I Went To The Gym Today For The First Time

Technically it was the second time, but the first time doesn't really count, so I like to think that today was a first. I was going to post something about my new haircut, but I wasn't able to take a good photo of myself, and since then the weather has been downright lousy for me to even attempt blog photography. So today, you get this post about my experience at the gym, and on Friday, you'll hopefully be able to read the post on my hair.

Some of you might remember that I started a mission way back in October to try and lose some weight, and sadly, that has not happened very well. Life got in the way, and things kept going wrong. I barely cooked a full week of low-carb meals, and there were even days where I didn't even cook or eat healthily. We tried our best with the low-carb diet, but nothing was going anywhere with our sedentary lifestyles, what with me always working on my blog, and Sean working full-time from home. So last week, after several days of terrible sleep, restlessness, irritability, and depression, we decided to start going to the gym.

Not only would this help us properly lose weight, it was going to help me become fitter (I get so terribly winded even going up one flight of stairs), make me feel more body-positive, help combat my depression, and when the time comes that I start having children, I'll be able to bounce back to my pre-baby body more easily. I was really inspired by Chontal Duncan's pregnancy, and that has made me want to achieve something similar. Generally, I don't want to be as thin as her, but if it means that I can keep up with newborns, toddlers, and hyperactive little shits, while still being confident and comfortable with my own body, then I damn well will try and achieve this goal!

One problem, though.

As an introvert with low self-esteem issues and a fear of being stared at and/or being judged unfairly, to say I was nervous is an understatement. I was very anxious about going to the gym, especially when surrounded by people I didn't even know. For a few days I was on the fence about it, but I am so glad that I had Sean with me. If it weren't for his presence and support, I would not have even taken a step into the gym and signed up for a membership. I don't think I will ever be able to go to the gym by myself, so it's a good thing that this is a two-person mission. Otherwise, this would never be happening.

So, to recap my experiences today, nothing bad happened, though it was quite awkward and sometimes frustrating. Awkward, because I felt weak and slow while everyone else was progressing faster than me, and I felt like I had encroached on some strange territory where I wasn't welcome. It was quite discomfiting, and that coupled with not being able to do more than the lowest of weights was very frustrating. Sean says I started off too strongly, and that was why my strength petered out. It must be true because at the start I was able to handle 36kg, but then by the end, I got so weak I couldn't even lift 9kg.

Not to mention the fact that I made a mistake with one of the equipment and I think I f**ked up my right shoulder in the process. I can feel a slight tinge of pain in the joints, and I'm worried that it's going to affect my performance tomorrow.

Well, if aching muscles (or lack thereof) don't make an appearance, that is.

Do you have any tips for a newbie like me? How long did it take for you to achieve the body you wanted? 


The picture was sourced from Pixabay