Don't Let Fear Stop You From Working Out

This is sort of the opposite side of the street compared to yesterday’s post. I’m not saying that all fear is bad. Good fears would be, for instance, of a raging fire, or of a huge bear walking through the woods next to your campsite. It would even be reasonable to have some fear if you were coming off of an injury. What I really want to talk about is the irrational fear that paralyzes many people who weren’t into athletics when they were younger, or haven’t worked out in many years.

This fear of feeling out of place, or of not being good enough, especially if you go to a gym to workout, can be devastating. And though it probably has it’s basis in irrationality, it is very real because it can keep you from doing what you need to do. Here are a few simple suggestions:

1-If going to the gym intimidates you, try to hook up with a friend. Working out with someone can give you a sense of comfort. This is even better if your friend has some sort of recent experience with working out at the gym.

2-If there is noone you can work out with regularly at the gym, there are many, many things you can do that don’t require being at the gym. Walking, using bands, are just a few possibilities. See my website for more ideas. Chances are if you’re not comfortable at the gym, you may have not worked out much in the past, so starting off slow, simple, and easy is best.

3- Once you’ve worked out for a bit, maybe you can give the gym another try. It’s really not as bad as you have it in your mind. Many people there are in great shape, but many aren’t as well. If you can take some deep breaths in the car before you go in, that would help calm the nerves. Then go right to the office and inquire about working out with a staff trainer. After a few workouts, the trainer will feel like an old friend. They know what they’re doing, and, they truly know how you feel and want to help.

Don’t feel discouraged if you decide to not give the gym a try. It’s really only something you should try if you’re afraid to go there. Just getting over the fear would be a great victory. They are great, don’t get me wrong, but they can be expensive, and there are many things to do that can be done at your own convenience. As you work out more and more, you might find that your fears subside. Maybe you have fears in other areas of your life as well. There’s a chance that your confidence may be boosted a bit as you get in better shape. This very well could spill over into other areas of your life. For further help, you may consider yoga and meditation, as they help clear the mind, and help with feeling more in control. This might also boost confidence.

Overall, it’s important to note that there are many, many tools you can use to help build up your body, mind, and spirit. As I always say, start slow, set realistic goals, and don’t have unrealistic expectations. If you’re out of shape, and a little (or alot) down on yourself, it’s probably taken you a long time to get there. There is hope though. There’s lots of hope. You just have to get started in the right direction. Don’t do it by yourself. Educate yourself. Get a physical if you haven’t in a while, then just start doing some walking. It’s the right time of year. No more excuses. Please check us out if you need help. We have bi-monthly newsletters, and daily success tips. Bye for now. Be healthy, safe, and happy.