Do you ever feel embarassed being seen exercising? (home,gym

quietlywinning

Yep. I even had a hard time letting my 25 year old daughter know I am on this site and counting calories! But she hasn't done anything to make me feel uncomfortable, it's just me. My parents/siblings used to ridicule me a lot (and I was skinny back then!) so I've always hid my body as much as possible. My daughter has joined me on many walks and even in strength training, now. She uses the smaller weights - I am stronger.

M12e31g

I can't let anyone see my do my TurboFire workouts. I made my husband re-arrange our rooms, so I have a "workout room" and now I can close the door and do it while he is home. I'm just more comfortable and can push myself harder with no one watching.

I think after being overweight for so long, I feel like everyone is always judging me. And that this would apply to going to gym classes, the weight room, running outside wherever. I know it's not true, just my own insecurities. Just another thing to push myself to get past, and make myself stronger physically and emotionally. Not there yet, but I'm on my way.

TAWoody

Only if I'm naked

VStar55

I used to get shy about other people seeing me exercise until I realized that whenever I see someone else exercising, no matter what size or fitness level they are, I always get a little boost of motivation and now I just assume anyone who sees me working out gets the same boost.

69mustang

Not only do I get embarrassed with others watching...shoot, I get embarrassed by myself! There is nothing attractive about me doing Zumba.

I feel the same about me doing Zumba, no one needs to see me do that lol. Maybe once I get better at it it wont bother me if someone see's me, I used to do Turbo Jam and never let my husband in the room until I got better at. I always close the blinds though no matter what exercises I do so my neighbours dont see :embarassed: At the gym working out in front of others didn't really bother me though

tracivee

ABSOLUTELY! I do Turbo Fire and I only do it when my hubby is at work or if he's outside in the garage doing his P90X. lol I am uncoordinated and I surely don't need him seeing me tripping all over myself and taking too many breaks! Turbo Fire is SO hard and I have to rest a little more than I'd like to. Hopefully, once I get into shape I won't feel as embarrassed, but for now....I workout ALONE!

Pebble321

When I started running (at 92kg/202 pounds) I initially felt embarrassed that people would wonder why that fat lady was bothering to run in the park. Or why she was only running for a minute before she walked for 2 minutes (C25k!). But then I got used to see the same people every day and we would nod and smile and I would say hello to the dogs and i just got over it.

Now I run on the streets and sometiimes I wonder if the guys on the building sites are watching me and laughing at me for running so slowly. But I've decided that I don't know them and I don't care what they think.

And I saw a larger lady running slowly in the park a while ago and wanted to stop and say "good for you, are you getting to love running like I do, and are you doing C25K and do you know about MFP????" but didn't because I didn't want to interrupt her and anyway she would think I was mad.

So, then answer is: sometimes, but I do it anyway!

YellowStrawberry

I am a SAHM and do my thing during the day. However I needed to get some walking in with Leslie Sansone on the weekend.. dh eventually came in and out and he came back in when done outside and was all, "You are still going? At that same pace?" I said yep and he said, "WOW!!". Now I will get on the elliptical with him in the room, but for the Wii Zumba, I have told him he better not make fun of me in any way! He didnt think he ever has, but he is more sarcastic about graphics or music and I do not need to hear that when I am focusing!

I dont like people watching, but I am finally getting to the point, I really dont care. I did some light jogging mixed with walking around people on the street, and oh well!

Just do what YOU need to do and know that you are kicking butt!

monkeysmum

depends i dont mind jogging on my trampoline when hubby and kids are around or neighbour etc but i wouldnt do the wii hula hoop or biggest loser skate and slide mostly because i know i look immensly stupid and tend to fall on my face still on the other hand i wouldnt go to a gym im not comforatble with starngers seeing me doing any exercise except walking or swimming

zeeeb

yep, but not as embarrassed as when i'm bursting out of size 18 jeans!

k1r5ty23

I completely understand. When I first started the gym five years ago I felt like I was on show. The regulars were on the machines for hours and I struggled to last over two minutes. Was so embarassed!! But kept at it and now i'm one of the regulars; not just attending the gym but also take part in the spin, zumba, aerobics and pump classes they have on offer. Guess it just takes time to get comfortable with something.

When my confidence increased in gym also noticed I went from wearing really baggy sportswear to tight fitted lycra which I never would have dreamed of a few years ago.

Only time I feel truely embarassed now is a few miles into a run. Wonder what people think of me doing my suffocating goldfish impression as I struggle to breath :-s

unsuspectingfish

This is why I haven't even considered joining a gym.

KyleB65

I am embarrassed every time I go to a class.
I am older than everyone in my classes and I am way heavier. In addition I have a hard time keeping up. And I sweat profusely! Throw in being bald and it is surprising that I go at all.
The off set is that I feel awesome after every class. I sleep better at night. I have more energy during the days. And, although I am usually sore after a class my "fat *kitten*" aches and pains are almost completely gone.
The way I look at it is that there is a cost to everything if I have to pay for a better life & health with a little personal humiliation. Then so be it!
Actually, when I think about it the humiliation is no worse than the feeling of being stared at or mocked because of my being overweight.

Good luck with your goals and keep up the good work.

Papillon22

yep, I have humongous, untameable boobs, so when I want to jog a little I make sure there's nobody else on the trail or I stop!

RhonndaJ

This is part of why I haven't started exercising consistently yet. Only part,mind you, and I know I have to get past it and the rest of my 'issues' especially since I've done the gym route before.

MissAnjy

Yes, I run on a treadmill because I'm too self concious to run outside. I won't let anyone watch me workout (except for my 2 year old twins who call it "dancing"). If anyone comes in the room, i immediately stop what i'm doing and take a "rest" until they are gone. If they stay for long enough, I pause my workout and continue when they leave. I don't like being seen. I look like a hot mess & I'm probably not as coordinated on some moves as i might want to think.

It's okay though. Exercise is my 'alone time' and i definitely need that.

ttkg

Yes I do - and I am amazed at how many others posted the same thing, i thought I was alone. I just tell myself that I am working towards a goal and that everybody has to start somewhere. For all I know that amazingly fit woman who is spening 90 minutes on the stairmaster once looked like me...get yourself a similiar mantra and repeat it over and over in your head and soon the embarassment will go away, it does with me. I go to a boxing gym and the women there are totally toned and fit, somedays are harder than others but most of the time I give it all I've got with my trainer and just tell myself that we all need to start somewhere. Goodluck to you...:flowerforyou:

becka63

I used to try and 'hide' my exercising when I knew my hubby was in the garden working...am really not sure why! But since we've started c25k together it doesn't seem to bother me as much.

I don't go to a gym, I think it would take some getting past the embarrassment factor for me...I don't like being seen hot and sweaty in front of people!

ttkg

Only if I'm naked

LOL!!

katkins3

I'm getting back into doing Tai Chi. I practiced regularly for 5 years and was even certified to teach beginners. Then got away from it for about a year when I went through a depression.
My kicks are pathetic and I am kind of wobbly. It will take awhile to get back into good form. I am too embarrassed to practice in front of anyone. My husband told me very recently that he likes to see me practice because its so graceful!

TracyJaneLee

Im with you on the boobs part! Mine are big and even in a great bra they bounce a lot! Jogging/running is not even something i will even consider, and that despite the fact i would be dying in minutes!

Today i walked 2.7 miles so far and its the first day i have thought sod it - i dont care who is driving past and laughing etc I want to lose weight and be fitter for me.

I have gone to 1 zumba class and didn't mind so much as it was pretty relaxed and funny and we were all screwing up! I love the wii zumba though, and since i live alone now i dont have to worry who sees me.

I have my first 2 hour appointment with a gym trainer on Tuesday but i am scared about it, especially when they look so young and fit. I will just have to try and lose my embarrassment and imagine myself at my goal weight

_Virginia_

You're not alone. I feel the same way. I always wait until my hausband is gone to work and on the weekends I only do the treadmil. That doesn't seem to have the same effect.

angelicdisgrace

Absolutely! I'm at a gym... so weirdos off the street can come in and watch me if they want!

But then I remember why I'm there. And I'm hoping that one day someone from the gym comes up to me and compliments me on my loss.. they see me every day breathing heavily and sweating over the machines. The hard work's gotta pay off sometime...

It's probably better that I don't know these people because I really don't care what they think of me. I don't know how I'd react if someone I actually knew came in though...

That's a great feeling, when someone comes up to you and flags you to take off your headphones just to say you're looking great keep it up.

bcattoes

I don't feel embarassed in a class, but I work out at home and I have to be alone to do it. When my kids were home they tended to offer too much "corrective criticism". Most of the time they were really trying to be helpful but it wasn't. I know I'm uncoordinated, but I'm getting exercise. Now it's just me and my husband and when I do Zumba he knows he's not allowed in the room because he can't refrain from either making fun of the moves or making lewd comments.

Mairgheal

When my husband decided to join me with my workout dvd (30 day shred), I wasn't sure, it felt weird enough to even start this on my own! And the first few minutes were a little awkward, but we got over that pretty quickly. Now I don't feel weird at all anymore.

And just think, if you see someone else exercising, would you find that embarrassing/funny? Of course not1 So no reason why they would think that about you.

angelicdisgrace

You're not alone! I always feel like people are making fun of me when I'm at the gym. Even when I'm training with my trainer, I feel like he's making fun of me and he's not. It's probably because of my self conscious and my perception of how people view me. I get through it by thinking I don't give a rats *kitten* what they think and I'm doing this for my health even if I look foolish. In the end I'll end up feeling great. Good luck!

Oh wait then there's the husband and the kid at home who think they're helping me by doing some of the DVDs with me but then they begin making comments like faster,come on, that's not how they're doing it. My solution to that was to kick them out when I'm working out! That fixed the problem right away!

rrsuthy

I get embarrassed if I'm doing a dance DVD or something like that. However, I think it's important that my 8 yr old dd sees me exercising and knows the importance of exercise. So, I suck up the embarrassment in front of her. I've even coaxed her into doing a few with me (she is active enough to not need the extra exercise).

liz11599

Yes, I used to feel that way. WHen I started at my gym I only worked out in the Ladies Only room, especailly when I lifted weights. THen I gradually worked up my confidence to move to the cardio room, which again, is a smaller room, but for men and women. Now I'm out in the big room with everyone else. As I've dropped weight and have gotten stronger I've gained the confidence to work out in the open and realize that we're all there for the same reason. However, with that said....I still haven't worked up to the courage to work out in the abdominal area. One day soon, I hope.

Monkeymin

When I first started using the Kinect - Your Shape and Dance Central, I was so embarrased so I closed the living room curtains. I've been doing it for several months now and I past caring what my neighbours think, So the curtains are fully open the window is open ( as i work up a sweat) and now I don't care that they see me. It's there issue if they are bothered to watch. I'm not the best dancer but at least i'm having fun.

sweet_t2483

YES! My husband has the worst ways of trying to motivate me - he points out my jiggles and says put some more effort into that spot. He doesn't understand why I'm self conscious - DUH here's your sign....lol He's tall and thin - so he walks faster than I do and I look like Marvin Martian trying to keep up with him. Truly annoying!