I'm ashamed

Swazzle

As some of you know I joined a gym yesterday.  I got my work clothes & stuff for the shower packed & set out the clothes I'd wear at the gym last night.  I set my alarm for 4:45am (the gym opens at 5:30 & I have to be at work no later than 7).  My alarm went of & I laid there coming up with all the reasons why I wasn't going to the gym:

1) It's really dark at 4:45am.  

2) I could get raped & murdered walking to the light rail. 

3) I don't have a lock for my locker. 

4) The showers might not have shampoo & conditioner & body wash & I'll have to go to work dirty. 

5) I have no idea where anything is (or really what I'm doing) because I haven't taken a "tour" yet.

These are basically lame ass excuses & I'm ashamed & angry with myself for basically chickening out.  I don't know why I'm so terrified.  The gym just really, really intimidates me.  I know the only way to get over this is to just go & get it over with for the first time.  

Any advice for a first time gym-er & scaredy cat?

cu97tiger

I know exactly how you feel. The gym totally intimidates me, too. But here's what you tell yourself.... at the VERY least, you know how to work a treadmill. You can do intervals, hills, or just go for a nice slow jog. So don't let that stop you. Once you're actually at the gym, make yourself do ONE more thing... grab some arm weights and do lunges, grab some arm weights and do bicep curls. Just one more thing than the cardio you came in to do.

YOU CAN DO IT!

mookow86

I don't really have any advice because I don't go to a gym either, but I just wanted to say that you can do it! Is there a way you could go for the first time on a weekend to familiarize yourself with the place? That way you don't have the excuse of having to get up early and it being dark.

loves2shop4shoes

Gyms can be super intimidating, but everyone starts somewhere. Believe me, no one is judging you for making the effort to go to the gym. Start slow... Treadmill or elliptical. When you're done with your workout, take 5 minutes to go exploring. Within a week, you'll know enough about the gym to feel comfortable. Does your gym have group exercise classes? If so, I'd highly recommend them. I go to group exercise classes every day and it really helps me stay accountable. When I'm around others and we're exercising as a group, I'm far less inclined to "give up" because I'm tired or my body is sore. Bottom line: you spent the money to join the gym, so don't waste it. Start slow and work from there. You CAN do it, if you allow yourself to.

Stina51286

Is it scary but you can do it! Are there classes available or even personal trainers? Yes I know that can be expensive but some gyms offer it for a week or two and that can help with the anxiety once you actually get there.

If you don't already get some pepper spray, a little light to carry with you in the dark, and have your cell phone easily accessanble to you on your walk.

YOU CAN DO IT!

QuiltingNurse

I've been going (or not going) for months and I'm still nervous to go sometimes. I started out by taking classes. It helped me get a feel for what kind of people I'll see at the gym and realized that it wasn't nearly as scary as it seemed and there were lots of people in the same shape as me. Now I just get nervous when it's really busy and all of the really really fit people are there. 

I'm really bad for having my bags packed and just not going, maybe try going at night or a better time during the day, getting up that early for something you're not excited for might make it more difficult to get out of bed.

Swazzle

Thank you all so, so much.  

I think you're right about going in the morning, at least for now.  I have a dentist appointment after work tomorrow that I'm going to call & reschedule so that I can go straight to the gym & get a feel for things.  It also helps that I'll get there a little earlier than when most people get out of work so hopefully it won't be too crowded & I won't feel like everyone's looking at me thinking "NEWBIE!" LOL 

I just checked the class schedule & tomorrow night at 5:30 they have a "Cardio Sculpt" class.  It says "Creative and Fun workout alternating between cardio drills and strength training intervals. This overall body training session is designed to burn the maximum amount of calories." 

I wonder if I would die trying to do that class on my first day?  Maybe I will stick to the treadmill tomorrow night & try out a class next week.  Or maybe I will start on the treadmill & feel empowered & try the class out anyways. 

Thank you all again!

IrishDreamer

Rdr, I was the same way! Bf bailed on me after the first night, and has been going by himself, since our schedules don't coincide anymore. I was so nervous, but you just have to suck it up cupcake and go. You will feel better after a few trips. Pp's are right, try some group classes, start on the track or treadmill, just do something small and work up. You can do this

Swazzle

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_im-ashamed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:315d35f3-f408-4c82-806c-c11d69494593Post:51b5cc9c-1433-4307-ba97-3c1c3e8e8ea9">Re: I'm ashamed</a>:
[QUOTE]RDR, I don't think doing the class your first day will be too much.  Most of those classes, you're still kind of going at your own pace.  I was in a class last night, and a few things she asked me to do, I just couldn't finish them.  But I know I wasn't alone in that, haha.  I say jump right in!  You'll be sore, but you'll feel good about it! I think that class sounds great.   Have you tried spinning, or does your gym offer it?  It's my new favorite thing - and I do NOT like working out.
Posted by polo1425[/QUOTE]

<div>Yep, they have spinning.  They have it several times a week but only at night on Mondays.  Definitely something I want to try!</div>

bethsmiles

Do they have any deals with a personal trainer? All the gyms I've been to let you have a session or two for free with one of their trainers, its an awesome way to get to know your way around the gym.

Also, if you have the money I highly recommend paying for a trainer - especially if you don't know what you are doing. A good trainer will give you awesome result (if you actually do what they tell you!)

Swazzle

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_im-ashamed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:315d35f3-f408-4c82-806c-c11d69494593Post:a2215dc7-bbdd-48b8-9725-7caba16ab150">Re: I'm ashamed</a>:
[QUOTE]Do they have any deals with a personal trainer? All the gyms I've been to let you have a session or two for free with one of their trainers, its an awesome way to get to know your way around the gym. Also, if you have the money I highly recommend paying for a trainer - especially if you don't know what you are doing. A good trainer will give you awesome result (if you actually do what they tell you!)
Posted by bethsmiles[/QUOTE]

<div>I'm not positive but I will ask when I go tomorrow.  I signed up for a "trial" ($30 for 30 days).  If I choose to join within the first week they'll credit the $30 towards my first month's dues. </div>

Elle1036

I hope this doesn't sounds stupid.

When I plan on working out in the morning, I have to tell myself the night before "I promise myself I'm going to get up in the morning and go to the gym."

I've always considered a promise to myself to be a very big deal, and I never break one.  So when I'm lying in bed in the morning, coming up with long lists of reasons not to get up, I'll remember that stupid promise and drag myself up.

On another note, does your gym offer personal training services?  If so, maybe consider doing a few just to get you used to the gym and the equiment.  Training sessions are usually pretty pricey and I wouldn't advise you to do them long term, but it would be a great way to get you over the initial intimidation.

ETA:  I just saw that Beth brought up personal training already.  So yeah.

motoLyn

RDR I was in the same shoes as you when I first went to the gym.  What I came to realize is that everyone there is there to work out and I kept telling myself that.  Think about it, you made the effort to go and so that's a big plus already.  I just go and ignore everyone, don't even make eye contact and just put my music up loud.  Great thing about working out in the morning is that for the rest of the day you know you started off kicking butt.  Initial visits to the gym can be intimidating but once you have a couple under your belt then you're golden.  Plus at 5:30 am people are there to work out and get to work.  Its after work that the gym sucks! 

You can do it!  Next time you lay in bed in the morning and think of excuses remember what it felt like this morning when you didn't go.

Swazzle

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_im-ashamed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:315d35f3-f408-4c82-806c-c11d69494593Post:0524d12f-6449-45e9-bf43-103a43955df7">Re: I'm ashamed</a>:
[QUOTE]RDR I was in the same shoes as you when I first went to the gym.  What I came to realize is that everyone there is there to work out and I kept telling myself that.  Think about it, you made the effort to go and so that's a big plus already.  I just go and ignore everyone, don't even make eye contact and just put my music up loud.  Great thing about working out in the morning is that for the rest of the day you know you started off kicking butt.  Initial visits to the gym can be intimidating but once you have a couple under your belt then you're golden.  Plus at 5:30 am people are there to work out and get to work.  Its after work that the gym sucks!  You can do it!  <strong>Next time you lay in bed in the morning and think of excuses remember what it felt like this morning when you didn't go.</strong>
Posted by motoLyn[/QUOTE]

<div>This is a really, really good point.  I'm going to go tomorrow after work because I have nothing going on so I won't be on a time-crunch & can get a feel for things.  Ideally, I would like to start going in the morning to get it over with though. </div>

jorja86

I'm right there with you, Rdr. I make alllll kinds of excuses for not getting to the gym. I agree with what PPs have said, mainly seeing if you can get someone to give you a tour, as well as work out some sort of routine/explain how you use the machines. When I first started going to the gym in high school, I had a couple sessions with a personal trainer, and I still use a similar routine (as far as which weight machines target the areas I want to work on) as the one she developed for me. 

Also, for me, when I had a normal person schedule in college, there was no way I was getting out of bed to go. It worked so much better for me to take my stuff to class with me and go directly after. Now that I go on my days off from work, it works best for me to go AS SOON as a I wake up. I have to do it first, or else I get settled in to lazing around on the couch, and don't do it. I think you just have to figure out where it fits in your routine best in terms of when you're actually less likely to make an excuse not to do it.

HULU

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_im-ashamed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:315d35f3-f408-4c82-806c-c11d69494593Post:f66f3ddc-af3e-416c-9081-2541259a9806">Re: I'm ashamed</a>:
[QUOTE]But at the gym, probably the only person I'm judging are the guys who just walk around and talk the whole time rather than work out, or the girls who show up with their hair down, full make up, and cute work out clothes and barely break a sweat[/QUOTE]

<div>Ugh, this. I hate seeing overly bulked men walking around like they think they're God's gift (99.9% of them are UUUUUUGLYYY), or the girls (especially grown women in their 40s who still try to dress like they're 21) who are just there to be seen. There was a guy at the gym I used to go to that had CALF IMPLANTS. It looked like he had boobs on the back of his legs. Totally weird and I still to this day can't fathom why he thought he was hot. Ugh.</div><div>
</div><div>Another thing you can check out is to see if they have a Women Only area. Most of the co-ed gyms I've been to have a closed off section just for women. Wouldn't hurt to ask. :)</div>