well after years of looking through the windows of my local gym I have taken the plunge and decided to join
I have my induction on tuesday and I hope to get there at least 4 times a week. This is a HUGE step for me...I have always hated the idea of being the fattest woman on the bikes huffing and puffing away after half a mile while the others are speeding away without a bead of sweat on their face. My plan is to take my mp3 player and block the world out...that way if there are any super fitties behind me while my big bum is up in the air...I won't be able to hear their laughter
So this week will be the last one I spend exercising around all of my sons toys, lets hope I see some good results pretty quick!

Good luck to you NikNakNat!!!!

There must be dozens of folks on the forum who know exactly where you're coming from.
I promise you that in a short space of time the insecurity will melt away.


I'm keen to hear how your induction goes - did you join a chain or a local gym?

Thanks for the reply betterlikemel!! It is my local gym that I have joined which is good because it is only a 10 min walk away but bad because I live in a small village and everyone goes there ( even my daughters school friends apparently). I am sure once I have been a few times I will not feel as stupid...the worst part will be walking through the doors for the first time!! I will update once I have braved it ha ha ha xxxx

I completely understand what you mean. I knew loads of boys from my school when I first joined and I found it really embarrassing.
The way my gym was laid out meant I could go on a bike facing the wall and with no-one behind me so I used to take a magazine and sit on the bike for half hour. I soon got a bit more confident too.

I don't mind my induction (kick-start sessions) useful because they always try to write me a program that I won't stick to. If you find that those plans don't work for you, I have some gym-going tips that you might find useful, let me know!

Well done, I joined one 2 weeks ago. There are people of all shapes and sizes and abilities. I will be huffing and puffing my way through my 6th zumba session tomorrow- it is quite addictive!

Well done! I remember the feeling. I remember trying to figure out when to go to the gym around when i knew people would be at school/work etc so couldnt be at the gym.

The first time you go will be the hardest, but I promise it gets better. To be really honest, in the gym people are so focused on themselves they pay no or very little attention to who else is there>

Hope you enjoy it. Keep us posted!

well done niknaknat. You're a better woman than me!!!!!! Have fun!

Well I did it The induction seemed to take forever though ( nearly an hour), but I listened carefully as I didn't want to be one of those people shouting the coach all the time because I couldn't remember how to programme the machines!! I have to say that I really enjoyed it!!!I didn't feel as bad as I thought I would, no-one was interested in what I was doing just more focused on themselves, which is fine by me I am off there again tonight and this time I know what to expect and what machines are suitable for me, I'm a very happy bunny

Yeah its strange, people think when they join first everyone will laugh at me. But its a place where everyone does their own thing, the common goal is exercise and not judge others! And you will probably find you enjoy iy, and after you finish instead of being tired tc, you will have energy! Good luck and keep going, I slacked off last 2 weeks with working away and a holiday break and find it hard to go back and get stuck in again. Enjoy it and congrats on taking the step.

Thanks everyone xxx