Scared to go to the Gym!

**MoitvatedMomma** · January 30th, 2008, 06:44 PM

Ok, I am really new...like today new. But I have an appointment for my first gym visit today (learn the machines, etc) And I am totally freaking out! I mean, I am self conscious of my body, of my out-of-shapeness....I don't have any good gym clothes.

So I am just looking for some inspiration. Help me be brave. I need to go. Often. I can do this right?

**wishlikeagirl** · January 30th, 2008, 06:59 PM

Yes!!! Just **** it up for a little while and I GUARENTEE you'll be going in there like you own that place!!! Everyone goes to the gym to get into shape and make themselves better. It doesn't matter what you wear, just that you're getting the most out of your workout. I wear ratty pants and a huge sweatshirt most the time. People shouldn't care, and if they do they are CRAZY because you are there for one thing and one thing only. YOURESELF. Don't be nervous, just focus on what you're learning so you know how to use the machines correctly when you go in by yourself and don't be afraid to ask questions!!!

**sue0580** · January 30th, 2008, 07:03 PM

You can do it girl. think of all the benefits and plus a toned body along loosing more weight. U dig out any old sweats and big t shirt and go to the gym. Once u get started u will love it.

**MissDevon** · January 30th, 2008, 07:05 PM

I am the same way, I own a lot of work out stuff. I hope you get threw it alright.

**Angela C** · January 30th, 2008, 09:06 PM

You can do it

.I am sure once you go a couple times,it will seem like you have always gone.Let us know how your visit goes

.

**Raquel** · January 30th, 2008, 09:46 PM

You can do it - and by now, I guess you are there ... let us know how it goes.

for what it's worth, I feel the same way.

**NicCMU587** · January 30th, 2008, 10:00 PM

I felt the same way! I go to a university and the gym is constantly OVERFLOWING with young, beautiful, fit girls with amazing bodies. I was so intimidated and embarrassed. I was so worried that I would not only stick out like a sore thumb, but humiliate myself. But going through the doors for the first time is the hardest part. It wasn't bad. And I know your gym visit won't be bad either! You are already on the right track by making an appointment to have someone teach you how to use all the machines. That was/is my biggest fear is using the machines wrong. Feel good about yourself, you have already accomplished the hardest part of the process. You're on your way!

**janoodle** · January 30th, 2008, 11:36 PM

You can totally do this. Just remember that nobody is looking at you, and even the super fit looking people are self conscious. I can say that with certainty because I work in a gym, and I see people jockeying for the coveted back row positions. All ages and sizes, and there are SO many who won't position themselves in front of a mirror because they don't want to look at themselves...and this includes the super slim.

Let us know how it went!

**scatanafas** · January 30th, 2008, 11:46 PM

Don't compare yourself to the "gym bunnies"..there are people of all shapes and sizes at the gym....don't even worry about what you are wearing. Maybe when you get into the groove you can buy some nicer work out clothes, but think about it, you are just going to sweat in them! And you wash them as soon as you get home because machines are nasty.....especially if men were on them, because they sweat alot .....bleh...GROSS..so why do you want some fancy gym clothes that you are going to be washing all the time and then they start looking ratty anyway....

**tinabean** · January 31st, 2008, 12:23 AM

Originally Posted by scatanafas

Don't compare yourself to the "gym bunnies"..there are people of all shapes and sizes at the gym....don't even worry about what you are wearing. Maybe when you get into the groove you can buy some nicer work out clothes, but think about it, you are just going to sweat in them! And you wash them as soon as you get home because machines are nasty.....especially if men were on them, because they sweat alot .....bleh...GROSS..so why do you want some fancy gym clothes that you are going to be washing all the time and then they start looking ratty anyway....

I joined Curves for Women about 3 1/2 months ago. I Love IT! From day 1 I was made feel like "One of the Girls". I think if you can find your comfort level you will have a better workout. We talk, we laugh and before I know it I'm sweating and feeling the burn and feeling great about myself. I just started using the hula-hoop last week. I never thought I would be whirling my hips to try and keep a hula-hoop up
in front of anyone. But it's great. The whole room cheers you on even if you have the hoop going for the count of 5.
Good Luck. Be yourself. You have every right to be there. Go for it.
Tina

**SoftSeaSpirit** · January 31st, 2008, 01:49 AM

I'm totally with you on the scared thing. I'm proud of you for trying and for doing it the right way. Meeting with a trainer should help build your confidence. Reward yourself with some new workout clothes. You go girl! Angie

**trauma-mama** · January 31st, 2008, 05:06 AM

when i use to go to the gym i was always so jealous of those little skinny things with the cute clothes! but, i was comfortable in my sweats and t shirts and to heck with them! i got a lot of inspiration and motivation from going to the same classes with the same peeps over and over...if u didn't go it was why weren't u here? u sick...they cared and that made a difference. i loved the different classes, esp the bellydancing ones! talk about girl power! it rocked. good luck...u can do this!!!! i am jealous u get to go, we don't belong to a gym anymore.

**wishlikeagirl** · January 31st, 2008, 10:39 AM

How'd it go!?!?!

**Pryceless** · January 31st, 2008, 11:40 AM

Girlie, you better go on up in there with anything on. If the men dont look, oh well.....a few months down the line you'll be turning their heads if they still attend the gym. I had on a whole d@mn purple and black plastic suit....and didnt care, lol. I still turned heads, they may have laughed at me, but I was working my big tushy off!!! I thought I was a DIVA and a half in that plastic outfit, lol.

A funny moment of it though, I was on the Elliptical just working away, got off to get on the Treadmill. Once I finished the Treadmill, I started to feel a breeze......I busted the pants to the plastic suit, big huge hole, lol. I wasnt embarrased at all, no one could see the hole. I just walked out all nonchalant and kept it moving. If someone did see it, they also noticed that I was working my a.s.s. off as well, lol.

I'm a tad-bit self-conscience about my body as well, but my mind-set is like okay, the weight will come off if I exercise and stick to it. Besides, now, I'm only trying to turn "one" head...my boyfriend's, lol. When he first met me, I was 140, but he loves me big and all, but once I get back to "normal", he'll probably have to keep me in the house somewhere or go EVERYWHERE with me, lol!

Anyway, go on up in that gym...enjoy your work outs!!!! You'll be cute before you know it!

Pryceless

**MoitvatedMomma** · January 31st, 2008, 12:09 PM

Ok, sorry it took me so long to update...I couldn't get logged back in for some reason. LOL, Pryceless - don't we all have those moments when we think we are rockin' the outfit and we look back and are like O-MY-GAWD what was that about!? Too funny!

Thank you, everyone for your encouragement! I did it, I went! I put on my old gray pants and a huge t-shirt (quote my 4 year old....mom, why are you going to the gym in your pajamas!?) and I rocked it out. I was sooooo proud of myself afterward! I really like the manager of the gym and he spent a lot of time with me on how to use some of the machines, how much to do etc. And he is actually going to break down my "training" in the gym into several days to make sure I am getting it right....at no charge. So that is cool.

One kind of interesting note...the cardio machines that I used (treadmill & bike) both had heart rate monitors on the handles and I kept going into the "purple" (read over 200/min - too high) zone but I didn't really feel like I was working that hard. I mean I wasn't really sweating that much or anything. I wonder if it is just because the phen makes your heart race anyway?

**freels123** · January 31st, 2008, 01:37 PM

Congratulations on tackling that first day now it just gets better. As far as the whole deal with theose "Gym Bunnies" as someone earlier called them LOL. When I see someone come in with a body that I am envious of, although they probably think I am a freak I try and watch their every move. They didn't get that body watching tv day and night. They are doing something right. Sometimes I will even go up and ask them a little advice (just to prove to myself just because they are tiny and beautiful doesn't necessarily mean they are snotty and mean LOL. But just go in there and work your hiney off girl! And wear whatever, most of the time I don't even come close to matching!!!

**Raquel** · January 31st, 2008, 01:46 PM

So glad it was a positive experience for you.

ps: I'm still scared. LOL

**MoitvatedMomma** · January 31st, 2008, 04:23 PM

I am still nervous, someday I will have to be cut loose on my own...but I am going to reward myself after I go for 20 consecutive days, I am going to buy some new shoes. Gym shoes.

I also don't have a scale, I usually just measure myself with a tape once a week. I just hope I start loosing soon.