Hey Kylie, kewl new signature!

I've been in that feeling intimidated in the gym thing along with the rest of you. Lots of good advice here - just keep going. To paraphrase Dr. Phil, everyone is much too worried about who's looking at them to be looking at you. I always feel like a total klutz in classes, and when I started using the elliptical 5 minutes kicked my butt, but it didn't take long to build up to 1/2 hour! And as for push-ups, try them standing up and using the wall. I still can't to regular push-ups!

A great way to work up to pushups is to do them with your stomach on a stability ball. Then next week your hips, then your thighs, calves, and by the time you can do them with your toes on the ball, you have SUPER strong abs, and can probably do about 15 regular big boy pushups on the floor.

Mel

I was pretty upset that I couldn't do a pushup either. So my trainer has me do pushups on a bar that you can raise and lower. The bar is used for some type of weight lifting (I'm going to have to find out the name!), but I use it for pushups. I started out with the bar about chest high, and now it's about waist high. I just keep lowering it one notch every couple of weeks, and at some point, I will be on the floor.

I just got a 2 month free pass for Bally's and I feel totally intimidated there. All I've done so far is the eliptical, treadmill & bikes. I don't feel comfortable yet taking a class for doing any other machines.

It really bugs me that there are guys staring. I've been tryign to decide if I should stay with curves or go to a big gym. While I know the big gym is probably a better workout I still feel more comfortable with curves.

I think it's best to find a place you feel comfortable because you'll be more likely to go and workout!

This morning instead of waking up at 4:40 I slept in until 6:00 am, so I missed my morning class. I was tempted to stay home but thought of you all and went anyway. I figured I'd work on my endurance on the treadmill -- after the experience I had last week (when I had to leave the class in the middle because I couldn't do the running) -- I thought "I'll go back soon enough when I train myself to run for longer periods of time without stopping". I should also try practicing my push-ups on my own time. That way when I get to class, hopefully I'll be able to do more without stopping.

WaterRat - I think Dr. Phil is right.

I went to the gym one afternoon and as I was waiting in line to ask the receptionist a question, I noticed I young fit-looking guy in his early twenties (someone you'd expect to be pounding the punching bag and doing his fancy footwork) getting tired from punching and kicking the bag in his boxing/kickboxing class. I noticed him stopping for a few seconds just to catch his breath. I guess I was surprised because I must have had this false belief for so long that thin person = fit person. Not necessarily true. I feel a little guilty admitting it, but it always makes me feel better to see someone overweight/out of shape in the gym working out because I don't feel like everyone is an athlete but me.

All of your comments are really inspiring, thoughtful and helpful, and I really appreciate everyone taking the time to give me that boost of confidence and motivation. This is not a small issue for me -- it's something I've struggled with for most of my life and to know that all of you have been there or are currently struggling with the same situation I am really helps me to continue on my struggle. Yes, it is a struggle, but the rewards will be great -- as with everything that is difficult to acheive.

By the way: Karma - very cool story. I'd love to be mistaken for the instructor! That'll be one of my goals

I'd love to hear more inspiring motivating stories, if anyone has any! (... and I'm sure that many other members will benefit from reading them too) So please continue to post your inspiring stories!!!

Sheila - bet it was the Smith machine (often used for squats) and it's a fantastic way to learn real pushups!

I'm trying to learn to excercise for more than just weight loss reasons. It also improves your serotonin (sp?) levels in your brain. Recently dx with Bipolar, that's an important chemical to boot. I'm also learning to realize that excercise doesn't have to involve the gym (which I have a hard time motivating myself to go to more than twice a week). Last night I needed light bulbs. I went shopping. Home Depot was my favorite. They aisles are big, there is few people there and it is a huge place. So after I got my light bulbs out I started in aerobic pace and walked up and down every aisle. Since it isn't Target, I didn't need to slow down and examine every product carefully, but they did have some pretty cool stuff. Last night's trip, according to my pedometer, was worth 3 miles. I did the same thing at Sports Authority. Not my typical store. Once I looked at the only wall with my kind of stuff on it, I aerobic walked through the rest of the store.

Hey Gracenote & other gym goers,

Mate, I think it's GREAT that you go to the gym !! Be happy that you do it, it's awesome, now that your foot is in the door and you're getting to know your way around, knowing what to expect you'd be suprised how easier it will go from there - time is all it takes, patience & exercise are the main keys when it comes to weight loss, they really are.

It's just because you've delt with that 'fat person' feeling a long time like we all have at some stage - that's why I was way too much of a wuss for that very reason so instead of going the gym I brought a manual treadmill($200AU) and I've used that at home - plus I liked the idea of always having something right there to use. I've mixed it up a bit and I walk alot outside now as you condition to one thing and nice to get out and about, it does work me out better doing that too - yet I still felt insecure at times when I'm clearly a fat person trying to get fit and I hadn't really done that by myself before. People drive past and stare at you, fit runners and football groups jog past you, girls with bodies you dream of overtake you... then occasionally you see people who are just like you at it too. Eventually you just block everyone else out and do your thing ! for you !

Going to a gym makes you feel at first and at times like - don't look at me, I know I'm fat, the odd one out and I want to be fit like you - makes you feel like a 'wannabe' and like you're a 'try hard' compared to all those gym goers that have been there for years, flat tummys, hot as anything... it's like walking into a world that is you and the skinny/fit people - all your insecurities from the years rolled into one ! See how silly that sounds though because it's just insecurities, which is valid and undertsandable from what you've been through being a 'fat chick' but know that it doesn't have to feel that way, it will at times but it's part of the challenge, it's what makes it all that more rewarding when you start to feel better about yourself !

One day when I was out walking around this park track for runners etc, this is what you get insecure about, other people - I had the ultimate fat person thing happen and a group of young boys riding past being smart were making fun saying 'wobble that gut' which made me mad at first and brought out my insecurities! little buggers ! cos I was trying, and then I thought NO WAY is some little kid that I'll probably never see again going to stop me from doing this, why should he ? It's so silly, he can think that - it's true my gut was wobbling ! and really so what ? hehe but It doesn't mean I'm ugly and I can change that about myself, I was doing that and still am - I was back there the next day because I've heard it all before, haven't you ?! nothing anyone thinks or says will make any difference to me now because we've all been through it.. hehe Really what can anyone say to stop us and some people yeah they suck ! but they have nothing to do with my life and what I'm doing to improve it, it hurts at first but then you think, why do I even care ! where are my running shoes ! plus majority of people I cross are very friendly !

People are really cool though and mostly I get 'hellos' around the track. People can think what they want because I am trying, so are you, so is many many many people, you don't need to hide that anymore, no matter what anyone thinks we already look good and we are all lookin' better one step at a time !

ps. my stats are:
231.5/187/132

ah, I understand your pain but I did it anyway and boy am I glad I did now when someone who looks like I use to look I go out of my way to try to make
them feel comfortable. I was so out of shape It was sad real sad. Hang in there kiddo just look at them an keep saying one day I will look like that, great inspiration. At least thats what I did I turned intimidation into inspiration

you can do it I wish you the best