But Everyone Will Be Watching Me....

I was at the gym the other day when I heard a conversation that I've heard a few times.  There was a girl lying on the floor not too far from me stretching and her mom, probably in her 50's, walked up next to her.
"Why aren't you working out Mom?", 
mom: "I don't know, I just don't feel comfortable",
 daughter: "What's wrong?" 
 mom:  "I feel like everyone is going to be watching me, I don't want to look dumb" 
daughter: "No one is going to be watching you mom, just go work out"
 mom: "I don't know, I just don't think I can"
I wanted to jump in and help the daughter convince her mom that it was ok, but I stayed out of it.  Here's the thing, everyone, no matter what they look like now, at some point was uncomfortable in a gym.  And everyone there is SOOO concerned with what THEY look like while exercising that they are not paying attention to you.  Unless you just go into that gym and do a jig on the treadmill, no one is going to be watching you or laughing at you.  Another thing, who cares what everyone else thinks? Why are you trying to impress them?  You are there for one reason only, to get in shape and be healthy... I guess that's two reasons.  If you still feel self-conscience there are a few things you can do to help.
1. If you have the money, hire a trainer.  They will show you how to correctly use the machines and help you to feel comfortable with all of the equipment.
2.  Can't afford a trainer, either find a friend that goes to the gym regularly to tag along with or go online and look up the correct form for each exercise.  If you are going to take this route, make sure you do a lot of research, you don't want any false info.
3.  Go at slow times in the day. Usually mid mornings, after lunch, and late nights are slow times to go. One of the busiest times is from 4-6 when everyone is coming from work or school.  Ask the gym employees when you get your membership when the slow times are. They would know best for that particular gym.
4.  Find any friend to go with, even if they don't work out either.  You can learn together and have fun in the meantime.
5.  Watch the trainers train other people.  Great way to get free info.  Watch the form that they are teaching and what exercises they are using often
6.  If your gym offers classes, take a beginners class. It's a great way to get started and you have a certain time that you need to be there each day, which helps you to get on a work out schedule.

Don't let fear stop you from getting healthy.