So today I am joining the gym - scared!

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I have been farting around with mfp for ages now and losing a bit, putting it on and losing it again etc.
Last night I came to the realisation that I am not going to lose anything if I don't get off my fat backside and do something! I am so incredibly unfit it is embarassing I have about 3.5-4 stone to lose to be a healthy weight and I want to set a good example to my kids.
I am scared to death of gyms and always worry that I will the fat, red-faced one sweating in the corner but I am determined this time - I will get fit!
Anyone else taken the plunge and gone for it and actually enjoyed it?

Good luck!! I've got a similar amount of weight to lose, I have always hated exercise in the past but I joined the gym at the start of the year and I'm really enjoying it! I alternate between classes like Pilates / yoga, and going to the gym and doing some time on the bike and treadmill, some time using the weights. It's the only time each week I have where I can just shut my mind off and not have to worry.

I'm not doing very well on the weight loss side as I'm struggling to eat better, but I can feel a massive difference in my fitness and flexibility and I can actually chase the kids round at the park now which I couldn't do at Christmas

Thanks! I've been today and have booked my induction for tomorrow.

I joined my leisure centre 2.5 years ago. I had a gym induction, thought NO WAY am I going there with all those people looking at me and me feeling like an idiot cos I didn't know how to work anything or even know how to walk on a treadmill..... I went and sat in the car and cried.... with embarrassment and frustration at my silly self.

So for 1.5 years I did aerobics classes, loved them, got fit, lost a bit of weight but mostly toned up.

Then I got bored with classes and decided to get a programme done for me by one of the personal trainers. It took me so much courage, I felt like a fish out of water. The personal trainer was great, she showed me a set of about 8 things to do and I was off.....

Now I go nearly every day, I have dropped a size in most of my clothes and I love it.

The moral of the story is don't let the fear stop you. No one is looking at you, no one cares what you're doing. If you don't know how to use the equipment, most people will assist you or ask the fitness staff there. That is why they are there.

Work up gradually - expect to spend 1-1.5 hours there.

Soon you will enjoy it and actually it becomes quite addictive.

Thanks Kbear.
I am hoping I am going to find that addiction too!
Last October I was 40 and I had vowed I would not be fat, unfit an 40. It happened. Now I am adamant I will be slimmer and fitter by the time I am 41.
Dh has been doing 5:2 and told me his weight yesterday. He is only a couple of pounds heavier than me now and that has seriously spurred me on.
Dd(9) is very sporty and very ft and I can't keep up with her. More my concern is ds (11) who has started to get flabby and needs real encouragement to get outside. I want to set a good example to him and show him I can do it so he can too.

Just to add that something else I do when on occasion the weather is just too nice to be indoors - go for a long walk, a pretty fast one, get puffed, swing your arms, look in people's gardens and living room windows lol - it makes you feel really good and then on a grey day get back in the gym.

Also - focus on shape not weight - you might find you don't lose weight that quickly as you may be building muscle, depending on what you're doing at the gym..... but I guarantee if you go regularly you will find your jeans are looser in a matter of weeks!

Go for it and report back!

I work somewhere that has a gym on site and I did a couple of months with the person who runs it and who is a personal trainer there. I spent the first session embarrassed at having to tell him my weight and for him to see how unfit I'd got but it soon passed.

I'm now a month into a gym membership after those personal trainer sessions and I've got into the swing of it. I still get butterflies just before I go wondering who will be in there but as soon as I get on with it its soon forgotten and I really enjoy it. I've got a programme to follow and I can see improvements all the time.

Well I had my induction and I am still alive!
Luckily it seems Bank Holiday Sunday afternoon when the weather is nice is a good time to go - I think there were 3 people in there other than me!
I had a nice lad showing me round - I was old enough to be his mum but he was pleasant and friendly and didn't make me feel stupid so I liked him.
I learnt how to use the machines I will need, we're sticking to cardio stuff for now. I couldn't have my proper programme done today because they had run out of gym keys but hopefully they will be in this week and then I have to go back and get it done. Until then I can still go but have to borrow a key from the centre.
It actually wasn't anywhere near as scary as I had thought it would be. I stayed after the induction and had a go on the treadmill. I walked at first but actually ran for 10 minutes without stopping. A very slow run but a run nevertheless.
I am about to jump in the shower now but I am going to take my measurements before I do so I have got a starting point.

Well done - sounds like a positive start!