So I finally bought a gym membership but how do you girls get there and work out with out feeling like everyone is staring at me  going she is doing that wrong? why is she it that way? or man she looks funny?

I know I sound silly but everytime I go I feel out of place or I am doing everything wrong.

Ha, I feel that exact same way when I start!!!  Even at our apartment fitness room, when there's like 1 other person there!  It actually gets better!  The more you go, the more confident you get!  Just tell yourself that you're doing the best you can, and that you're following what xyz book said, or a workout you found online, ,etc.  It helps!  Just GO and it'll pass :)

Almost everyone feels the same way about going to the gym. What i do is i just get in my own little zone of working out and just sweat it out. People don't judge at the gym we are all there to accomplish some sort of goal and to reach and accomplish and the people who do judge are there for the wrong reasons. 

Something that may help you is taking a class or signing up for a couple personal trainer sessions just to help you get in the feel of going to the gym. Also do you have a friend that can go to the gym with you. I have a girlfriend who i go to the gym with and we hop on the elliptical and just talk the entire time and it makes the work out fly by :):) Hope this  helps! and best of luck to you at the gym!!!

Thanks girls I guess I just needed to know I am not the only one that thinks like this.

At the very least (when I do work out at a gym which is rare) I would hope that people are thinking, "Wow, if she can do it, then I can" or at least they could think that I'm trying to do something about my fat arse!

I know EXACTLY how you are feeling! It helps me when I make a list of the workout I am going to do (i.e. 5k on the treadmill, 3 sets of 10 lat pulldowns, bench press, and push ups, 10 minute cool down on bike, stretch). That way, I know exactly what I am going to do and I don't feel like a complete wierdo trying to decide what to do next!

I feel the exact same way! I have to be at work BY 7:10 AM so it makes it easier to go to the gym before work  (5am)..which i HATE getting up so early in the morning BUT i cant do it after work due to the fact i have to go get my kids from school and daycare. So, my point (sorry lost where i was going with this) lol i go in the wee hours of the morning and like it cause there is maybe 5 other people in the entire gym and pretty much they are all older people...that i know dont judge me...I remember i went this one time after work and everyone was at the gym...espcially the little skinny minnies walking around in thier sports bras and cute tight work out pants! HA!!! And me in my sweats all red and sweating from running on the tred mill...LOL Know you are NOT alone honey!

I know how you feel! and this is just silly! :)))) sorry :))) you are there for yourself, for your own good - and this is GREAT! and who cares about other people? they are supposed to be working out there, not to be looking at anyone :)))) Don't worry about anyone and just do your best. You will improve and feel more confident!

Ditto stitalmia84! I smile at the girls with a full makeup-hair-sexy outfit things going on at the gym. pathetic! 

I was just thinking about it the other day. I rarely see overweight people at the gym. Most of the people either pretty fit or just out of shape. I don't really see "biggest loser" kind of people there. And this is so sad! I think it is exactly because they think they will be judged or won't do good enough or won't be able to keep up with a class...I always try to encourage when I see new people at the gym who are there obviously to lose weight. I will smile or just say - great job, if they did a class with me. 

If your not feeling confident about what your doing at the gym, why not take some classes that they offer? A) That gets your mind off what other people think because you'll be getting that heart rate up! (which trust me, they aren't thinking anything about your performance, they are concentrating on theirs) and B) You'll feel a little less lost than trying to design your own workout. There's also the option of having another friend who is a little more seasoned come work out with you and it makes it more fun and challenging! Good luck!

it is weird initially. but the suggestions above are great! also, i tend to put on my ipod and just zone out...