Never been to the gym!

So my college has a gym for student use, completely free, and I would like to go. I'm not getting anywhere on my own, and of course I don't have much in the way of equipment at home.

Any suggestions welcome! I'm terrified of being the only fat person there, looking like an idiot, etc.

Take advantage of a free gym!  And I bet you're not the only "fat" person there and if you are, who cares, at least you're trying to do something about it!

My daughter misses her free gym now that she's graduated...

Just go!

You know what? People will look at you proud that you're in the gym taking care of yourself! 

It's scary the first time you walk in there, but once you go a few times, you'll have the confidence to keep going!

Honestly, most people that go don't really know what they're doing, they just keep a good facade!

What do you want to do there-- cardio, weights? I can suggest a good beginner workout so you can go in there confident about what you'll be doing and not floundering as to what you should be doing.

HTH!

Hey, I was in the same boat in university, and I wish I had taken advantage of the gym while I was there!  I just felt so intimidated with all the football guys in there all the time.  The year I graduated I started going all the time, and I got hooked!  My recommendations:

Try a bunch of different times, some are busier than others (depending on class schedules, etc.).  Pick a time that seems to have the best vibe for you.

Get a routine.  Don't go in blindly doing excercises, as you could do yourself harm.  Form is essential to effectiveness at the gym.  Look into a session with a trainer, or maybe ask someone who looks like they know what they're doing. Sometimes a gym buddy can end up being a big inspiration!

Start slow, start small.  Don't do too much all at once, or you'll burn out.  Do what you are comfortable doing, and as you get more familiar with what you are capable of, push yourself to do more exercises, repititions, or weights.

Treat yourself to some awesome (and flattering) workout clothes.  If you feel good in what you're wearing you'll work harder and be more comfortable.

Remember, people aren't there to look at you.  They are preoccupied with themselves (you will notice most of them keep their eyes on the mirrors).  Just do your thing and don't worry about what they think.  Having an mp3 player or something to take your attention can help filter things out.

I hope this helps!

boobunnies, if you could suggest a routine, that'd be great. Thank you all for your suggestions. Maybe taking my Ipod will help me NOT look at everyone around me and worry about them looking at me. Or maybe not.

Thanks, guys! Wish me good luck. My weight loss journey has been a rollercoaster, but I really want it this time.

Yalith has some great suggestions for you. I was just telling my husband the other day how jealous I am of the current students at our alma mater because their new gym is incredible! But when I was in school, I was too embarassed to go often because I didn't know what I was doing and it is very intimidating. And I'll tell you a secret...I wasn't at all overweight and still felt embarassed. So trust me, you won't be the only one there who feels out of their element at first. It gets a little easier with each time. A few other suggestions I'd add would be to start out with something that's relatively easy (treadmill, stairclimber) so you don't feel like you really "stick out." Once you become more comfortable you make want to start taking a few classes. Please, please don't give up if you don't get it the first time or two. I walked out in the middle of a class because I felt like I looked like an idiot. A few classes later and I was keeping right up. Take advantage of a free gym while you've got it!

I use this site it is free and it has great things you can do and you can even list them from beginner to advanced I love it. You can even set your own work out routines...best of all it is free unless you want a specialised workout plan then it does cost, but to get an a user name and password it is free...

http://www.trainwithmeonline.com/

Good Luck!! 

 

kittietrippin-

This may not work for you, but I recently got a new job and had to start going to the gym earlier in the day. I noticed that if I go when it first opens the only people there are the ones serious about working out, and we are all still a little sleepy, we definitely are not there to check out other people. I actually like the vibe much better then when I go later in the day.

Ok, that online site looks awesome-- good link!

As far as workouts go, my personal trainer broke mine into 2 separate ones:

Leg day

Treadmill- walk the treadmill for 10 minutes. Then put the incline to 11 and the speed to 1.8.

* Turn sideways and do a grapevine for 2 minutes. Turn the other way and grapevine on the other side

* Turn back the other way and speed skate for 2 minutes. Legs together, then use your outside leg to push off.  Turn and skate the other side

* Face away from the treadmill. Go up on your tiptoes, then squat down and walk this way for 2 minutes.

Repeat 2x-- work up to 3 times.  This is a KILLER leg workout. Act like you know what you're doing, and you'll have someone copy you everytime! ;)  I was apprehensive, and my trainer was right- it's a great workout.

After that, do leg extensions, leg curls and leg press/calves (leg press one set, then scoot your legs back and do calve presses one set).

Finish up with a good set of situps.

Upper body

Start on the treadmill for a good 20-30 minutes.

Using free weights, do 1 set of curls, shoulder press, and triceps. Then, using a weight bench, back up to it, knees bent, and do tricep pushups (does that make sense?) It's like you're using the bench to do pushups, but your body is reversed. 

Follow up with machines- chest press, deltoid lift, and the pull-down machine. Repeat this entire sequence- free weights, then machines. Build up to 3 sets.

Again, finish up with a good set of situps.

 HTH-- if you're not sure what some of these exercises are, that website can be of much assistance, I'm sure!  Having an upper body and a lower body day really mixes things up and keeps it interesting to go!  Go in knowing your routine for the day and you'll be set! :)

we are totally in the same boat here! i am in my second year at my university, and there is an amazing gym here, but i have been way too intimidated to try it.

does your gym have small group fitness classes like pilates, yoga, kickboxing, or cardio stuff? ours has a great selection of group classes, and these were really good ways to work out each day to start out.

i'm actually planning on going to the gym tomorrow morning, hopefully there won't be a lot of experienced people there... they make me so nervous!

look into the small groups, otherwise, maybe start out on the treadmill or elliptical machines to burn some cals. then while you're there, you'll pick up on some other things!

Don't let the experienced people imtimidate you! Everyone had to start somewhere, after all. And they may be able to help you and answer questions, if you don't want to ask at the front desk.

I went to a school that was 85% male, and it was easy to feel intimidated, especially with all the guys using free weights. But I felt that my health was more important than whoever might glance my way in the gym, and to be honest, most people are too absorbed in their workouts to judge anyone else. Good luck!

I never used the free access to the gym in university, and I have always regretted it. Now that I'm a healthy weight, I wonder how much sooner I could have arrived here if I had had the courage to use the gym at school.

Just do it. Start small - learn to use the equipment then worry about the weight when you're more comfortable. Like ainedb said, we all have to start somewhere. Usually there are instructions on the machines or posters on the wall that explain different exercises. Maybe you could tag along with a friend the first couple of times?

I know how incredibly intimidating it is, but it it worth it and you can do it. Let us know how it goes!

I can totally sympathize with you. I used to feel intimidated too, but now  I LOVE my school gym! Remember, there are all sizes and types of people at the gym and if you just go a few times you will get over that uncomfortable feeling.

Also, I just discovered you can get a personal trainer and workout plan for nearly free at my school gym. You just have to fill out some paperwork and pay a $10 deposit (which is returned if you show up to all your sessions.) Check into it, your school probably does the same sort of thing.

AND if you are worried about running into a lot of people, I would suggest going in the am rather than the pm, if you can. There might be other slow times too, just ask the staff. I'm sure they will be happy to tell you when the busy times are.

These are all great suggestions. Two thoughts for keeping a routine going:

1. Try to find a workout partner (yalith mentioned this as well). Usually one or the other of you will be up for working out, and the accountability helps you keep doing it.

2. Whatever routine you settle on, commit to doing it for at least a month to start. You may still feel intimidated after the first week, but after several weeks you start knowing the equipment, feeling comfortable with the exercises. You'll start to feel like you belong there.

Good luck!