Scared to work out in public.

K, this is really weird, but I don't like going for runs and working out at home...it's hard when the TV and internet is right there! I don't mind going to a gym cuz everyone has a common goal there...too bad that costs money. Does anyone have any idea how I can go about working out without being uncomfortable?

Find a friend to workout with.

I use to hate public speaking. Like literally have panic attacks. Each time I did it, it got easier. Now, it's literally no sweat off my back. Take baby steps outside to exercise...the next day...take bigger steps...the next day..make those steps faster and start walking or jogging or doing some walking lunges. Sometimes, it's the not knowing that is the scariest. Once you do something, it's all good!

I agree. 

TV and internet are great - but there are more ways to entertain yourself while working out.

Grab your ipod, put some super peppy music on it, and go for a long walk.  Once you've gt the walking down, maybe a job.

Also, just how do you work out while on the internet?

I have the same problem sometimes, but I just remind myself of what my mom told me over and over when I was a teenager:  Nobody cares!  Nobody's looking at you!  Everyone's wrapped up in their own lives!  Seriously, if you'd like to try walking, hiking, jogging, etc, and you're shy about working out in public it might help to remember that most folks really aren't going to look very long at you or think anything about it -- they might think something like "good for her/him" or "I wish I had the gumption to get off my butt like she/he does!"  Also, once you're into your workout and challenging yourself, you're going to be focused on your body, your breathing, your muscles, how much time/mileage you have left, etc, and not so much on your surroundings.  I sympathize though -- I nearly left the gym yesterday because a neighbor showed up and I felt really awkward about encountering him there.  I just decided to do some cardio while he was using the machines, and I ended up having a good climbing workout.  Also, wrt working out at home, I do that and again I think the trick is just to get going -- once you've started you're probably going to keep going.  Good luck!

:) I don't work while online...I get distracted by it therefore...I don't workout...I have a short attention span.

Original Post by chnadol:

:) I don't work while online...I get distracted by it therefore...I don't workout...I have a short attention span.

 haha!  all the more reason to get outside. 

peppy tune + ipod = good walk...c'mon, you can do it!

I really don't like the "public" factor either, but yes, everyone at the gym does have a common goal...if you can swing it, it is the best place to achieve your weight/fitness goals. At the gym, you have no choice BUT to work out. At home it is much easier to slack off. That said, if you absolutely can't afford it, working out at home or around home is going to be your best alternative. You will have to literally suck it up and go for a nice walk or run around your home, if it is safe. My best motivation is a good line up of ipod tunes. I put on my workout clothes even if I don't yet feel like working out and log into calorie count for added motivation. Most people aren't watching you run or walk. You would be surprised. Do you have any friends with similar goals?

I belong to LA Fitness and it costs $33 p/month. You can negotiate with them for no joining fee.

I found that I could afford that $33 if I cut out something else so I have he cheapest AT&T internet option at home for $30 p/m, no TV subscription (I use Netflix for $16 p/m), and have no home phone, and I love ordering books online at the public library instead of buying them on Amazon.com. Compared to "real life" and people who live paycheck-to-paycheck, these are all luxury items anyway and while I have the low-cost version of each but I don't miss any of the expenses associated with the more expensive features.

When I go to the gym I think about how I am not at home on the sofa or surfing the internet and mindlessly snacking. I think about the $33 divided by the number of times I visit the gym (3-4 per week, 12-16 per month) and I wonder where else I can get such great entertainment for just a couple of bucks.

Also, because I am feeling better in myself, I don't want to buy junk food so I consider that  saving as well. That said, if I don't have an apple or banana or Kind Bar in my hand when I am leaving the gym, I am scoping out the closest Wendy Burger!

Good luck.

I walk. Up and down the roads near  my home.  People honk and cheer and give me thumbs up and thats the people I don't even know.  The people I do know will often stop and ask how far I've walked or how much have I lost and to tell me what a great job I am doing.  It's actually an incentive.  I'm proud to be out there and when people say, "I see you out jogging all the time" it makes me feel good and proud, especially because I don't jog.  I walk very fast but I don't jog.  I've never encountered any negativity while walking/biking in public.  Only cheers and well wishes.  So get out there and show them what you've got!

I used to have the same fear about going for a jog in public - I'll look like I don't know what I'm doing, my bum will jiggle and everyone will laugh behind my back, I just feel stupid doing this by myself, everyone will be laughing at me and on and on...bit by bit I got over the fear by just going out and doing it anyway - I started by going for jogs around my neighbourhood where I knew I wouldn't see many people etc. I'm now at the point where I can go any and everywhere and not care what people think of me - the truth is, no one cares! :) And if anything, people think good things of you and other joggers will occasionally smile or say hi. I noticed that since I got comfortable running outside, whenever I see someone who looks 'unfit' (not saying that you are) doing the same I think to myself AWESOME! GOOD JOB! KEEP IT UP GIRL! 

In a nutshell, people don't really care, no one can tell how silly / uncomfortable etc you feel inside, and if anything, people are thinking good things, not bad!

Geraldine,

You bring up a good point..or at least it reminds me of something.  If you pay good money for that gym membership, you will have a little extra push to not eat and undo what you've accomplished in the gym.

 I just joined PlanetFitness today for 10 dollars a month. They call themselves the "No Judgement Zone." The place was sparkling clean and didn't smell like a sweaty foot. The girl that signed me up was super nice and just a normal regular girl like me.

 I am a broke student so the 10 dollar fee was great and there are no contracts. I hope that you have one in your area. Good luck.

I find that since I joined a gym, I'm more motivated to go because I want to get my money's worth. I feel guilty if I don't go to the gym one week, because then I feel like I'm wasting my money. 

Satire: Take a bat to the TV and computer. Get a good workout and get rid of distractions.

Just kidding... sort of.

I have this problem too, I found a quick and easy way around it. I wake up before the sun comes up so while it's still barely dark before dawn I go for a jog with my dog 3 times a week. No one's awake and those who are are on there way to work and are too tired to be paying attention to you. Hope it helps.

I believe that the discomfort fades as you become dedicated to your chosen exercise. Continue to show up and you begin to believe in yourself... this is not just a whim or a poor new years resolution. This is what you choose to do.

For every jerk that might try to knock you down, there's a dozen "coaches" out there who will gladly share their experience and encourgement. Don't be afraid to ask.

I stayed away from the pool for years because I thought I would look foolish. After all that wasted time and negativity, even the sleepy lifeguard didn't notice me. I wasn't the slowest or the fattest.

Exercise while watching TV - it can be a good distraction instead of a bad one.

Bike with a helmet and wraparound sunglasses - all those bikers look the same and no one will recognize you :P

Look for cheap gym options - are you a student? Even if your school doesn't have a gym, you might be able to finagle a student discount somewhere.

Find a partner - it's motivating, and then you have company so you feel less like everyone's looking at you (and they're not - and if they are, so what?)

Go somewhere where you're really unlikely to run into someone you know - who cares what complete strangers think of you?

Also, if you don't like running/jogging/biking for their own sake, is there a sport you like? If not, are you sure? Get unconventional - try fencing, some martial art, freewalking, dancing, wrestling, taiko drumming (I hear it's quite a workout!) - look in your area for city league sports, or check out your local parks for pick-up games. There are people, but if you're participating in an activity you enjoy, you might be less self-conscious.