The Gym

I really really want to join a gym. I want to get fit, I know that exercise will help me lose weight that bit quicker - I also know that when I exercise I feel more confident about myself.

But unfortunately my self esteem and confidence is so low that I can't bring myself to join a gym!

Has anyone got any words of wisdom or way of thinking that could help give me a kick up the jacksie?? Please?

Not all gyms are the same ... the big multi-nationals tend to be the 'trendier' places and if you're going to find posers, it's more likely to be in gyms such as Fitness First etc.

Why not just go and check a few places out ... you can often get a 'feel' for a gym as soon as you walk through the door. The first time I joined a gym I was about 20st and pretended to be checking on behalf of my husband. I told myself that if I saw a single thong leotard then I'd be outta there!

As it was, the gym just had ordinary people in legging and T-shirts all doing the same thing ... trying to get a bit fitter! Nobody looks at you and sniggers - if anything, when I was even bigger than I am now, people tended to give me encouraging smiles: after all, I'd actually got off my butt and was addressing my weight problem head-on - that's nothing to be laughed at is it?

I loved my gym up North and went three times a week for two years. I moved home to the South coast 18 months ago and it's taken me this long to find a gym I like. I went for my first serious workout today and the memories of how AWFUL you feel at first came flooding back.

It takes a few weeks of dedication before you begin to feel any benefit ... until then, you can sometimes find yourself questioning why you're going at all! I know I feel shaky, a bit sicky and generally knackered at first - but then it all slots into place and you start feeling great!

Good luck - remember, look around and see what's on offer.

Definatly go for a look round first. Pick 3 local to you that you could get to easily or on your way home from work. Visit all 3 and just ask to shown round. Tell them you're checking out a few.. they want your custom and competion encourages effort! If you don't feel confident... think of someone you know and admire that seems confident and ACT like them... just think how they would handle it and do that. Check for what type of people are there, what condition the equipment is in, how much help and info the person showing you round can give you - ask lots of questions and be sure they can answer. You want a gym that will encourage to train properly, not one that just leaves you to your own devices.
While you're busy thinking of all this you won't have time to feel awkward Good luck!

Even members only gyms will often give you a day pass or a weekend pass so that you can try out all the facilities before you commit to a membership. They often don't advertise this fact - just ring them up and ask if they do anything like it. Some don't have day passes but they will let you have one free session signing in as a guest. Remember, they want your money, so they will try to entice you in if you put up a little bit of a fight

As for other members - remember that everyone is there for the same reason you are. Some of them will be bigger, some will be smaller. Some will be more fit, some less fit. But ALL of them, every single one, will be too busy either watching themselves in the mirror, getting on with their own workout or watching the TV screens that are in most gyms now that they won't even notice you're there.

It's not a catwalk, the only person watching you is your personal trainer, and you've nothing to prove. You're just going there to get fit and healthy, same as every other person in there.

I am no gym bunny by any stretch of the imagination but I joined a ladies only gym last year and I have to say it is not the least bit intimidating, although I was worried the first time I went. There are a few very fit ladies/girls but even then just wear leggings/tracksuit bottoms and t-shirts. Give it a go, I have to say I quite enjoy it !

Sparkle said:

I really really want to join a gym. I want to get fit, I know that exercise will help me lose weight that bit quicker - I also know that when I exercise I feel more confident about myself.

But unfortunately my self esteem and confidence is so low that I can't bring myself to join a gym!

Has anyone got any words of wisdom or way of thinking that could help give me a kick up the jacksie?? Please?

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You are like me i want to go to the Gym but i alway think that only people are looking at me and thinking "Who the FAT CHICK on the running machine"!! So that puts me off going, but i am going to do my best to do more exercise at home.

I haven't been to gym for ages. I'm trying out the local leisure centre gym nearby tommorrow morning. I hope it all goes well.

chum_chums said:

I haven't been to gym for ages. I'm trying out the local leisure centre gym nearby tommorrow morning. I hope it all goes well.

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Hi Emily,

Good luck with starting back at the gym.

If you have not been to the gym in ages be sure to take it very easy to start with.

Love Mini xxx

Tried out the leisure centre gym in town totally enjoyed it. People of all different shapes and sizes go. Noone really gives anyone any bother either which is great.

Just thought I'd add, I joined a new gym about a month ago. I'm about 7 - 9 stones overweight, so Did not! relish the thought of a gym!

However, this new place that opened is different. It's called Gymophibics. It's women only, takes 30 minutes to complete a circuit & is lots of fun!

Not sure if you have them by you. Here's their link:
http://www.gymophobics.co.uk/

HTH. Good luck with whatever you decide to do,