So, I'm about 90kg and 5 foot 4
Single mum to 5, 4 will be at school this year
I don't drive, so I walk everywhere, but still hold all this weight (I was 60kg when I became pg with my 1st!)
And flabby, so flabby, arms, belly, thighs, butt, chin
So I've been thinking lately maybe it's time to make my gym debut, but it freaks me out!
I imagine it's full of gorgeous, taut 20 something's who'll be sniggering at me behind my back
I can't for the life of me imagine what I would actually do there
And I wonder if I can afford it
Can anyone tell me what it's actually like inside a gym, and is it worth giving it a go?
Thanks :)
I'm scared of gyms, help!!
I'm scared of gyms, help!!
Posted in:
Self Care, Health & Wellbeing
8 Replies
I think you will find that if you go to the gym after you drop the kids off at school there will be other mums going at around the same time, who may be in the same boat or at one stage was. All the gyms i have gone to have a different dynamic, some will be filled with a lot of body builders while the other one is for people just trying to keep fit and healthy - but thats in a small town, it may be different in the city.
Usually when you join a gym its part of the joining membership thing that they give you an assessment and a list of things to do while your at the gym and will go through it with you to help you do it correctly - and it would also help if you got a personal training session or reassessed once a month or two just to keep it exciting and changing so the weight loss continues.
You can do it mumma, its daunting but trust me, at one point or another everyone in that gym has felt insecure or stupid walking into a gym, hold your head high and remember least you recognise a problem and had the balls to walk in and tackle it head on. xxxx good luck
Most gyms are not what your imagining and most people are too busy thinking about there workout to worry about what you look like or are doing. Gyms give you a personal trainer for one visit to give you a program.
Don't feel alone, pretty sure 99.9% of regular women feel the same. I used to go to the gym regularly with a friend and luckily I had a personal trainer who I went to high school with. He was a task master so really kept me working. I was so nervous the first day about people judging me, but having a friend and a PT to push and encourage me really helped keep my mind off everyone else. The funny thing is, a lot of the people who were there were just regular Jo Blows, no super fit, toned and ultra skinny people around except maybe one or two and my PT. Everyone is there for the same reason, so don't stress, have fun with it! Take your iPod, crank the tunes, and sweat it out :) And good on you!
Oh honey! No matter your shape or size, we all feel the same when it comes to gyms. I'm very slim and I'd never comment on a larger person at the gym. Good on you for wanting to get fit! Maybe ask for a 3 day trial and organise a personal trainer and they can show you what exercises/ equipment to use etc. There are also so many LADY ONLY gyms now, have a look on google. Good luck xxx
Just remember - you can't out-train a poor diet. If you're eating far too many calories, you could go the gym all week with no results. It's ALL about what goes in your mouth.
You don't need to go to a gym to lose weight, start by eating healthier. I lost weight just by eating smaller meals, I ate dinner on a small desert plate instead of a dinner plate and would eat at least 4 hours before bed. I bought small dumbells and walked 5km every morning and lost 15kg. No gym and its something you can maintain for a long period of time.
Personally, i think that you're being very brave and courageous and wise by considering to go to the gym. Not many mums who have several children even consider it. So good on you!
As for the gym issue, i used to train a few people at the gym and also b a frequent gym goer as i am a fitness fanatic. But i honestly have to say, gyms are A LOT different than they used to be so don't be afraid. Personally, as a person who used to work at the gym all the time, when I'm working out, i don't have time to look at anyone or snicker at anyone. Im too busy trying to work out the best i can and get outta there. I think possibly, people just think they are being judged because its what they personally think. Honestly, not much judging or talking behind back is going on. Everyone is too busy trying to stay alive during their own workouts.
Also, i have seen SOOOO many mums come into the gym for a workout. Some even get a personal trainer to help them work out and gain more confidence in themselves and also help them achieve their goals. So if i were you, id really give it a go. Once u start to go and see some results after a little while, you'd probably wonder to yourself what you was initially worrying you.
If you're not sure what you would do when you get there, best option is to ask the staff there to write you up a program. Most gyms do an assessment with you and write you up a program and also demonstrate all the exercises for you. Set that all up before you go in for the first time and you will have a much more positive experience.
I hope this helps. And...YOU GO GIRL!!
Give weight training a go. Lift heavy, and often. No need to walk 10kms a day, just lift weight for an hour, 4 times a week. Your body composition (muscle) will change. Trust me, I've experienced change and love my body for the first time in... forever. I used to be 'obese' according to BMI, and now i'm in the 'overweight' BMI but my body is banging & my friends are always complimenting shape- because its taut, not flab. I've not had a body image issue since the day i started lifting weights.
Don't ever fret about bulking up or looking muscular, females can never look like that unless you take testosterone :P Just trust my on this one, pick up heavy stuff, Squat, Bench Press, Dead Lift, maybe some lunges too. 5 sets of 5 repetitions each day & feel confident when you can pick up a little more than you did yesterday. Eat healthy, as you can eat tons of good fresh food and never feel hungry. Go get it, kick ass & enjoy life!