My boyfriend and I planned to go to the gym today, and he was really excited for me to join him. As he was signing up I felt the worst wave of anxiety. Then my boyfriend agreed to take a tour of the gym. Instantly I was sick.

We walked through the gym and I just felt everyone’s eyes glued onto me. Tears were welled up in my eyes the entire time and the moment we were alone I told him I couldn’t be in there any longer. The gym was huge and packed full of machines I didn’t know how to use. My boyfriend told me it was okay and that we could leave but I felt so bad leaving early so I told him I’d wait for him in the car. Now I’m sitting in the parking lot feeling stupid and anxious.

I’ve been wanting to work out and Im not really insecure about my body, I think the anxiety just stemmed from how huge the building was and how small I felt.

I haven’t felt that kind of anxiety since I was in high school and don’t really know how to overcome it. Any advice for overcoming gym anxiety?