Well, THAT didn't go as I expected...

Last night I joined a gym and signed up with a personal trainer. I am so sick of being fat and unfit and tired and unhappy all the time.

So I went tonight for my first session, thinking afterwards I would come out all pumped and energetic and positive, and instead I just feel stupid.

I had no idea how terribly unfit I've become, and how much strength I've lost. My trainer, Ben, is lovely, but I was just so embarrassed and ashamed. I ended up in tears in the change rooms afterwards wondering how on earth I could've ended up this way.

I feel very despondent now, instead of how I thought I'd feel. I know things will get easier and better but this was a real shock to my system and to my confidence, and I just feel miserable.

Awwww Sarah Trust me from someone who usually goes to the gym but hasn't in a while because i've been too busy, go at least 3 times a week if only for an hour each visit and i promise you within 3 weeks you'll feel a lot fitter and slimmer!.

Even after your first week or two you'll probably find you can do a few extra minutes on the cardio machines, but if your doing weights don't increase them until your trainer tells you to.

Stick with it chick because you will get there

btw you will start to come out all pumped up and energetic as the weeks go by

Well done for going in the first place! thats the most difficult bit!! after even a couple of sessions you will see such a difference and thats when you're going to want to go instead of having to drag yourself there.
You don't need to worry about how you let yourself get unfit because now you are doing something about it, which is fantastic. You should be giving yourself a big pat on the back.
And as for feeling stupid, nobody was watching you. When I'm at the gym I couldn't even tell you who was there because Im too busy concentrating on what I'm doing, or watching whatever is on the TV. A lot of people get self conscious but theres no need, we've all felt like that, but anyone who goes to a gym knows how they felt when they started so nobody is judging or laughing at you.
Just you keep going and keep us updated on how fantastic you are doing!!!

Oh Sarah, i really feel for you and as you've said it will get better with time and 6 months time you'll look back at this and see just how far you've come. Good luck honey and don't give up, we're all behind you.

Jennie. XXX

Sarah, if you're unhappy with the way you are, then look at it this way - you have made the frist and hardest step in making yourself happy again. The only person who has to be happy with you, is you - anyone else is a bonus I think you're very brave to head for a gym and to make such a positive step. Don't you worry though sweetheart, you've done a really great thing - so don't give up on it! Sure you'll feel bad for the first few times, but if you stick with it, you'll see the change in yourself and you'll feel and look better - that's a bigger boost to your confidence han anything else!

You go girl! You've got my full support!

awww hun, it does get easier!

i'm joining the gym asap as i too am really unfit. i used to be a real gym bunny before!

just go at your own pace and rememeber it takes time!

keep going it does get easier

Trust me, the first training session for me is ALWAYS that way. And, don't be surprised if tomorrow you're too sore to function!
I find that the learning curve is really pretty fast though, and you'll be amazed at how quickly your muscles "learn" the exercises.
Hang in there. I lost 30 lbs through having a trainer and eating well...three years ago. Now, thanks to my own stupidity and some medications that make me "puffy", I've gained it all back. But, I'm chipping away at it and will be back down at my goal weight again by May.

Sarah don't give up!! You just took a HUGE step in the right direction! Just think it can only get better. It wouldn't hurt to tell your trainer about your feelings. They can give you alot of encouragement. I think thats what you need right now!! Keep up the good work!!

Hurray for joining the gym, Sarah! Now you can inspire me! I am basically shy, and that's the main reason I haven't join yet. I do remember being told by a massage therapist that starting an exercise program after being unfit can release toxins into your system that can cause feelings of sadness and that many people get discouraged from feeling this way & quit, but that the thing to do is work through it, so the body gets rid of the toxins and gets in shape again. Of course, she has a acupressure treatment to help with that ($$?)...anyway, it's a thought to consider.
bottom line is just to keep up the good work!

Sarah, you haven't "ended up this way" -- you haven't ended up at all! You've just reached a turnaround point, and you're on your way back to good health. Good work!

I need to do exactly what you're doing, but I'm afraid to... I'm in such bad shape, with diabetes and a heart valve problem and outrageous cholesterol... and weighing almost twice what I weighed at 25... I'm afraid I may be a heart attack waiting to happen. So until I find a job and get on some insurance, I don't dare push myself too much.

Gosh, I understand your feeling -- how did I let it get this bad? It's amazing how it creeps up on you. But you've got a handle on it now! Congratulations!

Congrats on at least going to the gym! I HATED going to the gym at first....and I actually found that excercising outside is what helps me the most. I think it's just a matter of figuring out what works for you. As for feeling unfit....in a few weeks at the gym, you'll laugh because you'll feel so strong and wonderful!

I must stop using my treadmill as a clothes hanger!!!
I went out in the woods at the farm yesterday cutting branches for holiday decorating for a couple hours and I was surprised how tired I was when I finally got home.

It's funny because I have been going consistently to the gym for the last 2 months, and I STILL feel unhappy about myself and the way I look. I mean, I'm glad that I'm going, but i'm impatient to get where I think I should be. My solution? I don't think about it, I don't look in the mirror at the gym. I just go, do what I do, and change and don't look at myself in the mirror AT ALL and that's it.

Seems to work for me - but i know EXACTLY how you feel. And you know, I know everyone says working out is supposed to get your endorphines going and you're supposed to feel all pumped and happy after exercising. Sometimes I actually feel depressed! I don't know why, it's like I feel good while doing it, but then crash right after.

Anyways, just push through this feeling. No one said working out and being fit was easy. As Edina from Absolutely Fabulous says "if it was that easy - everybody would be doing it!"

I always say I'm going to the gym, and never go. Because if I've got time I haven't got money, and if I've got money, I haven't got time.

What I need is a really rich BF (just joking ).

Anyway, I don't like gyms much, I prefer swimming. It's good for my, it's good for my asthma, but it's freezing in the changing room

i joined up at the gym two weeks ago, didnt go last week because of personal reasons, and this week i cant go because i have noone to drive me.

The first night i went i felt stupid, but my personal trainer didnt have time that day to show me and do all the routine stuff, so i just went on the bike and trendmill as much as i wanted.
THEN the second day i went there, i nearly faited after three minutes of using a machine, i was so embarrased and my personal trainer would not let me use any of the other machines for the rest of the day!

Good on you for going to the gym! That's more than I can muster up. All this talk about getting fit has given me the inspiration to do so myself instead of always putting it off. Just as soon as I finish up this chocolate bar, I'm off to do some exercise!

I believe I saw a photo of you in that black and white collage you made, and I think you look great. It's obvious you're an attractive woman. Don't forget, we're always our own worst critics.

Rome wasn't built in a day Sarah. You may have been expecting too much of yourself. I'll bet your trainer has had success with people who felt worse than you their first day. The more you go, the easier it will get.