Amylougirl, I'm really glad you started this thread because everyone has a first day and feels awkward on that first day. My experience has been that most people in the gym are really nice. And after you've been going for a while, you'll recognize all the regulars and you'll be one of them, too.
And can I just say, I'm sooooo sick of free weights being the "man weights"! Let's end gym segregation, ladies!
As for notebooks/clipboards, I bought a little book in Chinatown that is covered in a pretty red fabric sporting flowers and butterflies that is ever so girly, and I use it to mark my territory in the weight room.
