I can totally identify with not wanting to go somewhere, here a gym, where there are other people. I don't go grocery shopping because of that -- but I in the middle of Exposure Therapy - so I go to the store and sit in the parking lot. That's as far as I've made it so far! Soon, however, I plan to go into the store. Maybe if you walk by it or through it (not to exercise - just to expose yourself to that environment) a few times, you'll get a sense of what it's really like in there (not what your anxiety is telling you). Good luck! It's a hard road.

I also don't go quite a few places because others are about. Imagining myself doing things successfully is usually where I start if I must do something. Using my imagination positively like this generally helps. Best wishes.

I don't like being around a lot of people either... I agree that it will take exposing yourself over time to get more comfortable around people... Perhaps start as spacekat said and sit in the parking lot for a while... big hug....xo

I'm not crazy about gyms either and walk on the treadmill at home and do dvd's. Only when i'm away on vacation i'm forced to use the gym but i go when no one is there. Strange how our minds work.

I'm afraid to go to the gym also. I worry that other people are looking at me because I'm 65lbs overweight. I'm sure others are just thinking of their own workouts and not concerned with me, but my anxiety keeps me at home.