I’ve joined a gym... what now?

[mommathatwearspink]

So, I’ve signed up to my local gym. It’s part of my new healthy lifestyle plan, alongside eating well with the aim to lose weight. Following a couple of years suffering with mental health issues and binge eating, I’ve now decided to turn my life around instead of wallowing in self pity about my body.
But what now...? I can’t afford a personal trainer. How do I know what I should be doing?

Most decent gyms will offer an induction.

Take a look at the classes, I do much better in a group setting.

Start walking... Progress. Progress. Slowly ease up. There will be someone who can help x

I’m best at classes, hit, Pilates...nothing that requires too much coordination. I’ve been going on and off for a year but consistently for rhe last couple of months and can now see a difference.

Get an induction if there aren’t classes.

I like the gym. Work towards doing at least 30 minutes cardio after a five minute warm up go at an intensity that you can keep going but get out of breath (split between treadmill, bike, cross trainer or rower) and then do two sets of 12 repetitions on each weight machine. Look up an abs routine you can do on the mat. Every few weeks increase the frequency length intensity or type of exercise so you don't stall or get bored.

I believe you actually need to go - I pay my membership diligently every month but never got any fitter. Apparently I actually need to visit the place

Classes are great for beginners to the gym. If you haven't got someone telling you exactly what to do at all times then it can be tough to build and maintain an effective routine. Don't start with anything too strenuous, better to go to a class that's do-able rather than one which will put you off.

Go a couple of times a week then build up to more. Also, it helps enormously if you tell yourself you're doing it to make yourself healthier and stronger rather than for weightloss, which is often a happy by-product of going to the gym but a bad aim, if you see what I mean.

If your gym offers a free program then grab one.
If not think about what you want to achieve (what your goals are) and how you might go about it. if you have absolutely no idea where to start follow me on Instagram @michellejfox and I will be happy to have DM chat with you for free. If not I wish you all the best and hope you achieve your goals. Be confident in the gym and don't be afraid to ask the staff for advice

Your gym should offer an induction included in the price, and reviews after a set time. It's fine to ask staff questions any time too, they like it ime. Also Google and YouTube for example routines, see what you like/ suits you.

Go.

If you lack confidence, rest assured that you do not have a massive neon sign above your head and a claxon declaring your novice status. In fact you will be absolutely invisible.

Try all the classes, stand at the back and join in. If you enjoy it and go more and more, the invisibility cloak will slip a little and you will start to nod and say hello to other regulars and eventually make some small talk which will make it even more fun and you'll start to go for the social aspect as well as the fitness. But you must keep it up.

If you fancy the gym, just go and use the treadmill or step machine with headphones on to start. Then pay attention to the instructors and pick one you think you'll gel with most/closest in age/gender whatever, and ask them to do your free induction.

But please go.