To have anxiety over starting the gym

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Just that really, I’m no size 10 and I am wanting to loose a fair bit of weight I have a holiday booked for next year, but the thing is I feel sick to my stomach about going to the gym, I don’t have anyone who can go with me and I have such bad anxiety over going out new places alone.

Does anyone have any tips on how to get over this ? I need to for the sake of my health and to get into shake 😩

Following with interest. I’ve lost half a stone this year but you can’t tell as my tummy has got bigger. I really need to lose weight but am basically lazy and terrified of going to the gym ( though I used to love it years ago)

I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine, but it is daunting going to places like this when you're new to it. If it's others thinking bad if you, I find most people don't pay any attention to other people in the gym, so try not to worry on that account.

I find the best thing to help me in the gym if to make sure I've got some playlists with good tunes on, then just listen to those via headphones. It makes exercise so much more enjoyable. Good luck

Book an intro session with a trainer - that way you're not on your own and they'll help you with what to do so when you go alone you'll have a purpose.

Firstly don't worry about anyone looking at you, seriously everyone is very self involved at the gym. Secondly make sure they show you how to use all the equipment properly, that way you will use all the machines you need to and won't need to ask anyone else how to use them. Thirdly get a really good playlist and some good headphones so you can get into the music and everything and everyone else will kind of disappear into the background as you're exercising and enjoying the music.
The very first time I went to gym, I was a size 24 and no one batted an eyelid. I'd spent many months working up the courage to go, expecting all kinds of terrible things. The hardest part is getting through the doors the first time.
Good luck, it's never half as bad as you expect it to be. And you may even end up like me and find you actually enjoy it.

Ah please try not to be too daunted. My experience is that people don’t pay much attention to others at the gym apart from a nod or polite hello if faces become familiar after a while. Like pp said see if the gun does an induction and/or go at slightly quieter times like late morning or early afternoon until you feel a little more confident with going there.
Everyone there is trying to get healthy too/maintain their health so we’re all in the same boat. Good luck

I’ve spent a LOT of time in gyms and can honestly say most people are too busy eye-fucking themselves in the mirror to notice or care what anyone else is doing.

It’ll be great.

I was very unfit at the beginning of the year due to ill health and long working hours.
My advice would be, start with walking! Go for a good fast paced walk every day. This could be 15 to 20 mins and slowly increase the time. As you get fitter, you will get more confident. You will reach a point, when the neighbourhood walk is not enough any more (boring, predictable, not getting you out of breath ...) That is the point at which it is best to start going to the gym. You have someone fitness = confidence and you know what you can achieve. It won't be as daunting and you will be able to follow a basic workout programme.
It worked for me - like you, I have a holiday booked for nx summer! Best motivator ever!!!!

Please don't be intimidated! Every single person in the gym will have been a beginner too at some stage. Everyone starts somewhere, don't let thinking about others put you off. I've been there, and now I wonder why on earth I was ever nervous! Start simple, even if you do a slow and steady walk on the treadmill. Use the time to look around and get a feel for the equipment. Get yourself some headphones and some tunes playing and you won't look back. You can do this!

The gym I use is filled with all ages and shapes of people. Everyone is only interested in what they are doing themselves and I've not come across a single person who isnt friendly and helpful. I think the majority of people are of the opinion its not what you do or how much just that you are doing!

Bring your phone for Netflix/music/reading as others have said.

Sign up for a beginner group lesson where everyone else will be having a hard time too.

Sign up for something low intensity like yoga where you can close your eyes and relax and get over that initial hump.

Ask for a tour of the equipment where they will show you how to use stuff so you're not shuffling around awkwardly when you see a new machine.

Some gyms also have a "bring a friend for free" types of deals sometimes so you can convince someone to come just once or twice till you get comfy.

Sign up when there a lot of newbies like at New year's so you don't feel like you stick out.

Try to shift your schedule so you can at least go a few times when it's very quiet and you can take your time getting comfortable.

I despise working out and sweating and I'm super self conscious to boot, so I know it can be incredibly hard to take the first step. In any situation where I'm not comfortable I try a few things that usually help me:

Look for the other people who are on the same boat as you. Look for the older people or anyone who seems like they are pushing themselves. If they can do it, so can you!

Fake it till you make it! I have a silly mantra and I repeat it to myself till I feel calmer. It's "I'm calm, I'm confident, I'm committed." At best, I end up believing it, at worst, it distracts me from feeling terrified!

And finally, try to remember the age old wisdom: Noone cares about you!! Ok that sounds horrible and depressing but it really helps me at the gym Most people you see in the gym or elsewhere won't even remember you after 5 min, why risk your health and well-being for something like that which doesn't matter?

Good luck!

I agree to booking a session with a trainer or staff to get a programme in place and agree goals. Ideally you will want a combination of workouts, cardio, weights and interval training across the week. Look at the timetable before your session and discuss it with the trainer. Do things you like and don’t be scared to mix it up.

Other tips are about timing. Go off peak if you can until you get into your routine. Try out classes that you can do at your own pass. Spin is something you can do at your own pass. If you are tired just take a break.

Wishing you success!
Going to the gym has changed my life: I'm physically fitter than I've been for years and it's had a great effect on my mood and mental wellbeing.
Good luck.

How about going brisk walking and then running before joining the gym to get a bit if confidence. You’ll find lots of shapes and sizes at the gym anyway. People are too busy doing their thing to worry about looking anyone else. I’ve always found Gyms are usually very supportive and friendly places

I was the same before I started the gym, now I love it there!
Honestly nobody cares what others are doing or look like, everyone is focused on their own workout and progress to pay much attention. The most acknowledgement you may find you get is a nod when you go there often.
Most gyms have an induction with a trainer when you first join, I suggest you attend that (normally last 30 minutes) as they will show you how to use the equipment ect.
Have fun :)

I’m in the same boat OP - let’s go together!

I second PPs’ advice to book a session, or even a few sessions if you can afford it, with a trainer. They will show you how to use the machines etc and will give you great advice on how to get started, how long to spend on each exercise and so on. Once you’ve done that you’ll feel more comfortable because you’ll know what you’re doing.

Also ... I guarantee you will not be the unfittest person there and nobody is watching you exercise. If it’s any consolation, until recently I had a phobia of exercising in public and literally cried the first three times I went jogging in a park, but now only a couple of months later I don’t think twice about it.

It's better if you go alone, trust me! No one to shake your motivation!

How about trying some classes? Aerobic, zumba, etc? They're fun and trust me you lose weight with them! Also, everyone is friendly, I promise!

Maybe buy yourself some nice workout wear that you think is flattering. I don’t really like spending money on that myself but the women in my gym are very co-ordinated so I probably stand out more in my old t shirt and leggings. TK Maxx is pretty good for workout wear and I’ve found longer tops there that cover my bum ( the world does not need to see that).but doubtless you can get good options in the supermarkets. Until you get a bit fitter I would be cautious about doing anything too high impact like running or classes like Zumba. Take baby steps... get through the door, have an induction and then go from there. Good luck

I was in your position a few months ago. I'm not overweight or unfit but I still found walking into that gym for the first time really fucking daunting.

However, I have learnt that:

• no one in there gives two shiny shits what anyone else looks like or is doing. They're all busy doing their own thing.

• gyms are not full of slim, fit bodybuilder types. My gym has slim people, large people, wheeelchair users, older people, younger people...and we're all doing the same thing. Getting fitter. Just in the same space. No one is judging.

• use your induction session to get to know the equipment. My gym is quite large and well equipped so I set myself a little goal for the first weeks of trying a new machine / piece of equipment each visit. I'm now confident on pretty much everything.

• yes to treating yourself to some snazzy workout gear. I recommend black - it hides sweat well For some reason my crotch likes to sweat a lot when I work out so I'm always grateful for my black leggings.

• it will only be your first time once. Just suck it up and I promise you'll be fine.