Hey there

Not sure if this is the right place to post but here goes.

I am ready to move, I want to get rid of my flab, but I dont want to move, dont want to go to the gym (i have a membership to one that has EVERYTHING) I honestly dont know why I joined.

Im sick of going to pick my 3 yr old up and looking at Mums who have their sports gear on and looking tanned and wonderfull who wont talk to me cos Im fat and not with the "in-crowd". I do get the odd, ooo have you lost weight and then theres the looks of oh no here she comes, talk about something else (I think Im paranoid).

Im just sick of it and fed up and NO I DONT WANT TO GO TO THE GYM after all that, but on the other hand, Some days I think to my self I should just go and get thin and not talk to them when the time comes but I just sabbotage my self and not go. Im very good at talking myself out of things and in to other things.

Ive not excersised today or yesterday and not thinking about it tomorrow but I would like to LOL I just cant get my head round getting an appointment and getting to the gym and getting started on circuit training.

sorry just wanted to vent a little

I know how you feel about dreading people at the gym. I think I'm paranoid too but I always feel like people are staring at me. I'm sure that's WAY not the case.....in fact, it's kind of a self-absorbed attitude on my part. Why would some stranger waste his/her gym time thinking about what I'm doing????

You know, you could just go walk around your neighborhood or something until the gym seemed less intimidating. Or do some videos....

I feel your pain...and, apparently, we are not alone! I found this interesting article about "gym phobia." (I hope the link works). Listening to headphones works for me. My gym plays music, but I find that, when I bring my own, I can "zone out" and focus on what I am doing, rather than who is around me. I also put together a playlist on my iPod that is not necessarily "workout music," but rather songs that remind me of other things. Right now, I'm listening to a lot of Jimmy Buffett, since it always makes me think about summer and getting together with friends, rather than the task at hand! Hope this helps!!


http://www.lifetimetv.com/reallife/d...es/phobia.html

No one cares about what you look like as much as you yourself do. Really, most folks are at the gym to deal with their own bodies, not to look down on yours.

When you use snotty behavior (real or imagined) at your son's preschool as a reason not to go to the gym, you're only hurting yourself, you know?

Sue its absolutely the perfect place to vent. I just need to sneak in and mention a couple of things. I am now a fitness convert -- in the past I got most of my exercise going back into the kitchen to get a second helping of nachos - ice cream - whatever I was eating. I work at a post secondary institute with full gym, aerobics studio etc etc all here for me free of charge. I don't think I went near the gym for over 10 years. No way no how. When I decided last year I needed to take this weight off once and for all I was 267 pounds (not my highest weight) and I needed to eat and exercise to do it. I started out going to the gym and hitting what machines were available -- have to admit could be rather boring -- I ended up listening to books on tape - it kept my interest.

Last fall I started taking the fitness classes -- just one core concept class -- great place to start. Then I added a definition class and now a third one that is a combo of many different disciplines. I never ever thought I would do a fitness class but now that I am going regularly and seeing and feeling the benefits I can't get enough. I just joined a four week - three days a week fitness bootcamp.

All I can say is forget what anyone on this earth might even be thinking about you -- you are the important one here. Are there classes at the gym - join in -- do NOT feel you can't do the classes. I was amazed when I took my first class that I never once looked at anyone in the class but the instructor and the best part is everyone is like that. Trust me -- you are so busy trying to follow the instructor you only pay attention to yourself. Just take it slow -- don't worry about stopping to take a break. Geesh last night we had to do a timed run -- the elite people in the class finished in about 4 minutes I was proud to finish in 9 minutes -- the main thing was I finished.

Like the others mentioned just doing some great videos at home is wonderful. Prevention Magazine has a great selection.

Find the determination -- trust me eating right is just part of the equation, moving and drinking the water results in weight loss.

Joanne

I hate the gym 5 years ago my then husband, who was drop dead hot and had the perfect body, asked me to go , felt out of place, after i met a few people there, I was going twice a day, once at 9am ran on the treadmill to jerry springer. Then at night for a little weight training, i have since injured my back so i cant go any more for a while...

Sue - Do you like the gym? If you don't like it, you're not going to go. You're going to find every excuse in the world not to go. So don't go! But that doesn't mean don't exercise. Find something that you enjoy. Walking maybe, with an iPod and some great music. There are tons of fitness DVD's out there too. The key to exercise is doing something that you enjoy. Once you find that, you will look forward to it and make it a priority. Good luck, and don't give up!

I understand how you feel. I know how awkward it is to walk into a room full of people who all seem to have it together while you feel like you're flailing around. It's times like that when I actually *like* to think about how self centered most people are (normally I don't think about that because it's too depressing, but it helps in this case!) I just tell myself to go, I will feel better, just go and keep going and make it a routine, to **** with what everyone else there is doing. I'm not there to make buddies or get in anyone's good graces, you know?

I also agree that bringing your own music can help you zone out. If you don't get motion sick you could try bringing a magazine (the gym's the only place i'll let myself read celebrity gossip rags, and i look forward to it!) Really, once you make it a routine and part of your day it won't seem daunting, I promise. YOu'll start to see the same people, smile and nod, and go about your business.

Hi,

I was forced to use the gym at school for a class last year-I absolutely hated it. I felt like everyone was staring at me and judging me. I totally dislike exercising in public-even walking. Last summer I went walking through my neighborhood and this older man who was on his porch yelled to me, "you need to walk faster than that!"

Those are the reason I love to exercise at home. I have a ton of dvds-for cardio, strength and yoga, I have weights, a stability ball, resistance bands and a recumbent bike-no need to leave the house! I can roll out of bed and doing my workout by 6am. No one can see me. I love it!

Even if I could afford the membership at the beautiful gym near my house, I still wouldn't go!

Sherry


I understand about the groups of moms, too. It seems like there's this gaggle of them at my son's school who are all dressed in these cute workout clothes. I hate standing near them.

Hi

Thank you sooo much for your responses, It was a lifter last night to read them all

Im heading to the gym tomorrow morning to book an appointment with a trainer, if I dont push myself noone else will. I really do love it once Ive been to the gym, I just have this problem of getting there. So now I will start my day with the "I have to go to look/feel good" saying.

I have got myself a Zen (like an ipod) so just loading it up now with stuff, so if I get tangled up in the machines with it, I will have to move to get it all out


I love this forum theres no other place like it, thanks again for listening to my ramblings

I promise you that one you get started you'll wonder what took you so long.