18 stone and panicking about gym today

[MamMamMam]

I signed up to my local gym a few days ago, so paid in full. Now I'm thinking of a million ways to back out

Im almost 18 stone. Unbelievably unfit, i can't believe I've let myself get here.

I feel physically sick thinking about it. The judgement, the showers, me collapsing in a sweaty lump on the floor.

I can't think of what to pack in my gym bag. I want to hide, but i can't sit on the sofa and continue the way I am, as much as I'd like to.

The staff seem lovely buuuuttttt feck I'm panicking.

I have to be there at 10.30

Please feed me your positive gym stories

i used to go to the gym much fatter than you and nobody turned a hair, there were plenty of large people there most of the time. Everyone will think you are great doing something about it.

Well done, OP. I joined a gym for the first time this year. I listed to Atomic Habits and realised I just need to take baby steps. I have to do it the way it works for me. I decided for the first few times I would literally just walk on the treadmill for 20 min and not push it any more than that.

I made myself shower there for the first time last week because I knew it was worrying me, and I was literally crying in the shower with how weird and freaked out I was. But I did it and can do it again (top tip get a nice robe like this one as it makes it more bearable).

Exercise/the gym is like a drug, you will go and once start you feel good you will love it. I think of it as time for myself.

I survived, just! I can’t walk or get up stairs today though!

Everyone at the gym was really lovely. It’s a boxing gym (i didn’t know that, the classes are run separately in a side room!) and the amount or tortuous equipment was scary. They were all lifting heavy weights but i just did the bar on it’s own and the lightest i could find. Meant i managed to keep up with the reps.

I have to do classes as i just can’t self motivate.

I have booked for tomorrow but may leave it til fri or sat if i am still sore. Best part is it’s payg so if i have to miss because of work or other committments i don’t feel my money is wasted.

I had a fitness assessment yesterday and my metabolic age has gone down 17 years in 10 weeks! That has given me the biggest lift!

Yes, enjoy your session tomorrow, OP

Well done OP. I keep saying I'm going to go but never do it.
I have lots of questions such as, what should I wear?! Which trainers are the right type? How often will I need to go?

I have lots of questions such as, what should I wear?! Which trainers are the right type? How often will I need to go?

A) comfortable b) comfortable ones c) go once. Wait a few days until your body stops screaming then go again. Eventually you will adjust and then it’s as often as you want. But go once. Then figure it out.

I have lots of questions such as, what should I wear?! Which trainers are the right type? How often will I need to go?

Wear : Comfortable but reasonably tight clothes - leggings and a snug long T shirt - because then nothing will ride up or down and you'll be free to move in any direction.
Sweaty patches are a GOOD thing at the gym

shoes : Comfortable. Go for mid range but fully adjustable

how often : aim for at least twice a week - the addiction kicks in soon enough