This may sound silly, but I joined the gym 6 months ago but was too afraid to actually go. I dont want people looking at me and I am not familiar with the machines.

I bought a 3 session personal training package to learn the equipment and get more comfortable with the gym enviroment. Today was session 1. I learned alot and also noticed that very few people actually looked at me. Like most of us I am ashamed of my body and feel like people are thinking to themselves "Why is this fat person even here?"

I have one more day before I go back to work, but will do some time on the treadmill. I only made it 5 minutes today,even though I have been walking .8miles every day.

Congratulations!!! I know that you must feel so good about yourself. Keep up the good work and just remember that even the baby steps add up to great results!!!!

You took a huge step! Excersise has too many benefits not to do it. Weight loss is just one of them. Congrats!

Yay!! Good for you!! I am the same way about going to the gym. I am lucky though because I joined the fitness center at work and I stay late and usually have it to myself. It will be a huge step for me the day I will go when other people are there. Congrats to you for doing it!

How did the personal training go? Did you go thru 24 hour fitness? I noticed you live in Frisco - I live in the same area.

I have been a member of 24hr fitness since Jan and only have been to walk on the treadmill and do the Zumba classes. Everything else is very intimidating to me - I too feel like everyone is looking at me. I have been thinking about paying for the training sessions - no clue on what I should be doing for a good workout.

I felt that way when I did aerobics classes as a teenager. I would end the class with a red face (from working so hard) and I'd be sweating a lot. It was obvious I was unfit, and because I'd worked so hard it looked like I was about to pass out - but I wasn't...So people would just stare at me.

I'm doing aqua aerobics with all the oldies in a couple of hours

That seems to be my thing these days.

Does your gym membership involve aerobics classes? You might find that there's some classes in there for overweight people, or people with injuries or something like that - I usually feel more comfortable in those classes.

Maggie,

Yes, I joined 24hr fitness. The introductory training package is 3 sessions to familiarize yourself with all the equipment and get an idea what a workout should be. There is a special right now, 3 sessions for $129 (must be used within 30 days). It was more than I wanted to pay, but as I have had the membership for 6 months and not used it, the extra expense sounded like a good investment.

I go to the club in Little Elm, but have also swam at the club on Preson Rd, Frisco. Where are you located?

Yay! Good for you!

Maggie,

Yes, I joined 24hr fitness. The introductory training package is 3 sessions to familiarize yourself with all the equipment and get an idea what a workout should be. There is a special right now, 3 sessions for $129 (must be used within 30 days). It was more than I wanted to pay, but as I have had the membership for 6 months and not used it, the extra expense sounded like a good investment.

I go to the club in Little Elm, but have also swam at the club on Preson Rd, Frisco. Where are you located?

I go to the Little Elm club also. My current membership is for that club only right now - when I resign up in Jan I am going to get the "all club" membership, I would like to go to the Aqua classes at THe Colony 24hr fitness.

So - do you feel it was worth the money for the trainer? I'm hoping to sign up this weekend.