3 Ways To Beat Gym Intimidation When You’re Overweight

Between August 2021 and today, I have gone from 191 to 252. Yeah, I know. From side effects of my mental health meds(that’s another post), dealing with binge eating and lack of energy as a result of depression, and stupidly leaving a well-paying barbershop job and bouncing to 2 salons where I was getting my former weekly salary monthly, life was lifing. Every month I attempted to “start over” and somehow gain more weight! Like WTF?! I finally said enough was enough and signed up for the new gym in town and hired a personal trainer.

Prior to gaining a ton of weight, I was a gym rat. Going 5 days a week sometimes twice a day. I was fit and aiming to be better. I never really dealt with or cared about “gym intimidation” because I could out lift anyone who would have something to say. I know a little cocky but I prided myself on my fitness. I looked forward to the gym. Now? Not so much.

I went to my new gym for the first time and my anxiety was through the roof! All these fit people. Some looked like they were in contest prep and some just had muscles to have muscles. For the first time in my life I felt intimidated. Fastest workout of my life. I was in and out in 20 minutes. I didn’t want to go back but I had to because I was giving this man money every week to train me and I had to be back a few days later. I decided I needed to reset so this is what I did.

1. Reset my mindset: Yes, I’m bigger. I’m the biggest I’ve ever been but I’m not going to get any smaller if I keep…