For those who are intimidated by the gym...
So I've finally gotten off my arse and established a consistent gym routine for this past month (every weekday focusing on different muscle groups). I'm not huge by anymeans and definitely still have a long way to go. Anyway, part of the reason why I was hesitant to establish a routine was because I was honestly intimidated by the gym: by the people, not knowing what to do, looking stupid and "wimpy", etc etc. Here is main thing that I've realized: NOBODY ACTUALLY CARES
Some other things I've realized (in no particular order):
- Nobody cares how much you are/are not lifting.
- Nobody cares how you look when you're doing your routine (this includes red scrunched faces and grunting like a pornstar who's having an orgasm)
- Nobody cares what kind of gym strip you're wearing (so long as it's actually gym strip and not a DC Zipup hoodie, khaki skater shorts, and FLIP FLOPS - you're in a gym!). A $12 Micromesh shirt from Walmart works just as well as a $40 Under Armor one.
- Don't lift more than you are able - Not only is it bad technique, this is how you get hurt. Benching more than you can without a spotter to look "macho" only to end up having the bar drop on your chest or on your face. It may not "feel" like much weight (you're benching it aren't you?), but when your muscles give (which they will) and the bar smashes into your chest or face, you'll quickly realize how much weight it really is.
- If you find yourself in the above situation: DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP. Better to have a bruised ego than a perm-a-dent on your chest or a smashed face and missing teeth (see previous comment).
- Learn to have proper technique. This will build your muscles better (and likely faster). If this means you have to lift lower weight, then do so. You'll thank yourself 6 months down the road when you look in the mirror and see what you've accomplished/built.
- STAY COMMITTED. Saying to yourself "I'll go later" or "I'll go tomorrow" will undoubtedly end up with you not going at all. One day will turn into a week, then months, then years then a middle-aged man with flabby arms and a huge potbelly staring back at you in the mirror.
- Hindsight is always 20/20. How many times have you told yourself "I've gotta hit the gym, I've gotta hit the gym" and don't actually go or quit? Then 8 months later you tell yourself again "I've gotta hit the gym" and realize that if you actually did hit the gym those past 8 months, you would've been well on your way to building a nice body (or at the very least be more healthy than you are now)?
- The ripped guys at the gym weren't born that way. They had to start somewhere and likely followed what's said above.
- EAT HEALTHY. This has been said here time and time again so I'm not going to say much here, but here's something I was told by an MMA instructor when I was in Toronto and has worked for me:
"Make healthy choices when it comes to eating. What you put in your body is crucial to the way you feel. How you Feel? There are many diets out there, but few diets suggest that you eat foods that make you feel good. Instead they tell you what made them feel good and what worked for them. If you feel ok eating ice cream, then eat it, Guilt free. Why feel bad later and stress out? It’s the stress that causes the damage to your body not the ice cream. If you pay attention to how you feel when it comes to food you will definitely have a closer relationship with your body and so called “Bad Food” won’t be bad anymore. And guess what? You probably won’t want to eat certain foods that you used try to avoid. Appreciate your body and it will appreciate you. Stop focusing on what is wrong with your body and focus on what is right with your body and you’ll feel much better." (Okay, so maybe that was a good chunk on diet, but those aren't my words!)
I think I'm going to stop here. I could say more, but I'd be writing forever.
I know some of this is common sense, but seriously - some people honestly don't know.
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My main challenge was staying comitted. I really didn't care how do I look when I am working out - I knew nobody actually cares! Everyone has their own routine and stuff to do... so ... If you have friends try to work out together - really helps to stay comitted 
. Are you working out at UofC or somewhere else?
