Gym Anxiety...

Can you get a personal trainer for a couple sessions, or see if they offer a couple sessions for free to help you with the whats and hows?

As for the anxiety, what is the cause? Is it because it might be busy, or are you worried about people judging you? If it's the second, this happens much less than you think. Most people are there working on their own stuff, and don't much worry themselves about others.

Go with a freind for more motivation and support if you feel anxious for workout and try to have a workout based on compund lifts with good form(check youtube) sqaut deadlift press movements etc it will.help.improve posture too and always try to progress in them as seeing yourself getting stronger in them will add even more motivation stay strong all the best

I used to get anxious about the gym mostly due to my size at the time, give yourself a push to go and keep going after a while it will help with all anxiety issues and u won't give a monkeys what people in the gym might be thinking.

I found this article great to help with my gym anxiety when I started :

https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-the-gym-everything-you-need-to-know/?t24=true

holsxox66 wrote: »

The beginning of the month I signed up to my local gym for the first time.

Now I've been suffering with anxiety quite badly this year and have noticed it getting worse when I need to go to the gym.

Sometimes I'll motivate myself to get there, then start having a mini panic attack outside before I force myself to enter. (After I've checked in google to see when the gym is particularly empty)

Anyone got any advice for me? Also any Gym advice would be amazing like what I should be using and how long?

Thank you.

Are you afraid of working out when other people are there? I actually learned a lot by asking girls I saw working out what I should be doing! Also this works for me ( if you get in there and tell yourself you're a badass especially while youre lifting weights or running, you feel a little better being in there!)

rachelsambrown8 wrote: »

Why don't you try some at home workouts, classes, or walking outdoors??

This! I'm always in favor of reducing anxiety, no need to do something that's stressing you out. Walking outside is soothing to me, but I live in a quiet town with nature trails.

bring some music and ear buds and zone out. also my gym has a small room with some of the equipment to watch a movie in- there's never anyone in there. i'd totally hide in there! i've also gone super duper late and saw maybe two people in the gym. if you're not a morning person. remember there are people who look sillier than you. point them out if you do find yourself looking around. it always makes me feel better

Ditto's to starting with some cardio - merely as warmup - and get used to seeing people, and them seeing you.

Then wander over to the strength training stuff, and look up ahead of time 1 thing you are going to pickup and do.
And then do it.

Next time add something else to it, or something else instead. But get to 2 things being worked on.
Perhaps start with squats. Just the bar.

You mentioned what would be best for fat loss.

That would be eating less than you burn. Which you've got down already.
Exercise is usually about what will help it ONLY be fat loss, and of course health in general.

Strength training will help there to be something under the fat as it's lost to show up, and hopefully prevent any loss of muscle you've got already.

Cardio won't do that for you.

Many times inspires confidence too - picking up for you heavy things and pushing body to a limit. Helps walk taller.

Not everyone in a gym that looks good started that way. Sure there are some with a genetic advantage and history and all that. But almost everyone I know when the subject comes up, gives great respect to those who come and put the work in. Most, if they look at you, do not look at you with disdain. Why? Because many of those people have been where you are.

Me? I'm a work in progress. Some time ago I was a work in progress too, just with a bit less progress than now. It just took taking a step.

So just take a step. And then another. And then another.

I feel this so hard! In college when I first started wanting to get in shape, I started with swimming; nobody could really see what I looked like under water. I also went to the gym at off hours like you; eventually I got used to running into classmates and it wasn't a big deal, but at first I felt like a poser.

Honestly other people are probably just as worried about judgment as you. Who knows; maybe there's someone there who has transformed themselves in a year; maybe a year ago they too had anxiety being seen at the gym. We assume everyone is static and has been working out for ages; but everyone was once a beginner.

I scheduled a few sessions with a personal trainer to give me a structured routine. Once I knew what I was doing, the anxiety faded. I also try to encourage myself by telling myself that the gym isn't just for fit people. It's where I need to be. Also, try to be consistent. After a bout of illness, I found it was like starting all over anxiety wise. Focus on the routine and for sure bring your music.

Lots of good stuff already
1. show up dressed.. get your music started before you come in the door... or at least have your headphones on/in and your music ready
2. start slow(elliptical/stair machine are low threat...I've been going for 20+ years and I still get a little nervous around the treadmill)
3. plan what you're going to do...

dearcassandrab wrote: »

I totally understand where you are coming from. I felt the same way when I first started going to the gym. I was so in my head like, "What's Becky over there staring at? Can I even lift? Is this exercise equipment or a medieval torture device?".
Then one day, another plus size babe that goes there approached me, and told me that seeing me there everyday made her feel better about showing up. It really hit home!
Girl I know it's so hard with anxiety, but just know that you aren't alone, and you are an inspiration!
You are doing an amazing thing, and trust me you will get used to it! Especially when you see and feel the results!
Feel free to add me if you ever have any questions or just want to chat! Kick *kitten* my friend. Kick *kitten*.

Yes, this! I was the same way and I still am, even though I've been going since February and pretty much everyone knows me.......We gotta keep truckin' on though, you'll be alright!