Fear Not!

Do you want to start exercising, but you’re afraid?  Are you nervous to walk into a gym and not know how to work the machines?  I know how intimidating a gym can be.  I walked into my first gym about 30 years ago.  I attended with three friends, but I was terrified to take my first aerobics class.  There were 25+ people in the class and I was the most uncoordinated person in the room!  I didn’t have a great experience – the instructor came and stood right next to me yelling “grapevine – one, two, three, one, two, three) – I still didn’t get it.  I was horrified, especially in front of my friends, but somehow I still enjoyed myself and wanted to go back.  It felt great to move (even though I lacked coordination) and my friends and other members were encouraging.  I wanted to go back another day and show the instructor I could do a grapevine!  A year later I was teaching aerobics at the same gym and helping others feel the sense of accomplishment I experienced. 

Don’t let fear hold you back!  You can do it – maybe it will take time to learn, but you WILL learn!  If you want to take a group fitness class or go to the gym DO IT!  Ask the staff for help and suggestions!  Most gyms provide members with a complementary personal training session – use it.  Learning to use weight equipment takes time.  You wouldn’t play golf without taking lessons, right?  You may not be able to afford a personal trainer on a weekly basis, but maybe consider purchasing a session once or twice a month.  Let a trainer teach you proper technique so you will see results!   

Challenge yourself!   It can be as simple as deciding to walk every day after work or not eating fast food for a month (that will help you afford personal training). It doesn’t have to be extreme.  You don’t have to run a marathon, climb the tallest mountain, or become a vegan, just start moving and making healthier choices so you can enjoy the life you’ve always wanted!