Joining the gym.. how can I overcome my embarrassment??

hughtwalker

When I was 55 I went to the doctor 3 weeks after we got back from Yosemite because I had an ache in my leg.
He told me he thought I had a clot in my leg - and THEN took my blood pressure. It was way up - then he weighed me and measured me and told me my BMI was "morbidly obese".
He told me to go to the gym - (once I had started impaling myself with Heparin daily until I had a vascular scan). I had the scan a few days later which showed I didn't have a clot - I had a Baker Cyst that had burst. This was the first sign that I had arthritis brewing.
So, I decided they'd laugh if *I* turned up at the gym but I went anyway.
They didn't laugh. They congratulated me and said they'd sort me out. They called over one of the instructors who took me on a tour, explained how the equipment worked and wrote down a program. I could do most of it, although it turned out I was built for distance rather than speed. I am part of the furniture 3 times a week now.

So, don't worry. If a tub-of-lard like me can turn up and no one laugh and then turn my life around then so can you. People scare me. At a party I'll be the one in the kitchen washing up glasses so there'll be some spare. I was scared. I thought they's all be looking at me. People were busy with their own routines but some said, "Hey! You're new, aren't you? How're you getting on?" and give tips on correcting technique.
It was a surprise.

Lonewolf1507

Hi Sabrina

I started back at the gym 8 months ago, I was almost 298 lbs (21st 4lbs) and not a buff gym type but I was going for myself not to be eye candy for the young ladies there. :laugh: I stepped on the scales this morning and I am 213 lbs (15st 2lbs).

Last night the gym had their annual Ball, I thought I was not being noticed but people I have seen there and others I didn't recognise were coming up to me last night and congratulating me on my progress. Including a Spin instructor who hasn't seen me since the end of May, who realised who I was after us talking for about 5 minutes, she also apologised for not saying something to me 3 days ago when we worked out side by side. The point I am trying to make is that people will take notice you are there and if you work at "what you want" and work hard they will notice your progress.

From looking at your ticker you have lost 20 lbs ish, so a big well done so far. I know you Ladies are more critical of your bodies than men are and see flaws that others don't notice. I agree with other people who have replied so far, look at trying some classes they are usually full with all sizes and abilities, get your confidence there and then start looking at using the other parts of the gym.

Good luck with your gym life and your journey to your goals in life.

If you would like some extra support/motivation feel free to add me.

Andy
A first name supporter

LundeenB

I was just like you and felt embarrassed to go to the gym. So if I didnt feel confident enough to go to the gym I brought the gym to myself! Bought p90x , insanity , and several other fitness videos. Made it through p90x 2time along with my fitnes pal and walked a lot, and made it half way through insanity. I couldn't believe it I lost 28 lbs in 4.5 months! If I can do it you can! Sounds like you have the motivation and mind set. You can do it girl!!!!!

doitforabby

Not everyone at the gym has always had the 'gym body' they may have now. You never know how many people around you started at the same point you are starting! Go & do your thing!

good2bthaking

I went through same feelings, but I kept telling myself it's for me, not them. I stuck with it and went from 253 lbs to 190 in 10 months. You will find that most people in gym are supportive and encouraging. There will always be the few who aren't, but forget them. Stick with it and in time you will see results. Best of luck to you.

Sabrina__26

You have all just made me realise how silly I'm being by not going and now I am getting ready to join the gym!! Just going to go in there, put my mp3 player on and get on with my workout. Looking forward to going now even though I'm still a little nervous.

Thank you all for your comments

hughtwalker

You are welcome. Now, go get 'em, girl!

RobfromLakewood

You have all just made me realise how silly I'm being by not going and now I am getting ready to join the gym!! Just going to go in there, put my mp3 player on and get on with my workout. Looking forward to going now even though I'm still a little nervous.

Thank you all for your comments

I just wanted to say I don't think you were silly, just voicing a real concern a lot of us have and it was brave to admit to it, now you're even braver by conquering it.

Lisha_R

I was nervous about going in too. Especially into the weight room. I just put my earphones in both ears and ignore everyone else. I do my thing and leave. I am hopeful one day I will get out of my sweats and oversized shirt into cute gym cloths. Most people are only concerned about their workout. You go girl.

Sptwoman

Well, first, like all red-blooded, eat-meating animals, the human must first display dominance in social situations. Walk in and just pee on the machine you want, the gym rats will see your alpha male dominance and bring you water bottles to appease you.

Funniest damn thing I've ever read on a MFP post, NICE!

Yes, it is hilarious!

Sptwoman

I want to add my encouragement. Go to the gym. You will feel better ab out yourself as you gain more strength and endurance. Do it for yourself!

amanda6393

Just finished reading a great little book with ideas on how to overcome this exact issue (amongst other things).
It's called "Surprisingly...Unstuck" by Maria Brilaki.

This is the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Surprisingly-Unstuck-Rewire-brain-exercise-ebook/dp/B009R7V4JI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1355091572&sr=1-1&keywords=surprisingly+unstuck

RekindledRose

Well, first, like all red-blooded, eat-meating animals, the human must first display dominance in social situations. Walk in and just pee on the machine you want, the gym rats will see your alpha male dominance and bring you water bottles to appease you.

Just kidding.

If you want to get more fit, or lose fat, or whatever goal you have, it has to be based on you. Are you making excuses about feeling nervous around people? Or do you really feel nervous about them?

If it's the latter there are other things you can do. Fill up heavy water bottles and go walking in a well lit place will doing bicep curls. Go on youtube and find some exercise videos you like until you feel like you can exercise in front of other people. Get an iPod, walk in the that gym, and tune out all the others!

Each day you don't progress because of fear is another day that you've wasted. You can do this. Don't let anyone, including yourself, stop you.

You got this!

Warsenic! This was great! You lightened my day.

Ha!

alladream

We just moved to a place that is almost all elderly people, and we seem so much younger than they are that it makes me grateful. I bought a sort of bathing suit/running thing and when I tried it on today for the first time I felt like I had gotten really out of shape and fat in the few years since I saw me in a bathing suit, but then when I saw these poor elderly people, some big, some scrawny, I could really appreciate that in the grand scheme of things my situation isn't so bad, since I have the potential for improvement and maybe some of them don't due to age and health.

sarahrbraun

I've been thinking of joining the gym for around a week now but I just feel like I'll hate it and not go as I am too big. I brought a gym kit and everything but now am having second thoughts as I feel like I'm too overweight. It's ridiculous I know, but I just can't help wanting to cry when I see myself in my gym clothes. I look 8 months pregnant! I would love to go though as I think I could get a much better workout than at home. Plus now I'm back at uni and many days I go out early and return home late and I just don't have the willpower to do anything when I get home.

I will be going to gym where I've been before, but last time I had my sister and a friend who also joined, this time I'll be doing it alone. Also, last time I was much lighter.

sometimes you gotta just grow a set and go DO IT.

When I started at the Y in February, I was about 80 pounds overweight. I looked a little heavier than this...


0120100909 by crochetmom2010, on Flickr

No one laughed, or said anything mean. What DID happen is that the cute young trainer noticed that I was there VERY often, and he started chatting and joking with me. And other members noticed that I was there and working hard. People started coming up to me and telling me how HARD they saw me working, and how good I was doing.

I've only lost about 32 lbs over the last 11 months or so, but with the weight training I have been doing it looks like a little more ( at least I think so...). I now look like this...


IMG00817-20121113-0848 by crochetmom2010, on Flickr

kemdawson

You just have to force yourself to go for a few times, and it will get easier each time. Everybody who works out regularly knows that everyone is there to improve their health and fitness. People are at all different levels, and few waiting to judge you. It's all in your head. Put on a big t-shirt instead of tight gym clothes if you are embarrassed. I'm excited to see new people taking control of their lives and trying to improve!! Now go work out!! Quit worrying!

mrb2217

Just go and don't worry about what people think. 95% of the people there are just as self conscious as you are. Wear a baggy sweat shirt, put your headphones on and just work out. After a month or so you'll realize that nobody is paying attention to you and you will start working out in regular gym clothes.

hughtwalker

I thought they'd laugh when I went to join - no one laughed. In fact, the instructor was really positive and gave me some sets of exercises to do and left me to it (unknown to me, keeping an eye on me) - and, do you know what? I could do it. I felt such a sense of accomplishment1

GO ON! and if anyone DOES make you feel embarrassed then know that you are in the wrong gym rather than you being wrong for the gym.

T1mH

Those that mind don't matter, those that matter don't mind.

Just do it.

greenpointmoni

That is exactly how a lot of people feel. When I see an overweight person exercise I feel proud for them! When I see a bigger person at a gym, I give them encouragement in my head.
No one is judging you. Everyone is there for the same reason - to get fit! And don't feel bad about that. You'd be surprised at how many people are there hoping for the best for you.

I know, I had belonged to a gym believe it or not, for 19 years before I really used my membership. The rest of my family used it, but it just wasn't for me. I finally got to the point where after dieting unsuccessfully for 19 years that I HAD to do something different. I bit the bullet and walked into of all things, a SPIN class! I honestly thought during the first 30 minutes of the class of every way imaginable that I could walk out and not embarrass myself, but I didn't do it. After 30 minutes, I got into that exercise "groove" and then POOF, the class was over and I DID it! I kept going back and back and now I do all kinds of classes there.

The other day, we were driving along and my extremely fit 16 yr. daughter saw an overweight man jogging and she said, "I love it when I see people like him jogging. If HE can do it, then that gives me motivation to keep going at track practice!" WHOAAAAA!!!! What!?

When I see overweight people at the gym and they are truly working to their best potential, they are an inspiration to me too. Nobody is perfect, we all have issues. Some people's issues are just more obvious than other people's. Go for it. Walk into a class, go back, go back again, and again, and again. You. Can. Do. It.