New to this.. scared about joining a gym?!

troph
troph Posts: 4
edited November 12 in Introduce Yourself
Hi everyone!!

I really love this site.. I've been here tracking food and eating right for a month or so and so far only lost about 3lbs, After deciding i REALLY needed a big lifestyle change and need to get in shape. I've never been so motivated before and I dont think ive ever stuck to any kind of diet or healthy eating for this long.

I never ever exercise but I do however REALLY want to join my local gym which is something i planned to do this weekend. I was just discussing this with a family member who said something to the effect of "as long as you remember you will probably feel quite self conscious" which has made me even more self conscious and now im starting to doubt joining ! :ohwell:

I'm just looking for advice and motivation as im sure there are many other people out there who have been in my position, Was it as scary and intimidating as you thought it would be??

thanks :smile:
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Replies

  • katiew00t
    katiew00t Posts: 164
    Don't feel self conscious! We aren't at the gym to stare at others. We are all there for the same reasons--to get fit, be healthy, feel good, etc...You won't regret doing it.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,420 Member
    No it wasn't scary or intimidating, though I think that is a natural fear when you try anything new.

    Everyone is there for themselves, and will be helpful to you if you ask. Just have fun with it, it's a great place!
  • MizAngie
    MizAngie Posts: 113 Member
    I have a gym membership and as big as I am still go and do my workouts...(when I go- which isn't often enough)
    I really want to be inshape to do a cardio class. Zumba, but Im scared that Im so out of shape Ill pass out during the class...worse if it was just the warm up. So that is my goal,,,to get in shape to do a class...
  • AllergicToExercise
    AllergicToExercise Posts: 436 Member
    I reckon most people in the gym are just doing their own thing, many are in their own little world with their earphones in listening to music and probably won't even notice you! After you've been a couple of times you will get over that feeling. Go for it!! :o)
  • roadworthy
    roadworthy Posts: 130
    I am a bit silly this way for whatever reason I don't love the idea either. However, my husband is a regular at the gym and tells me there are all shapes and sizes working out and no one seems to look at any particular person as if they are from the moon!:)

    One day I will join too but for now I really do enjoy working out at home. I bought an HRM and that has been the best investment I have ever made. We also live in a small town so a gym membership is insanely high, 55 per month even at a years contract.
  • ladyhawkgg
    ladyhawkgg Posts: 26
    Go for it don't worry about being self conscious think everyone there might have had the same feeling too. Just have to say that your there for you not for them. 3lb in a the first month is dang good. The goal is a lb a wk and your on target. If you feel strongly about being self conscious consider a friend and walk at the park instead I felt that way too and went and got a treadmill for my home use you can find them a dime a dozen. Good luck in your adventures.
  • WJZR
    WJZR Posts: 98 Member
    There is a gym i go to- i think its a "chain" and its called Planet Fittness. It advertises it self as a "Non judgemental Zone", and has "Lunk Alarms". There are very strict rules posted "if you are judging someone, or attract un-due attention to yourself by dropping weights, showing off, etc, you will be asked to leave". "This is a judgement free Zone". I belong there, I am not the only very overweight grey haired lady there "trying" to exercise. Its only $10 per month. Its the first gym i ever felt comfortable at, and ii have belonged to a few ( for short periods of time) over the last 30 years. If they have one near you, give it a try....
  • alyson820
    alyson820 Posts: 448 Member
    Bump.

    I'm terrified about joining a gym. I don't want to be the fat, out of shape girl :(

    Of course... joining a gym will help me to NOT be the fat, out of shape girl any longer.
  • Luandanielle1979
    Luandanielle1979 Posts: 747 Member
    I joined my local gym and they were so encouraging and motivating. Just put some music in your ears and go for it. Exercise makes losing weight so much easier and enjoyable I have dropped 52lbs in 5 months. I garentee if I can do it and get motivated anyone can. I wish you lots of good luck.

    You can do it xxx
  • terryswade
    terryswade Posts: 11
    You don't have to join a gym. I do P90X in my home. You don't need a bunch of weights if you want to lose weight. Body exercise and some exercise bands. Search the web find something that's you AND DO IT! Good luck.
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    Just gooooooo!!!! One thing you have to realize is that nearly everyone is self conscious, even the people we look at and think are perfect! Go every chance you get! Visualize yourself in a year looking great and laughing over how self conscious you used to be.
  • wolfehound22
    wolfehound22 Posts: 859 Member
    Honestly most people at the gym are so wrapped up in what they are doing, they probably wouldn't even notice you working out. Not saying its bad, but most people are squeezing in what little time they have by going to the gym, and want to just get in and get out. So seriously don't worry about it, your there for yourself and not for anyone else.
  • redoutlaw
    redoutlaw Posts: 2
    I joined the gym and was scared at first too, but you want to know what was funny? There were more people like me there than the ones that were fit and trim. Don't be self concious, love your body, you are there to make a change, don't let that get in the way! I have 60 lbs to go! And since going to the gym I am no longer concentrating on my weight, I love the way I feel, more energy, feel stronger and I walk taller! So you go girl!!! Show them you can do it, but mainly do it for yourself!
  • auroranflash
    auroranflash Posts: 3,569 Member
    There are all sorts of different people who go to the gym, most are either too busy working out, talking on their cellphone, or reading books on the stationary bikes to pay attention to you.

    Some morons will, though, and they will giggle to their friends and point if your hair scrunchie doesn't match your workout pants.

    To those people, I put on my gameface and keep running, because they are not serious about their fitness and the people there who are, will see my effort and appreciate it.

    But really, you go in "gameface"d and you don't give a crap what other people think, you work until you think you're going to die, and then you work a little more, then you leave, drenched and frizzy and stinky and accomplished.

    Don't forget to sip water while you work, bring a towel, don't touch your face, and wash your hands regularly. Disinfect machines if you get them dirty. Have fun and challenge yourself.
  • alimauer
    alimauer Posts: 33 Member
    honestly there is no reason to feel self concious. EVERYONE there is in the same boat as you and who cares what anybody thinks? people come ino all shapes and sizes to the gym and everybody is focused on their own personal workout, and so will you. Once you get into a routine and start doing it as part of your schedule you wont want to miss a day. I felt self concious literally for 5 minutes the first time I went and i have no idea why haha. The minute you step on to a machine or start doing your workout it all goes away and you are on a mission. No one there is going to look at you negatively if you are walking into a gym to better yor life!!
  • SARgirl
    SARgirl Posts: 572 Member
    I reckon most people in the gym are just doing their own thing, many are in their own little world with their earphones in listening to music and probably won't even notice you! After you've been a couple of times you will get over that feeling. Go for it!! :o)

    I know this is me at the gym and probably about 90% of everyone else! Even if you are in a class everyone is concentrating on getting the moves right that no one has time to pay attention to what everyone else is doing (unless it's to see what we are doing wrong!). Once you get into a routine you won't feel self conscious:)
  • ladyhawkgg
    ladyhawkgg Posts: 26
    Zumba is so much fun. You don't have to do just what they are doing. I went a few times with my daughter and loved it. I did not do anything close to what they were doing but had a blast and a laugh. You would enjoy it. Some times I could just stand and wiggle and giggle but it was fun.
  • blsdhands
    blsdhands Posts: 12 Member
    Do not hesitate to join a gym because of what someone else has told you. The person who said you would be self-conscious is placing their insecurities on you -- DONT ACCEPT THEM! I previously weighed close to 300lbs and would not venture anywhere near a gym much less SPANDEX. Finally, a friend told me the people gym are trying to get in shape and so am I! Soooooo off I went! Now I dont care what anyone thinks, I work with a trainer and I am in the gym 5 days a week taking classes, working out alone, etc. I am now down to 192 and continuing on a downward spiral with my weight. Most importantly, I rarely notice the others in the gym except to develop friendships that keep me moving towards my goal. (Yes, I noticed a man today who grunted while working out as he tried to impress me with the amount of weight he could bench press -- all I could do was laugh and work through my reps!)
  • wolfehound22
    wolfehound22 Posts: 859 Member
    I also agree with Terry, there are plenty of at home workouts to do. I've strictly worked out at home for two years and lost 75 pounds, so there are plenty of options, not just the gym,
  • KatieJane83
    KatieJane83 Posts: 2,002 Member
    DO NOT be self conscious! Everyone there really is in their own little world, focused on themselves, and there really are ALL shapes and sizes! And even if someone were to give you some kind of judgmental look (which I doubt, but there are mean people everywhere, lol) who cares?! Be proud of the fact that you're there, working to get more fit and healthy!
  • wisebadger53
    wisebadger53 Posts: 382 Member
    Just go and do it! At my starting size of "Extra Huge" I was welcomed to my gym by people of all shapes and sizes and all different age groups. I found that people either kept to themselves or were very friendly and supportive, but never got any negative reaction from anyone. As I have become a regular there I have developed some friendships, and now get lots of compliments on the progress I have made from other members, the staff, and the trainers!

    There is nothing to fear but fear itself! (I stole that one in case it sounds a bit familiar) :bigsmile:
  • yesthistime
    yesthistime Posts: 2,051 Member
    Haters gonna hate. Join the gym, start with the treadmill in the back corner and people-watch for a little while. You will come to realize that the people who are there to work are too busy sweating to pay attention to you. And the people who have the time and/or nerve to judge you... shouldn't.
  • ryansgram
    ryansgram Posts: 693 Member
    Don't listen you what your family members are telling you. Not everyone at the gym is going to be fit and in shape. Just go and do what you can. No one will be watching you. The first time i went i did 10 minutes on the treadmill, and 10 on a bike. There were people there that were more out of shape than me. So dont worry about it and GO.................................have fun.
  • j77r68
    j77r68 Posts: 271 Member
    if you want to join a gym, GO FOR IT ! Everybody is at the gym for their own reasons and I am sure if they are fit now to some degree they started out like you are now. Yes you might have the odd rude person but hey you can walk down the street and get that. You are there for YOU. Go work your butt off and have fun doing it ! I am still a bit self conscious myself but I think of where this is going to get me and it always trumps the looks I may get.
  • swtpea9191
    swtpea9191 Posts: 12
    Your fear is actually totally understandable. I was totally freaked and self conscious to go to the gym alone the first day. It was mostly just due to working the machines and not keeping up well. I suggest you either bring a friend or ask someone who works there to show you how to use all the different equipment the first time?

    My suggestion is to be strong! You aren't just losing weight for weight.. you want to feel better about yourself! You want to feel self confident! Be proud of who you are.. EVERYBODY is there to change their bodies and move closer to their goals? It isn't just you. So don't feel alone! Yes, even those people who look perfect.. are obviously working on themselves :) I admire seeing people of all stages of working out there!

    The other option is working out by walking outside or doing a workout video at home? For some that works better? It is a personal preference.

    I just don't think you should let anyone make you feel inferior or self Conscious. Prove them all wrong!!!!!! YOU CAN DO IT.
  • cadams0715
    cadams0715 Posts: 43
    I signed up for a 3 year contract with my gym and didn't even go the first year. I got up to 328 and decided I had to do something and started going to the gym. I was extremely self conscious and some days would just leave after walking in. But then I noticed that nobody cares if I'm there or not, just like I didn't care if anyone was there. The only thoughts that went through my mind when I saw someone struggle was "good for them, they are trying". I've had a few gym members say something like that to me too, which embarrassed me, but they were encouraging me.

    Do your best and if you think someone is judging you, ignore them. It is all up to you and remember don't try to talk yourself out of it, try to talk yourself into it.
  • mhankosk
    mhankosk Posts: 532 Member
    Is there a Planet Fitness near you? I just joined and I love the "judgement free zone" Plus its a lot cheaper than most gyms.
  • my2boiz
    my2boiz Posts: 89
    Thats honestly ridiculous. I'm sorry someone even said that to you. Here's what I say when I see someone new at my gym...... Go YOU! I'm happy that it seems more and more people are putting health and fitness first. The gym may be the last place you feel self concious or out of place. Tons of people have the same goals you do. When i'm there im focused and motivated and hardly ever have time to look at someone else. You may feel like you don't know what youre doing, but take advantage of the sign up tour that most gyms have. They will go over a lot of the machines and so forth with you. If they don't offer that then you should ask about it. Everyone starts somewhere. 40lbs ago I would for certain be thinking what you are. It only took me one week to become addicted to working out. Best addiction I could think of having. Give it a chance! If you don't like it, there are a lot of workouts you can do from home. Good luck!!!
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    The people at my gym do their thing and I do mine. No reason to feel self-conscious. Despite the myth that many who have NEVER been to a gym believe, there are all shapes, sizes, ages and levels of fitness in every gym. And if you really feel weird about it, go during really slow times (Saturday and Sunday mornings tend to be dead, or after 7 in the evening, unless you can get there when everyone else is at work).

    Join! Go!

    Personally, I prefer to exercise outside and at home because I feel less claustrophobic, but it was pretty cheap for me to join a gym and I like using the weights, so I have a membership.
  • sjackson1717
    sjackson1717 Posts: 94 Member
    I USED to feel the same way but I went anyway and have been going for 2 yrs now. I actually feel guilty when i don't go. Can you believe that? Your worst enemy is your self thoughts so don't think about it and JUST DO IT! I am rooting for you. DO IT, DO IT, DO IT! :happy:
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