"Too many minds" is an explanation as to why some folks are not

[bike man]

comfortable in the gym.

It is a quote from a character in the Tom Cruise movie, "The Last Samurai", where the character is telling Tom Cruise there are too many things going on in his mind to concentrate on what he is doing.

In the case of the gym, it is things like "Is the guy bench pressing 325 going to ridicule me?", "Do I have on the right 'outfit' for gymming?", "I wonder what that machine does."

The thing to do is to make a plan, but one that allows deviations. For example, if one uses free weights, have several different exercises on the schedule so that if all of the dumbbells you want to use are in use, you can do something else.

If someone is on the machine you want to use, get another one. Yours will free up soon.

The gym can be a rewarding place, and does not have to be hectic.

[Denninmi]

1. When I joined last year, it took a bit of courage.

I was never a "jock" and was very self-conscious about the 55 lbs I had packed on, as well as the fact that I wasn't very muscular so didn't have a lot of strength. Finally, some various medical things over the years have left their marks on my body as well. So, I was pretty fearful the night I went and met with the membership advisor and the assistant head of PT. and frankly, more so the first morning I showed up for the weight loss group.

Maybe, perhaps even probably, not all facilities are like the one I joined, but mine is not what I expected. A tremendous diversity of people of all ages, races, occupations, and most of all all different levels of fitness, some very obese people who have made a decision to change, and everyone is very friendly, accepting, and supportive.

[bike man]

2. Some folks have the idea that when they go into a gym, ALL eyes are upon them.

This mindset hinders them, because ALL eyes are not upon them.

Too many minds. Don't mind the person on the next machine, or the guy going to get water, or the staff at the counter, or anyone else.

[Denninmi]

3. Yup. It's true - no one cares about how you are at the moment.

They care a lot about where you want to go, and they all help and support. I've had some of those very buffed guts with the six pack abs come up to me and tell me that I was inspiring, because of the weight loss, and also because I stuck with it and I put in the time and effort. Everyone has been great. When I joined, I had doubts, was afraid I night be there three or four times and slink away with my tail between my legs - it only took a few weeks to realize joining was probably one of the best decisions of my entire life. I look forward to going there every single time. And I have no intention of ever going back to the mess that I was before I joined. I'm really picking up steam on running, started swimming lessons, and when it starts up in January I WILL be in the beginning tri class.