Social Anxiety Support

jane · 07-24-2009, 07:35 AM

July 21st, I am going to the gym and using free weights, even though all the sweaty guys lifting 100lbs intimidate me. I will have to stand around searching for the 5lb weights, because nobody ever uses them.

Atticus · 07-24-2009, 09:19 AM

Start with the weight you're comfortable with. I have two daughters and I'm trying to get one to start, and the other to be consistent with some strength training. I think it's great for a woman, or girl, to feel a bit stronger and more physically competent. Good luck with it.

tony0306 · 07-24-2009, 09:23 AM

Good job!

On a bright side, if none of the sweaty guys are using the lighter weights, then you won't have to wait for them.

: )

pita · 07-24-2009, 09:25 AM

Have fun! I like weightlifting.

I don't know if you've seen this site yet, but stumptuous is an excellent resource for weight training. I dream of having arms like Krista's.

seanybhoy · 07-24-2009, 05:21 PM

Sure yr not just going for a perv, nah jk good on you god knows everyone needs a hobby that's for sure.

jane · 08-05-2009, 07:43 AM

So I chickened out and didn't go.
But I'm going to try again this week!

Moon Fire · 08-05-2009, 08:46 AM

Lifting weights is fun but don't overdo it.

altspoon · 08-05-2009, 10:10 AM

Weightlifting rocks! And don't chicken out! The truth is that EVERYBODY STARTS SOMEWHERE, whether its at 5 lbs or 50 lbs. So don't worry about how much weight you're lifting to start out!

Cerberus · 08-05-2009, 10:36 AM

^Very true. Only thick people would look down on others for starting out. These thick people had to start out somewhere, too. Fortunately, it seems like most people, I think, applaud people or don't care about people who are trying to get into shape or starting to lift weights.

S.T.A.T. · 08-11-2009, 07:37 PM

I used to work in a gym and yes I do see my share of women that do weights.

They tell the same thing the OP said. Intimidating and big people.

Weight training has great benefits for all people of ages and gender. The most important thing is to lift the amount of weight that is appropriate for your goals and health status.

Have fun!

_AJ_ · 08-15-2009, 08:30 AM

everytime i see girls in the weights area, they're always using 5-15 lbs dumbells

dont worry about trying to compete with the guys

Intent · 09-05-2009, 07:07 PM

well, I certainly know what it's like to fear being judged and found wanting.

But I don't think any guy (who's not a real doof) would look down on a girl who is not lifting heavy weights. That seems just so against nature

Though if you were a guy, I'd recommend a very good read called "Muscle" by Fussel. He worked at a NY publishing house, so sort of the brainy type. He started out at the local Y doing circuit training on machines, and eventually became a hard core steroid junkie. Then he abandoned it all, deflated, and wrote his story. (After which, BBers talked down his book.)

strawberryjulius · 09-05-2009, 07:21 PM

Good luck! And don't worry, I only use 1 kilo weights haha.

Ospi · 09-05-2009, 07:27 PM

This is why I can't go to the gym. I arrive, sit at the bench press and have to remove the 2 tonnes the guy before was lifting and put on like 20kg instead xD So embarrassing.

jim_morrison · 09-06-2009, 08:49 AM

I think the best I ever benched was about 70 kg, it's beyond me how these guys lift like 150 kgs and such.

saillias · 09-07-2009, 05:23 PM

Women who weight train are sexy.

You are entering a realm where attention is inevitable though. There are going to be a lot of women who are jealous of you, and lots of men showing interest in you that you have to deal with now if you don't already.

Intent · 09-20-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim_morrison

I think the best I ever benched was about 70 kg, it's beyond me how these guys lift like 150 kgs and such.

depends on your bodyweight. If you weigh 150 kgs, then benching your own weight makes you go across the unofficial dividing line of being "strong". Igf you're tall and thin, then deadlifts might be the way to get your biggest numbers, especially with long arms

outcast69 · 09-20-2009, 08:09 PM

That would be the ultimate test of my SA,to go to a gym.I exercise at home or run with my ipod on.

Intent · 09-20-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outcast69

That would be the ultimate test of my SA,to go to a gym.I exercise at home or run with my ipod on.

so you are anyway doing it, my man. I went from a deadlift of maybe ~200 lbs to pulling 340. Lots of it was fueled by RAGE of being anxious all the friggin' time. Keep doing it, my friend

Frig' the gym anyway.

|30|3 · 10-02-2009, 10:58 AM

It would be refreshing if anything just have another female working out in the gym

. Nobody will pay attention to what you're doing, you will be fine.

I used to be terrified of stepping onto the floor, I started by going during slower hours and trying a new machine out with some free weights. Now I'm able to go whenever I want on any machine I want. I wish meeting people was that easy...think I'm going to make a rant post about this lol

07-24-2009, 07:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
jane Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 755	Weightlifting July 21st, I am going to the gym and using free weights, even though all the sweaty guys lifting 100lbs intimidate me. I will have to stand around searching for the 5lb weights, because nobody ever uses them.

07-24-2009, 09:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Atticus Status: under a sheltering sky Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis Age: 52 Posts: 3,531	Start with the weight you're comfortable with. I have two daughters and I'm trying to get one to start, and the other to be consistent with some strength training. I think it's great for a woman, or girl, to feel a bit stronger and more physically competent. Good luck with it. __________________ Basically I'm just gonna walk the earth. ....You know, like Caine in Kung Fu - walk from place to place, meet people, get in adventures." Jules after his epiphany

07-24-2009, 05:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
seanybhoy Status: U lookin at me ? Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Age: 24 Posts: 4,000	Sure yr not just going for a perv, nah jk good on you god knows everyone needs a hobby that's for sure. __________________ Keep it simple

08-05-2009, 08:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
Moon Fire Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: UK Gender: Female Posts: 210	Lifting weights is fun but don't overdo it. __________________ Don't tell me what to do! Go and eat cheesecake!

08-05-2009, 10:36 AM	#9 (permalink)
Cerberus Status: SAS Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 5,721	^Very true. Only thick people would look down on others for starting out. These thick people had to start out somewhere, too. Fortunately, it seems like most people, I think, applaud people or don't care about people who are trying to get into shape or starting to lift weights. __________________ "Through the valleys grey Through the shapeless land I walk alone I'm left alone Through the deepest void, a blackened paradise I walk alone, I'm left alone"

07-24-2009, 09:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
tony0306 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Gender: Male Age: 39 Posts: 317	Good job! On a bright side, if none of the sweaty guys are using the lighter weights, then you won't have to wait for them. : )

07-24-2009, 09:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
pita Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Gender: Female Posts: 2,168	Have fun! I like weightlifting. I don't know if you've seen this site yet, but stumptuous is an excellent resource for weight training. I dream of having arms like Krista's.

08-05-2009, 07:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
jane Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 755	So I chickened out and didn't go. But I'm going to try again this week!

08-05-2009, 10:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
altspoon Status: SAS Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Atlanta Gender: Male Posts: 11	Weightlifting rocks! And don't chicken out! The truth is that EVERYBODY STARTS SOMEWHERE, whether its at 5 lbs or 50 lbs. So don't worry about how much weight you're lifting to start out!

08-11-2009, 07:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
S.T.A.T. Status: Standing Tall & Talented Join Date: Jan 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 210	I used to work in a gym and yes I do see my share of women that do weights. They tell the same thing the OP said. Intimidating and big people. Weight training has great benefits for all people of ages and gender. The most important thing is to lift the amount of weight that is appropriate for your goals and health status. Have fun! __________________ S.T.A.T. = Standing Tall And Talented. FM is Far*east Movement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spi-WqDr0Lc

08-15-2009, 08:30 AM	#11 (permalink)
_AJ_ Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 731	everytime i see girls in the weights area, they're always using 5-15 lbs dumbells dont worry about trying to compete with the guys __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the decision to act in spite of it.

09-05-2009, 07:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
Intent Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 32	well, I certainly know what it's like to fear being judged and found wanting. But I don't think any guy (who's not a real doof) would look down on a girl who is not lifting heavy weights. That seems just so against nature Though if you were a guy, I'd recommend a very good read called "Muscle" by Fussel. He worked at a NY publishing house, so sort of the brainy type. He started out at the local Y doing circuit training on machines, and eventually became a hard core steroid junkie. Then he abandoned it all, deflated, and wrote his story. (After which, BBers talked down his book.)

09-05-2009, 07:21 PM	#13 (permalink)
strawberryjulius Status: ^_^ Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Australia Gender: Female Age: 18 Posts: 1,564	Good luck! And don't worry, I only use 1 kilo weights haha. __________________ Last.fm▪Anime "And if you've been let down, it might not be the last time. Cheer up, it will hurt much less tomorrow. We're all tired of **ing up and that's not just being sorry. It means brush the dirt off, get up and try again." NaNoWriMo Word Count: 470/50,000**

09-05-2009, 07:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
Ospi Status: Swoit Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Gender: Male Age: 22 Posts: 1,499	This is why I can't go to the gym. I arrive, sit at the bench press and have to remove the 2 tonnes the guy before was lifting and put on like 20kg instead xD So embarrassing. __________________ "Racing is life. Anything that happens before or after...is just waiting"

09-06-2009, 08:49 AM	#15 (permalink)
jim_morrison Status: SAS Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Australia Gender: Male Age: 23 Posts: 1,026	I think the best I ever benched was about 70 kg, it's beyond me how these guys lift like 150 kgs and such. __________________ Warning: I am not a trained medical professional. Any information provided by me is based on my own personal experiences and research and is not intended to be used as professional medical advice. Please contact a medical professional before taking any action that may be discussed on this board.

09-07-2009, 05:23 PM	#16 (permalink)
saillias Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Calgary, AB Gender: Male Age: 20 Posts: 293	Women who weight train are sexy. You are entering a realm where attention is inevitable though. There are going to be a lot of women who are jealous of you, and lots of men showing interest in you that you have to deal with now if you don't already.

09-20-2009, 08:09 PM	#18 (permalink)
outcast69 Status: Comfortably Numb Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philly Gender: Male Posts: 230	That would be the ultimate test of my SA,to go to a gym.I exercise at home or run with my ipod on. __________________ "No one here,gets out alive."*********************************** "Would you rather be a happy pig or an unhappy human?"-Aristotle

10-02-2009, 10:58 AM	#20 (permalink)
\|30\|3 Status: SAS Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tampa, Fl Gender: Male Posts: 217	It would be refreshing if anything just have another female working out in the gym . Nobody will pay attention to what you're doing, you will be fine. I used to be terrified of stepping onto the floor, I started by going during slower hours and trying a new machine out with some free weights. Now I'm able to go whenever I want on any machine I want. I wish meeting people was that easy...think I'm going to make a rant post about this lol