Why do I find this so difficult!!?

[BroomHandledMouser]

I went a few weeks ago to have a walk round our local gym. Made the appointment, spoke to the nice guy behind the counter, showed me how some of the equipment works etc.

I felt really happy and quite proud of myself, it took me a few months to pluck up the courage to do this.

Since then, I’ve been procrastinating about joining. There’s different types of contracts you can have, and I chose the three month one so I don’t feel tied down.

I NEED to do this, for my weight which is creeping on, and especially for my mental health which is teetering on the edge again.

I keep thinking how tired it’s going to make me feel. I already struggle with aches and pains, I’m 39 and I’ve always been tired - I’ve never had a lot of get up and go and I have the metabolism of a sloth.

Its an independent gym, with no frills so I feel comfortable there.

UGH!!!

Please tell me your success stories! I need to get my head out of my arse!

I am a regular gym goer , it’s literally a massive massive boost of energy . Actually I’ve missed it for a week and my energy levels have literally dropped off a cliff. I feel so much happier going to the gym , I’d actually sacrifice less money to be fitter. I’ve always been slim and got slimmer after 3 dcs due to breastfeeding for years so I don’t do it for weight loss but without the gym I’d feel completely lethargic and exhausted all the time. Really busy life with 3 dcs , jobs etc and I’d actually put exercise as a need. You will feel so so much better, it’s so toning , it’s one of the best things you can do for your health op . Go for it! I go in with a big T-shirt and leggings, no one cares what other people loook like only the younger ones and teenagers with each other ! I’d go for cardio exercises , even start with just 25 mins and once you’ve started your on track !!

It’s going to do an immense amount of good for your aches.

You will have more energy, find it easier to control weight gain, and be much more likely to maintain your health through mid life and late life. it’s very good for mental health.

You know what they say, if exercise were a pill it would be hailed as a miracle. 39 is a great time to get your arse into gear pre-memo.

Do it today - if you can book someone to give you a training programme that they’ll reassess every 6 weeks, do that.

Don’t overdo it. Start small.

The more you go, the more energy you will have. Start slowly - just got for 15 mins for the first time then build it up.

Exact same op and I think you may have just given me the courage and boost to flipping go back and join this week! We can do it! I work at home now and have put on 2stone since Covid I need to get back to myself again

I had to give up our lovely gym when we moved house as we couldn’t afford it and I miss it terribly… if you can afford it then definitely join.

this is so true!

It’s so hard to find the motivation when you’re starting out I think.
Could you do a class maybe? I find being led by an instructor helps to get going.
Or maybe once you’re there use the treadmill for steps and use the time to get the “lay of the land” to plan your attack of the gym floor.

I think it's important to start now, the older you get the harder it'll be. You've done the hard part already-just having a look around and finding somewhere you've comfortable with is a challenge.

You're overthinking it. Just go and walk on the treadmill for ten minutes.

I'm in a similar situation. I recently bought a Peloton but cannot bring myself to use it often despite the obscene cost of it. When I get on there I can only manage 5 minutes without being in pain, extremely uncomfortable, and usually end up swearing at the bloody thing. I always get off in a foul mood and I remember years ago feeling the same when I tried the gym. People who say you'll feel great afterwards are quite frankly taking the piss.

I know I need to keep going with it and eventually I'll notice a difference, but I think I need to get over this initial hump. I'm thinking of starting small and not putting too much pressure on it, and not telling myself that I'll feel good afterwards because that's not going to happen at this early stage. Good luck!

I'm also 39 and recently got back into the gym after having 3 DCs. I highly recommend starting with classes, I particularly like body pump and find I see results from it relatively quickly. The music, the instructor telling you what to do and all the other people around you is so much easier that just going into the gym on your own and not really knowing what to do.
I've been going for about 10 weeks now and feel soooo much better. Good luck, you can totally do this.

You literally never regret a workout, walk, run, cycle, whatever. But if you DON'T go, you will endlessly beat yourself up. Being fit makes you have a lot more energy too. The fitter I am, the more energy I have, the better I sleep, the better I look - it is all good. And aching joints feel a lot better too (although this could be linked to declining oestrogen - I had aching joints starting in my late 30s and the aches went away overnight when I went on HRT in my mid-40s). But there are literally no negatives about working out and getting fit - as long as you use the machines properly and don't injure yourself!

Just go. Is it definitely the right gym for you? I go to a 'big gym' (DL) where you're basically anonymous. Nobody is looking at you so if you just went, walked for 10 minutes on the treadmill & left, nobody would notice. Because it's so nice there though, it also feels like a bit of a treat to go, which is half the battle. I still wouldn't really be motivated to use the gym though (no willpower) so I go to the classes, they're lovely and a mix of super fit ones and really quite easy ones, so you could just start off with something gentle, or a swim.

Please go OP, you will feel better!

It really is! I HATE the gym, I find it so boring, and have to drag myself there, but I am so proud of myself after going, and everything feels better.

I lose weight, tone my body, my joints hurt less, I sleep better, I eat better, and I feel better mentally, it really is worth forcing yourself to go.

I've had 3 weeks off, and am struggling to go back, but this thread has made me realise that I need to kick my own arse back there tonight.

Good luck OP

Slightly off topic but have you had your vitamin D levels tested?

I was tired and achy for years and it turned out to be huge vitamin D deficiency. It is easy to treat by high level vitamin D liquid prescribed by GP when diagnosed.

Is this your gut telling you gym isn't the way? IMO exercise only works if it's built by into your day eg runs walks. If you join a gym and don't make it part of a daily routine then there's potential to do it for a bit then it falls off and it's an expensive mistake especially during the cost of living crisis. If you can afford it and have the will power then try the 3 months. Otherwise maybe try walking more and tbh diet ( NOT dieting) is much more effective for weight loss eg no processed foods.

@Gladitscloudytoday makes a good point. If you're tired all the time see your GP for blood tests. It could be vitamin D, or it could be B12 or folic deficiency, or others I don't know about.