Gym newbies must read this
Gyms and fitness centers may not be for everyone. But they are convenient locations for working out -- think weights, treadmills, rowing machines, yoga, exercise classes, trainers, scales, and locker rooms with showers. They also can be pretty intimidating for newbies. "Gym phobia is not at all uncommon among people who don't have gym experience," writes Scott Saifer at Divine Caroline. With this in mind, he offers two basic tips for overcoming gym anxiety.
- Adopt a "beginners mind," admit you're new to the gym scene, and ask for help. Everyone in the gym was a newbie at one time.
- Locate a staff member -- a trainer, nutritionist, membership counselor -- who can teach you how to navigate the gym, how to use the equipment, how to eat right.
Within a few weeks or months of gym visits, you'll blend in, pick up the jargon, develop a routine, and start to show some muscle. And one day, you'll be the pro other newbies seek.
Wait, I have one more tip: Join us for America Takes It Off and gather some momentum for your gym adventures and more.
Many of us have a fear of something; maybe it's the fear of heights. Or how about the infamous arachnophobia -- that's not uncommon either. But have you ever heard of deipnophobia? It's the fear of dinner conversations during a social scene (I wonder if Thanksgiving at the in-laws would count).
Whether it's fear of that big spider in the bathroom or anxiety related to giving a speech at a relative's wedding, we all feel afraid sometimes. Fear is an ancient emotion designed to warn of potential danger -- fear causes extra caution, preparation, and sometimes even avoidance of the situation altogether. But although most of the "scary" situations we face in today's world are not life threatening, that doesn't mean they aren't well-founded or don't serve us a useful purpose.
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