Gym Anxiety!

[Kat410 423]

OK - so here's the update on my gym anxiety!

I did some soul searching and initially the most important factor in deciding what I was going to do and how I would approach this is having a plan that I would actually COMPLY with. As a busy New Yorker, where my primary form of exercise is commuting to work and walking to the park on Sundays it was critical that I would not have to take a subway to the gym, a subway home to change, deal with changing at work, etc because that is almost something I certainly would not have followed initially.

It turns out there is a boutique personal training studio/fitness studio two doors down from me. I asked around the neighborhood, checked them out, spoke with one of the owners on the phone and decided to do a mix of personal training and weekly classes (personal training 2x/week, classes 1x a week). The owner was generous with his time, I was open and honest about my current health/level of activity and lack of knowledge in how to approach fitness.

Today was my initial assessment and the person I am working with is great. I am happy, proud and inspired to have taken this step on. I have a new context for my fitness - which is there is really no place to go but up (which I hadn't really considered before, but it's kind of cool to get that is one of the benefits of starting at zero).

There are a couple of things that made a difference in taking this step - and it was a big step for me. The first thing was being honest with myself about what I would and wouldn't do at this point in my journey. The second was acknowledging that I don't know what the $%&# I'm doing and deciding to take the coaching from someone who does know what they are doing. Then finally giving up my drama about being too out of shape to exercise.

The experience of working with the trainer today was outstanding. I communicated openly and honestly and he did the same. I asked about what realistic expectations. The experience of being in the class. He communicated openly about what he saw that I could build on and where I was starting at scratch. We discussed medical history, past injuries, my current diet, what sports I had played in the past, what my goals were. I even conquered my fear of squats.

Here we go! Onward and upward!

[itstime4me123 139]

It sounds like you found an ideal
Plan for you. Congratulations! Personal training seems like it would be very motivational. Wishing you success.

[PandaPo 1]

I recently found this video that I thought was insightful.

[Kurt W 7]

On 6/14/2017 at 2:49 PM, Kat410 said:

Hello everyone,

I had said I would start exercising when I hit 280, which will be approaching and I need to plan. I am more anxious about going to a gym than I was about the surgery. I haven't walked into a gym since 1993! I have thought about hiring a personal trainer, but I don't want to feel ashamed/embarrassed or uncomfortable. Has anyone dealt with this and how did you deal with it? do you have any recommendations? I do walk a fair amount, live in NYC and deal with walking, subways, stairs, etc all the time, but that is not the same as working out.

looking forward to hearing who else dealt with this and how you dealt with it.

Thank you!

Hey,

I suspect that pretty much all of us here understand what you are feeling. And everyone has their opinion on going to the gym. Here is my experience.

I started walking a couple of days post surgery (I'm 4 1/2 weeks post) and have settled on a six day a week exercise program. I am doing it because I have have been able to do so before and I want to build muscle. And the calorie burning will help. Oh, and it builds a habit that will serve me.

I decided that not only was a gym going to be part of my routine, but that I was going to go swimming in the gym. Now that means wearing a bathing suit over my fat body around all these buff men and women. Oh crap, what was I thinking. But, I went ahead.

Walking into the gym and the pool I found three things:

1. There were all sorts of people there. Some were incredibly fit, others closer to me. I did not completely stand out like a sore thumb.

2. The pool, exposing (er, probably a bad word choice there) my fat for all to see, was a non-issue. Most days I go the pool has a mixture of old men and women doing Water aerobics and all sorts of differently shaped with their heads down swimming. I get in, start swimming, and become part of the crowd

3. I am sure some people there are looking at me and going "Oh, how gross." Well, that's why I am there, to change. Same reason they are there. I don't care what they think.

I just got clearance to start strength training so now I am exposed to more people at the gym. Once you go a few times you will find that its not so scary.

Lastly I think all gyms are different. Take advantage of free passes to try them out see what the clientelle is like. Also check out your local Y. Don't get pressured into a membership until you find the right place.

And if you decide a gym isn't your cup of tea, just keep walking.

Not sure where you are in NYC but I commute into Manhattan a couple of days a week from NJ and would be happy to walk with you sometime.

-Kurt

[Kat410 423]

Update on the Gym Anxiety -

Gym Anxiety No More!

Here's what I did. The best thing I did was hire a great person to train me. There is a small boutique gym about a block from me in NYC that has a devoted neighborhood following. They do a variety of classes based on the instructors area of expertise.

The owners also do personal training. I invested in personal training and I was very honest about my WLS, medical history, weight history, level of activity, etc.

We started very slow - a lot at the beginning was just getting used to moving in ways I hadn't moved in a long time. He gave me simple exercises to do at home.

On Sunday I did a 6 mile hike through a park, including 20 flights of stairs (up) through the park. Not something I could have done 8 weeks ago.

Today we did the first workout where I was able to significantly up the pace. I am 25 lbs lighter than when I started and without question stronger and with more stamina, flexibility and ease of movement.

I am almost certain without the personal training I probably would have ignorantly injured myself because of my cluelessness. It has been the best investment ever, even though it was a financial strain that financial strain would have been nothing compared to screwing up my joints or back.

I know for other people this may not be a big deal, but it was one of those demons and every time I slay a demon more is possible.

Tomorrow is class and Sunday is a 5 mile hike through urban hills and stairs!