Gym Anxiety!

Gym Anxiety. Something I never thought I would have. I started lifting weights at the gym when I was a senior in high school– so it’s been 11 years I have routinely been in the gym! Let me say that again 11 years! So needless to say, I was extremely comfortable and confident in a gym setting. Well, after taking a couple months off with the baby and how much my body has changed, it feels like I’m starting at square one. The first time I went back to the gym, I drove up and sat in my car just staring at the building. What would people say? Do I need to tell everyone I had a baby and that is why my body looks different? Will those who knew me before think I just “let myself go?” Will they say “what happened to her?”? Will people notice that I can’t lift as heavy anymore? I have never been nervous walking into the gym, until that day. And yes, I get some people will think I’m nuts. But, this is my own internal, mental struggle. Eventually, I worked up enough courage to walk inside, trying to make myself unnoticeable and hide behind my coat, walking in with my head down. I put all my stuff in the locker room, took a deep breathe and walked into the weight room. And guess what happened? No one pointed, no one stared, and no one even cared what I was doing. I had myself so worked up over absolutely nothing. We are all there trying to better ourselves and maintain a healthy lifestyle. We all start somewhere, even if you start over 20 times. And I know for a fact when I go to the gym, I’m so focused on what I’m doing, I don’t even pay attention to others. I hardly even remember who was there! People are not paying attention to you as much as you think. I get there are different reasons for feeling anxious going to the gym. But I guarantee, most the people there, are rooting for you. I’ve been to the gym many times since then, and it gets a little easier each time I walk in. I’m in my own head, and really shouldn’t worry about what others are thinking anyway. So this is your sign if you’re anxious or worried, just go for it. It gets better!