any bigger people feel akward at the gym

asia_hanebach

I think it is all in your head. My thoughts on this is that if I saw someone at the gym that was even like twice my size, I wouldn't think "what a fat***". My thoughts would be that it's good that they decided to try to get healthy. So I choose to (probably naively) assume that everyone else thinks along the same lines when they see me working out. I figure that it doesn't matter if you're there to lose a lot of weight, to lose a bit of weight, to maintain weight, or to build muscle, we're all just there for our health.

runmybunsoff

I used to feel that way. But now I don't. I am EXTREMELY shy and introverted, (like, so much so at one point I had to get professional/medical help on this, lol still workin' on it) so this was a huge deal for me as well! I share a very very small gym in my apartment complex, and I run at a local park, and there are lookers galore! It is very intimidating at times (I live in a town that has extremely fit navy middies (stud muffins like whoa) and beltway yuppies.) I see people all the time, and felt very self-conscious.

But lately, every time I pass someone by while I am running, or lifting weights, I send everyone around me "undetectable good vibes" to them (this sounds so silly, I know) by mentally saying "WORK IT GIRL/MAN WE GOT THIS" And it makes me feel stupendously better about my self as well as the environment that I'm in. Because, everyone's on a mission to get healthy, and that dedication and focus is SOOOO inspiring to me in it of it self. I hope I was able to give you a laugh out of this. Cheers and good luck~

pclarinetto

i go to goodlife gym, and there is two in my town one for women and one for both i tend to go to the women one more, i dont like when i go to the co ed one and guys just stare at me and people act like im so un welcome to be there. i always here people wispering to there friends like what a waste of space when im on the machines. like i try really hard to lose the weight and im smaller then i used to me and just fustraing when people make you feel so unwanted and akward, just wondering if i am the only one who feels like this. or how to other people handle it. and ignoring it is not the easist thing to do.

i used to. i joined curves for that very reason, but it wasn't giving me what i needed (geared for older ladies). now i go to the gym with the attitude of "f you, i'm going to do what i need to do". i do my cardio upstairs and view the floor of the gym and realized there that i go to a very diverse gym and no one is an idiot like that. there are kids, silver sneakers, people in crutches/walker, very large people, and twiggy people. everyone is there to get healthy so who cares. it's better to be there than on the couch so i support you. so now i no longer feel intimidated or scared. i feel more empowered and get better workouts because i don't care what people think.

nnylee

I think it is all in your head. My thoughts on this is that if I saw someone at the gym that was even like twice my size, I wouldn't think "what a fat***". My thoughts would be that it's good that they decided to try to get healthy. So I choose to (probably naively) assume that everyone else thinks along the same lines when they see me working out. I figure that it doesn't matter if you're there to lose a lot of weight, to lose a bit of weight, to maintain weight, or to build muscle, we're all just there for our health.

I have to agree with this. I don't think people are like, "Wow, that person is a super fat, waste of space." because everyone started somewhere. Seriously, everyone. I know that when I see an overweight person at the gym, I silently root for them, especially when I see them working so hard. I know a lot of other people feel the same way. Also, when I started at the gym, people were nothing but friendly and helpful. Might just be my gym, I dunno.

chevy88grl

I think it is time for you to find a new gym.

I've had two gym memberships since I started getting serious about losing weight. First one was with Snap Fitness - I joined there because it seemed like there was a wide range of people who went to this gym. There were people at all different levels of fitness. No one passed judgement on anyone else. No one talked negatively behind anyone's back, etc.

Now, we have a membership with Powerhouse gym. This gym is larger and sometimes seems to be geared more towards people at the top level of their fitness goals. But, I still see a lot of people in all stages of fitness.

I'll be honest, I probably wouldn't have joined Powerhouse initially. I think I would have been far too self conscious at that gym when we first started out. Now that I'm at my goal weight and simply maintaining, it doesn't bother me. But, I can see how it would be intimidating to a newcomer to weight loss. However. Even though people seem to be at a higher level overall, I NEVER hear ANYONE making rude comments, being mean to others, etc. People are really nice there. I feel like Snap is a beginner gym and Powerhouse is the gym people switch to as they increase their fitness levels and reach their goals.

I would find a different gym to attend. The one you're going to is the exact kind of place that turns people OFF to gym memberships!

pclarinetto

When I see really heavy people exercising at my gym, I see so much of myself in them that I at times I am overcome with feelings of excitement for them, that they could be changing their lives for the better like I have. I cheer them on, sometimes silently & sometimes not. The ones who keep coming & keep rockin it out are an inspiration to everyone...any "normal-sized" person can go to the gym & do stuff. But how much inner strength & perseverance does it take as a >300 lb person to keep going & working out no matter what people think?

i don't know why, but i get super happy when i see a very large person at the gym. i cheer for them inside and feel like a proud parent even though i don't know the person. it makes me happy seeing them make a change for the better and i view them differently then the large people i see buying tons of crap food at the store. i know it's wrong to think "why are you eating that" because i hate when people tell me i shouldn't have something without knowing me and how i don't regularly eat whatever it is they're telling me i shouldn't eat, but i can't help it when it's the same people getting the same thing...(i'm a cashier).

pclarinetto

I have to agree with this. I don't think people are like, "Wow, that person is a super fat, waste of space." because everyone started somewhere. Seriously, everyone. I know that when I see an overweight person at the gym, I silently root for them, especially when I see them working so hard. I know a lot of other people feel the same way. Also, when I started at the gym, people were nothing but friendly and helpful. Might just be my gym, I dunno.

yes!

IndyMode

don't feel awkward! why would anyone judge a bigger person at the gym? I see a bigger guy at the gym everytime I'm there and he works out hard and I think good for him. Maybe he thinks I stare because I notice him.

I do feel self concious in the gym around some guys though and I wish there was an all girl gym near where I lived.

lombrica

When I joined my current gym... I felt like it was the "trendy" gym where all the pretty people went to. I was hesistant but I am glad that I joined.

Here's the thing... IN MY HEAD... I felt like the fat girl in the gym. IN MY HEAD, I figured people were looking at me or watching me. But, I decided that I think that was only ever in my head. There have been people who come up and talk to me about "how proud" they are... as though they know me?!? Or, that my going to the gym is any different than any of them... but I know that it's coming from a good place. I guess what I am saying is... be careful of what you read into the interactions you have with other people... and be cautious not to assume that they are saying/thinking things that perhaps are really the things that you may be thinking about yourself...

As I started going, the regulars started to know me... as a regular. People knew that I was gonna be there at least 5 times a week, more often 6 times a week and it's not unusual that I am there 7 days a week! The regulars knew which machines I would use, as I knew what machines they would. I started working with a trainer... and continue one time a week. I've ventured past my comfort zone, I have tried new machines, used the free weight section. I know... I can hold my own with any other in the gym! And somewhere... somewhere along the way - I stopped feeling like the fat girl in the gym. I just feel like it's my second home and that I belong there!

And... sometimes - people aren't saying what you think that they are... for example - the other day a cute guy came over and started talking... to me. About my progress, how hard I worked and how I was looking better... Not what I thought was gonna happen... I'm glad that I allowed that to happen versus being caught up in my own judgements of myself...

Moral of all of that?!? Keep going... soon, you will be the regular. If people really are doing things that are unwelcoming, just know that you will be there to welcome the next "you" that walks into the gym. You can help determine that... you can. Good Luck!