I feel silly on a treadmill

PlunderBunneh

I want to work out, but I'm surrounded by all these beautiful fit people running their butts off and looking great while they do it and I just can't find the courage. Know how often I've actually run longer than 30 seconds in the last ten years? Yeah, never. I feel like my flabby flab is bouncing all over the place and it's middle school again and all the pretty kids are gonna throw wet jolly ranchers in my hair when I'm not looking. I want so bad to work out, and since owning a treadmill at home isn't an option for another few months, I have to go to the gym. I'd just run at home around the block but I've got kiddos and no one to watch them.
Can someone please reassure me that nobody is going to make fun of me? I hate new situations, and I hate making an *kitten* of myself, but dammit, I want to do this, and I don't want to cry because I'm so scared someone will look at me with that "oh, poor fat thing, do you even know what to do on that?" look. So...reassurance, please? Encouragement? Words of wisdom? Anything?

FatDadSlim

Speed walk to start of if your'e not comfortable with running.

milaxx

I can't reassure you that no one is making fun of you, but I can suggest that you not care. You are doing this for you, don't let worrying about what others think hold you back.

carrieliz81

Um, eff everybody else and what they think. You are ON the treadmill, and you are WORKING HARD for what you want, and the only way you're going to make progress is if you keep getting back on over and over and have the determination to keep going. Other people may be intimidating, but after a few months, you're going to be one of the fit people working out, too. Don't worry about them, worry about you and your successes!!!

Tweety379

I know that I applaud anyone who steps into a gym. As far as running, take it slow. I will do a walk and jog. So I will jog for 1 minute a walk for 3-5 minutes. It starts you out slow until you can build up. I am not a runner by any means and would rather use a bike or elliptical, but I am pushing myself to do more things.

alise_lmx

it's ok! I used to feel the same way at the gym. I wore my baggiest shirts and picked a treadmill in the back. There's a quote I once heard that helps me a lot , something like " No one really is focused on you as much as you are focused on yourself." it was a lot more eloquent than that but basically, everyone cares about themselves and while they may give you a glance, they probably are not thinking as negatively about you as you are!

If you keep it up, you will be one of those girls that everyone else is intimidated by

crummywatertowr

Most of those fit runners are in their own little world trying to get their workouts in. They might not say but I think logically they are proud of you for doing it. They know the benefits of being fit and why would they not want you to be fit!

GladImTall

Trust me- no one is thinking you're the flabby flab girl on the treadmill... You're at the gym, trying to improve yourself. That's all that matters. Start slow and work your way up...

LOL- people at the gym are so self-centered, they're not thinking of anyone else. No worries

I hate being on a machine more than anything- but it's easier for me to go to the gym and get it done than try to do an outside trail, etc.

You're fine! The first step is the hardest one- Get on and give it your best!

Amo_Angelus

Everyone at the gym is there for the same reason. Those gorgeously fit women...who says they didn't start attending the gym at the same stage as you? If you do catch them looking at you like "Do you even know what you're doing?" just smile and ask them if they've got any tips for you. They'll be flattered that you think they know more than you, or else they'll smile shyly and never look at you again ^_^ It's what I always did in the equipment room at school and I always got one response or the other...usually followed by the teacher telling me to just get on with it mind...but no one ever said anything negative back. And I was NOT popular at school :P

BigDave1050

I'm 6'7 and look totally out of place when I'm walking/running on a treadmill. You have to get it out of your head that your being watched. Stop worrying about what others think and get on the machine for the most important reason, yourself!

chevy88grl

I was the same way when I started working out at the gym. I found a gym where I was comfortable with the people who went to that particular gym - I didn't want a body builder gym or a gym with all the skinny, hot people while I was trying to sweat my way to a thinner me.

Found a great gym where there are all kinds of people who work out there. The first few times I went I was very self conscious, but eventually I realized that no one else was paying the least bit of attention to me or what *I* was doing. The only one who was concerned about how I looked, what I was doing, etc... was ... ME. Just me. No one else seemed to notice or if they did notice they didn't give a crap what *I* was doing.

Go. Workout. Don't worry about what anyone else is doing.

manderann

I see your goal is a pin up style shoot... let me tell ya, that's a whole lot of fun and you'll love how those photos make you feel. I did one in Apri, when I was just about to goal and it was awesome. Definitely a good reward!

Anyway, any skinny b!tches who can't see that the "fat girl" is running because she is trying to make a change aren't worth your concern. I have a lot of respect for the bigger people I see jogging outside (jiggles and all! lol) because they're trying to DO something. If anyone does look at you funny, just smile and wave.

CountryDevil

Um, eff everybody else and what they think. You are ON the treadmill, and you are WORKING HARD for what you want, and the only way you're going to make progress is if you keep getting back on over and over and have the determination to keep going. Other people may be intimidating, but after a few months, you're going to be one of the fit people working out, too. Don't worry about them, worry about you and your successes!!!

^^^THIS^^^

pixidaisy

I will tell you what my brother told me when I first joined the gym and went through a bit of a panic attack. He is fairly fit so I took what he said to heart. He said "you know, I got to the gym almost everyday and I can tell you when I see someone who is bigger walk through the doors and start working out I think 'good for them, they are doing something towards getting healthy.' His friends - who also frequent the gym have confirmed they think the same thing. One also went on to tell me me that he admires people who brave going to the gym when they are not in the most awesome shape, it shows courage and determination.


When I first started going to the gym I had a little pep talk with myself and all I said was "Hey everyone starts some where, and if someone doesn't like lookin at my jiggling they don't have to but I am not going to stop trying to get healthy, and in shape just because other people don't like what I look like."

wickedcricket

Nobody makes fun of you at the gym. It's not high school.

leilani♥

nobody is going to make fun of you or judge you... !! I am not the most fit person and sometimes I hate it when a perfect little barbie doll runs on the tread right next to me because I would run for 2 mins then take a 30 sec break then run more and break.. while she's running the entire time lol... All I know is when I am in the zone nobody exists around me and I'm pretty sure that's how the people at the gym feel as well.

MarieNevada

i was 300 lbs when i started and felt the same way as you. panic attacks for a month before i could even go to the gym. first day, i was shaking. and you know what? nobody even looked at me. it really is true, they're all too busy with their own thing to notice. if anything, they're thinking "good for her". what fit people want more than anything is for everyone else to be fit too. I've been there for 4 months now and i'm starting to get some comments. all along the line of how awesome i'm doing.

Just get out there. they all started at the same place as you. nobody is born fit, they all had to work hard to get where they are. One day, that'll be you. I promise.

amygibson82

Don't feel silly! I look at it this way...I am THERE, working my BUTT off. Literally. At least you are doing something about your weight and not sitting around eating mindlessly. Don't worry about what other people think of you! I know that is easier said than done trust me! But you just have to tell yourself even if people are staring at you that you are making a change in yourself and you are doing awesome. You can do it!

SarahofTwins

Ah yes when my stomach and *kitten* use to bounce up and down lol :laugh:

I started off walking for the first month, then increased my speeds as time moved along. Also I used a spandex type of shorts to hold my gut and butt bc it was all over the place at first...it gets better over time and you'll be able to jog/run. Just focus on the mental game of eating right and the rest will come :flowerforyou:

STARSHINE1975

I agree. build up speed with walking. You will build endurance while burning calories. When I see someone at the gym that is overweight, I am applauding them and cheering them on in my head. I was feeling like you when I went to the kick boxing gym with my friend. Everyone else was a) male and b) a professional fighter and in incredible shape. After the workout, about half of them came up to us and said we did good and encouraged us to come back (fist bumps included).

Don't be scared. No one is thinking you shouldn't be there and if you don't know how to use a piece of equipment, ask! There are plenty of people that are eager to help and share their knowledge. And I promise no one is going to throw things at you.

I congratulate you on taking the steps to go! Yay You!

fbuschur

DON'T feel silly. You are there, working to get and be healthy while so many others are home on the sofa eating chips.

Be proud, and know that nobody is watching or judging you, or that the VERY FEW who might be, aren't worth concerning yourself with.

The only one you need to impress is yourself, and you will feel SO good for getting it done!!

Good for you!

Mustangsally1000

Well, darlin'..in MHO, you've got nothing to worry about. I see all sizes at our gym. I walk along at this pitiful pace next to the hard core runners, and it's all good! Wear what YOU are comfortable in (don't worry about what they are wearing) take headphones and just do your thing. At my stage of the game (have dislocated my hip 2x this summer), I'm just barely walking at 2 mph. Either hook up to your ipod, or plug into the tv's they usually have. You will be just fine!!! Hop to it! It'll be great!

Annette_rose

I agree with the above posts! As someone who has also attended the Y and done the whole treadmill, elliptical thing too, the other people really aren't thinking about what size you are. If they are, they are there for the wrong reasons, but I can guarantee you that probably every one of them is not paying attention and if they are, they are just glad to see you are working out and not being sedentary like so many these days. I now have an elliptical at home, but I know when I was doing spin class and the treadmill at the Y, most everyone around me had on their earbuds listening to music, or the t.v.'s. They really didn't pay attention to anyone else except for a glance and that was it. I am not a runner due to it hurts my knees. I do a fast-paced walk and that feels better for me. Don't feel like you have to run to lose weight because you honestly don't. But, if you enjoy running, just do it and don't worry about anyone around you. I really think if you could get into the mind of each one of them, you would probably hear them sifting through their own daily struggles, etc. It is VERY rare that you would ever find one thinking "oh, look at that fat person..why are they even here?". You go for it and know that you are doing a great job!!!!!

Whatareherthings711

I'm right there with you. Even though I know the people I'm working out around aren't there to judge me, I can't help but think to myself that they are, and it causes me to not want to run on the treadmill. My goal right now is to just speed walk with random hills on, and I keep myself motivated to continue this way for now by telling myself that it's distance over speed. I stay on the treadmill for an hour, and I hate when a skinny girl or guy comes onto the treadmill next to me and spends 20 minutes running. It makes me feel like I'm lazy. But I reassure myself by telling myself that each workout is for me, and me only. I'm there to reach goals I set for myself, and get there how I am capable of getting there. Don't feel alone in feeling silly on a treadmill. Like I said, I'm right there with you.

cedarhurst2006

jJUMP ON THAT TREADMILL!!!!!!!!!!!! When I first joined the gym, I walked in with a cane (talk about sticking out like a sore thumb) and when I did the treadmill and elliptical, I was able to do a whole TWO MINUTES on each. The trainer at the gym said the next day add a little more intensity or a little longer time and do that each day you go. Now I do 30 minutes on the elliptical and 20 minutes on the bike each day.

I seem to always wear baggy clothes to the gym so that no one will see my "JIGGLE" and my daughter laughs at me, but I feel more comfortable.

I have absolutely no coordination so I can't drink water and work on a machine at the same time! I have to stop or pause the machine..drink my water... and then resume the workout.

With that being said, I go to the gym everyday and I respect every single person there with me who took the time out of their day to get to the gym and make the effort.

As silly as I may feel at the gym sometimes, I'll never forget the guy who came to work on the treadmill next to me and took a long piece of paper towel and wrapped it around his head like a sweatband, hopped on the treadmill and did his thing.

Somehow that made me feel I was going to be ok!!! You will be too!!

newmommynewfitme

Firs off remember this : "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent" . You'e in the gym because YOU want to get healthier not to worry about whether or not someone is snickering at you. I say step on that treadmill with pride and do your thing , each week you'll get better and better until it's as natural as breathing. Take your ipod with so you can listen to music while you're working out . Chances are more than not are admiring you for taking steps to becoming healthy , sometimes we let our minds runaway with our own fears of how we think others will perceive of us. Go work it on that treadmill and have a great time doing it!

WattsJA

I was much like you in that I was thinking / feeling like everyone would be watching me. I can confirm that 99.9% of the people in the gym have their headphones on (or a boog / magazine) and are in their own world. I would suggest 9as others have) to start with a walk and build to running.

justyourtypicalgirl

Everyone goes to the gym for the same reason and it's not to get in an hour of making fun of people. I was self conscious in the beginning and then I seriously got over it. And the skinny people who look great on a treadmill didn't just wake up one day looking like that or having that ability. We are all there to work out and work on ourselves. So shake it off and get your booty on the treadmill! Or better yet...hit the elliptical machine...much less opportunity for unfortunate jiggling.

pita160

I usually do not post on sites, but I wanted to say I understand how that experience feels. I am sorry anyone has to go through that. Unfortunately, no one can be sure how another person is going to react in any situation.

I purchased a Tony Little Gazelle (at the time $79 at ****'s) many years ago and, while it was a useful clothes rack (like most of my equipment), I have finally been motivated to use it on a regular basis. I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for over thirty years so for me, this piece of equipment works well (less impact on joints). Perhaps something like this would be more doable.

As for joining MFP, I can honestly say it has had a tremendous impact on my motivation and has helped me stay on track.

Good Luck

Articeluvsmemphis

can't really say anything else that hasn't been stated. except that you should do what is comfortable to you. as is, get on that treadmill, and walk the first few times and then start increasing your speed every so often. the highest i can jog at now is at 4.0 and i can do that for 1/2 a mile which is somewhere over 10minutes. this took me several months though and I came from 300pounds. point is, God forbid I thought someone cared what I was doing and cranked that machine up any higher to impress anyone. do it for yourself and forget about others. of course people are going to be looking at you, but I'm sure they're not thinking negatively. you're at the gym and that's a great thing. get going love

1goodymom67

I have couple of things to say. One is people are very self absorbed. I tell that to my oldest ds. he is embarrassed to take insulin( he has diabetes and is insulin dependant) in public but I have observed when he has and no one cares. I am firm believer in you are out there you are doing it. How many people are sitting on their back side? Getting out there is half the battle. Ok as far as running it is a process. It can not happen overnight if you don't run. I did a C5K (couch to 5K). I always hated running now I do but I now I don't have anyone to run with so I speed walk more than run but when i do run my speed has increased. Stick with it don't let other people "run" you our of the gym. You can do it!! But with that said if you don't enjoy running don't do it. Find something that you truly enjoy and it really don't let anyone make you feel bad for enjoying it! IMHO