Fattest girl at the gym

aiminghighx
aiminghighx Posts: 3
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm always extremely uncomfortable at the gym because of the fact.. I am the fattest girl at the gym.
All the other girls are in their sports bras and tights & I'm just in there blobbing it. Yes, it makes me want to gym it up more and work-out even harder but at the same time I want to go home and hide away in my room and eat cake and be sad.. hahaha. No but seriously is there anyone else uncomfortable or having negative emotions at the gym because you realize you're the biggest there?
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Replies

  • sarahep2014
    sarahep2014 Posts: 1
    Its part of the reason I never go to the gym. I will only run (part walk part run so far using C25K) when I get up at 5:30am before work, not even had the guts to run on an evening due to more people about.

    its sad that we feel this way but I guess you have to make a start somewhere and I also guess that most people at the gym are probably feeling positive thoughts towards you being there and not the negative ones we expect, or so I've been told by many gym users anyway!!

    Good luck x
  • Dawnog
    Dawnog Posts: 39 Member
    You should be proud of yourself because your getting out there and doing something about your weight. Where I swim there are many very overweight ladies who swim, and I look at them and think good on you for doing something about it, people who think otherwise are not worth anything. You carry on going to the gym, be proud because you are doing brilliant.
  • BigT555
    BigT555 Posts: 2,067 Member
    i have the most respect out of anyone for the biggest people at the gym. theyre the ones trying to start new good habits, theyre the ones carrying around 100 extra lbs on that treadmill, theyre the ones who have to work against everything they have gotten used to in their life in order to try and better themselves. its like someone looking at the base of mt. everest and saying "y'know what, *kitten* it, ima climb that f*cker. it may beat the hell out of me, people may think im a fool or my efforts are fruitless, but i will climb"

    everyone is self conscious at first, but eventually you realize that most people in the gym are concentrated on their own workouts, and if they arent then they are wasting their time and money at the gym
  • wahoostampingirl
    wahoostampingirl Posts: 11 Member
    If you can, try to find a gym where you feel more comfortable. I'm a 47 year old not all that toned, but fairly fit woman. At my regular gym, I feel totally comfortable. It's a large facility where a lot of older people and people doing rehab work out. At another gym I belong to for my kids, I can feel a little out of place watching all the very young girls in their very cute outfits. Sometimes a change in environment is all you need.

    And I've been one of the larger women at a gym and it can feel discouraging, but I think most people are too focused on themselves to notice other people very much.
  • aliwhalen
    aliwhalen Posts: 150 Member
    Not at the gym, but I run on a greenway trail that's along a busy road and then around a park that's also very busy. I'm feeling awesome while doing it, but am just waiting for the day when someone yells out that I'm a fatty or makes fun of me in-toeing. I know it'll make me feel like crap, but I also know those people can suck an egg. At least I'm out there exercising!
  • chubby_checkers
    chubby_checkers Posts: 2,352 Member
    Meh. I'm almost always the fattest person at the gym. Doesn't bother me. Go in, do your thing, and don't worry about anyone else. Can almost guarantee that they aren't worrying about you.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    This is why I workout at home.

    I'm not necessarily self conscious, but I don't want people to look at me and be "aww, look at the fat girl trying to get fit! Way to go, fat girl!". That sort of makes me want to punch people in the throat.

    You don't need a gym to get fit if you're uncomfortable. But I'm willing to bet none of those thin girls are judging you. And if they are? F 'em.
  • kelly_e_montana
    kelly_e_montana Posts: 1,999 Member
    I don't see women in my gym dressed like that but I hear about it all the time on MFP. I think it must be a cultural thing depending on where you live. I've seen one woman in a sports bra in CrossFit and never anyone else in a sports bra anywhere.

    Having been fat (235 pounds), I generally think the fattest chick in the gym (if she's really working) is the coolest chick in the gym. I know how much harder it is to exercise when you have more weight to carry. Keep at it. I have had lots of people approach me and say, "Wow! I can't believe how much progress you've made. Great job!" That's nice when strangers are cheering you on.

    P.S. The other think you may not realize is some of those fit people may have been in your shoes two years ago.
  • Mrsbeale11
    Mrsbeale11 Posts: 126 Member
    I'm always extremely uncomfortable at the gym because of the fact.. I am the fattest girl at the gym.
    All the other girls are in their sports bras and tights & I'm just in there blobbing it. Yes, it makes me want to gym it up more and work-out even harder but at the same time I want to go home and hide away in my room and eat cake and be sad.. hahaha. No but seriously is there anyone else uncomfortable or having negative emotions at the gym because you realize you're the biggest there?

    I am too :0) at first it was daunting but I'm too selfish to care now, nothing will stop me in my quest to look good in shorts!!!

    Zone out and just remember eventually you won't be the fattest xx
  • leggup
    leggup Posts: 2,942 Member
    Can you buy some workout clothes that can help you feel more confident? I find myself way less self conscious working out next to super fit people when I'm wearing clothes that make me confident. In my case, that means capris sweatpants, because I'm self conscious about my thighs.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,029 Member
    Let me tell you that people in the gym don't really care that much about others. But if asked about the bigger people in the gym, they usually all have the same response.

    "It's good to see they are trying to do something about it".

    Don't compare yourself to others. Just compare your clothing every few months.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • KeepGoingKylene
    KeepGoingKylene Posts: 432 Member
    i have the most respect out of anyone for the biggest people at the gym. theyre the ones trying to start new good habits, theyre the ones carrying around 100 extra lbs on that treadmill, theyre the ones who have to work against everything they have gotten used to in their life in order to try and better themselves. its like someone looking at the base of mt. everest and saying "y'know what, *kitten* it, ima climb that f*cker. it may beat the hell out of me, people may think im a fool or my efforts are fruitless, but i will climb"

    everyone is self conscious at first, but eventually you realize that most people in the gym are concentrated on their own workouts, and if they arent then they are wasting their time and money at the gym

    ^this

    do what you gotta do, dont worry if people are looking at you, which they probably arent anyways. Good luck on your journey!
  • MegE_N
    MegE_N Posts: 245 Member
    Gyms are for people who don't need gyms, in my experience.

    That said, in bad weather I utilize the gym, and I just mind my own business. Let people think I'm fat - I don't care! But the reason I don't care is that I have mean thoughts about other people too sometimes.

    "Who wears a leopard/zebra mesh top?!"

    Doesn't mean I think they're bad people. Doesn't mean I think about them at all past that one thought. Doesn't mean I always have those thoughts about all people. We all have opinions, and thoughts, and no one can control them. My advice is just to accept that and do your thing, and realize that sometimes you have the same type of thoughts about other people.

    "GOD that woman is skinny! How can she even function?"

    Etc. Etc. Etc.
  • GreenIceFloes
    GreenIceFloes Posts: 1,491 Member
    I think I was the biggest girl when I started. Now I'm somewhere in the middle, I suppose. Didn't care then, don't care now. I'm sure nobody else at the gym does either lol.
  • belgerian
    belgerian Posts: 1,059 Member
    I was on a elipitcal (wanting to run on treadmill but scared of being judged) then I saw a guy bigger than I not going fast but going and going and going. He spent about 1 hour on that treadmill after that i figured if he can do it so can I been running ever since and I still get self conscious. Do not know if it ever goes away. What I have seen is someone come in and spend more time changing the TV channel on the TV than on the equipment then walk away without even breathing heavy then I hear them tell someone they just got done with HIT. How do you think those people got to look that way becouse they go to the gym.
  • CitizenXVIII
    CitizenXVIII Posts: 117 Member
    I tend to be judgy of people who are just burning time and 'pretending' to exercise, not based on their size. You'll get more respect as the fat chick who's rocking her workout than the skinny girl who might as well not even be there. That being said, if gymtimidation would keep you from getting in your exercise, you can absolutely rock a work out at home with little or no financial investment.
  • thepetiterunner
    thepetiterunner Posts: 1,238 Member
    Also don't forget that some of those "fit" people may have been where you are, right now. People sort of assume that the way you are now, in front of them, is how you've always been. It's just not the case. And honestly, most of the people there are doing their own stuff anyway, so I wouldn't worry so much about them focusing on you.
  • shannongallatin1
    shannongallatin1 Posts: 1
    I absolutely feel the same way! I hate going to the gym. It's definitely motivation but, it does absolutely nothing for my self esteem and confidence. When I go to gym and I'm the only fat one there it is very depressing.
    I have a treadmill in my bedroom at home and considering something else for strength training. My upper body is pathetic!
    We are all going to keep on keeping on and blossom into beautiful butterflies!!!
  • oChristyo
    oChristyo Posts: 61 Member
    You're awesome for being there. You deserve to be there and get healthy. Screw everyone else. Who cares what they think.
  • hunterjumper642
    hunterjumper642 Posts: 115 Member
    I'm one of the thinner girls at the gym now (and I used to be in your shoes) and I personally feel incredibly motivated by EVERYONE at the gym, regardless of weight. Props to you for getting out there and changing your life :)

    It's YOUR life and you can do whatever you want. Don't let the opinions of others stop you from getting healthy. The gym is a great place for motivation, good equipment, and general knowledge about healthy lifestyles- maybe if you made friends with some of the other ladies/men there you would feel better.

    You're doing great! Keep it up!
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    i'm the slowest runner in my triathlon club. so what?
  • fatfrost
    fatfrost Posts: 367 Member
    Being the fattest girl at the gym is better than being the skinniest broad at the buffet.
  • Rancerox
    Rancerox Posts: 28 Member
    Let me tell you that people in the gym don't really care that much about others. But if asked about the bigger people in the gym, they usually all have the same response.

    "It's good to see they are trying to do something about it".

    Don't compare yourself to others. Just compare your clothing every few months.

    Very much agree. Most individuals at the gym are there for the same reason; to get healthier. We are at different stages, is all.

    Most of the time, I'm spending time concentrating on my lifting form to really notice anyone else around me. Either that, or I'm trying to keep awake while doing cardio.

    The few times I will look at another individual is if they are doing a weight exercise I want to add, and see how they are doing it first.
  • Morgaath
    Morgaath Posts: 679 Member
    For the last week when I leave work I have seen a woman who is obese jogging around my business park. She is maybe doing 3mph, and often stops and walks a ways before starting to run again (Just occurred to me that she might be doing intervals...duh!)...but I have far more respect for her then any of the folks leaving her in the dust.

    Same for the guy at my gym who couldn't do push ups on his knees when he started, because his stomach wasn't off the ground when his arms where fully extended. He puts more effort into everything then the guys curling all day, and despite barely being able to walk when he leaves he is always smiling and telling his trainer "I'll be better next time".

    I see you in the gym, making an effort, I know you are doing so much more than the countless folks sitting on a couch talking about "starting to diet/workout tomorrow". And you've already taken the hardest step...you started.

    In the beginning the mental battles are harder than the physical workouts.
  • Chimis_Siq
    Chimis_Siq Posts: 849 Member
    Good for you! Everyone in the gym has the same goal, so the fact that you are "bigger" and working it out says alot about your strength, your determination, and your motivation! That is inspirational in itself. You never know, at one point you will be kicking *kitten* on the machines and someone who is smaller than you will be on that machine and you will kick their *kitten* on it..and therefore inspiring them that if you can do it , they can do it!

    Its all how you look at the situations.

    Im one of the bigger girls at the gym, at 230 lbs I can kick most of the peoples *kitten* on the stairs, I can keep up with the skinniest girl in the room...so dont be ashamed. Keep kicking *kitten* and the physical will follow :)
  • tildastwistedlife
    tildastwistedlife Posts: 85 Member
    Right now I work out at home because I have lots of options here (Zumba for the Wii, weights and a treadmill), but I intend on eventually joining a gym. Whenever I think about being the biggest one at the gym, I think about THIS

    http://flintland.blogspot.com/2012/05/hey-fat-girl.html

    and the fact that EVERYBODY has things they don't like about their body. We just need to stay out of the middle school mentality of thinking that anyone is really paying all that much attention to us. Most people are worried more about their own workout.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Stop comparing yourself to others. They probably aren't even paying attention to you. And if they're anything like me, they're thinking "Good for you!"

    And remember, even thin people don't always feel confident about their bodies. There are probably a lot of insecure people there besides you.
  • kelly_e_montana
    kelly_e_montana Posts: 1,999 Member
    Also don't forget that some of those "fit" people may have been where you are, right now. People sort of assume that the way you are now, in front of them, is how you've always been. It's just not the case. And honestly, most of the people there are doing their own stuff anyway, so I wouldn't worry so much about them focusing on you.

    How true. Often we think people are judging us when in fact we are also judging them. Most visibly fit (not just thin) people had to do hard work to get that way.
  • Hippiemomof4
    Hippiemomof4 Posts: 10 Member
    Your not alone..I battle with this too, but luckily I found a trainer who at one time was 100 pounds overweight and he looks fabulous now, that motivates me. It was very hard for me at first to go in there for many of the same reasons you listed. But today, after my first hardcore legs workout I was in the locker room sitting for a moment, my body was just trembling and this super cute little skinny girl sat down next to me and asked me if I was okay, said she noticed how hard I was working and told me not to give up...that really made me feel better, most of those skinny girls in tights started out just where we are..and I learned today that most of them are just rooting for us and not judging.
  • SapiensPisces
    SapiensPisces Posts: 992 Member
    Even after losing 65+ lbs, I'm still one of the fattest people at my gym.

    You have to realize that everyone there is just as human as you are, and if you paid your membership fees, you have every right to be there just as they do regardless of your size.

    Wear clothes that you're comfortable in, plug in your earbuds or whatever you use for music/video/etc., and just go do your thing. You may even find that some of the people people you are intimidated by aren't so very different from you after all.

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