Afraid of going to the gym?

AnnaValek

Ladies! No matter who you are, whether you weight 90lbs or 700lbs, don't be afraid to go to the gym! I understand that stared and comments can be EXTREMELY demotivational! Insecurity is bad enough, and being taunted and feeling self conscious can be a deal breaker when it comes to working out in public.

Please, don't be discouraged. I hated working out in public, but one day I woke up and thought to myself, "I want to get in better shape, and to do that I want to start going to the gym. So, no matter what people think, I'm there for me; not for them."

I, though still insecure about my body at 160lbs being 5'7", walk confidently down the sidewalk because, no matter what other people think of me, I am working on improving myself, so no comment about my appearance can hurt me. I'm trying.

I am posting this as a response to another topic which commented on gym attire. Ladies, wear what you feel comfortable/comfident in when you attend the gym. By all means, follow set dress codes made by the gyms, but wear what you are secure in. (Though, I would have to draw a line at wearing lingerie... That's a little too much. Kudos, however, if you are THAT confident in yourself. d(^.^)b )

Links for slight motivation:

http://fitnessblog.projo.com/2009/07/tips-to-jump-st.html

https://edhird.wordpress.com/tag/discouragement/

((***Just because I included these articles, I am not saying that I myself believe in everything in them; I just find that they may help others, who might think differently than I.)

christine24t

It used to be scary going to the gym but I realized nobody really cares about each other and they're there for themselves!

TheKitsune6

Like, like a thousand times like.

Go you!

tammy200678

Well said thank u

bethvandenberg

you couldn't have said it any better. I started my journey at 222 lbs and went to the gym b/c a friend of mine ran it and I was going to workout with her. I dropped 30 lbs and now I work there. I'm no where near my goal but now I get paid to work out. I love it. Do some cardio and do some weights and get stronger and stronger and before you know it you will have lost your mind and signed up for a Tri.

Samiwhereareyou

I miss the gym because everyone was there for the same reason. To get into shape. Thats one place I really didnt feel judged and i wore booty shorts at 200lbs just cuz i was taking a sweating to the oldies step aerobics class.

JoLeeFA

I had actually just read that thread before stumbling upon this one..

Thanks for having said the things you said. Tonight I am struggling with going back to the gym, and had in fact posted earlier about my insecurities with going BACK. After reading that thread about gym attire, I truely considered NOT going back at all, or until I was 50 pounds lighter....

Now, who knows... Judgemental folks are the reason I feel the need to hide under my 150 extra pounds!

cieraangel

I realized nobody really cares about each other and they're there for themselves!

I wish that were true, but it's obvious some people DO care. I guess the goal has to be, not caring what they think one way or the other. I'm not there yet.

nytenurse03

LOVE IT

Ginial1479

NICELY SAID!!!!!

AnnaValek

I think that any person who is working towards bettering themselves should be given our full support. I might not like it if some people wear certain clothing, but it is really my own opinion and therefore, I can keep it to myself. As long as they aren't breaking any rules, it's none of my business. (Not that it would really be any of my business anyway. )

barbiex3

i dont like gping to the gym bc i get hit on by creepy juice heads... realllly annoying

SummerFun2011

Love this so much! I used to be terrified of the gym xD I still kind of am xD

AnnaValek

I had actually just read that thread before stumbling upon this one..

Thanks for having said the things you said. Tonight I am struggling with going back to the gym, and had in fact posted earlier about my insecurities with going BACK. After reading that thread about gym attire, I truely considered NOT going back at all, or until I was 50 pounds lighter....

Now, who knows... Judgemental folks are the reason I feel the need to hide under my 150 extra pounds!

Pfft. Don't feel the need to hide. You're beautiful, just not the same beautiful as the stick figure working the elliptical. You're perfect as you are, and are just striving for another level of perfection. Think of it like trading up. As long as you're working on it, I don't think that anyone should feel embarassed about being overweight. Some onlookers will think what they will, but they don't know you personally and therefore don't understand, so don't feel spiteful or it will break your resolve.

justsummie

I realized nobody really cares about each other and they're there for themselves!

I wish that were true, but it's obvious some people DO care. I guess the goal has to be, not caring what they think one way or the other. I'm not there yet.

From my experience most people at the gym are so consumed with who may or may not be looking at them that they don't have much time to be looking at others.

cameralinds

I love that you posted this. I was very offended by the gym attire post but wasn't going to say a word. Good for you for posting this!

AnnaValek

I love that you posted this. I was very offended by the gym attire post but wasn't going to say a word. Good for you for posting this!

One comment in that thread wouldn't have reached the people that needed to read it.

AnnaValek

I realized nobody really cares about each other and they're there for themselves!

I wish that were true, but it's obvious some people DO care. I guess the goal has to be, not caring what they think one way or the other. I'm not there yet.

From my experience most people at the gym are so consumed with who may or may not be looking at them that they don't have much time to be looking at others.

LOL I love how true this is!!! They are so absorbed in watching who is around and who might be looking/ how they appear that they hardly notice anyone else.

AnnaValek

Love this so much! I used to be terrified of the gym xD I still kind of am xD

Each person that goes there pays the same amount of money and therefore should feel the same amount of freedom and entitlement to be there.

portexploit

Sometimes women do their hair and wear make up as if they're going out to go to the gym... just crazy.

AnnaValek

Sometimes women do their hair and wear make up as if they're going out to go to the gym... just crazy.

Well, I find it ridiculous, but if they need it to feel confident while working out, then by all means go at it.

But, I might be concerned for when the eye liner streaks down your face with the sweat. ;^_^
Of course, some girls go there to pick up guys. So, I guess I can kind of understand what they're trying to do. (Though they might get more criticism than dates.)

Umeboshi

I myself am too afraid to go to the gym due to multiple reasons but to anyone who might be braver, you should go and piss the negative people off!!! They don't own the place, go work your butt off and have fun no matter what anyone says or does! Wear whatever you want (within dress code), including too loose clothes, too tight clothes, makeup, or whatever. It's your body and even if you're 90 or 900lbs if you wanna wear skinny jeans or spandex and a tshirt you go ahead! Whatever your body is like, don't ever let anyone make you feel bad about yourself. You belong there as much as anyone else.

(Btw this is from a fat chick who will wear a long tee and leggings out (if my anxiety doesn't prevent it), because I want to and I'm not going to let people dictate what I wear or don't wear because they think my body is gross.)

kunibob

When I was at my highest weight a few years back, I came to this realization: what's the worst they could possibly be thinking? "Wow, you need to work out, fatty?" Because that's what I was doing. :laugh:

Agreed that most people are wondering so much if they're being looked at that they aren't even looking at others. It's called the "fishbowl effect": everyone thinks they're inside a fishbowl and the world is looking in, when we're really each just another fish in a huge tank. :P

Umeboshi

Sometimes women do their hair and wear make up as if they're going out to go to the gym... just crazy.

I wear makeup because I like to, and if I went to the gym I'd wear it there too. The only place I don't wear makeup is when going swimming. Also, maybe they just came from somewhere else, and didn't take their makeup off before working out. You don't know their life and their schedule, why bother taking off your makeup just to work out when you're gonna shower after anyway??...

AnnaValek

I myself am too afraid to go to the gym due to multiple reasons but to anyone who might be braver, you should go and piss the negative people off!!! They don't own the place, go work your butt off and have fun no matter what anyone says or does! Wear whatever you want (within dress code), including too loose clothes, too tight clothes, makeup, or whatever. It's your body and even if you're 90 or 900lbs if you wanna wear skinny jeans or spandex and a tshirt you go ahead! Whatever your body is like, don't ever let anyone make you feel bad about yourself. You belong there as much as anyone else.

(Btw this is from a fat chick who will wear a long tee and leggings out (if my anxiety doesn't prevent it), because I want to and I'm not going to let people dictate what I wear or don't wear because they think my body is gross.)

Be careful please. ;^_^ I just wanted to give those who needed it motivation without offending any of those who believed the opposite I did. I don't want there to be much negativity here. We shouldn't criticize anyone, no matter what side of the spectrum they're on; no matter the spectrum.

Umeboshi

When I was at my highest weight a few years back, I came to this realization: what's the worst they could possibly be thinking? "Wow, you need to work out, fatty?" Because that's what I was doing. :laugh:

Agreed that most people are wondering so much if they're being looked at that they aren't even looking at others. It's called the "fishbowl effect": everyone thinks they're inside a fishbowl and the world is looking in, when we're really each just another fish in a huge tank. :P

Not to upset anyone but I have read some awful awful stuff online that people really do think when looking at fat people, including thinking we should die or be killed or that we're horrible people for invading THEIR workout space, or thinking that we have no right to leave the house because looking at us is just that disgusting. (Yes, I have read a TON of these sentiments, over and over again. People are thinking it.)

AnnaValek

When I was at my highest weight a few years back, I came to this realization: what's the worst they could possibly be thinking? "Wow, you need to work out, fatty?" Because that's what I was doing. :laugh:

Agreed that most people are wondering so much if they're being looked at that they aren't even looking at others. It's called the "fishbowl effect": everyone thinks they're inside a fishbowl and the world is looking in, when we're really each just another fish in a huge tank. :P

Not to upset anyone but I have read some awful awful stuff online that people really do think when looking at fat people, including thinking we should die or be killed or that we're horrible people for invading THEIR workout space, or thinking that we have no right to leave the house because looking at us is just that disgusting. (Yes, I have read a TON of these sentiments, over and over again. People are thinking it.)

Obviously you have some premeditative hate towards criticism of those who are considered overweight. Please leave the emotion and anger out of motivation threads. It never conducts a good personal attitude for others.

Umeboshi

Be careful please. ;^_^ I just wanted to give those who needed it motivation without offending any of those who believed the opposite I did. I don't want there to be much negativity here. We shouldn't criticize anyone, no matter what side of the spectrum they're on; no matter the spectrum.

I'm not criticizing anyone, just saying if people are going to get mad at someone for being themselves (OMG THE HORROR) then go be happy being yourself and let them be mad, don't let their irrational problems control you.
Also, if someone was offended by me wanting other people to be themselves instead of be intimidated by bullies.... then they obviously have bigger problems than my post...

justsummie

Sometimes women do their hair and wear make up as if they're going out to go to the gym... just crazy.

Sometimes I wear a little make-up to the gym. Not full-on night-on-the-town make-up, just enough to be a little pick me up. May sound silly but I am currently a stay-at-home-mom so going to the gym/park/grocery store really is "going out" for me.

AnnaValek

Sometimes women do their hair and wear make up as if they're going out to go to the gym... just crazy.

Sometimes I wear a little make-up to the gym. Not full-on night-on-the-town make-up, just enough to be a little pick me up. May sound silly but I am currently a stay-at-home-mom so going to the gym/park/grocery store really is "going out" for me.

I will put on some foundation to even out the coloring in my face and perhaps some highlighting eye shadow so that I don't look like a ghost, so I know what you mean.

AnnaValek

Be careful please. ;^_^ I just wanted to give those who needed it motivation without offending any of those who believed the opposite I did. I don't want there to be much negativity here. We shouldn't criticize anyone, no matter what side of the spectrum they're on; no matter the spectrum.

I'm not criticizing anyone, just saying if people are going to get mad at someone for being themselves (OMG THE HORROR) then go be happy being yourself and let them be mad, don't let their irrational problems control you.
Also, if someone was offended by me wanting other people to be themselves instead of be intimidated by bullies.... then they obviously have bigger problems than my post...

While I may disagree about you criticizing others, I find that it is more of a defense towards existing criticism. You can't control anyone else, so why voice your opinion about how they should act? You are, in the end, no different than them. I am, however, pleased that you found the thread worth visiting so frequently, thank you for the internet traffic as it helps it pop up more often. =D