Has anyone else felt like this?....

bealio85

So we got a brand new gym in our town and it is so huge and has so much stuff! I have decided it's time for me to get healthy and lose weight! I am 5'5 and about 270lbs. I was so proud of myself for getting my membership and so ready to get in there and get to work...well yesterday was my first time going to a gym, EVER! ...I quickly noticed that I was the biggest girl there. Everyone there was fit and looking great, then there's me..feeling like a whale :-/
It's very intimidating and very uncomfortable. I found myself too scared to go and get on the elliptical because people kept staring at me like "look at that fat girl!" And I just stuck to the track and walked. I really felt discouraged from going today. Has anyone else gone through this? How did you find that motivation to keep going even though you feel so judged??

pineapple_peach10

I've been there! I have been the biggest girl in the room many times. I know it's hard, but I try to use it as motivation.

The people who judge you are jerks. You are trying to change your life and that is a brave thing to do!

You can add me if you want some support I started my journey as obese and am now 73lbs down. You can do this

missh1967

As self-conscious as you feel, you just need to keep pushing through. Every little step adds up to big gains (or losses!). You can do this. More than likely, no one is giving you much thought. When we feel self-conscious, we assume people are thinking the worst.

flabassmcgee

People aren't there to judge anyone for getting fit (as far as I've seen). That's what a gym is for. The fears of being judged and stared at are in your head. Most folks are at the gym to do their thing and get out.

That's not to say I didn't have my own fears the first time I went to the gym. I did. And I quickly got over it. If someone wants to stare or judge me, let them. It's not going to hinder the effort I make to lose weight and get fit. Nearly everyone I've encountered have been nothing but helpful and pleasant in the long run though!

CaliforniaRower

Hi there! When I was in college, I worked in gyms for about 4 years, teaching aerobics to women and weight training to big, usually kinda dumb, males. There are two types who go to the gym: the maintenance crowd - the beautiful people you described who stay that way because they do that stuff and probably always have. (I used to be one of them!) and then, there are the good, decent people who are sincerely there to lose weight. If you go back a few times, eventually you'll find your crowd. Your crowd won't judge you. Your crowd will support and admire you for showing up one day and then the next. But to find them, you have to show up, ideally at different times of the day and/or night. You'll achieve it, Promise.

blankiefinder

A lot of the people there will probably have extra respect for you, because you are trying! So every time you have that thought that someone is judging you, tell yourself that the judgement they are coming up with is that you are amazing.

shappyalegre

Hello, I was a gym rat for many years then I got married, had four kids and the weight came on. I am about 50 pounds from what I use to weigh 10 years ago. It happens to all of us and to all those people in the gym too. I was one of those people. The most important motivation is your well being. Remember that you are doing this for you. CaliforniaRower is right, you will find your own group at the gym. All those insecurities are normal. We all have them no matter what size we are. Keep going!! We are rooting for you!!

bealio85

Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement! I guess I just don't have a whole lot of confidence right now. I'm not gonna stop though, I'm on a mission!!

cblue315

I am speaking from experience. Down 109 pounds. For over a year I was the fat girl at the gym. Now am one of the ones there to stay healthy. I've had my membership for three years now.
Keep going. Most of the time they are looking at you because it breaks up the boredom of what they are looking at. Hours on the elliptical or treadmill are very boring and you need something besides the TV to keep your interest.
I would always smile and say hi when I made eye contact. It does not take long to make gym pals. Now I look forward to seeing them.
Good luck and I hope to see you post your success story.

AmazonMayan

Put some headphones on with some upbeat music and go for it. Personally, I get lost in music....but anyway... pay attention to what you are doing and tune the rest out.

I wish I had a gym close to me that had good hours. There is one specialized for women just down the street that advertises an affordable price - but I can't figure out when they are open to even ask questions lol. The only time I've seen cars there is before sunrise (like 5 a.m.) and obviously since I'm driving past it at that time, it's not a good time for me to workout.

frankiezc

When I went to the gym there was a guy there who was bigger and went solidly every day and trained! Me and my happened to hear one of the trainers say he's halved his weight so we brought him a balloon! You might be surprised to see there's people there who want you to succeed! X

lauraloy2013

A lot of the people there will have been in the same situation and had to start somewhere. You will on day be where they are so you just need to stick with it and remember it's feeling like this is what has motivated you to go to the gym in the first place! Good luck with your journey. I'm 21lbs down and its thanks to MFP and the support of the members