So I (20 female) have gained some weight since I started college. I have been wanting to go to they gym, I even bought a membership to a local gym to help lose weight and tone up. It seems like every gym I join or go to I feel like I’m being judged about everything I do, and it all around makes me even more insecure than I was before I started. I know how to use most of the basic equipment, but the more complex equipment that targets the core and back I am still a little unsure of. I have watched countless videos on what I am supposed to be doing, but I always feel like I’m still doing it wrong while the people around me are making fun of me for what I’m doing even if they aren’t. So any ideas how to overcome this so I can get into shape before summer. Also feel free to comment links to workouts that you feel would be great for toning and losing belly fat.
You don't need a gym at all. Plus it's a waste of money and time.
Your bread and butter can be home and body weight work outs.
Jogging is great. You have body weight squats. STart with reps of 20. Once you can do 50 in a row, jump in and out. Wall sits. Lunges. Frogstands Advanced frogstands You have burpees. For ab's there's so many things you can do. Planks, crunches, sit ups, leg raises, hollow body holds. Pressups. If you can't do them, then do them on your knees, or an elevated surface, or do negatives of them. hand stands Boiler jumps (jump as high as you can, knees high). 20 reps. Skipping or so called jump rope. Here's a work out. Skip for 5 mins. Jog for 10-15 (build up as you get fitter, feel free to take mini rests if you're not fit enough to do the full 20. Then do 20 leg raises (bend your knees to make them easier if you're not fit enough or lower reps 20 body weight squats. 30 secs wall sit. 20 reps lunge 10-20 burpees 10-20 boiler jumps. repeat x 2 or 3 depending on fitness. Build up. This routine will probably take you about 40 mins a day and you will be fitter than 99% of the population. And you don't have to waste your time in a stupid gym. You can probably do this 5 to 6 times a week, but you might have to build up to that. And if you want to take it further. Then get into calisthenics (body weight work outs).
The only equipment you need is a pullup bar that juts out of your door, gymnastics rings and ideally a pair of parallettes. Costs next to nothing and you can do stuff like this.
The people in the gym who you see as having a better body than you werent always like that. Most of them were either really skinny or really fat and got to a point where they changed their bodies. Im sure people dont care about others in the gym as they go for themselves and not to judge others, if anything they probably respect the fact that your their putting in the work to better yourself. Try going with a few family members or some of your friends to the gym, that may help calm your nerves abit, even if they are not working out just have them go with you.
Seriously, best bet is just to do your best to ignore them. Really. When I go, I'm in my own little world. Nobody else matters.
Find a friend to go with you. That way you can work through any of the machines you don't understand together. Or, you could see if you could get an employee to walk you through certain machines.
And watching videos is a great way to learn. Keep that up.
As for losing belly fat and toning, well there's nothing you can do to target any specific fat. It all comes ofd when it comes off. But weight lifting is a great way to tone up muscles and lose fat. Don't worry that you'll bulk up too much. I would be seriously surprised if you managed to bulk up on accident.
And diet is important. Cut the crappy foods to a minimum.
Good luck! You got this! Let me know if you need anything!
Nobody's judging you in the gym for how you look. Anyone there is focused on how they look, not other people. Whole point in going is to help yourself look better.
There are no exercises which lose belly fat and if you see one, it's a lie. You can't focus fat loss on one area, it's a whole body thing.
It’s all in your head. I feel the same way in gyms and I hate it. Try to go at slower times with less people and try to focus on your goal and not on the other people in the gym. Honestly if you have the money, a personal trainer might be a good idea. You’re a little more invested- more incentive, they’ll distract you from other people, they can teach you the proper techniques and you have a little bit of company too.
No- nobody i making fun of you. If anything they think it is cool that you are trying to get in shape. Just go at your own pace. See if you can get somebody that works in the gym to show you how to do certain exercises if you need help. The important thing is that you show up.
Find a workout buddy or do home exercises. Or realize that your fear is the only thing holding u back and go for it, fuck everything else, have a thought? Fuck it, lift, LIFT
