Scared of the gym??

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-25-2004
Scared of the gym??
11
Wed, 02-16-2005 - 6:50pm

Hey,

I'm new here to the group. I'm a 20 y/o who is currently a whopping 259 lbs :( How did I get here?? lol Well, my problem with going to the gym is that I get so self concious I always think people are like "Oh god what's she doing here" or "I hope I never look like that" or just the fact that there's beefake guys in there and I don't want them to see my rolls flap in the wind. Does anyone else think this way? I know it's silly but the thoughts are always there and because of them I end up not going and sitting online posting on boards. I heard curves is good.. I dunno any help would be appreciated

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Wed, 02-16-2005 - 7:43pm

You have come to the right place!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2003
Wed, 02-16-2005 - 10:56pm

I used to feel that way and every time I go to a new gym I start to get scared. I just forced myself to go on a Friday Night when it wasn't crowded.(or try Saturday morning around 7 am) Once I understood no one noticed me or really cared about me I started to feel better. In fact, when I tell my friends and other people I am going they are excited for me because I am making a positive change. I still get anxious, but now that I am exercising more the weight is coming off faster.

You might want to look around for a gym that feels more comfortable. Or you can buy a video and workout at home. Try walking. It doesn't matter what kind of exercise you do, you just gotta get out there and move. Good luck. sharla

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2004
Wed, 02-16-2005 - 11:43pm

LOL on the gym thing. I know those people in there either 1) don't care or know I exist; or 2)Or just think what they want and hope they never look like me.

I just bought "walk away the pounds" for in home exercise and I like it. You may want to try that. I am not very active and it's the best thing for me for now.

Sussie_Q

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2004
Thu, 02-17-2005 - 8:50am

Hi and welcome here (: You're not alone in your fear! There are alternatives, like Curves as you said (I've tried Curves and it was too easy for me, but it's wonderful for some people) or other all-female gyms. You can also work out at home, there are many wonderful exercise dvd's. A good one to start with is Walk Away the Pounds. It eases you nicely into a routine.


- cl-Yavie, sig in  still in progress :D

I am just a young girl in need of some

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-27-2004
Fri, 02-18-2005 - 8:55am
I'm a lot bigger than you, and that's never been a problem for me.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-10-2005
Sat, 02-19-2005 - 1:27pm

A close friend and I (both seriously overweight) tried Curves and, well, it didn't do anything for us. This may be due to our past exercise routines and current Yoga sessions. Or, it may be due to our relative cardio fitness despite the fat :) Curves offers a free session---maybe you could try it out and see if your heart rate increases and you enjoy the atmosphere? If you have a friend in need of fitness, maybe you could split the bill on some inexpensive equipment like bands, mats, DVS, hand weights, balls, etc...and try to exercise together? If there is a "Five Below" store in your area, look there for such apparatus. Look for "The Method" sessions on your tv--if you have Tivo or a VCR, you could record some episodes for free and keep those you really enjoy/can tolerate. skye

Good Luck!!!!

Skye 255/225/155
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-13-2004
Sun, 02-20-2005 - 9:21pm

I know what you mean, I am 25 and joined the gym before christmas and was TERRIFIED for the first week or so. It was the cheapest gym in the area and has weights machines, ellipticals which are great for cardio similar to running, makes you sweat so much!! Also treadmills and recumbant bikes (sitting bike for low impact exercise). They have a pool for swimming and yoga and fitness classes.

I am back at the gym again and it the beginning it always intimidating. I think the first thing you should do is ask for a tour, and if they don't give you one free session with a trainer, pay for one session. They will give you a simple routine of exercises and recommend a cardio program that suits your body's health history. This way you learn the correct way to do everything and the machines won't seem so scary.

Then you just have to REALLY be brave for the first bit until you make some friends there, everyone is usually friendly and even the fittest people who look amazing are really willing to answer a question about weights or machines, or to tell you about their fitness journey.

I think once you start going it is very inspiring to see people working together just getting healthy. Lifting weights is great for making your body toned and muscle burns more calories than fat.

I know a website that also is good for gym information for women who are overweight and want to lose body fat. http://www.stumptuous.com/weights.html

Good luck, and know that someone else still gets nervous but is going there and sweating too.

kristrin

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-17-2005
Mon, 02-21-2005 - 11:48am
Hi and welcome to the board.

Rhonda

    Spring is Here

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2004
Mon, 02-21-2005 - 2:01pm

Ohhhh...the dreaded gym...with big buff men and tiny little women in mid-driff baring outfits. Lovely.

I completely understand your fear of the gym so much so I've spent the past few months debating joining my local. I honestly think if I had someone to go with me it would make it easier. We wouldn't have to work out together but there is something to be said about knowing there is a friendly face in there with you.

Cost is also an issue for me. I live in a very trendy area of the city and things are more expensive then out in the suburbs, including the gyms.

So what do I do instead of the gym? I'm fortunate enough to be able to walk everywhere - to and from work, to get groceries, to shop, etc. I also do the Tae Bo tapes (much to the chagrin of the poor fella who lives below me I'm sure). And for those days I just don't have much 'umph' in me after walking home from work I keep an exercise ball and free weights in my living room so when I watch the tele I am doing something.

Oh...and I also take a bellydancing class once a week. It's a riot and there are women of all shapes and sizes doing it.

You'll find something...just keep looking and be willing to try new things.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 02-22-2005 - 2:24pm
I was just reading this message board and came across your post. I too, for a long time was so fearful of the gym. For all of the same reasons you explain. But my husband joined..lost 40lbs and was kinda nicely pushing me to try it out. So i did to humor him and the first visit was a bit awkward because i didn't know how things worked..but i asked the trainers for a free program and away i went. The gym gave me a week free to try it out and i got soooo hooked. The energy in the place is infectious. I know, i know almost everyone else seems smaller and better looking then you feel but that really does pass, honestly. I joined the gym at 233lbs, to this day i'm not sure how i got the courage but i am so grateful i did. I have lost around 35lbs and feel so much better now. The thinking i took when i went there was...ok so i'm really big...look if you like...but you watch how good i will look in a few months.lol Those skinny people motivated me with just their presence. Now that i've been at the gym for over a year and a half, i have to say i'm loving it. Ya know, we all think that the 'skinny' people are looking at us but they aren't at all. Exercise is such an ego-centric thing..most of the people are so focused on their workout that they hardly notice anyone else. I know when i'm doing reps with weights..i am looking at myself, and my form, not anyone else. When i'm doing cardio, i am so focussed on my breathing and movement that i hardly notice the person next to me. If i do look up for a minute it's only to smile to the person beside me..because we are both struggling to get through another 30minutes. If you can find a gym with a women's section that may help..or even try going either real early in the morning or late at night when it's not peak hours. I know my gym is absolutely insane around 6-7pm. I generally workout in the am and decided to try a few pm classes lately. When i went in there i was blown away by the difference in the atmosphere at that hour. It was like a highschool/college gym, all these young kids, the girls were primping their hair, and wearing the lowest riding tights. There is no way they could truely workout in that attire. IT was clear they were there for other reasons. The guys were the same way. But when i go at 9am there is a nice mix of ages, all pretty decently dressed, definitely not a meat market and the people there are really nice. So you see..ask some questions..when is the busiest time, go at off hours. I don't know if i could workout at that evening hour if that was who surrounded me either and i feel pretty confident now in the gym. I typically will do a class or something to just get away from it all. I find those type of girls don't do the classes because they don't want to sweat and mess up their hair and makeup.lol Talking about sweat, that was such a huge concern when i joined as was finding flattering clothes. Try buying clothing that wicks away moisture like nikes dryfit, you'll be more comfortable and the sweat less noticable to others. I did curves for five months before i joined the gym and saw absolutely no results..same goes for my sisters and mom. Personally, i wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It is really difficult to challenge yourself there, no matter how hard you pump those darn machines. The gym will offer you variety and challenge..that is where i would put my money. Plus i like working out with men around..it makes me work a little harder.lol I don't know what else to tell you that will put your mind at ease but from the bottom of my heart, joining the gym was the best thing i did for myself. Now my eating is another issue..i'm still struggling to get that undercontrol. I'm very frustrated in that area, so if anyone has suggestions please shoot away. If only that part of weight loss was as easy as exercise i would be all set. Exercise in my opinion is the easiest part of this ratio. I have far to go yet and am far from an expert but i hope my words help...go for it, you CAN do it..just put blinders on and jump in. HTH Suzanne

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