Any Exercise or Gym Ideas?
 

Hey, I'm new here so I'm not sure if this exactly where I should post this. Bear with me as I'm figuring this all out please!

I just started a new job recently and, good news, they have a really nice gym employees can use for free. Bad news, there's no way I'm going to it as I am. The gym itself it run by the military and most of the people there are current or former military who are really in shape. My goal is to exercise somewhere else for awhile until I can at least feel good enough about myself to not worry about being laughed out of the place.

So far I was thinking of either joining a gym nearby or doing exercise dvds. There's a planet fitness and a curves nearby. Does anybody know if either of those places have ok atmospheres or just have an opinion on them? I like that planet fitness is cheaper, but it's farther away. I used to use exercise dvds with some success, but I've recently moved into an apartment that's not on the bottom floor and I don't want to make the tenant under me mad.

Just wondering what experiences people have had with different things in the past.

I'm trying to make myself stick with exercising this time. I took a bit of a break with moving and starting work and it's time to get with it again and work harder this time. I will do it this time!

Thanks,
EmilyB

I'd just go to your work's gym. Just like with weight loss, start small and work up. I used to be embarassed going to my work's gym but soon realized no-one cared and that I didn't care even if they did. Now I "own" the place. Grrrrrrrrrrr.

I've always had trouble worrying about what people might just possibly be thinking about me. The gym is run by marines and so I keep having horror stories of passing out from running through my head. Did it take you long to get over worrying what other people thought?

I sweated, and still sweat, like no-one else. When I first joined my gym I would run 0.5 miles and be soaked and out of breath. I would also sweat a lot on the weight machines. But everyone there was doing their own thing, so no-one cared.

Six months on and I am running 6 miles on the treadmill, more than most. And while I am not lifting the heaviest in the gym, I have gotten better and find it less tiring.

So just go for it.

I also take classes. Boxing in particular. So if someone were to take issue....

* PS For the record there are some large ladies in my boxing class. And I sure as f@ck would not mess with them.*

Just go!

Seriously, 99% of people at the gym are too busy worrying about what they're doing to look at and judge you.

And unless you're trying to keep up with the Marines (which I don't suggest), I wouldn't worry about passing out. ;)

Listen to some music or read, and just focus on doing your best workout. You can do it!

If you pass out, you want a gym that will notice that!

Military or no military, people who own and run gyms are probably very fit and very enthusiastic about fitness. Being a military person does not mean they will be more likely to tease or bully.

And military or no military, people who run businesses want to make money. And if they are encouraging corporate memberships where a company's employees can join for free, then they will ensure that the atmosphere of the gym is welcoming to their corporate clients. And if they treat you poorly, you can contact your employer to complain to the gym on your behalf.

If you're concerned about what people think of you when you're working out, why aren't you concerned about what people think of you when you're NOT working out?

Each gym have slightly different cultures and you want one that fits your needs. So, places like Planet Fitness are great and I'm glad they exist. However, what is the harm of trying this gym out--especially, when it's FREE!!

ETA: Have you spoken to co-workers who use the gym? They may tell you what their experiences are like.

I'll try and work up the courage to go on Monday. Thanks for the encouragement both of you! It really has helped.

They have personal trainers in the gym that are part of the marine fitness program. I had thought of asking them about what I should do to start out with so that's partly why I was worried that their version of 'easy' and mine wouldn't match up.

Fo me getting in shape was a lot easier than loosing weight. Exercise gives you very rapid results. I find it motivating and training with marines sounds great to me. It will encourage you. If you need some help at home, the 30-day shred by Jillian Michaels is about as good as it can get.

Do you suffer from social anxiety all the time or just when it pertains to working out? Your fears are a bit extreme and it sounds like they're rooted in never having worked out in front of other people before. Getting past this fear is just a small hump, it's not as big as you think it is.

There's always a little apprehension when working out in front of other people even for me, but it only takes a couple of minutes for that to subside. It's actually shocking how much people do NOT care about you. Everybody is there for themselves, they couldn't care less. The only way that you could make people stare in disgust at you is if you sat in the middle of the gym eating a big mac. I think you're hyping it up way way way too much, you're just holding yourself back over an imaginary fear, and that's the worst kind of fear.

My suggestion is to go, and hop on the treadmill. Walk at a pace that is comfortable to you. This gives you a chance to work out and still be observant of what other people are doing. You'll notice that nobody is even glancing at you. Do this for a few days or weeks. Slowly you'll start to notice that you'll try to amp up your workout little by little. Life is too short to be a prisoner of irrational fear. Why should the rest of those people in the gym live their life and you can't?

This is a huge pet peeve of mine. The last place anyone who wants to lose weight or get healthy should EVER feel embarrassed is a gym. And I know it isn't the fault of the person wanting to get in shape.

But seriously you or anyone is going to make a change to get better. Anyone having anything but praise for that is the scum of the Earth and not worth even bothering with.

It is like someone say back in the 30s or 40s who did not learn to read growing up going to adult school. Really going to scoff at someone with the courage to change and do something about it?

I have had people scoff at me at a fast food restaurant when I was my heaviest and even that is not cool (and BTW what were they doing there?). But I suppose at some level understandable. But a gym? That is the Last place on the entire planet anyone can scoff at anyone there. No matter their shape.

I also bet the Marines or whoever would be more than welcoming. Just say hey I'm not happy with how I let things get but I am working on a change now. How can anyone not respect that? Especially Marines?

I exercise at home for many reasons, but since that is not an option for you, take advantage of the free fitness center that is available to you. The money that you save will do well toward buying new, smaller size clothes. The first time will be the hardest.

I am active duty military and I work out at a Marine Corps gym. First, the gym will be deserted between 0800 and 1045 and from 1300 to 1500 because most AD work out before work, after work or during lunch. I don't know if you can go during any of those times.
Second, military gyms are open to dependents (spouses) and retirees and their dependents. They tend to be there in the morning. Many of them are not in good shape and may or may not be overweight (remembering that weight doesn't equal fitness).
Third, while a young Marine might make fun of one of his buddies that had let himself get out of shape; it would never cross his mind to have those thoughts about a civilian. I assure you, they are too busy being meatheads (and watching themselves in the mirror) to look at anyone else.
Fourth, the personal trainers at these gyms are underutilized and would love to have something to do. The military is well-funded and has fantastic gyms and gym programs. If you are an authorized user, you are an authorized user. Go use the gym. :hug:

About the passing out thing, I had just watched an episode of Biggest Loser with them all barfing everywhere and gross stuff so that was part of what was influencing me. And I have asthma and can't work out very long without stopping. If I go to the gym I want to ask the trainers there what I should do since they're free, but I'm just worried they'll be like Jillian on BL and be either not realize my limits or completely ignore them. Which logically I know I could just quit, but I still keep thinking that. And I've just had a really bad week.

I'm not generally that self conscious walking around, but I've never been able to go to a gym when there are a lot of people there.

I've been around a bunch of AD military guys before who were in absolutely amazing shape when they were getting onto each other about how they were all so fat and obese and so weak while I was off to the side hoping they didn't notice that I was off to the side. I think I'm probably letting that affect me way more than I should have. Even knowing that is still hard to ignore though.

thanks everyone for trying to help!

I was a 40 year old nice, suburban mom... and I took Krav Maga (military street fighting). Yes, many of the people there were in the best shape of their life, AND they were the sweetest, most supporting! And, I proved to myself that I could kick azz!! It was so much fun!!!

Also, it will only take you 15 min. of a true workout for YOU not to care what THEY think! Take boxing, it is great cardio, and very empowering! No one thinks you're fat or out of shape when you have at the bag!

Another reason to hate the biggest loser! Believe me, gyms are not like that. Nobody is yelling at anyone, nobody is falling odd the equipment and nobody is barfing. Gyms are more like libraries, everybody is doing their own thing and is pretty quiet about it. Nowadays everyone is wearing earphones staring at the screens and in their own little world. It's really not that social.

Wow Krav Maga that's super scary stuff you go girl!!