If you were a regular at the gym over the past few weeks, it’s likely you had your choice of treadmills or no problem getting your favorite bike in spin class. It’s hard to find a new gym goer the last week in December.
And of course, come January 2, that will all change. At least for a little while.
But before all of us gym regulars get our self-righteous Lululemon leggings in a bundle, maybe we should consider a different approach to all the new gym goer doing their best to start 2017 on a healthy note?
First off, every single one of us has been new to a workout regimen at some point.
Unless you haven’t tried a new gym or physical activity in years (in which case, we need to talk), you know the feelings of intimidation that comes with trying to get up your heart rate up and keep your cool at the same time.
So, try to remember that when someone grabs your favorite corner spot in the yoga studio?
Smile, say hi, tell them why you love the class you’re both about to take. Maybe you’ll make a new friend?
At the very least, you’re spreading good workout karma.
And please don’t be that person that is super-agitated with all the “New Year’s Resolution People.” Being the mean girl wasn’t cool in middle school and it’s straight up ridiculous now.
If a change in the year makes people commit (or recommit) to their health, then that’s great! Just because it’s a popular time to do it, doesn’t make it any less noble.
I know how important this is because I started my fitness journey during the New Year’s rush.
After getting sober in August of 2011, I started running on my own occasionally to deal with the stress and anger I had around not being able to drink.
By January 2012, I was ready to stop isolating so much.
It would be good for my health and sobriety to be around other people trying to improve their physical health.
I found out that my local new gym had a six-week fitness program. It included group exercises classes, nutrition classes, and a weekly weigh in. The program also included a private Facebook group for some extra support and encouragement.
Mustering up all the courage I could, I registered.
I still remember how scared and intimidated I was when I walked into the first group meeting. I had incredibly low self-esteem at the time, and being in a group of strangers was a huge jump outside of my comfort zone.
But it made all the difference in the world that the group was made of very kind, nonjudgmental people.
Many of them were regulars at the gym and knew each other already from different workout classes.
Instead of looking down at me as a newbie, they couldn’t have been nicer. They were kind, encouraging, and we all cheered for each other every step of the way.
If it wasn’t for their kindness, I promise you I would have quit. I didn’t need a cold shoulder, I needed to feel welcomed. They did just that.
For me, it truly changed my life. And not just because I lost weight, but because I started to build some self-esteem, self-worth, and interests.
Through working out, my depression lessened and my outlook on life changed completely.
This group of fellow workout buddies didn’t know I had less than six months of sobriety.
They didn’t know that I felt like the loneliest person in the world, who was completely lost in this new life without alcohol.
They just saw someone trying to lose a few pounds.
So please, when you’re agitated with that girl beside you because she can’t find the beat in the spin class, just take a moment.
It takes courage to do what she or he is doing.
And maybe take a moment to talk to her before or after class. She’ll certainly appreciate the encouragement. And who knows, she might be struggling with something more than just trying to catch her breath.
