Afitnessmindset

Oh No! That would bother me too if I bumped into someone I knew in the past. Then again I have tunnel vision when I'm at the gym so I generally don't see anyone when I'm there. I wish I could give you a technique other than to say keep "the you know what face" on to keep everyone from coming near. I hope that it's been a little less unnerving as you continue to go and grow stronger. :-)

Hi Rhiannon! You are not irrational. I'm 28 and deal with social anxiety all the time. Months ago I refused to go to the gym literally 5 minutes from my home because I didn't know anyone there. One day I simply decided that I was going to become a member of the gym. Actually, it was a challenge from my Psychotherapist and I love challenges so I committed to going to the gym at least twice a week. Now I'm not going to say I suddenly got courage because I didn't. I surely didn't overcome my fear, because I completely avoided eye count my first two weeks there. What I did do was stay committed to yourself. So, I guess the only thing I can add to what everyone has shared is to make a commitment to yourself to do something outside your comfort zone. Going to that gym was outside my comfort zone, but I did it. You can too. :-)

I don't think I could ever come with as articulate as a response as this :-). The only thing I'd like to add is a fist pump.

Yoga is my all time favorite rest day activity. Now, it maybe "active rest", but I actually despise stretching. It's my own way to trick myself into stretching. I've actually really grown to enjoy and actually miss it when I go a few days without it.

I wish I had been on here months ago, because I had just finished the book, Hybrid Athlete by Alex Viada and he goes into great detail on this subject. Not only does he address how to do it successfully with science-based evidence, but he has a whole listing of training styles (powerlifting and hypertrophy, crossfit and 5k, etc.) I personally tired the powerlifting and hypertrophy one and it kicked my butt. It was very intense, but I simply adjusted the workout for me. If you're still looking for this answer months later I highly recommend grabbing the book. Great read filed with tons of facts. As he's runs about a sub 4min mile and deadlifts around 500lbs... I'd think the man has truly mastered endurance and weight training.