I remember during school the feeling I would get when the teacher made us present in front of the class.
Public speaking was something I dreaded. The anticipation for when I would be called to speak in front of the entire class would make my palms sweaty and stomach feel uneasy. My name being called out to come present would send my heart racing.
Then I’d stand there nervous, cheeks warm, feeling so uncomfortable. I just wanted to disappear and not ever have to go through that torture again!
With a class full of eyes gazing at me and judging me. They probably thought I looked like a complete loser. I wondered what everyone thought of me. Probably how terrible I was.
It was not knowing what everyone else thought of me that was so unsettling.
As soon as I sat down after my presentation, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Instant relief. I would sit with my friends and feel so good that it was over while others still had to do their presentation.
We would sit and quietly talk about random things and not pay attention to whoever’s turn it was to speak.
It was not until university when I had another much larger presentation to do that I realised that nobody cares about you. Everyone else is concerned about themselves. I thought back to school presentations: no one really paid attention or judged you.
Your fears of being judged and watched are not really as bad as you think. Most likely they are going through the same thing as you. Even if they aren’t, they probably aren’t judging you intensively as you may believe.
I’d sit during other presentations watching the audience only to realise that no one really were as judgemental as I thought. Everyone was usually in their own world. They couldn’t care less if you made a mistake or looked weird.
I wish I had that mentality earlier. It doesn’t mean I don’t get nervous when speaking in front of a group or audience, but it just makes it easier.
Why am I telling you all of this? Because I want you to realise that no one judges you or pays as much attention to you as you may think.
Don’t let that negative attitude and inner fear stop you from doing something great or achieving your goals .
Be it getting in shape by going for a run around your block, or working out at a gym, or wearing nice clothes.
Don’t let the fear of what others may think about you hold you back.[bctt tweet=”Don’t let the fear of what others may think about you hold you back.”]
If you want to start working out at a gym but the idea of everyone staring at you and laughing at you being a complete newbie scares you, then realise that no one really pays much attention to you.
Don’t be intimidated by all the strange equipment and “gym junkies”. Nobody was born with a perfect body, everyone starts somewhere.
Here are some tips to help you get over your fear of going to the gym:
- Change of mindset: Realise that everyone from all different levels go to the gym and that no one is going to judge you. Nobody is perfect and we all start somewhere. No one cares what clothes you wear to the gym or if you look weird. No one cares if you are a beginner because we all started somewhere.
- Choose a gym that is right for you: Not all gyms are filled with huge guys and gym junkies. There are many gyms targeting different people so be sure to pick one that is right for you. Do a bit of research before joining one, ask friends and family for any recommendations. Go during quiet times to avoid the rush.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help: If you don’t understand how a machine works or just need some advice, ask someone with more experience. They’d be more than happy to help and teach you. You might even make friends which will make your experience at the gym even better.
- Don’t compare yourself to other people at the gym: Some of the people you may see at the gym have been working out for years. Don’t look at them and feel intimidated because they were in your position once too. Instead, use them as motivation to push yourself and keep going with the hope of being like them one day.
The above tips should be enough to help you get over your fears and start making a change to the way you think about going to the gym. If not, then you need to think back to why you want to go to the gym in the first place. Is it to impress a stranger? Is it because your friend wants you to come along?
Or is it because you want to go? Do you want to make a change in your life and do you want to benefit?