Gym Anxiety

Sarah I was in your same boat 2 years ago. I slapped my credit card down at one of these huge membeship fitness franchises. Then after being sold by a used car salesman I ended up at the fitness franchise the next day looking at 7 abnormally huge muscular men, 2 women wearing outfits that couldn't cover my leg at the time and a mirror that exposed me and the 100 lbs I had to lose. So I then walked over to the weights and I realized I have no idea what I'm doing here. I walked out and after paying for 3 months I never returned. Lucky for me I found a smaller private facility called Illuminate Gym where I could feel comfortable while working out. Today I have lost over 65 LBS and I feel great! Check out www.illuminategym.com ( http://www.illuminategym.com ) to see if there is an Illuminate Gym near you. If not find a smaller gym you feel comfortable in. Good luck Sarah!

Ashley Cecil, the Painting Journalist
www.ashleycecil.com ( http://www.ashleycecil.com )

Swim Debra swim! It's a highly recommended exercise for people with sensitive knees, injuries, or most impact related ailments. Yoga is another good one, which will also help you with your balance and coordination.

Really. I mean who else do you know who can go to lunch and sprain an ankle? Three different times??

I got back into the gym this fall. Progress on my goals is slow-going, I'm often over-whelmed when thinking about a new machine, but I find myself surprisingly enjoying my time there.

The balance/stability thing challenges my trainer on a regular basis.. trying to come up with a simple move where I won't hurt myself or anyone around me. And I'm progressing. I can actually get my feet up on a stability ball! It must be in a corner so it doesn't move... but I'm using it!

Debra
A Stitch In Time ( http://astitchintime.blogspot.com )
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Ashley Cecil, the Painting Journalist
www.ashleycecil.com ( http://www.ashleycecil.com )

Nike says it all!

I used to HATE lifting weights because I would be the only girl in the weight room and the guys would have to constantly add weight to everything I used (and conversely, I had to take it off). It was embarrassing. I also hated being the clusmy new girl in exercise classes. But after sticking with it, here's what I've learned:

-No one minds making an extra effort to accommodate for your presence in gym. Actually I think it makes people feel good that they can help and/or coach, so let them! They want to!
-Everyone has done what you're fumbling at for the first themselves. So when you're tripping over your step or facing the wrong way during a routine, just remember, every single person in the room, without exception, has been in your shoes.

So, just do it!

Ugh, the gym. A place I go almost every day, but don't really want to be. After reading some interesting post on Queen of Spain about the shennanigans in her gym in LA, we started emailing back and forth gym stories. Then I realized it was the perfect topic for a group blog! The Queen was in, and i recruited several other blogging friends who are acute social observers. What I discovered is a disturbing number of people eat sandwiches in locker rooms...

Check it out at People Under the Stairmasters ( http://peopleunderthestairmasters.blogspot.com ) and PLEASE add your stories of gym mishaps, comedies, and good things, too!

Suzanne ( http://www.blogher.com/member/suzanne ), BlogHer Contributing Editor - Feminsim & Gender ( http://www.blogher.com/topic/feminism-gender )
Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS)& Other Rants ( http://cussandotherrants.com/ )

I hate going to the gym. I'm a runner, and fairly athletic, but I still hate going to the gym, especially when it involves watching other people preening rather than exercising.

I didn't start running until my twenties, and ten years later my knees are starting to feel it, ergo, I'll probably have to find a new way of exercising soon.

Five Dollar Camera ( http://www.fivedollarcamera.com/blog/ )

I did go that day and have gone a few times since then. I work from home and most of the time I'm able to go in the middle of the day. I end up working a few extra hours in the evening but it's nice to work out my midday stress. And my boss likes that I come back in a much better mood. ;)

Still haven't ventured to the weight room though. I think I need to work up to that...

Sassymonkey ( http://sassymonkey.wordpress.com/ ), Sassymonkey Reads ( http://sassymonkeyreads.wordpress.com/ ), and Sassymonkey Eats ( http://sassymonkeyeats.wordpress.com/ )

Gym anxiety? That's nothing. Try walking from the locker room to the pool-- now that's anxiety!

Karen
"Life is too short to pout all the time."
A Deaf Mom Shares Her World ( http://www.putzworld.blogspot.com )

I prefer freeweights to machines, and I just can't imagine lifting freeweights at a gym where so many people are using such heavy weights.

Messing up at aerobics, though, that I've just gotten used to!

Liz Rizzo ( http://www.blogher.com/blog/liz-rizzo )

Everyday Goddess ( http://everydaygoddess.typepad.com/ )

The SexySmart Blog ( http://sexysmart.typepad.com/ )

On the ( http://community.thelot.com/blogs/lizriz )