I've also realized that a good workout regimen would be the best thing for me... I'd like to embrace a healthier, more physically fit lifestyle, but the simple problem is... I'm such a weak wimp I'm almost scared to go to the gym... I've got the number of a personal trainer I'm trying to work up the courage to call, but I'm worried I'm too weak for even gym equipment.
HAHA!
And, no, I am not laughing
at you. I am laughing at how that's such a common fear of the gym and how I had it at one time, and how it has been so completely offbase from my experience.
Yea, there are gyms based around body-building elitists who will look down upon you and sneer at anything less than a body with 250lbs of pure muscle, but those are rare and you'd probably not be interested in the equipment in such a facility anyway. The real thing that will make you the target of ridicule at a gym is if you break basic gym etiquette.
What's gym etiquette? Generally basic things like not hogging machines, wiping sweat from machines, not clanging weights around, and the biggie: failing to return equipment to its rightful place after using it. Search for "rules of the gym" on Google and you'll find simple lists of general rules.
The second biggest thing that will make you a target of ridicule is if you have do exercises that are easily seen and look absolutely ridiculous. That might seem intimidating in a "OMG! How will I know???" kind of way. Well, first off you should use proper form when doing an exercise. Generally if you're doing something that involves large, quick, showy movements you're probably doing it wrong. You can avoid this by sticking with machines at first and looking at the drawings on them, and by being all 21st century and using YouTube to study up on how an exercise is performed before trying it out.
The third biggest thing not to do is to condemn every other male in the gym to years of therapy by being creepy. You can do this by standing in the changing room directly in front of the main mirror, completely naked except for a layer of shaving cream, and then shave your entire body. Yes, this happened in my gym and, fortunately, I didn't see it. Thankfully the owner booted the guy after doing that. It's doubtful you'd do something as bizarre as that but who the heck knows?
Like it is when it comes to head shaving, other people are far more interested in themselves than what you are doing. As long as you aren't actively interfering with another's workout you could curl magic markers and few would care. The gym I attend has the obese, skinny, and elderly, and why not? That's the point of a gym. What's more laughable? A fat respectful guy at a gym who is trying to better themselves or some fat doofus with perfectly functioning legs who rides around in a cart at the Walmart because he's lazy and settles for second best?
Check out Planet Fitness. It has cheap ~$10 monthly rates and they are very, almost anally, protective in having an open friendly environment. It sounds pathetic, but I cant even do a single pull-up (I'd love to, but its really hard to practice them... when you cant do them) and I'd be surprised if I could bench press the bar. I understand this is a catch-22 that I cant beat until I just suck it up and get to it, but its embarrassing and I'm worried I simply couldnt physically do even a basic trainer's regimen.
HAHA!
I think I can barely do one myself! So freaking what? How do you think those other guys got so strong anyhoo? They probably joined a gym and started out weak! Hell, I was fat and weak when I joined mine 7 years ago and felt odd at first but
not only did the other people not point and laugh they were very supportive of me!What do you consider a "basic trainer's regimen" anyway? Did you know that trainers have basic programs for people with all sorts of physical impairments like paralysis and damage caused by strokes? If you can get your body into a gym then you can use that gym to strengthen your body.
PERIOD!
THE FACT THAT YOU ARE SO WEAK IS WHAT SHOULD MAKE YOUR SITUATION SO EXCITING!As a former fatty I can tell you that the journey to becoming thin was more fun that being thin. You are in the same situation! Anything you do (short of using bad form and hurting yourself) can ONLY make your body stronger. It would be hard for you NOT to make any gains. You may be concentrating on your fears and insecurities right now, but trust me, you have the potential to begin a really exciting journey and who knows where it will lead? You might take up some sports with friends, run in 5Ks, or even get into a weightlifting competition. DON'T LAUGH! Had you known me when I was fresh out of highschool I would have laughed in your face had you said I do something like that. I hated sports and was never on a team. I couldn't even run the required mile at school. Hell, 5 years ago a quarter mile run might as well have been a transcontinental run because I couldn't do either! Today? I've ran as far as 12 miles without stopping!
OK, I'm tired, rambling, and going to sleep!
GET TO THE GYM!