That first big hurdle.

squeak

squeak

New member
I think everyone has a few hurdles to clear when they commit themselves to losing weight, and I'm sure that everyone's is different.

For me, getting nutrition in order was pretty easy. Eat three nutritious meals with appropriately sized portions... check. Eat less sugar... check. Drink more water... check.

I lost about 20 pounds doing nothing more than changing what I ate and when (I used to be a 2-meal-a-day gal and ate a lot of fast food). What is proving to be my first really big hurdle is exercise. I've been making a lot of excuses for not exercising... not having the right shoes, not knowing the access code to the fitness center at my apartment complex, etc... but one by one I have stripped away those excuses and yet I still haven't been able to lever myself out of my armchair and get myself moving. I think I've finally figured out why.

I'm embarrassed/self-conscious about my weight. I am extremely intimidated by the simple likelihood that there will be someone else at the fitness center when I go. I don't like the thought of being watched... of being judged. Intellectually, I know that I am watched and judged every day when I venture out to face the world, but something about exercise makes me feel particularly vulnerable.

Though I know that I could certainly get out and walk briskly or exercise along with a DVD in my living room instead of going to the gym, I feel like getting past this barrier is an important step in my journey. Does anyone have any suggestions, thoughts or anecdotes to share?
 
Sometimes it's just l ike ripping off a bandaid -you just have to do it and realize it only hurts for 1.2 seconds.

Most people in the gym aren't going to concern themselves with you -- they are there to get a workout themselves and get out...

The best advice I can give you is go in with a plan as to what you want to do -
Do it
and then leave...

And give yourself a pat on the back for doing it.

Don't over do your first day...but go get your feet wet...
 
Im with Mal, most people arnt in the gym to look at others. They are there for a workout. More than likely they are thinking about themselves and if they pushed themselfs enough or have the right form or even if anyone will notice if they head home early :)

I started the gym when i was over 300lb, felt the same way, took 2 months before i got nods of recognition by regulars and realized that everyone was there for similar reasons, it was no different to going shopping.
And you dont really go shopping to ogle other people do you? (no, not you Mal, you stay out of this!)
 
ok fine i admit, some of us older woman who are getting a little angsty need the release of shopping to ogle the hot pimply faced youths serving us (not me! Mal!)
 
I do my ogling in the grocery store thank you very much - Men who can cook (and ya know buy vegetables and fresh herbs are super hot :)
 
Thanks for the replies, and I'm sure you're right. I think I've just had a few too many jerks jeering at me from passing cars while walking around town. Nothing like that has happened to me for years but those are the sorts of things that stick with you when it hits too close to home.

It's kind of funny but I don't think some people realize that weight loss is mental just as much as physical for a lot of people. (I know it is for me.) Breaking down barriers and silencing voices in your head can be just as difficult as getting exercise and eating right.
 
there are always going to be idiots who make comments...

use that feeling to get you to where you want to be...

don't let it keep you in hiding...
 
Hehe, I remember my first gym trip. Tight shorts, stretching T-shirt, and it felt like a thousand pairs of eyes on me (even though there were none).

A quick psychological tip: the more you stare at people to see if their looking at you, the more they're going to meet your eyes in expectancy of query, recognition, etc.

Get in there, pump out some reps, look and act the part and I guarantee no one will so much as sneeze in your direction.
 
:iagree: most gym members are only interested in doing their own thing, if you have an MP3 player to listen to it helps keep your mind focussed on your workout. sometimes having a workout buddy can make you feel less self concious at the gym.
 
Good tips, all! I bit the bullet and went last night... it was kind of late, so there was only one person there. Nodded to him on the way in and then just did my best to ignore him. Spent 15 minutes on the bike and then did some stretching before walking back to my apartment. (I know 15 minutes isn't much but I didn't want to overdo it.) I feel good this morning about having gotten that first trip out of the way, hopefully that will make subsequent trips easier.
 
15 minutes is perfect...

Too many people set a goal for themselves to workout out for an hour a day 6 days a week then burn out pretty quickly...

Start with 15 minutes -- 3x a week and gradually build...

good job for going..
 
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