Going to a gym for the first time tomorrow... I'm nervous.
Okay, so I've definitely been working out, but usually it's from the comfort of my tiny apartment. But I love doing sprint intervals (I run really fast for as long as I can, then slow down until my heart rate slows a little, then repeat), and I can't do that outside anymore because it's too cold where I live. I hate cardio videos with a passion, so that's out.
I don't have and can't afford a treadmill, but I want to use one. There's a gym close by, and I'm going to go tomorrow. I've never been to one before, and I really don't like working out in front of other people. I'm not the most fit person in the world, and I sweat a lot and turn beet red... It's a little embarrassing, and I feel like everyone's watching/judging me sometimes. I don't like it.
I feel like I won't give it my all if I feel so self-conscious, and I don't want to do that. I want this weight off, and I want to get more fit. But I feel like I'll be the biggest, lamest person there. I hate that feeling, because I usually never get it about anything. But here it is.
For all you gym-goers out there, do you have any tips about staying calm and just enjoying the time working out? Are there ways to overcome my worries about other people seeing me work out, or feeling gross next to a super fit person working out next to me? Or do I just have to suck it up and deal with it like an adult?
Honestly, don't worry about how you look when you work out. There will always be someone there bigger than you, smaller than you, the same as you, etc. People are just concentrating on their own workouts, so I think you will be fine. You are doing this for you, and who cares what other people think? They won't say anything to you - you are doing this for yourself, and I applaud that you are making the effort to go and work out.
I do understand how you feel though, I used to work out at night and see these skinny model types working out near me - finally, I just got over myself and said, "ya know what, I'm doing this for me" and it kept me motivated to move faster on the elliptical or whatever excercise I was doing.
I don't like working out in public either, but I do it - and I turn so red I've asked people if I need medical attention. I always have - even when I was super fit.
You guys have made me feel better already. I'm very determined to do it. I've got to keep myself psyched up so I won't back out. I CAN'T back out.
Thanks for the support. I'll just keep telling myself that the people don't care, won't say anything, and I'm doing it for me. Deep breath, and here we go.
I recommend your favorite tunes on an ipod- I find focusing on the music easier then my surroundings.
Also remember that half the people in there are too worried about how people are judging them to be worrying about you!
I'm with everyone else... don't feel self conscious. My gym has tons of young kids doing sport clinics and I'm there sweating and turning beet red as they trot in and out. Do I feel self conscious? Sometimes. But then I think about my achievements and how I'm not there for them I'm there for me.
I go to the gym everyday and I love it. In the beginning it was weird to watch people and know they were watching me. The key is to remember that anyone that matters is applauding you for even showing up and that anyone thinking mean or unhelpful thoughts isn't worth the time it takes you to look over at them.
Workout for yourself not the peanut gallery. Good luck! Work smart!
I put audio books on my iPhone and listen to those - you tend to zone out what is going on around you when you are following a story more so than with music.
It was pretty great! I feel so much more relaxed now that I got a workout in. Tomorrow I'm going to go earlier so I can workout a little longer (I procrastinated this morning and only got in a 20 min. jog, but also a half hour power walk to and from the gym).
You were right: no one said or did anything, and the only looks I got were when I turned beet red from my workout (this is normal for me, so I'm fine with some quick stares). Yay!
The support and tips have been amazing, guys. Seriously, I don't think I would have gone without all your reassurance. Thanks!
I like to tell myself, I am there to work out - to get fit - to better myself... and NOT to win any beauty contests. I put on my iPod and zone out. I think of it as my "me time". And I have seen ALL shapes and sizes at the various gyms I have belonged to over the years. I think I will probably always have a gym membership somewhere.
I go to a gym at my office - so not only do I have to get into my underwear and grunt and sweat in front of other people, I have to do it front of my co-workers, my boss, etc.
After a while you do realize that most people are caught up in their own thing and not busy judging anyone else. And you do develop a friendly sort of camaraderie with the people who work out at the same time you do - at least to the nod and smile at the water-fountain level, which is pretty pleasant.
I'm 69 and still go to the gym 6 days a week. I don't pay attention to anyone else and I don't think they pay any attention to me. I go to the Y and do their FitLinxx program and the customed designed for free a workout for me and the trainer went around with me and got me started. You really should be doing some strength training as well as cardio. I didn't think I'd like it, but I love it and look forward to doing a little more weight every week. I also do water aerobics 3 times a week, Silversneakers once and Cardio machines twice. People are very nice and helpful. There are all shapes and sizes and they tend to concentrate on what they are doing, not others. Enjoy your time there.
I go the gym all the time. I never pay attention to anyone—I get into "the zone"—and I think that's the norm. I don't even do the nod. I'm totally into my workout.
My face used to get very red when I worked out. I'm not sure when that stopped happening, but it did. But while it was happening I always tried to run near one of the gym fans. It helped a great deal.
Last edited by Petite Powerhouse; 09-16-2010 at 12:33 PM.
I absolutely understand where you are coming from. I go to the gym nearly every day and I certainly struggle with it sometimes. I don't know how all of the machines work, I am bigger than most of the people there, I can't go for as long as someone else can on the machine next to mine...
But what it comes down to is this -- I am not going to let my paranoia about what a stranger may think about my size stop me from becoming who I want to be.
I admit when I go into the gym, if it is VERY crowded, I tend to leave because of my anxiety. I have learned what the peak times of the gym are and I avoid them like the plague, but I am slowly learning to just keep my eyes ahead, go to the machine I want to work out on, turn on my i pod and do my very best to ignore everyone else - I can't let them determine ME.
Your iPod, Zune, or any mp3/CD player would be your best friend at the gym. When I attempted to start running, I was really self conscious especially being next to the fit people running nonstop. It was my iPod that saved the day. Get a good fast paced play list to keep you going and you'll be sooo into your jams, you won't even noticed the people around you. This is for you, make it happen my dear. *hugs*
Going to a gym for the first time tomorrow... I'm nervous.
