'm so sorry. I don't think you should force yourself into such an uncomfortable situation. I would encourage you to develop a home workout routine. There are lots of videos and info out there. Tons of MFPers do all their workouts at home.

Fitness blender.com is really good

janetennet · November 2016

I'm so sorry for the anxiety that you face. The gym can be a scary place and in the same breath it can be a victorious place.

Perhaps making some goals would be the best way to form the habit of getting to the gym, for instance;
first goal -: walk in the door, go to the change rooms, leave
second goal -: walk in the door, 10 minutes on the treadmill, leave
(etc.)

You can then build up to going for 30 minutes, 1 hour etc.
Hoping that you can get past this hurdle which will lead to a stronger (in more ways than one) you. X

GottaBurnEmAll · November 2016

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. While my situation wasn't the same as this, I had trouble driving when anxiety surfaced related to childhood molestation when my daughter reached the age I had been when the abuse had started for me. I basically had become agoraphobic as sort of protective mechanism for her.

Anyway, I went into therapy for that. Every week, Ian, my therapist gave me an assignment to expose me to things a little bit more and more. There really was nothing for it but to just white knuckle it and do it. The mantra I was repeating to myself was that I wasn't going to let my father's uncle control my life any more. It was really hard, but it was worth it.

So, as others have said, just start small. You drove to the gym. That's good. Next time, plan on one thing you'll do there and say you'll do it for 5 minutes and tell yourself your assailant won't rule your life anymore. YOU WILL WIN.

Good luck.

Dogmom1978 · November 2016

Have you tried working out at home in a room with the door closed? (No kids or dogs to interfere)

deputy_randolph · November 2016

Would it help to call ahead and set up a time to meet a member of the gym staff to show you around?
My gym offers 2 free "training" sessions, which basically is a half tour. Check to see if your gym would be willing to do something similar.

amyinthetardis1231 · November 2016

Are you still in therapy? If you are seeing someone, maybe ask them to help walk you through a visualization exercise to practice walking in the gym before you have to physically go there. It's one way to face anxiety in a controlled setting where you can feel it, get through it, and then calm down again. If you aren't seeing anyone and your symptoms are worsening, maybe it's time for a tune up?

JoRocka · November 2016

janetennet wrote: »

I'm so sorry for the anxiety that you face. The gym can be a scary place and in the same breath it can be a victorious place.

Perhaps making some goals would be the best way to form the habit of getting to the gym, for instance;
first goal -: walk in the door, go to the change rooms, leave
second goal -: walk in the door, 10 minutes on the treadmill, leave
(etc.)

You can then build up to going for 30 minutes, 1 hour etc.
Hoping that you can get past this hurdle which will lead to a stronger (in more ways than one) you. X

This is excellent advise.

Set the goal low and achievable. Perhaps maybe talking to the manager and explaining things so the staff doesn't give you the side eye when you walk in and then just walk out- not that they would care- but I used to work at a front desk- if it wasn't a regular and they did something abnormal like walk in and then walk out several times it might cause some side eyes- so it might be helpful to A make a connection with someone you can talk to- and B. explain so you don't get questioned- or feel judged about your behavior.

Set small goals.
You can do this.

Terrified of the gym

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