Need Tips - Workout Advice for a Girl

[Fast Food Knight]

Hello,

I've never posted in this forum before. I'm hoping some of you guys can give me advice. Size-wise, I'm small enough - let's say goal weight, and I'm pretty short as well, 5'3. I'm interested in becoming stronger, for two main reasons: to look better naked and to burn more calories. I also just want to be healthier and have more endurance in general. Here's the problem: I have a horrible, profound anxiety of going to gyms or otherwise working out around strangers.

I've decided I'd be interested in things I can do at home, by myself. I want to look into getting some small weights, and perhaps do other exercises using my own body weight in order to reach my goal. I'm interested in advice in what sorts of weights I should get, what sorts of exercises I should do. I would love to know, specifically, what to do in a given workout session. Any information you can provide would REALLY help. I know a lot of people might be tempted to tell me to "get over it and go to the gym," but for right now, or at least until I feel more comfortable with some sort of workout regimen, that is not going to happen.

I'll be happy to answer any questions or provide any further information. I basically just want to improve the composition of my body without becoming much bigger, if that makes sense. One fear is becoming bulky - I have a friend who is like this. Are there certain ways I can eat to avoid this? I am incredibly timid and insecure on this topic so please, be easy on me. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] And thanks in advance.