Monday, December 21, 2009

Getting over my gym-phobia

TMI ALERT - This post may contain more information than you want to know. LOL!

Believe me when I tell you that looking at myself naked is something I usually try to avoid. So I don't know what possessed me yesterday, but I caught a glimpse of myself getting out of the shower and decided to take a look. My first thought was "Wow, my boobs are really gone." (LOL-see post from last weekend). On the good side, I really could tell that I'm losing weight, my waist and hips did actually look a bit smaller. Then I turned around to take a look at my butt. Hmm, I'm pretty sure that's not where that's supposed to be! OK, it's getting smaller, but uh, it seems to be a bit (what's a nice way to say this?) droopier than it used to be. :)

OK, so I guess I know for sure, I've got to hit the weights. I know adding strength training is good for you for so many reasons (bone density, boosting metabolism, improving overall strength, etc.) and I knew it was something I was going to need to incorporate in order to feel healthy and strong, but I've been putting it off. Why? I've developed a fear of going to the gym. I know it's stupid, but it's there. It's been so long since I've been there that I'm sure they don't even use the same equipment I used to use. I know I can ask someone and the people working there will be perfectly happy to help me and tell me which machines I need (can they point me to the one that will magically lift and firm my butt-LOL), but I'm still avoiding the gym. Why is that? Well, whatever the reason, it ends today. My 15 year old wants to lift while he's on break and since the school's weight room isn't open, he wants me to take him to the Y. So that's where I'll be. I'm hoping that once I start going (he wants to go at least 3 times each week), I'll just want to keep going. Were any of you worried about going to the gym when you first started working out? I'd love to hear about your experiences.

3 comments:

  1. Last week I went to the gym and when I walked into the weight room, there were only men! I had no idea what I was doing. I say down at one machine, did a couple reps, freaked out a bit cause I didn't know what to do next, and left. I feel ya!

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  2. I get nervous when I go into the "boy's area" at the gym - the section with the barbells and all those crazy bars and things. All the guys strut around there, checking themselves out in the mirror, and I just lose my nerve.
    Luckily my gym has another area of weight machines that most of the women use - and they're pretty decent, so I use them too.
    You can do strength training at home, too - squats and lunges are great for toning the butt!

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  3. The weight area at my gym intimidates me (it's a small area...too close for comfort). I have found tons of videos on utube that are great. I love squats and lunges. If Santa doesn't bring me some weights for my home then I'll be visiting Walmart Saturday after Christmas:) Good luck!

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