Joining a gym?

I'm getting to the point in my journey where I'm released to full excercise and I should be joining a gym. However, I seem to have a gym phobia! I'm not sure if I'm just (despite losing 65 lbs) self concious about my weight and what others will think or if I'm just avoiding an unknown. Did anyone else exeperience this and how did you get over it?

I've belonged to a gym for 5 years now and I've loved it. At first I was a bit intimidated, but I just bit the bullet and did it! If you have a chain near you called Planet Fitness (www.planetfitness.com), I really recommend them! They don't have that usual intimidating "gym" atmosphere and are very reasonable in monthly fees! I recently switched to them from my old gym and I love it! Their motto is that they are a "judgement free zone"! Vi

Stephen, I am not much help hun as I have to same fears and have not made it to the gym as of right now... I wish you the best... ~Hugs~ Debra P

Stephen, I joined the Oceanside JCC. It has a gym, pool, bikes, treadmills, etc. The people who go there are friendly and if you can go during the day it is quiet. Is there a Y near you? It can cost less than a gym but you still get the same benefits. Sandra

I had the same fears- I actually got a personal trainer to see me once a week to help me get over my fears and get some direction. At first I just did the recumant bike, treadmill or elliptical. I am just starting to get up the nerves to try the classes. Another option that you might try is get a video / dvd and do exercise at home until you feel confident. My nutritionist sent me to www.collagevideo.com (you can sort on fitness level).

Hi Stephen, First I'd like to congratulate you on losing 65 lbs. Good for you! I joined the YMCA in Bayshore last January. I love it. There are so many different people that go there. I've seen large, small, medium, young, old, female, male, black, white, hispanic, etc. I fit in fine. At first I thought they would all be watching me but it seems as if everyone is there for the same reason to get healthy. Everyone seems to be there doing their own thing. So relax and go with the flow. I started in January weighing almost 200 lbs and I'm only 5' tall. I'm now at 130 and haven't noticed a difference in the people's reaction. Good luck to you!! God Bless~ ~Angel 255/222/130 at Goal!