So, maybe you're new at the fitness thing. Or maybe you're a cardio "junkie" and you just have no idea what to do with weights and/or machines. Well, have no fear because I am going to outline for all of you how to have confidence at the gym.
Step 1: Fake it. Walk up to weights with purposeful and determined steps.
Step 2: Keep pretending. Choose weights. Smirk. Keep walking. Keep faking it.
Step 3: Seriously, no one is looking at you!!! Now go lift!
Seem simple enough? GREAT! You are going to do a wonderful job at the gym!
Okay, but really, no one is looking at you. I will admit that I sometimes still have some anxiety about going upstairs to the weights and executing my workout for the day. Today was one of those days. Here I will attempt to humor you with a short look into my thoughts as I began my workout tonight.
Scene: Upstairs free weights area (after delaying doing weights for 45 min on various cardio machines downstairs...)
Ok, quick! Find a place to put your water bottle. No! Not there, that's too close to that guy. Geez, why do guys still work out over here. This is CLEARLY the girls section. I wish they would just man up and go over to the big boy part of the gym... OH! That corner! (Grandma speed walks to vacant corner.) Now focus... Chest and back day, chest and back day. Oh forget it. Just go grab some weights. (Shuffle around person who is lifting INCHES away from the dumbbell rack) Weights, medicine ball, corner - good to go. Wait, is that person watching me (They weren't) No. Stop it. You're being crazy, just focus! What number was that? 10? Sure. 11, 12, 13... Whoops! Almost fell off the ball... I'm sure no one noticed... Okay, maybe THAT guy did... Just go to the boys side already! GRRR Crap! How many was that?! Probably enough...
This crazy episode only lasted a little bit longer. I did move on to some standing fly's with a shoulder press, messed up the flow of the move, hit myself in my thighs - yes, both of them AND multiple times - but I pressed on. *No fitness joke intended* The only thing I changed about the workout was my attitude. I stopped my inner anxiety rant by pretending that no one was around me and that I was a skilled weight lifter.When I started to believe, even momentarily, that this was true, I pushed myself and lifted and felt really good about what I had accomplished. It turned out to be a pretty successful gym session. Oh, I also turned the volume on my iPhone WAY up. That helped A LOT. ;-P
No matter what you look like, how long you've been going to the gym, etc. we all have those moments where we feel self conscious. It's totally normal. But you're at the gym to challenge and improve yourself. You are on a personal journey that no one in the crowded girls section at the gym knows. They aren't judging you. You are your worst critic. And even if you are CERTAIN they are judging you i.e. you see them pointing and laughing and maybe they stick their tongue out at you; just remind yourself of this: If they have enough time and energy to judge you, you are clearly burning more calories and gaining more muscle than them and you will soon be able to beat them up. ;) *I do not support you beating anyone up. Use your words. Or walk away. A little PSA from yours truly, Kindergarten teacher extraordinaire!
I hope this helps someone with a little gym nervousness. Or at least makes you laugh. :-)
Just fake it till you make it!!
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