IvoryFrog brought up a good point in a comment on my last post, one that I think many of us share—the fear of going to a gym.
I understand those fears—will people stare? Will I be surrounded by beautiful, buff people? Will I look like a hippo in a sea of swans? Will I have to sell an organ to afford it?
I was a member of a women’s-only gym many years ago, and while the classes were nice enough, there was a lack of friendliness (especially when I had an injury, then you find out that they mean what they say about THOU SHALT NOT BREAK OUR CONTRACT). I stopped going.
Fast forward to the summer of 2004, where my husband realized that his company had contracted with a gym for a special rate. I decided to just go check it out. Wow, the difference a “family friendly” co-ed gym makes. People were warm and friendly, genuinely interested in me and my health goals. By August, I was a member.
And to tell you the truth, I probably was one of the largest members they had—and no one cared. My personal trainer was a tall, willowy woman, and it was intimidating at first, but she encouraged me not to become a skinny chick, but to improve my health on my own terms. She gave me the tools and the confidence boost I needed to return every day. The class instructors never once have made me feel like I didn’t belong, whether it was ballet or kickboxing.
Sure, there may be a few people who think “Who let the fat chick in?” but I haven’t met them. I’ve found encouragement and smiles (and yes, even have been hit on a few times LOL). And let’s face it ladies—the buff bods? Consider it rewarding eye candy while you sweat 
Granted, a gym isn’t for everyone, but here are some things I’ve discovered along the way:
See if your employer or health insurance will subsidize part of your membership. We discovered ours would pay for a partial membership to the YMCA as well. Another option is a city rec center.
Keep your head up and smile! Even if I’m quivvering inside, the “fake it until I make it” attitude plays a big part in how people at the gym treat me. And it’s in my best interest to be there. I can’t let others keep me from enjoying and improving my life.
Remember that people are there to work out (ok, some are there to hook up too). Chances are, they aren’t looking at you, let alone raising their eyebrows. Unless you wear a shirt that says “Slayer in Training”.
Not that I would know anything about that ::cough::.
Weight Lost: 24 (-1 this week)
Pounds2Go: 161
10:37 pm
Excellent advice, Angel! I also try to keep in mind that every single woman I’ve spoken to at the gym is just like all of us here. We’re all bigger than we want to be and trying like mad to get to where we’d like to be. They’re really another great source of support for that reason, too.
10:41 pm
I also found it the only place you can scream a primal scream and people take it for enthusiasm!
10:41 pm
Ah, that’s the fall back of a college gym . . . pretty much all the people you see there are the anorexic/bulimic exercise-aholics. And unfortunately, they are all looking at you and talking about you – I’ve heard people come back from the gym and do it. And then you have to go to classes and parties with these people, there’s just no escaping them (ESPECIALLY with a school as small as mine)!
Perhaps I’ll be able to find a gym after graduation and I’ll be more confident about going to the gym!
11:02 pm
Funny, I have been thinking about this since I entered a yoga studio for the first time. I was wondering what took me so long. It’s that first time that is so hard.
11:09 pm
HAHA.. I love it. Great advice and very motivating. I haven’t actually BEEN to the gym in two years.
Maybe I should start with the actual GOING and worry about the stares later.
2:15 am
Thanks for this post.
I signed up for two very difficult classes at the local community college, and I’m rather nervous. But I’m also excited. I know from past experience that it’ll be no time before I’m getting tired of sweating into long pants and will break down and buy a pair of shorts. It’ll be a good thing. It’s just, as you said, going to be really hard to walk in for the first time.
2:50 am
Thanks for this post.
In a way its nice to know that its not just me that feels nervous/worried etc about going to the gym… but now that I think on it (after reading your post) there might be some other lady out there going to the gym on her own that maybe needs a friend? I could do with some RL friends – all mine have moved away with Uni and stuff. Worth some thinking about anyways. Thanks!
Take Care
Ivoryfrog x
4:06 am
That is also very encouraging. Thank you for sharing this. And congrats on the -1!
4:30 am
It’s really sad on my part that the reason I haven’t joined my gym yet is I just want to go home. My gym is across the street. I am going to join in February when life is a little less hetic. I never notice the other people. I am so oblivious to stuff like that. I never even thought about it in terms of people looking at me like who let the fat chick in. but only because I really don’t pay attention. I never cared what people thought of me in that type of a situation. For me, my way of thinking, they aren’t that important in my life. I don’t know them and wouldn’t recgonize them outside the gym so why care what they think of me.
10:03 am
Thanks for the great advice Angel I may have to look into finding a gym for me.
12:21 pm
I used to love going to the gym. I didn’t care what people thought of me. I wish I had the time to go to the gym now. My husband bought a Bowflex last year because even he had a hard time getting to the gym. Lately, I have been working out with him on the Bowflex. I call him my personal trainer.
For those of you who can get to the gym, I say go for it!!!
9:36 pm
You have an organ to sell? I alway wanted to learn how to play. :rofl:
Angel, You rock. I want some of your confidence. Seriously. I go to the Y, and it is more family friendly, but I still feel like some of the young guys, while pleasing to look at, are staring and thinking, “Oh yeah, she’ll be here for a couple weeks and then she will go back to being her fat self.” Maybe they are looking at me because I won’t stop staring at them. Who knows. :winking:
11:05 am
Before we bought a Bowflex (which I still haven’t dusted off) I decided to join a women’s gym – no men allowed. It was a lot better to go there because no one was trying to pick me up and I didn’t give a damn what the other women thought about how I looked all sweaty and non-make-up’d.