Hey there!

I saw you at the gym for the first time a few days ago, and you've come in every day since. Each time you walked in you looked a little uncomfortable, a little shy, and a lot of unsure. I stared at you for a couple seconds every time, hoping to make eye contact with you to lend you an encouraging smile, but you were really focused on the floor so (in an effort to reduce creep factor) I looked away. There are a couple things I wish someone had told me when I started out in fitness and sports all those years ago, so this is for you, new member of our gym:

First and foremost, you're doing an amazing thing. Whether it was a New Year's Resolution that motivated you to come in or just the desire to get healthier, the fact that you've consistently come in and stuck to it takes a lot of courage and it means a lot. It may not seem like much right now, but please remind yourself every time you go to the gym that it's not about how far you have left, it's about how far you've come. No, you probably won't have rock hard abs or lose 100 lbs in the first three months. If I'm being honest you may not even notice much of a change physically for a while, but eventually you will. In the meantime, focus on the little wins: running/walking further without running out of breath, lifting more weight, holding your plank longer, etc. These may not seem like anything important, but they are signs that your body is changing in big ways.

Along with that, don't forget that what you do outside of the gym is infinitely more important than what you do while you're there. Feed your body the good stuff (veggies, fruits, grilled proteins, water, that sort of stuff), download a food tracking app, and you'll be amazed at how much more of a difference it makes in both how you feel and how you look.

Lastly, I just wanted to let you know officially that no one, and I mean NO ONE, is judging you. If you feel like someone is staring, they're probably admiring your dedication. Please don't let the fear of others' judgment keep you from reaching your goals.

Anyways, Welcome to our gym, new member. I look forward to seeing you grow and transform in our little community, and whenever you're ready to look up, odds are I'll be there waiting to smile at you.