What to do!

Hi, I'm 20 years old and umemployed. I dont have a social life and the friends that I made at college we no longer keep in contact. I have a diagnoses of autism, anxiety and depression. I dont go out anywhere far and everywhere I do go is with my mum, we go to places such as shopping and restaurents. 

After finishing college in June, not having a single friend to talk to since then has been hard. I am thinking of joining a gym, to loose a little weight and to not to be so lonely. I issue is, I get so nervous when I got to speak for myself, I start to talk really fast and my anixety really shows. After knowing what to expect, I think i'd be fine. It would make it alot more comfortable for me if I had a friend to go to the gym with, but I dont think thats going to happen. Days go by and I am getting bored of just being stuck indoors doing absolute nothing. I would love to have a gym buddie to go with,  but.... thats life on the spectrum for you. 

I've tried applying for a number of retail jobs but no luck. So my question is, I am really considering joining the gym soon, but I really dont know what to expect. You know, what do I do when i first walk in? Where do i go? How am I going to control my anxiety? The thing is, with me, once I know what the expect and once I know where things are, I'm generally ok. 

Any help would be appreicaed. 

  • You are welcome, you know something?  Almost everybody would feel a bit intimidated and nervous about walking in for the first time and the staff are used to that.  My son is very depressed at the moment but he is keeping the gym up, which I am proud of.  Exercise is great for mental health.  Do it tonight, dont put it off, I am looking forward to hearing how you get on! 

  • Thank you for such a kind reply! Im tempted to buy my gym membership tonight, just got to overcome my fear of anxiety that I am having. I have never been to a gym before so this is all new to me as well, but I think once i know what to expect, i can motivate myself and just be myself. 

  • Well I think you are doing great and have made the first step just by showing and interest in going.  When you join you will make an appointment to see the PT and he will fill some of your details in ask what you want to acheive then show you around the equipment, they see lots of different type of people all day and are usually really nice and will help you relax.  I would suggest making the appointment for early in the morning when the gym is quieter.  After that you will feel much more relaxed about getting fitter, I promise.  Personally and speaking from my son prespective, you are better on your own than with a gym buddy and there is no one to let you down

  • Hi, thanks for your reply. Yes I have been looking online for gym memberships, buying a membership is not the issue for me, its just walking in there for the first time not knowing what to expect. I know its a rather big gym which has lots of facilities such as swimming and cardio for example. I got my mind set on doing things such as the running machines or the bikes compared to doing things such as weights. I think i'd love it and I think I could get stuck into it, only if I can overcome this anxiety that I am facing. 

    I have not spoken to my parents about it yet, because they generally don't understand, as in they cant see nothing wrong with my life, with me being stuck indoors all of the time. I dont want to be that person no more, I want to change ito a healthier and a better person. 

  • Hi  there, have you had a look online to see if you can join the gym that way? I have just joined my local gym online this morning.  Usually when you join a gym a PT will go through the equipment with you to teach you how to use it correctly.  he will give you a program to follow then when you are used to it you can choose to do your own thing. Usually everyone does their own thing in the gym and not much socialising goes on.  Do it, I think you will like it, my son finds its one of the only things he has stuck to and finds it helps him to relax his mind.  Good Luck