HELP!!! Gym Motivation

Hey guys, I have always read the board but never posted here. I had surgery on Valentine's day this year and must admit I been doing great no pains or any bad situations yet. On my weight loss I think is going slow and even though I wished it was more I admit I'm seeing clothes that hadn't fit before are loose now so guess I shouldn't complain. As of today I'm 295 from 319 that I weight on February 22 (1 week post op). Now for excercise all I been doing since pre op is the treadmill for 20 minutes every morning and recently been uping the elevation in order to make it harder cuz it felt like a breeze for me compared to before. But the real thing is I want to join a gym and know that I need to so my workout can be more and get my body in better condition doing strength training. My problem is that for some reason I seem to be scared of actually taking that first trip to the gym and having to talk to get a membership. I guess I feel they would be thinking something bad of me because of my size or don't really know what, but that's my dilemma. So maybe some real push from you guys or if you could share some of your experiences on entering the gym that first time, what did you ask for or say when getting your membership, it will get me going and forgetting about what might happen at the gym. I'm joining Ballys and have heard so many stories as of how they are always trying to sell you things so some feedback as to how to deal or handle it would be great. Thanks to all, Miguel

Hey Miguel, Congrats on taking that next step towards joining a gym. I am a member of Bally Total Fitness out here in Cali. The first time I went to sign up I was with my husband (my security blanket at the time) and the guy tried to sell us everything under the sun and made up deals/sales that were supposedly ending that same day (I hate sales guys who work off commission). Like you, I too was a bit scared about how I would be treated and looked at when I went in for a membership (which is why I took my husband, try going with a friend). We didn't join then, but I went back later by myself and everything was fine. I guess it's just taking that first step and actually getting in there. I'm comfortable and in my own world while I'm doing cardio.... for me it was just taking that step and getting used to it maybe??? When I went to join the third time... lol... my mom came with me (she's very attractive) and she was flirting with the sales guy and fell for it so we ended up getting a really good deal. Maybe you can try that. Bally has many plans so if you don't want to pay what they are offering ask for a different one that better fits your budget. I don't know how often you plan on going but they even have one now that is $19 down/ $19 a month however you can only go every other day. They also have a free 2 week trial... if you try that you can check out the club and see if you would be comfortable working out there. Wish you luck Shay

Hi Miguel, For me, the nervousness about going to a gym was all about my lack of knowledge about everything in there. I had never used a treadmill before or ever lifted weights or anything. So with a lot of stuff being electronic or with all those strings and pins on the weights...I was lost. I would just look in there and freak out thinking everyone was going to look at me funny because I didn't know how to use the machines. Being an Army wife, I don't go to a gym where I have to pay, I use the one on post. But, I think the key is to make sure they have someone that will help you get to know all the machines...ALL the machines, because you never know when you might want to switch up your routine and you need to know how to use the one for the new muscle group so you don't injure yourself. Also, ask for a free trial period so you can get a feel for how you fit into the atmosphere. If there is more than one gym in your area, try several before you decide for sure on one...there might be better support at another one. Right now you are in a strange situation...we all are. We are going from this big, insecure person to something else. You want to get smaller/more fit, but you can't shake the "big person" inside of you in order to do it. It takes a while for that negative self-image to go away. I had to start looking at myself in pictures before I could really "see" the difference in my body. I knew I felt better, but I couldn't visualize the change in my mind's eye. I know I don't need to say it, but I will...all the stuff you said is that little negative self-doubting person inside you trying to make you hide yourself from the world. Don't let past hurts cause future ones too. Let go of the negative and embrace the positive that will come from joinging a gym...you will feel better physically, mentally and emotionally as you start to shed the extra pounds and work toward a better, healthier you. I know I'm starting to sound like Richard Simmons or something...didn't mean to go all mother-earth on you!! But really, you know it is just head playing games with you, so get out there and play some back!! Good luck!! I hope you find a gym that works for you and use it...a lot!! Brenda

Hey Miguel. I joined LA Fitness last Friday, I had surgery 2 weeks after you. I like LA fitness because there are all different body shapes there and it's easy to say no to their personal training sessions, and that's the only "extra" they have. I just walked in and told them I wanted to sign up for the basic plan that included the weight machines and fitness equipment and use of the pool and such. Be firm. Above all, no matter how we look, we are still PEOPLE. I am doing 30 minutes of cardio a day (treadmill, bike, or elliptical) and also a bit of weight training here and there. I have come to the point in my life where I could care less what anyone else thinks of me, fat or thin. People love us for who we are. There are going to be people who judge, just yesterday a personal trainer was scouting for new clients and he went up to every overweight person in the cardio area (including myself). I blew him off. He DID NOT go up to my husband who was actually sort of interested until he saw his tactics (my husband is a thin man). So, we suck it up and we show all those skinny people in the next 6 months how svelte we really are at our hearts! Cause you'll be 220 by then and sexy! Jen

Hi Miguel. I joined the gym a couple of years ago and I was a little concerned about how I looked at the gym. I would take kickboxing and step classes and would be the biggest one there! I mean I still went, but I was a little embarassed. Now I love going to the gym. I enjoy the classes a lot more (because I can keep up), not only that but everyone's telling me how well I'm doing because they see me dropping some pounds here and there. Also, I go to my local YMCA and there's all kinds of people there. But go when you think you're ready. I signed up with a friend when I first joined, so that made it a little easier. Good luck for whenever you decide to join! April