10 Thoughts All Anxious People Have At The Gym | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

10 Thoughts All Anxious People Have At The Gym

Do I really have to go?

193
10 Thoughts All Anxious People Have At The Gym
Jose Chavez via Unsplash

If you're a generally all-around-anxious type of person, like myself, you probably feel like any situation where you have to leave your house is a chore. Especially leaving your house to go to the gym. You want to be fit, but you don't want to be seen when you're red as a tomato and producing more sweat than you even knew possible. So you gather up the (mental) strength and decide to head to your local gym, and it goes a little something like this...

While you're driving you think about how your clothes have been a little tight lately...

Which leads you to be extra motivated and ready to smash out a super intense workout. So you get all ready with your workout gear and start to think about what you're actually going to do while you're here.

1. Maybe I should do one of the group classes for cardio?

You think about how much fun it could be to enter into a room full of people you don't know and start pedaling as fast as you can, all while trying to keep up with the instructor and pretend you're having the time of your life. Then reality hits and you realize that doesn't sound like fun for an overtly socially anxious person. At all. Moving on to...

2. I could just do a killer cardio routine by myself.

Oh yes. Let me listen to my own playlist which, let's be honest, is just a random mix of all of your favorite songs from every genre known to man. The tempo will change with every song and you'll go from pedaling as fast as the speed of light to some random rap beat that you don't even know how to cycle to. And there are SO many people here. Next.

3. Maybe I'll try running instead.

Ooooh or do those cool moves I see the #fitspo people do on Instagram. Okay... so how do I... maybe if I... okay never mind we're just going to walk to avoid any chance of failure and public embarrassment.

4. How about some weights?

I feel very wimpy with my 5-pound weights and the fact that it actually BURNS to lift these things more than 10 times in a row. Hopefully, no one around me can see how much I'm struggling. Oh, that guy is definitely looking at me. Definitely judging. So rude. One day I'll be the one lifting 40-pound dumbbells like it's nothing. They'll be sorry then. Just wait.

5. Oh there's my friend! Let me ask them for help!

Okay, now my friend is here showing me the proper form. Great. Wait, why are they getting the 20-pound weights? Come on this makes me look terrible. Aaaand they're totally trying not to judge my 5 pounds but at least they're attempting to be discreet.

6. So they're trying to get me to try heavier weights. Great.

This is going just fabulously. I look like an idiot. But hey, at least I'm working towards those #gains. I'll be a new and improved (but still anxious) person in no time. Thanks, pal.

7. And now it's time for the cardio I was trying to avoid.

I could say I have somewhere else to be an leave. I really can't stand any embarrassment right now. Oh. We're just going to walk. Ok, this is nice. I can do this. Walking along, no problems here. Just keep on walking'.

8. FINALLY, time to go home.

I have never felt so drained in my entire life. When will this sweat stop?! At least I get to go home now and be by myself, away from all those people. After I lie to my friend about how we "sooo have to do this more often!" I feel calmer already.

9. I can now lay down and never move again.

I will lay here in my sweat and feel proud of myself until I can muster the energy to shower. I am so healthy. The sweat is glistening. I look like a goddess. So proud.

10. Maybe I should do this more often.

I want to feel this majestic every day. I want to eat, breathe, sleep the #fitlife. Tomorrow we go again! Unless I am completely sore, in which case we go again in another month.. or, realistically, never.

It may be extremely intimidating for anyone with any type of anxiety to set foot in a gym, but don't let the fear stop you from working towards your goals. If you want to be shredded with insta-worthy abs then go for it! Even if the gym is too overwhelming at first, try some at-home workouts until you're more confident. You can find them anywhere from Youtube to Pinterest to Facebook. Best of luck, #fitfam.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

638493
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading... Show less

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading... Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

532852
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading... Show less
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

810786
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading... Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments