Last week, we came across a Reddit thread that struck a chord. User beaniebambino[1] was looking to tackle a trip to the gym. Beaniebambino wrote:


Well, here I am... I'm a little nervous to go to the gym today. I'm morbidly obese, and I've never been there before. Part of me says, "Who cares if anyone's at the gym?! Just go do your thing!" The other part says, "But what if..." I'm going to suck it up and go... for me!

Many of the people featured in our inspiring weight loss success stories[2] express similar forms of gym anxiety. Going to the gym certainly isn't the only way to get fit, but in some cases the anxiety is so strong it prevents people from working out entirely -- and from reaching their health and fitness goals.


We firmly believe that the gym doesn't have to be such an intimidating, unwelcoming place. Which is why we asked our Facebook[3] and Twitter pals[4] to offer their very best advice for conquering this crippling fear that you don't belong. Here are some of our favorite responses:


Don't care what other people think. Do it for you. --Amber Renee Knight

We're all there for the same reason. Just go! It may change your life! --Kerri Murphy Wolendowski

Find one machine that feels like an easygoing, comforting warm-up. Start there each time. --Zan LeStat Ferris

I did initially, especially lifting weights (that's where most of the men are). I faked confidence until I really did feel confident. I'm there to be the best me I can and that's it. --Beverly Kelley Jeter

Start on something simple. Take a class. Start with a few simple machines and use light weights. ASK someone. Gym managers will show you how to use the equipment. Go when it's not busy and you will feel more relaxed. As long as you go, most people are willing to help. --Cheryl Davis

Realize that everyone else is self conscious too and more worried about their own looks than yours. --Shauna Carpenter

Think about yourself. Ignore those thoughts that weigh you down. You will find that you succeed. Now, who wants to work out! --Walter Weaver

Check out a few more inspiring ideas in the slideshow below, and tweet yours to us @HealthyLiving and we'll add it to our uplifting collection!

[5]



Loading Slideshow...




Also on HuffPost:




Loading Slideshow...



  • Leigh BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/05/i-lost-weight-leigh-mount_n_3574535.html" target="_blank">Read Leigh's story here.</a>




  • Leigh AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/05/i-lost-weight-leigh-mount_n_3574535.html" target="_blank">Read Leigh's story here.</a>




  • Carin BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/02/i-lost-weight-carin-powell_n_3347207.html" target="_blank">Read Carin's story here.</a>




  • Carin AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/02/i-lost-weight-carin-powell_n_3347207.html" target="_blank">Read Carin's story here.</a>




  • Marc BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/07/i-lost-weight-marc-kohn_n_3600786.html" target="_blank">Read Marc's story here.</a>




  • Marc AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/07/i-lost-weight-marc-kohn_n_3600786.html" target="_blank">Read Marc's story here.</a>




  • Becky BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/31/i-lost-weight-becky-sigurnjak_n_3563138.html" target="_blank">Read Becky's story here.</a>




  • Becky AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/31/i-lost-weight-becky-sigurnjak_n_3563138.html" target="_blank">Read Becky's story here.</a>




  • Patti BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/29/i-lost-weight-patti-pollock_n_3563019.html?1375192063" target="_blank">Read Patti's story here.</a>




  • Patti AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/29/i-lost-weight-patti-pollock_n_3563019.html?1375192063" target="_blank">Read Patti's story here.</a>




  • Laura BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/26/i-lost-weight-laura-miller_n_3529373.html" target="_blank">Read Laura's story here.</a>




  • Laura AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/26/i-lost-weight-laura-miller_n_3529373.html" target="_blank">Read Laura's story here.</a>




  • John BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/24/i-lost-weight-john-m-brown_n_3496994.html" target="_blank">Read John's story here.</a>




  • John AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/24/i-lost-weight-john-m-brown_n_3496994.html" target="_blank">Read John's story here.</a>




  • Peg BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/19/i-lost-weight-peg-bradford_n_3474046.html" target="_blank">Read Peg's story here.</a>




  • Peg AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/19/i-lost-weight-peg-bradford_n_3474046.html" target="_blank">Read Peg's story here.</a>




  • Jacqui BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/22/i-lost-weight-jacqui-olsen_n_3497794.html" target="_blank">Read Jacqui's story here.</a>




  • Jacqui AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/22/i-lost-weight-jacqui-olsen_n_3497794.html" target="_blank">Read Jacqui's story here.</a>




  • William BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/17/i-lost-weight-william-pratt_n_3473943.html" target="_blank">Read William's story here.</a>




  • William AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/17/i-lost-weight-william-pratt_n_3473943.html" target="_blank">Read William's story here.</a>




  • Kate BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/15/i-lost-weight-kate-riley_n_3466355.html" target="_blank">Read Kate's story here.</a>




  • Kate AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/15/i-lost-weight-kate-riley_n_3466355.html" target="_blank">Read Kate's story here.</a>




  • Liz BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/12/i-lost-weight-liz-taylor_n_3466136.html" target="_blank">Read Liz's story here.</a>




  • Liz AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/12/i-lost-weight-liz-taylor_n_3466136.html" target="_blank">Read Liz's story here.</a>




  • Sally BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/10/i-lost-weight-sally-walters_n_3454928.html" target="_blank">Read Sally's story here.</a>




  • Sally AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/10/i-lost-weight-sally-walters_n_3454928.html" target="_blank">Read Sally's story here.</a>




  • Omar BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/08/i-lost-weight-omar-rangel_n_3416244.html" target="_blank">Read Omar's story here.</a>




  • Omar AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/08/i-lost-weight-omar-rangel_n_3416244.html" target="_blank">Read Omar's story here.</a>




  • Liz BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/05/i-lost-weight-liz-merriweather_n_3397136.html" target="_blank">Read Liz's story here.</a>




  • Liz AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/05/i-lost-weight-liz-merriweather_n_3397136.html" target="_blank">Read Liz's story here.</a>




  • Marqus BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/01/i-lost-weight-marqus-taylor_n_3383951.html" target="_blank">Read Marqus's story here.</a>




  • Marqus AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/01/i-lost-weight-marqus-taylor_n_3383951.html" target="_blank">Read Marqus's story here.</a>




  • Theresa BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/03/i-lost-weight-theresa-ahearn_n_3386139.html" target="_blank">Read Theresa's story here.</a>




  • Theresa AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/03/i-lost-weight-theresa-ahearn_n_3386139.html" target="_blank">Read Theresa's story here.</a>




  • Anthony BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/i-lost-weight-anthony-williams_n_3366966.html" target="_blank">Read Anthony's story here.</a>




  • Anthony AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/i-lost-weight-anthony-williams_n_3366966.html" target="_blank">Read Anthony's story here.</a>




  • Kassandra BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/24/i-lost-weight-kassandra-barnes_n_3367106.html" target="_blank">Read Kassandra's story here.</a>




  • Kassandra AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/24/i-lost-weight-kassandra-barnes_n_3367106.html" target="_blank">Read Kassandra's story here.</a>




  • Matt BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/28/i-lost-weight-matt-waterworth_n_3383704.html" target="_blank">Read Matt's story here.</a>




  • Matt AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/28/i-lost-weight-matt-waterworth_n_3383704.html" target="_blank">Read Matt's story here.</a>




  • Shawn BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/21/i-lost-weight-shawn-brown_n_3348554.html" target="_blank">Read Shawn's story here.</a>




  • Shawn AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/21/i-lost-weight-shawn-brown_n_3348554.html" target="_blank">Read Shawn's story here.</a>




  • Callista And Jason Puchmeyer BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/14/i-lost-weight-callista-jason-puchmeyer_n_3327895.html" target="_blank">Read Callista and Jason's story here.</a>




  • Callista And Jason Puchmeyer AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/14/i-lost-weight-callista-jason-puchmeyer_n_3327895.html" target="_blank">Read Callista and Jason's story here.</a>




  • Jeremiah BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/19/i-lost-weight-jeremiah-looper_n_3347440.html" target="_blank">Read Jeremiah's story here.</a>




  • Jeremiah AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/19/i-lost-weight-jeremiah-looper_n_3347440.html" target="_blank">Read Jeremiah's story here.</a>




  • Helen BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/17/i-lost-weight-helen-m-ryan_n_3328657.html" target="_blank">Read Helen's story here.</a>




  • Helen AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/17/i-lost-weight-helen-m-ryan_n_3328657.html" target="_blank">Read Helen's story here.</a>




  • Stacey BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/12/i-lost-weight-stacey-morris_n_3312978.html" target="_blank">Read Stacey's story here.</a>




  • Stacey AFTER


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/12/i-lost-weight-stacey-morris_n_3312978.html" target="_blank">Read Stacey's story here.</a>




  • Susan BEFORE


    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/07/i-lost-weight-susan-anderson_n_3288056.html" target="_blank">Read Susan's story here.</a>