When will I stop saying it, and just do it!!!

[love necessity]

I wonder if anyone else is going through the same thing I am going through?

 

In February 07' I purchased a 3 yr. membership to my local gym.

 

I currently weigh 204 lbs. I gained 60 lbs over the past two years.

 

I'm HUGE. I'm at the biggest I've ever been in my entire life.

 

I absolutely hate it! I hate going shopping, just the thought of trying on

 

clothes makes me sick to my stomach! Nothing fits anymore.

 

I was never really "small", but before I gained all this weight, I was happier

 

with my weight.

 

All this unhappiness with myself and yet, I can not find the motivation to

 

work on myself. What has gotten into me?

 

I guess I am posting this because I don't know where to

 

start. Yes, I have a membership, but I don't know where to start when I

 

actually get to the gym?

 

I have a weightlifting booklet at home, and I know that I have

 

to do aerobics.

 

I guess I'm worried that people will stare at me

 

because I don't know what I am doing.

 

 

Can someone please give me some advice on starting a plan?

 

On working out? Anything will help me!

 

Thank you so much!

[JulieJ]

Ask one of the trainers at the gym if they could show you how some of the machines work-- that is what they are there for! I would start with the cardio machines to burn fat. If you feel self-conscious about working out in front of people, try going very early in the morning or later at night, but not right after work at peak hours. Or, you could start of easy by going on long walks (45 minutes) around your neighborhood or on trails.

[thepinched]

i did it you can do it. i lost 40 pounds. it is really really hard...accept that. be committed. i started by cutting back on fatty foods and replacing them all with low fat or light versions. i cut back on meal portion size. and that was HARD as i felt hungry a lot. but i drank water and thought about the few moments of indulgence vs calories. i realized that there was a point in which i was sufficient vs wanting to fill myself up. and then i stuck to the right portion size. i also didn't give into cravings...just eat a tic tac or something to take your mind off of it...it goes away fast. i started with work on cardio machines and then added toning strenght training. but the thing i learned was that just because i was burning a few calories it didn't mean that i should eat more.

 

know i go no matter what...tired, sleepy, etc aren't excuses. go becaues you have made a commitment with YOURSELF because you love yourself. make it a priority and hold yourself responsible. it's not just a random gym run that makes it work...incorporate it into your weekly routine. don't worry too much about how to start...of course the disclamer is that you should always consult with a physician before beginning a fitness program...sorry thought that was funny

 

just remember that everyone starts from scratch...all those people you see fit weren't born that way. i know you can do this. i did it and was horrible about keeping to it...but that persistence is the key. once you get over the initial thrust to get going then it becomes easier to maintain. just don't give up!!!!!

 

if you are worried about what other people think...then read my favorite book "the four agreements" by Don Ruiz Miguel. It has changed the way i think...and the few people i have gotten to read it also swear by changes in their self-esteem...just a thought.

[doiask42much]

Great advice from everyone. I don't really have a whole lot to add, but

once you start going to the gym, you will see that people with perfect bodies are the rarity, not the norm. That's why they're at the gym! Anyway, try to focus on yourself and not worry so much what others are up to. I actually find at my gym, people rarely look at each other or interact in any way, unless they came together. I guess it's become such the cliche to hit on people at the gym that it's almost taboo now? Everyone just looks straight ahead and runs like a horse with blinders on. Remember, everyone is most interested in themselves and likely doesn't even notice you.

 

This probably isn't the healthiest thing, but caffeine kills my appetite pretty effectively. Maybe you could drink green tea, as it has antioxidants and compounds that allegedly promote thermogenesis (fat burning) and doesn't have as much caffeine as cofee.

 

Good luck!

[This_Too_Shall_Pass]

In February 07' I purchased a 3 yr. membership to my local gym.

 

That's a good first step.

 

I currently weigh 204 lbs. I gained 60 lbs over the past two years.

 

I'm HUGE. I'm at the biggest I've ever been in my entire life.

 

Seriously, you're not. I've seen bigger. At the gym I go to.

 

 

I absolutely hate it! I hate going shopping, just the thought of trying on clothes makes me sick to my stomach! Nothing fits anymore.

 

I was never really "small", but before I gained all this weight, I was happier

 

with my weight.

 

Well, all this fat isn't "you". Please don't define yourself by your weight. Just work on knocking the extra pounds off, and so you can finally see what the "real you" looks like.

 

 

I guess I am posting this because I don't know where to

 

start. Yes, I have a membership, but I don't know where to start when I

 

actually get to the gym?

 

Don't do this alone. Go to the gym manager, and ask him / her to help you out. They'll be more than happy to. Don't be shy.

 

JulieJ very rightly suggested that you get a trainer to help you go over the basics of working the machines. If you've never been to a gym, all the machines can be pretty intimidating.

 

Make a friend at the gym. Have him / her call you EVERY DAY, to get your butt to the gym. Even better, ask the trainer to make you step into the gym every day. They'll do it.

 

Get on to a good diet. Ask if your gym provides diet-related counseling, too.

 

Stick to your plan. To drop about 50 -60 lbs, will easily take you a year. Be patient.

 

 

I guess I'm worried that people will stare at me because I don't know what I am doing.

 

Hahaa...no they won't. Most people do intense workouts, and the most that they will look at you is 20 seconds. They're too busy panting and sweating to pay attention.

 

You just carry on with what you're supposed to do. You'll gain confidence eventually.

[Teacher's Pet]

If you are worried about people staring at you...

 

Do what I do... get an Ipod, and just blast music into your ear...

 

Tune out the rest of the gym and focus on the task at hand...

 

Trust me, it works.

 

-tp

fat and cute!

[beautifulearth83]

One idea that comes to mind is finding a friend with a similar goal.

Somebody to walk and talk with, ya know?

[Enema]

I suggest lots of low-intensity cardio.

 

Riding an exercise bike, or using a cross trainer. Fast enough that your heart rate goes to about 120-130bpm and do it for 30 mins.

 

I'm not a huge fan of obese people using treadmills as the pressure on joints can be rough.

 

Weights you should also do, but the most important thing is the cardio.

 

Have you fixed your diet?