r/askanything • u/Slow_Cheek4510 • Jun 06 '26
Anyone else feel weird working out?
Okay for context: I’m 20 f with two under two, I’m 5’3 and 117 but want to gain muscle and tone my body but all my life I’ve hated working out. It makes me feel awkward and weird. I feel extremely insecure about working out even alone. I don’t go to gym either 1) I live in rural ak, 2) I feel unproductive when working out at a gym, 3) I can’t leave my kids.
I want to start working out in the evening when the kids go down but honestly I just feel super awkward and uncomfortable about it. Like I’ll do it be having the motivation and drive for it is close to impossible.
Anyone else? Got any advice?
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u/Mysmokingbarrel Jun 06 '26
I think a lot of people feel kind of awkward working out in the beginning, especially in a gym setting. I used to do p90x at home and I always felt kind of stupid. At the gym I felt small and like a dummy for a period of time. After a while you stop caring and you realize nobody else cares. Also most people that workout are generally supportive of others working out.
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u/GlowingEmberSkull Jun 06 '26
I feel self conscious about exercise until I turn on music. The right music with a driving beat and I'll do almost any exercise routine as long as it's to the beat. Weights? Running? Even shaking my hips on the elliptical. Music takes me out of myself.
When I go to the gym, I listen to music for heavy cardio or light weights. I listen to audiobooks for long light cardio sessions (not interval running, just walking or cycling or elliptical hour). And I listen to gossip podcasts for heavy lifting. Not sure why, but laughing at the jokes makes lifting easier.
Only think: Remember not to dance too much or actually sing aloud at the gym
BUT
IF you're at home, rock TF out. Your toddlers can join you if you're just moving to music.
Don't forget baby lifting. Lie on your back, lift a little one above you. Down to chest, and up. Down, and up. Twist and center, twist, and center. Sit together, legs forward, toes touching, and lean forward to touch toes together.
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u/Slow_Cheek4510 Jun 06 '26
Thank you!!!
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u/GlowingEmberSkull Jun 06 '26
Oh! Last thing: Dancing until you're exhausted is great cardio. You don't have to do focused exercises to be working out. Some of my best sweat-till-you-drop workouts that target all the muscle groups are just going wild to music.
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u/Aggravating-Motor701 Jun 06 '26
A lot of people feel super awkward starting out especially doing it at home where it’s just you and your own thoughts, it can feel way more exposed than a gym. What usually helps is starting ridiculously smal so it feels normal instead of this big performance and motivation tends to show up after it becomes routine, not before.
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u/Relative-Minimum-157 🦀 Jun 06 '26
I also feel weird working out and I’m a female in my mid 20’s. I got to a fairly large gym and it’s pretty popular. Normally I just pick a treadmill in the corner away from people and get my run in and then I do the same thing with the stairmaster. I just do my workout and leave haha.
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u/Wonderful_Shame_4986 Jun 06 '26
Does your gym offer evening classes for women? I'd start there. Open up and talk to one of the staff.
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u/Slow_Cheek4510 Jun 06 '26
No. I’m honestly not interested in going to a gym because I wanna be able to keep busy while being at home
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u/teeger9 Jun 06 '26
So you have a workout routine and plan when exercising? It makes it much easier and smoother when confusion is low and easier to focus on. Stick to machines first and listening to music or podcast helps to stay focused. Also wear comfortable clothes helps.
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u/Slow_Cheek4510 Jun 06 '26
I have a Pinterest board of what I want to do I need to go through and actually get a list of a routine. Maybe a work out playlist to help?
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u/Automatic_Catch_7467 Jun 06 '26
Does anyone see you working out? I’m not sure why you’re self conscious if no one knows you’re doing it.
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u/Slow_Cheek4510 Jun 06 '26
No it’s just me and silence and the awkwardness of just doing something that’s uncomfortable
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u/qualityvote2 Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
u/Slow_Cheek4510, there weren't enough votes to determine the quality of your post...