It's a gym thing...

[lupestripe]

In an attempt to finally lose the belly that has dogged me (and not dogged in a good sense) for the last nineteen years, last week I joined a gym. Well tonight is my first session and I must admit I am bricking it.

I am not precisely sure why but I guess I have always felt intimidated around fit people. This, I think, is because I was a child of the Eighties where muscles and machismo went hand in hand. Equally I think there is a large portion of my inferiority complex playing its hand here and it may possibly be that such images of the Eighties actually sewed the seeds of it.

I know this is an irrational fear and one that is completely unfounded but often our fears defy all rationality. Added to this is that the world today is very different from the one twenty years ago - being gay I should be more aware of this than most people.

Still, I want to lose weight and get stronger (particularly in my upper body) and you don't move forward in life unless you tackle your fears head on. So although I'm scared I'm also anticipating it slightly too. I have less than four hours to go...

Comments

[avon-deer.livejournal.com]

And yet, I'd give anything to have your belly rather than mine. :(

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Aww *hugs*.

[fen-ra.livejournal.com]

Don't worry Lupes, have a virtual hug. *Hugs.* I'm sure you'll be fine. ^^

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Thanks hun *hugs* - it was fine in the end, there were loads of cool people there and the staff were really friendly! Yeys!

[huskypupp.livejournal.com]

woof! the best of luck, not that you'll need it :)

If it'll help at all, join my community!

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woof! the best of luck, not that you'll need it :)

If it'll help at all, join my community!
<lj-user "Motivationation"/>

I'm aiming for the same as you, I probably need a little more, but I find swimming as much as you can helps a lot :)

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Thanks hun but why won't I need the luck? I get really scared a lot of the time. Thankfully the staff were really friendly so I felt a hell of a lot better. There's a lot of support there.

Ooh what's the community? Looks interesting. To be honest, swimming is now the one thing I am scared of lols, I dunno if I look good in just my shorts *blushes*

[huskypupp.livejournal.com]

*grinns*
i remember you looking good in shorts ^^

i didnt think youd need any luck, cause it can be easy to do for the right people, and i know you'll be able to stick to it :)

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Have you ever seen me in shorts? Hmm, possibly changing for the United Kritters stuff I'll give you that, I hardly ever wear shorts as I am not a great fan of my legs.

I don't know about being able to stick to it, I tend to do things for a couple of months and then get bored with it. I don't know, we'll see. I often start off enthusiastic and then that tends to tail.

I wouldn't say I was the right person for the gym although I have proved I can get on with those I have met there so perhaps you are right. I'm about as far from the macho stereotype as it's possible to get...

[schnee.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Don't worry too much about it - you're going to be fine.

I mean, really, IF somebody says something, then the only thing they'll have accomplished is that they embarassed themselves in front of everyone else. It may seem like all the others who remain silent and uninvolved secretly agree with that person, but in reality, they're all going to roll their eyes (metaphorically speaking, at the very least) at the idiot.

And it's a pretty big IF, anyway; I doubt anyone's going to do that. And IF it happens, do go to the employees and complain about it; you're a paying customer, after all, and it should be in their best interest to provide a friendly atmosphere where everyone can feel comfortable.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the reassurance hun, it's much appreciated *hugs*

You're right, most people were really friendly, particularly the employees who understood my fears completely. I guess they have heard it many times before.

It was quite interesting really as even the people you think look fit were struggling just as much as I was. I find this kinda reassuring too because it means that I'm not as bad as I thought I was *wags*

[schnee.livejournal.com]

*noddles and hugs tight* :)

[crosseyeddragon.livejournal.com]

Nice try!

But Belly's gonna get you!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHlvKQwZFSI

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Aaaargh! That advert was SOOOO scary. The scariest ad ever. It really should never have been aired *whimpers*

[tr-wolf.livejournal.com]

People at gyms arent fit people, that's why they're there!

I thought that too, that it was gonna be muscly sweaty fit people but its not, its all middle aged women and pudgy blokes.

[wolfie-uk.livejournal.com]

id have to disagree the time ive spent in gyms (quite a lot) you usualy find a crowd of regulars of all levels of fitness. but there is always one or two who are on the upper levels of fitness's at the gym i used to go to it was an old man in his 60's!

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I guess it depends on the type of gym you go to. The one I go to is a chain one and there's a vast array of people there. Down the road is the gym for the hard nuts - the local gym for all the hard lads. I'd be shot down there in about 30 seconds :(

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Some people are fit, some aren't. It's a mixture really. I see your point though and thanks for reassuring me *hugs*