too embarassed......

d2footballJRC

I started the gym at 382 pounds, no one gave a F.. As I started dropping weight I got more support then I could ever had expected. Everyone was coming over to me telling me.. YOU ARE LOOKING GOOD MAN, keep it up! These people want you to be healthy or they are too busy with themselves. No one cares but you. You have to get over it, and you just have to make the first step. May seem nervous or scary but you aren't doing this to put on a fashion show or pick up guys at the gym. You are doing this to lose weight. Who cares about the rest.

NettyB62

A really good at home program is Leslie Sansone's Walk Away The Pounds...
Hang in there!

Capibara

I am exetremely obese and i go to a gym well used to. (money issue at the moment) and i never got the oh look a fat girl feeling from anyone.
if any thing you know what they will probably be thinking??

look at her getting her fit on. damn good for her

jillydetox

Just hold your head high and dont worry about what others think!!!!, at least you are doing something about it and you should be proud of yourself xx

BattyMama

I understand fully but I had to let you know even when I was 98 to 120 pounds I still could not walk into a gym with a heavier friend and not be laughed at. Some people just feel they have to say something to make themselves feel better.

PepeGreggerton

I personally decided to lose some weight through diet alone before venturing out to the gym. Not because I was embarrassed, but just because I felt it would best to get my diet inline and routine before I threw in exercise. The thing about the gym is that there are people of all levels, and even the very advanced and athletic people there had to crawl before they could walk. Just do it and don't pay attention to anyone else.

lacroyx

I been doing Zumba class for few months now. a 6'3, 300+ lbs man in a class of about 25-30 women doing Zumba, badly. but I don't care. I have fun. and I'm not alone either! there's 2 other guys in the class too!

alifer

I had always been embarassed about running, jogging where anyone could see me. Then I decided I was going to take care of me and who cares what anyone else thinks. It is all about getting out there and doing something to better yourself. If other people judge you then it is their problem. I just remind myself that they may be judging or laughing, but I'm the one taking action while they are thinking about what they SHOULD be doing. Just take it one step at a time and push a little harder or a little farther each time.

SueGremlin

thanks guys I appreciate the encouragement. I am very big. 140kgs right now. really if I am honeat with myself I cant walk for more than 10 minutes at a time right now with a lot of ba ck pain and getting out of breath.

I think this is a big part of it. while I have always been the large girl I was reasonably fit for my size before my sleep apnea got very bad a few years ago (still undiagnosed then) and I stopped moving became depressed and ate...a LOT...

I am glad I am doing this and im not going to stop. I want to go to a gym or something but right now the very thought is just O.o

If you read these forums you will see members of all shapes and sizes, bigger and smaller. than 140 kg. Best thing: So many people have success stories. You are amongst your peers here.

stormieweather

Exercise gear? I just wore stretchy sweatpants and a huge (men's) baggy shirt with sneakers. I still wear that for the most part. It's comfortable and cheap and doesn't show my lumps, bulges, jiggles, etc. Don't look at everyone else at the gym, just do YOUR thing. You pay for it, it's FOR you, and what the other people are doing or looking at is simply not relevant. Go and hold your head high! I would bet that you will not be the heaviest or most out of shape person there and if you are, more power to you for making a change! Good luck! :flowerforyou:

paulaSo8

i can relate, for a time, i was too embarrassed to get in touch with my friends, i felt that they would judge on how i have let myself go this fat. i lost all confidence in talking to other people. i stayed just at home for 3 years.. until i just got tired and hooked up with old friends.

it feels great! i also follow dvd inside the house, i still dont go to the gym but im working on it

fionarama

You know what I normally think when I see seriously overweight people at the gym. The first is, GOOD ON THEM they areTRYING. Yes I might notice them but in a good way.
if you are seriously overweight please remember it is 80% nutrition, you will get the best results if you concentrate not just on the calories but the food quality. maybe when you have seen some real results from this (and if you are doing it right you will lose it fast) once you are slimmer you will gain the confidence from your success to go to a gym or start a new exercise programme. It doesn't have to be all at once implement the changes you need to gradually one at a time.

sammys1girly

If you need to start out by walking near your house, that's good. But when I see overweight people at the gym very faithfully plodding away on the treadmill or other machines, I am proud of them for taking the first step. I even have wanted to go encourage them but they'd probably look at me like I'm a weirdo...:noway:

AZKristi

I felt that way when I first started exercising - definitely always felt like the fattest person at my gym. Luckily, I had very positive experiences and never encountered anyone who was anything less than friendly or helpful. I say luckily because I'm not sure I would have achieved the same level of success without being a member of a gym. I find the classes VERY helpful and motivating.

And now, I am not thin by any means, but I am definitely not the biggest either, and I can always be proud of myself because regardless of my size, I show up consistently and work HARD!

Honestly, no one will think anything about you other than the fact that you are trying to make a positive change in your life - an admirable decision regardless of your current size.

TinaLTaylor79

Dont be embarrassed!!! I love seeing ppl trying to get healthy and fit...and ppl who judge an over weight person for trying to workout or walk or go to the gym, obviously has something wrong with their head! Go for it...give it your all and dont care about anyone else or their opinions! Your doing this for you right?! So, go for it!! You could always start with a workout program at home to drop a little but a first if it makes you feel better!

candykay0605

i feel the exact same way!!! I live out in the country but still have house near me where i walk/run, I will walk past the houses (even if no one is out) and when im to a spot where there are bunch of trees or no houses I run, I will also stop if i hear any cars and just walk! Its a hard thing to just get over! I wish I could say "do this and you will just get over it". But I cant, I can say though I fully believe that taking the step to get in shape is the first step to gaining confidence and building it!! Soon you will be able to run down the road and could care less what any else thinks!!!

TinaLTaylor79

Dont be embarrassed!!! I love seeing ppl trying to get healthy and fit...and ppl who judge an over weight person for trying to workout or walk or go to the gym, obviously has something wrong with their head! Go for it...give it your all and dont care about anyone else or their opinions! Your doing this for you right?! So, go for it!! You could always start with a workout program at home to drop a little but a first if it makes you feel better!

lmgidney

At the end of the day no matter what your goal is – to lose 5lbs or 200lbs everyone goes to the gym for the same reason to get healthy and meet their personal goals.
When you go to the gym – there are all shapes and sizes – all different ages, you are there to focus on you and that’s what other people do as well.
I had a fear of the gym – now I can walk in there and do my own thing, I put in my ipod and do me and leave there feeling good about what I have accomplished.

TourThePast

if you are seriously overweight please remember it is 80% nutrition

More like 95%, plus when you're exercising you're not eating! Again, when you're seriously overweight there are two factors in your favour when it comes to losing weight through exercise:

1. Even just walking involves shifting some seriously heavy weight about and that burns LOADS of calories. At 120lb an hour of Zumba burns only about 300 calories for me, you could easily burn twice that amount. So "only" walking for ten minutes is quite a good workout if it's leaving you a bit out of breath.

2. Though you probably don't realise it, just everyday moving around carrying that weight has built you some serious muscle under there - and muscle is fabulous at burning calories even when it's not being used. If you can stay as strong as you are now, once you've lost weight, you're going to have an amazing body and be able to eat loads more than other people the same weight!

There are loads of people on here who are 100lb overweight, I work out regularly but if you put a 100lb pack on my back, I couldn't even stand up.

So, instead of hating your body, try looking upon it as your personal (but temporary) gym!

Amy1066

I don't like going ether, but I get inspired when I go. I look at all the people who are heaver then me and think, if they can do it then so can I. You too might inspire someone and not even know it. Just go and do it for you.

harlylena

Do this for yourself; don't worry about what others are thinking or doing or feeling. They're not there when you're dealing with the effects of your apnea (saw your profile). Start with home dvds if that helps. It will jump start your weight loss and eventually you'll forget to care about the others. You're not the 'fat girl', you're the smart person who is taking a stand for yourself at a young age. You don't want to be 60 with a long list of health problems looking back at you now wondering why you let this stop you. You can do this, there is so much support here and I suspect within you as well.

hope516

embarassed of what????

of making better choices...

of getting out there and putting the work in needed to get you to a healthy weight...

of not continuing to jeapordize your health and overal well-being...

of admitting that you deserve better...

of not being afraid of a little sweat and hard work...

sounds like instead of being embarassed you should be proud...hope you realize that and good luck!!! :flowerforyou:

PattyfromToledo

I belong to a gym and the last thing on my mind is to laugh at someone willng to put forth the effort and exercise!!

Walk talk and walk pround!!! No one is laughing.

Lesa_Sass

Any one laughing at you trying to get healthy is not worth your time in worrying about.

ahjenny

I'm a very overweight girl. I plug in the headphones and do what I came to do. I may look at people in the gym, but I don't see them because I'm in my zone. When I do see other overweight people, I'm cheering them on in my head, because I think half the success of working out is just starting, whether it's going for a walk around the park or actually stepping foot in the gym. And if someone is an *kitten* to you, report them. Gyms want their patrons to come back and they often have a zero tolerance policy on any kind of harassment.

Until you're ready, make other changes. Watch what you eat, park far away when shopping (and it's safe) and drink water instead of soda. Small changes can add up to make a big difference.

msespresso

You have nothing to be embarrassed about, everyone is there to lose weight and get fit and the progress YOU make just might be the inspiration for someone else! However, there is a lot you can do at home to start with, and even putting some time into getting your eating under control and losing weight that way will boost your confidence and show you the strength you do have!

demhareis

I get you.

The hardest part of exercising is taking that first step. The psychological thought of being watched and judged can weaken even the strongest heart.

I wanted to exercise in public, but it wasn't the thought of people judging me as fat that bothered me, but people judging me if I couldn't even jog the length of a few houses.

So I went out in my back yard where no one would see me and I did boglaps there. Round and round I'd go, every day, safe, anonymous, secret.

Only after I was fit enough, did the courage come.

So don't feel that you must get over your fear before you can exercise. Avoid the fear entirely, even if it means jumping jacks in the closet where no one can see or hear you.

chatterbox3110

I was 375lbs when I first walked into my gym. Yes, people stared but I stared back! We were all there for the same reason, to get fit, so I was no different to anyone else.

Now I just stick my headphones on and do my thing, I don't take any notice of anybody - I'm there for ME!

I know your pain, but believe me, you can do it, the first step on any journey is the hardest one to take. If you really cannot bear to go, there are loads of DVDs, Wii games etc that you can do in your home, even a walk around the block is beneficial. I walk now most days, and I keep my head up high!

Good luck on your journey

katie10101

If you feel that way, what about a wii or Nintendo? You can get amazing exercise programs for them, including Zumba and Yoga and all sorts. It will make you feel better about yourself until you get some pounds off and feel better in front of others. We have some very large gals at my gym and nobody makes them feel bad about themselves, and it's mostly guys there. As for me, I don't care....let em laugh. Sticks and stones! Be at peace with yourself and do what you need to get where you want to go. Just make sure you keep going....:happy:

louisau

I work with a really overweight girl and everytime I see her eating (cake, bread etc) I think to myself: "I know why you look that way!"
HOWEVER a lady of about the same size started at the gym last week and my first thought was: "Good for you!"

I didn't want to start gym because I was ashamed that I couldn't run on the treadmill, and you know what, if I didn't start I still wouldn't be able to do it.

One of my favourite quotes are: "You're not that important that everyone is looking at you"

Join the gym and have fun