Ok, cry today, and then tomorrow when you walk in, ask the girl or guy at the desk if they could send someone to show you how the machines work. I'm 76, and that's what I do. It doesn't matter how many times I have to ask. They come back right away to show me. They'd rather show me than let me get hurt. You did it! I love those weight machines for the legs. I'm so proud of you. You will be amazed. As your body gets stronger, so will your mind. I also type any symptoms into RU-vid and watch the holistic/homeopathic doctors like Dr. Berg who let you know what vitamins and minerals in what strength that you should be taking. I'm getting in pretty good shape now.
I know. Her hair and skin also. Now Miss Birdie…I am going to need you to ask one of those gym employees to help you. They have your money, now get your service. It will be fine. Ask once and then you will know. You may meet someone as kind as you.
Girl you are doing it! You’re pushing past your anxiety, fears, and imitations and rebuilding a better you. That’s incredibly brave, I’m so proud of you.
I had all sorts of helpful advice and positive vibes for you Birdie but you didn't need it. You had this. You're awesome. Your vanlife isn't about losing things and making the best of things or salvaging situations. Your vanlife is about CONQUERING and rediscovering your personal power, Miss Birdie. You kick that vanlife ass, girl. xx
I knew your positive vibes were there which is how I was able to do it the next day. 😊 What a cool comment. Thank you for putting this smile on my face. 🥰
Hey, Birdie, don't give up. There are videos right here on RU-vid how to operate the machines at Planet Fitness. So, you can watch them in the privacy of your van and walk in with confidence next time. You can do it! Editing: After finishing the video LOL I took a break to fix a bite to eat. Good for you! You figured it out!
Check out menopause queen, Dr. Mary Claire Haver. You might find relief from mental concerns & fitness. She's get you. You will get her stuff, luckily split. Smart as you really are!
I feel ya. I suffered blast trauma in Iraq, and when I get frustrated or im tired, it's like my brain does not fire correctly. I also zone out a lot, which can be scary. It really sucks going from 100% physically/ mentally to sometimes not even wanting to do life anymore. Again, my new friend, you are not alone.
@blessedveteran and @WaaywardAbode : I love this interaction between y'all. I'm the same way - CPTSD makes my brain shut down at the least bit of stress. You two aren't alone in that, and while I hate that anyone has to deal with this maddening sh*t, it makes me feel good to know I'm not alone either. Edited to add: I also share your fear of people, Birdie. Life has taught me that they hurt, so I avoid them as much as I can. So you're a total badass for facing that fear and fighting it. I'm going to start doing that soon again, too.
OMG, honey!! You’ve been under a heavy stress load for how long?? Major life changes take there tole!! I have a concentration time of about 1 minute when I stress. I’d be having a tough time turning that thing on myself!! My suggestion is to have a trainer for a day or two to show you around, and how to use stuff. The trainer will come up with a training suggestion plus some! But honestly? I never had the guts to ask for a trainer.😂 I finally asked a person that looked comfortable how to turn on the machines. Hang in there sweetie; thing become easier regarding guts, vigor and memorization as things work out.
You are so incredibly sweet. Thank you for helping me to feel better about that whole mess. And I do believe you're right that things will get easier. I'm ready! :)
I had the same experience at the gym. They see you struggling but don't help. Then once you start with something, the muscle guys start hovering, giving dirty looks. That's why I walked. Hang in there. Call them, Planet Fitness, and tell them about your struggle!❤ Hang in there, Sister.😊
Hi from Australia. Please don’t tell people on your channel which specific lot you’re staying in that night. I admire your attitude! Glad you sorted out those machines…I wouldn’t have a clue!
@@WaywardAbodeBonus-if you live stream you can accept SuperChats. Also, I’m not sure if you’ve answered this already, but do you have an Amazon wish list? (And a place to accept packages in your name?) That way people could buy you items from your wish list. I’m new to watching your videos. You are amazing-and I truly respect your humor, integrity and positivity. Keep fighting the good fight! 🚐
Great job! My heart broke for you that first attempt at working out. I go to that same gym, and had the same trouble with the stupid bike machines a few weeks ago! Don’t feel bad. I’m so proud of you for going back the next day and asking for help!
Please don't feel bad that you did not know how those exercise machines work. They look very complicated. I hope to start vanlife this year sometime, and will probably start using a gym for showers and exercise. I have never been in a gym in my life, and I would have been just as baffled by those machines as you were! You did a great job! So proud of you, Birdie!
Your realness with us and with yourself is always a breath of fresh air. I've been car living for a couple weeks now and STILL haven't touched anything at the gym but the treadmills and showers hahaha. I watched this video and thought "awwwww crap, now I gotta ask for help too." 😂😅 You're a big help to us, Birdie!
Yay!!! There are some things I say in a video that have me laughing while I'm editing, and I'm always wondering if other people will find them as funny as I do. This is one of them! So thank you for pointing it out!! You rock!!!
It's okay! I was terrified and intimidated too. Try again. At least on the cardio machines, you start walking or moving and then the panel should light up. Press go and just go at your pace, which gives you time to scope out the machine and eventually start messing with it to figure it our. Also, doing that helped me look around at the weight machines and watch other people use them to get an idea of how to go about it.
I like you Birdie. My heart feels for your story. I think you need a way for your followers to help you financially. You are worthy and I think you are very funny and talented. Life isn’t fair sometimes but I applaud you for starting your channel and living in your van to make it in this world. Do I detect a Southern accent? And your smile is electric! You’ll do well Birdie. Take care. Cathy in Nashville
I was thinking about the channels that use Patreon, and some vanlifers have a wish list on Amazon that people can get presents. Girl should have a warm jacket by autumn.
Hi there! Thank you so much. If I'm being honest, I don't feel worthy yet to start a Patreon or anything like that. I'm just too new and don't feel like I have enough value to provide to ask for anything like that. But if I get better and come up with something extra I can offer on my end, I might start something like that. Who knows what the future holds! For now, I'm just thrilled ya'll are here watching the videos!! I am indeed from the south. I was born and raised in Texas, but I've lived all over the place so my accent is a bit up and down. lol. Thank you, Cathy. I'm so grateful for your comment.
I'm an engineer working with several computer programs and I would have pushed the exact same buttons you pushed in the exact same speed and would have then left them alone. these mashines are made for getting an instruction. some gyms offer insctructions show walking tours through it, in a group its easier and then the others ask the questions, because usually everybody has similar quaestions :D
You Go Girl! You made it into the gym and actually touched the machines. That is a Big start and an accomplishment woohoo 🙌🏻. I'm proud of you Bestie 👍🏻🤗🩵💪🏻🫶
Birdie you are incredible girl! And honestly, for what its worth, i think you are way more "normal" than a lot of people out there. (In society). If you ever want to come to Indiana we dont have much but we have a drive you can park in or if you want to "take a vacation" we have a modest guest room. Consider this a open invitation! Keep winning ! Love ya!
Gurllll, I freakin love your personality,,,,love it,,,you make my day a hella lot better. And you aren’t alone about the gym equipment,,,thats why I only do the treadmill and bike. Hang in there,,, with your personality, you will do great
Yaaassss! I’ve previously been a member of Planet Fitness, but never really got the hang of those machines. I guess it’s hard to teach this old dawg new tricks 😂😅
I really have been enjoying your videos! I’m sorry you have had to experience this change, but man, you’re absolutely rocking it. You’re so relatable and very real. I am so impressed.
Grab a can of diced tomatoes, put onion, taco seasoning, and jalapeño mix it all up....salsa....grab some chips...it's filling...boom you got your veggie in too....follow by a pb&j foldie....full tummy!
It's funny because I would have no problem asking someone how the equipment works. BUT, I would be terrified to make youtube videos like you do. Crazy how things affect people differently!
So proud of you for conquering the gym equipment! I've recently tentatively experienced the lifting of 13 years of severe depression and everything in life is just a bit easier and makes a big difference. This change you've gone thro is traumatic and you'll need a lot of rest (including your brain) so please don't be too hard on yourself when you're struggling with things you think should be easy. I would not be surviving as well as you if I was in your situation and I consider myself a resilient and strong person. You're a badass ❤
I am so glad to hear you have been relieved of such a long bout with such a difficult illness. That gives me hope. You give me hope. Thank you for that. ❤️
You did it! It doesn’t matter how much you do as long as you exercise 4 days a week. Regular exercise gives me an energy and seld esteem boost. Planet Fitness is amazing. You are too!.
We could be sisters; You make me laugh. (Truly, I think you could be a stand up comic with the videos that you've shared. ) I feel stupid when I can't figure out what other people do so easily. I leave embarrassed and feeling really dumb. Thank you for what life is really like.
Let's be virtual sisters! You are so sweet. That stuff can be so hard! Us virtual sisters just gotta stick together and have each other's back. I've got your back, Susan. Thank you for having mine.
I too am a large lady planning to be in a van in a couple of years. Im 72 and loving you for sharing your :newness" of van life You are such a wonderful inspiration
I'm thinking about it as well...I have a 2001 Suburban with 275,000 miles on it. It's roomy but OLD with over quarter million miles. I am wanting a cargo carrier for the top for emergency supplies. We get snow and freezing temperatures in winter and over 100 degrees in summer. I'm slowly acquiring things
A good place start is with 3 reps of 10, then stay with 3 reps, but increase the number count of whatever you are doing. Some people rest a couple of minutes between reps. I am enjoying your channel! It is like watching a flower blossom. Keep it up!
Birdie, I have anxiety issues and I am and have always been freaked out by the gym! So Don’t feel like you are alone!!! Seriously all those skinny extremely fitness dressed people….9 times out of 10 just might have looked & dressed that way in the beginning! Do not let that get you down. Start off braving the park walk or lift your leg 🦵 up while lying in your bed. It sounds crazy or simple but it helps. I have found so many things you can actually do as exercise in your car or outside. Really google it. I did. I don’t do attention either. Get yourself a piece of paper or the back of a receipt, keep track of your nightly parking spots! Again speaking from experience, if I don’t write it down, I forget it! You are great! I am loving your videos!
I love the idea that all the folks in the gym who look like professionals might've looked like me when they started. I'm totally keeping that one in my back pocket for when I'm there. 😁 I appreciate the outside the gym suggestions cause I am finding it hard to get to the Planet Fitness more than a couple times a week cause I have to be careful with gas money. So I have been looking for non-gym stuff I can do when I'm not close. You read my mind! Thank you, my friend.
I love you!!!! Your a breath of fresh air!!!! I can so relate to your weak legs I'm the same way I'm 62 and have never excersised and now I realize I have to get much stronger before I can travel😅 I understand where you're co.ing from girl😂❤🎉
Hi, Tami! I am SO glad you're gonna get that leg strength up before I start traveling. I wish I had thought about how important that was ahead of time cause just that alone would have made those first few weeks so much easier. It's work getting in and out of that van! 😂 Keep me posted on your journey. :)
You’re not alone sweets. Social anxiety is real. Cognitive decline is real too. Don’t be down on yourself. Just keep trying. The more you experience it, the better you’ll get at it. 🥰 you have a huge support group here and we’re rooting for you! 👏🏻♥️
I have just joined a gym here in the UK, and like yourself I didn’t know how to work the machines, but with a little practice they are all easy to work. Glad you got the hang of it ! ideally three reps of 12-20 is perfect. I don’t enjoy the gym but I know that physically and mentally it’s doing me good, I feel that I haven’t waisted the day and then can forgive myself if I want to be a bit lazy later. 👍💙
You rock Girl. You're so funny and adventurous and courageous. As an overweight woman who was once a morbidly obese woman, I know what it took to walk in there, and you had what it took plus some. Keep living your best life. I'll keep following along. ❤
That’s it, we need a big girl meetup at a PF to figure out a nice short Big Girl Circuit for a nice post driving workout. Now, according to my friend’s son who belongs to PF there are videos on the PF website on how to workout. PS: I think you did the correct amount of exercise to start. I’m also trying to sort out the correct number of times to do a machine. Your doing 10 of an exercise twice sounds good. Years ago when I went to a Y to workout the trainer had me do 10 times (10x) on each machine I was using, did several machines to make a circuit, and do 2 circuits to start with. Say I went 2 or 3 times a week (I did aqua aerobics or walking in the pool on the day in between so my muscles could rest & build), I started doing 10x 2c at a comfortable weight setting and did it for those 2 or 3 days. Then the next week I might increase the weight if it was getting too easy, and do those setting the days I came in. The next week I would consider adding another circuit so I was doing 3 circuits on a workout, depending on if I had the time.
Big girl pf meet up, I'm so down for that!!! Thank you for the tips about reps. That sounds great. Headed to the gym later today, and I'll take your advice. :) ❤️
I get you, the same has been happening to me. We're the same age and I keep on saying that my brain just doesn't work the same. It's been going downhill for a little over 5 years.
Way to go! You did it-- not only going back and figuring out the machines despite feeling shame from your first attempt, but you also asked for help! Those darn machines can be so confusing. And of course we are cheering you on... you are creating community here by sharing yourself. And doing new things!
I can’t get over how relatable you are. I’m in tears right now watching you after you walked out of the Planet Fitness. So many of feel this EXACT same way…but we don’t feel confident that anyone will really get it. You GET IT! Thank you for this.
My first night parking in a neighborhood was a little scary. Nothing happened. I am an old skinny gal & I admire anyone trying to work on staying healthy. You did good.
Walking is the very best, low impact, exercise you can do. Good for heart, lungs, legs, butt, abs, mind, soul, just everything. It also produces more energy, the more you do. Carry a couple of light weights for your arms while you walk. You're golden!
This is an opportunity, Birdie, to let go of your sense of shame and ask for help. Build the inner self-love muscles while you work on those leg muscles. Thanks for sharing your struggles. You are an example of resiliency.
You're a real hoot, Frank. You remember I named you Frank because you speak frankly and have fun with even the toughest subjects. I watch your videos to brighten up my day.
We all struggle with confidence at some point in our life or in our day. I have found this to be very helpful; I repeat to myself, “I AM, I CAN, I WILL! I AM, I CAN, I WILL!”
I’m so proud of you, Birdie! You inspire me to start working out. I’ve lost all my muscles and endurance (when I got sick 5 years ago). I want my strength back. Not to mention, the emotional benefits that come from physical activity. Maybe we can keep each other accountable? (BTW, I’m a Sac girl, too. I lived there about 20 years! Now I’m in Oregon.)
Honestly ,I was laughing so hard because I hate to ask for help too! I would have left humiliated just like you. Congratulations for facing your fear and going back in. ❤
I thought if you join a gym they are supposed to run through the equipment before your first session without having to ask. You are doing really well. Excercise is good for your well being. Even just going for a walk. 👋💐
I thought so too, but apparently that's not true. And even when I asked, they seemed a little nonplussed that I asked. Weird. But it is what it is. I'm excited the weather's getting better so I can, indeed, go for walks. I prefer that anyway. :)
I wish I could go to the gym with you and help you! I’d be happy to help any way I can. Kudos to you for taking the step and going in. I’m here for any free help you need!
This is the second video just watched and I too have a membership at pf now for 2yrs never have I even tried the machines just only have gone in for a shower. Just only recently have tried the massage chair .❤ like I said wow thanks for being so real. And ya I'm still in the same boat. Nobody else that I've seen is so real ❤
Ooh, I can't wait to try the massage chair! I don't have the black membership yet, but when I can, i'mma get some use out of that chair! Lol. I use the shower a heck of a lot more than the machines, but I really need better leg strength so I try to use the machines at least a couple times a month. Not a lot, I know. But I feel like it's a win, so it's a win. 🏆🤣
Birdie I’m having a really bad mental health night and I’m so thankful to eat my cup of noodles and watch your videos. Feel I a lot less alone tonight so thanks for the company. Side note:failure is okay it’s just evidence that your trying. Give yourself space to grow and try again you got this! ❤
Well done for not giving up, you should be extremely proud of yourself, also get a little note book and write down where you have stayed and the best bit of your day, it's nice reading back on these memories later on. Xxx
Oh Birdie, sending a great big enthusiastic hug! You accomplished a lot in just going there!! Those machines are intimidating to look at, let alone figure out! I can so relate to the emotions!! You kept going! And that is motivating to me! Yay you! Thank you for sharing!! Blessings!!
Hi Birdie, Well done for going in there. Never worry. I wouldn’t know how to pluck up courage even of thinking about exercise (which I totally detest) let alone walking into the place! You Did 👌👏. I’m thin but have no stamina at all. I HATE gym clothes, being looked at and have panic attacks all over the place and I’d have ended up sprinting (for the first time in my life) right back to my safe place. Keep your positive, ‘can do’ attitude … You are to be admired and you are making us all happy…especially those of us who feel as you do -from PD in the UK XXXX
Totally gettin ya!!!! I had leave a gas station once BC I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW GET IT TO LET ME PUMP GAS!!!!!! I so appreciate your videos and all the things ppl assume are easy to do THAT AREN'T!!
p.s. Just finished video, so you went and you did, and you were reasonable (TG!). Well good on you. 🙂 So loving your videos. Don't ever stop being you. You Are Wonderful. (and inspiring!).
Give yourself grace and patience. You may not have figured out the exercise machine the 1st time but you figured out how to thrive living in your van and making wonderful RU-vid content. Walking back and forth TO the gym IS exercise. You are a very funny lady.
Ha, ha! You've found a way to keep yourself accountable thru YT...Yes, YT will definitely bring it up if you start sliding backwards in your commitment. As far as jail, I ended up there once because I didn't have the money to pay my car registration. I had no prior experience on the bad side of the law. I had finally obtained a job two weeks prior, & the registration was #1 on my list to take care of, but they caught me before I could catch up. Anyway, while in the holding tank, I started asking the others how they had ended up in jail. It lead to a sort of 12 step meeting of 4 of us, & helped all of us to vent & cope. No matter where you are, Birdy, YOU definitely have the kind of personality to connect.
The machines in my younger days are not at all like the ones they have today! Non technical! My first recent work out to the gym, I walked all around the machines and couldn’t figure them out either so I asked one of the workers if they could give me an orientation on how to use each of the machines! On/off, adjusting etc.
Anxiety is a super hard thing. I’ve worked out at so many Planet Fitness when you walk in before you can psych yourself out walk to the desk and just say hi and then take a deep breath and then say you need help and typically they are absolutely fantastic. They love helping people. ❤
I do the same thing. I don't like gyms. Can't work the machines. Just remember that you're paying them to help!!!! And, if you can work up the courage after five minutes, walk around the plaza. Don't kill yourself over the fear. Walking the plaza is a great start. Hang in there!
I'm 75. Most important thing you can do for yourself is exercise 5x a week. Don't give up. Watch a youtube video and do it outside your van. Keep the faith. It wasn't you. Someone should have been there to help you. Love your personality.
You are an inspiration. So fun, so funny, so real, so brave. I have a terrible time making myself exercise, and sometimes the only way I can do it is by telling myself that I only have to do it for five seconds and then I can quit. Usually I don’t take myself up on that offer, and I keep going. 🙂 But the offer is genuine, and somehow that little bit of magic gets me moving. When I exercise today, I will do it in your honor!
