First Gym Experience

[audacious]

Hi Everyone! 

Thanks so much for all the support I recieved on my other post about being nervous to go to the gym. 

Today I went with the recreation therapist (and a small group of people who also work with that therapist) to the YMCA for the first time. I got to try some equipment and one of the therapists there walked around the track with me. We were there for about 2 hours. I feel GREAT. It was so much FUN! Plus, I got my fitbit steps up to over 20,000 for today! I never even thought I'd be able to get 10,000 when I first got my fitbit! 

This rec group goes to the YMCA every thursday from 1-3 and each person has an individualized fitness program. Today was just an orientation day for me and so I will get set up on an individualized plan next week. I'm excited! Also, on Mondays they do Yoga (just this group, nobody else is in the class) and I think I want to try that too 😄 I've never done yoga. I said I think I'd be bad at Yoga and the therapist said that in this group, nobody can possibly be bad at Yoga. 

I'm happy to finally be getting control of my life and doing things that are healthy for me. I feel so energized. And my feet hurt. And I have hiccups. And my legs are burning. But hey, I feel good in my soul 😄 

[Maxit]

🙂 way to go. Glad you found the Y and liked what you saw!

[WendyB]

Glad you had fun and enjoyed it!

[anamaria]

Your doing Great!

I need to get back to the gym. Keep up the good work.

[lyro]

Awesome!  Have fun with it!!!

[audacious]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the encouragement. Tomorrow I'm going to try Yoga with the rec group that I'm going to the gym with now. 

[VinceD]

It is always great to hear someone who has a good experiance with a gym, and good to know that there are gyms out there willing to take the time and do the things you described.  Yes going to the gym the first time can be quite intimidating.  Glad to hear you enjoyed it, that enjoyment will keep you motivated to keep going back.

[audacious]

It's really cool actually - it isn't the gym itself that does the fitness program. it's a program for young adults with mental illness that I go to. Every day they do a new rec activity (whether it be just going for a walk, doing art, meditation, yoga, or going to the gym) and there are recreation therapists there who help us with individual fitness programs. It's really awesome that this service is available to me - to help with my physical health AND my mental health at the same time. I have to tell you...after working out for a few hours, I felt AMAZING in my head. I was wired (so so so so hyper haha) and I just felt good for the rest of the day. That's why I loved it so much. I want to do that all the time now. I also asked a friend at school if she would go to the gym with me at our school, and so we've decided to do a quick 30 minute workout between classes on Fridays as soon as I'm set up with an individual fitness program with my rec group (which will happen this Thursday). I'm so excited for all these new opportunities!