Is it possible to have gymphobia?

I had big plans for you, summer. Plans that involved me completing my master's thesis, visiting my various doctors for long overdue checkups, and getting a gym membership.

I guess I should be happy that I finished my thesis. But I'm not satisfied having accomplished only 1 out of 3 goals. Especially when I haven't visited my "lady doctor" in forever and ditto goes for the dentist (gulp). And especially where the gym is concerned.

You see, I have only visited the gym a whopping two times in my existence. The first was in high school when a friend dragged me to this gym that happened to be directly above a Toys 'R Us. That should have been my first clue that this would be a comedy of errors. The second clue was even more obvious -- my so-called friend decided to bring me to a step aerobics class, only she neglected to inform me of this until after we arrived at the gym. Probably because she knew I would have run screaming my head off in the opposite direction had she told me beforehand, what with me being criminally uncoordinated and all.

I still have nightmares about that day. And no, I don't want to talk about it. Suffice it to say that I probably won't be welcome there ever again. And yes, you can dislocate limbs whilst doing step aerobics.

Anyways.

My second experience at the gym was years later, in early college. My boyfriend at the time and his tall gazelle of a little sister decided it would be fun to take me to a spinning class. That was the day I realized I had sweat pores in places I didn't even KNOW you could have sweat pores. However, it was a much better experience than my step aerobics class. ::shudder:: Much better.

This is what keeps me optimistic about joining the gym now, years later. I actually liked spinning. (Do I have a hidden masochistic streak? Hm...) The funny thing is that I wasn't afraid, per se, to go to the gym back then. I just didn't need it, as I was rail thin, so thin my collarbone popped out in an alarming way and my nickname was "Ana-rexic." (Charming, no?) Metabolism caught up with me in my later 20's and now I am 31 and overweight. And desperately in need of the gym. Only now I am scared. I haven't been in over 10 years. I wouldn't even know where to start. But I know this is a very necessary step, along with dieting, in helping me get healthy.

Plus it would be nice to be able to fit into a size 5 again.

If Marilyn Monroe could do it, so can I, right? 



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6 comment(s):

Lauren @The Little Things We Do.... said...

you can do it lady!

the gym's not so scary and the group classes are actually a great motivator to push yourself. keep us updated on your progress!

danielle and dinosaur toes said...

okay, first, i'm going to rant. i clicked the follow button on your blog long, long ago, and i've always wondered why your blog never showed up in my reader. well, today i decided to click follow again, and it acted as if i was a new follower! also, there have been a few times when i comment on someone's blog and later, the comment is gone! it makes me wonder how may other times blogger is screwy and i don't realize it!

anyway, i've only been to a gym once and i hated it. nothing bad happened, but i'm just really shy, so to exercise and get sweaty in front of strangers just weirds me out.

in high school, a group of guys called me "baby gap" (like the store) because they said i shopped there. i'm still small, but the percentage of body fat i have now is A LOT higher than it was when i was 20! when woopie died, i lost all motivation, and i haven't exercised since then. i really want to asopt a dog so i can have an exercise companion!

good luck!

Unknown said...

just because you're an English teacher, i want to share this tidbit:

"gymnasium" comes from the Greek words for "nude" and... something to do with a building. as you might recall, Greek athletes competed naked.

soOo, "gymphobia" would be the fear of nudity, aka gymnophobia.

FACTS!

also: i hate going to the gym, too.

also also: what's a "rateran?" captcha's are funny.

{andthisiswhatshesaid} said...

i have gym phobia too! but I run at night soooo thats starting to help!

Nancy Face said...

I've NEVER fit into a size 5!

I joined a women-only gym at age 19. I loved going, but they conned me into paying a lot of extra money for a "lifetime" membership...then they closed their doors a couple weeks later! So now I have gym trust issues and only work out on my own, haha! But the Kris Face really likes having a gym membership!

Vanessa said...

I struggle with going to the gym. First because I just hate exercising. Second because I feel like people judge. I was going for awhile and now I've stopped again. Once I'm there, it isn't too horrible but until I get there, I have a habit of talking myself out of it.

Also Spin class? Geez. I did that a few times and it kicked my butt. My gym doesn't offer it but if they did, I'd be interesting in taking back up that torture. 8)