just joined the gym but embarrassed and worried about it.

[DizzyHoneyBee]

I just went for a swim and did 32 lengths, admittedly it took me 40 minutes but I did it. Anyway, while I was there I saw a special offer for the gym which is £30 a month and includes all the exercise classes, swimming and use of the gym plus a gym induction so I signed up.
I must lose weight, I really need to lose 7 stone.I look a mess and have been having problems with my ankle and knee joints. I can't believe I let it get that bad to be honest.
What should I expect to happen at the gym induction? I've never even been in a gym before let alone joined one. I just hope that nobody there will be judgmental of my size and point and stare.

[gybegirl]

My DH (who is no spring chicken) is a fitness freak and could kick the cardiovascular asses of pretty much everyone I know. He is 100% supportive of overweight people in the gym. So should you see anyone looking at you there, you can almost be certain it's in a 'good on you' kind of way!

[emark]

i will be doing my second session c25k and other gym and swim tomorrow, feeling rather excited, have also logged into mfp today hope to lose 6kg by 24 th may

[ReluctantlyBeingYoniMassaged]

Don't worry, anyone! I have been going to the gym for five weeks. I weigh over 25 stone and I feel so much better. There are all sorts of people there- a couple even bigger than me.

[pregnantpause]

Emark- I'm starting couch to 5 tomorrow. well done on your workout and commitment so far

[emark]

decided to use treadmill at gym to start couch to 5k today, really surprised to get more sweaty than brisk walking 2k for 20mins
then did 2k on rowing machine and a relaxing family swim session.
only eaten chicken salad and turkey and veg today but scales are 1.5 kg heavier than yesterday

[Talkinpeace]

classes are great at gyms because you can hide in the middle and say hello to anybody who looks friendly.

have a walk on the treadmill a bit and watch other people's technique on the more complicated kit

and if you see somebody like me doing complicated stuff, remember that I do not wear my glasses in the gym so have NO IDEA what other people are doing

[emark]

an excellent slogan, it is hard to push yourself to do any exercise if you don't have the 'look'
i always feel so much better afterwards though

[ellentullo]

my running club friend has a tshirt with a picture of a larger person running which says "no matter how slow you are going you are lapping everyone on the couch". In general, anyone who likes exercise is chuffed when other people want to join in, whatever their size/aspirations/fitnes

[emark]

great gym session today did 1k on treadmill in 9mins and beat fastest times on rowing machine and bike!!
also 5 yr old dd swam a width unaided for first time

[dizzyhoneybee]

I'm just trying to be sensible. I just had a stir fry with minimal oil, but then I felt hungry so I popped some corn. I had it plain with no salt or sugar so I guess it was not that bad, I had a third of it not all of it so feeling good about that.
That's good that you get 6 sessions, I joined the local gym which is what would have been local authority run if they still did such a thing.

[emark]

`Thanks, hope it goes well for you dizzyhoneybee, are you using a diet plan as well? I am looselyusing mfp to track vital stats with healthier eating but not precise calorie counting!
I will use the weights when i am brave enough to book my 6 empower sessions with a personal trainer which are free with gym package

[dizzyhoneybee]

Oh, and the weights, I just did the body toning things that use the weights, they have a room for weight lifting kind of stuff, I did not go there!
I hope it goes well emark

[dizzyhoneybee]

I'm going to do 10 minutes each on the treadmill, rower and cross trainer and then swim whenever I can. At the moment I am likely only to be able to go twice a week but we will see how it goes. I'll only be able to go when my DC is swimming I expect.

[emark]

I joined a gym a month ago, i have between 3 and 4 stone to lose, i have set myself what i think is a realistic target of a 12 - 18 months to achieve this.
I usually go to the gym 3 or 4 times a week, try to do a class to increase stamina. Other times i do 15 mins each on treadmill, bike and rowing machine then swim 20- 30 lengths (20m pool). other session is a family free swim time.
I have not gone near the weights yet as quite frankly they terrify me!!
It is sometimes difficut to fit in and be motivated but will be worthwhile in the end.

[dizzyhoneybee]

I told myself that, that the super fit people probably were the size of Nellie the elephant a few years ago. I had a go on each of the machines, some were really hard and I could barely do 3 minutes but others were much easier.
I'm going to start out on the rowing machine, the treadmill and the cross trainer as they were the ones I found easiest to do whilst still getting some benefit from. I had a go on the machines to tone my upper and lower body and was surprised to be able to do 20-30kg on each of them.
8 stone is a lot to need to lose though...but little stages, right? I will be going again - in fact I feel like persuading DS to go swimming tomorrow so I can go to the gym....I felt quite good when we left and motivated to avoid eating junk.

[RubyrooUK]

Don't lose heart Dizzy! As people have said before, if you are fit and in a gym, you're not there judging people on how big/heavy/unfit they are.

People assume you are there to get fit - exactly the same as them - and many of the very fit people may not always have been as fit as they are now.

Hope you enjoy the next session more. As you get into it, you'll feel good after workouts and notice a big change in your stamina and energy levels, which will be very motivating in itself.

*Note to Dizzy, I don't work for a gym, even though it sounds like it! I just don't think you should feel so bad about yourself when you don't need to.

[MorrisZapp]

If you're new in a gym class stand at the back! There are new people most weeks and nobody cares that you're a beginner as long as you don't trip up the regulars down the front :) If you get there a bit early you can tell the instructor that you're new, they'll be happy to give you some pointers. Oh and take a bottle of water :)

[dizzyhoneybee]

Well I went....the woman I had booked the induction with was not there so I had to have it with a younger lad who probably could have been my son! I nearly gave up on it as the changing rooms were communal, luckily nobody else came in.
The machines they have got are good, I've got a workout plan which seems reasonable so I will see how it goes. Oh, and I weighed myself, I'm heavier than I have ever been and I was the fattest person there :(
A group were in there who were doing their fitness instructor course so I looked terribly out of place :(

[dizzyhoneybee]

I'm supposed to be going this afternoon, the plan was to go whilst my youngest DC was swimming and my oldest DC was going to watch. However there is now a spanner in the works as youngest DC is now not well :(

[BitOutOfPractice]

Hello op. how are you getting on?

[Lizzylou]

Please don't worry, as everyone says the induction is to show you what is what.
I was always very unfit and not in the least sporty. After DS2 was born I started the gym and am so hooked on exercise now. I really enjoy it.

I would never judge anyone in the gym. Unless they are reading Take a Break on the treadmill. FGS, choose a decent mag at the very least

[pregnantpause]

I'm thinking of joining and haven't for the same reservations. Think I might take the plunge and do it. Thanks for this

[newpup]

I have lost 6 stone in weight, I started going to the gym after I had lost 2 stone. I was so nervous, I need not have worried! All sorts of shapes and sizes go, fit, not fit, large, old. Now I am smaller I feel more confident going and feel I stand out less but I would not be smaller if I had not gone. I just had to grit my teeth and jump in! Go for it!

[glasscompletelybroken]

I go to the gym a lot and am very fit - when I see someone in the gym who is overwight/unfit etc I think WELL DONE for being brave and getting there and doing something about it.

Just remember that everyone has to start somewhere. I am full of admiration and look forward to hearing how you get on.