On Resolutionists

tpfoodie

When I first started checking out the MFP community last week, I came across a thread where a MFP member was complaining about all of the resolutionists taking up space in their favorite gym. I was surprised to see that most of the comments in response agreed with him, and called for the "soon to be quitters" to "get out of my gym."

I'm just going to throw this out there. What the hell?

THIS is the reason I was always afraid to go to the gym. During my more lethargic years, I WANTED to go starting in the New Year (when many gyms offered membership specials), but was too nervous to go because of numerous posts I would read on Facebook or Twitter by healthy, fit gym-going people calling for the "fatties" to "give it up already."

I've gone to the gym almost every day in the past few weeks, and I feel great. Newsflash: I'M NOT LEAVING. But I have to say that this type of sentiment is just poisonous, ESPECIALLY in a community like MFP! How many new members came in and began participating due to the New Year??? Many may fail, but others will succeed because this is finally their year and they want better for themselves.

I'm sorry that you can't use your very favorite elliptical machine every time you go to the gym, or that you have to wait five minutes for a swimming lane. People will trickle away soon enough. But don't harbor a resentment towards those working to make a healthier change in their lives; they can feel it. Going to a gym while unfit takes a lot of courage.

suzieqcookie

amen! it's the single biggest reason i will NEVER join another gym as long as i live.. gym snobs

sorry... holier than thou gym snobs

Leeann1979

Agreed!! I was bothered reading it too!! Even if people don't stick with it, they had the initial intentions, and hopefully keep at it til they get it right. It took me about 34 times to quit smoking, but I stuck with it and did it.
I find it funny because so many of these people are on this website because they too were lazy and made poor choices in the past. I find it very disturbing that some can be so ignorant and judgemental.

strongmind_strongbody

Agreed--and MFP locked that thread because it was so offensive.

mvdiz

It's all over my facebook, too. Maybe most of the "resolutioners" will quit, but some might stick it out. Why not support that?

tpfoodie

amen! it's the single biggest reason i will NEVER join another gym as long as i live.. gym snobs

sorry... holier than thou gym snobs

I feel the judgment when I walk into the gym, every single time. I use a university gym where most of the girls there only show up to pretend to work out and look cute in little clothing, and when I walk in wearing sweats I get looked up and down at least once a day! I'm there to lose weight, not show off... maybe that's the problem? Last week I sat down at a rowing machine next to a skinny minnie... she was rowing with poor form on the lowest setting. Yet she still snickered at me when I started rowing, correctly, on the highest setting, because I was moving more slowly than she was. I think I had a better burn in the end, though!

Agreed!! I was bothered reading it too!! Even if people don't stick with it, they had the initial intentions, and hopefully keep at it til they get it right. It took me about 34 times to quit smoking, but I stuck with it and did it.
I find it funny because so many of these people are on this website because they too were lazy and made poor choices in the past. I find it very disturbing that some can be so ignorant and judgemental.

Exactly. Everyone has to start somewhere! Yes, overweight people can and do make fools of themselves at the gym (I fell off of an elliptical once). But you know what? They're lapping everyone else who is sitting at home on the couch. If they give themselves a chance to learn how everything works and adjust to the environment, they can start getting healthier and feeling better about themselves.

Articeluvsmemphis

Agree. However; I feel most the people who post these things in cyber space rarely say anything aloud in the gym setting unless they're with a group.

more people=stupider you get for some reason.

ignore and keep being awesome

fizzletto

This is why I have never and will never join a gym. I've lost 34lbs by myself so far and I'm going running 3x a week and doing strength training at my house, by myself. I will get there without the help of a gym and I'll avoid those nasty mean people too.

neverstray

We'll see if you feel the same way in a couple years. It an unnecessary and arbitrary disruption to your routine. It's like if all the sudden, your drive to work starts taking 30 minutes longer, and this happens every year at the same time for no real apparent reason. It's annoying and unnecessary. I'm the first to applaud new people. I love success stories. It's not about that at all. It's just that 98% or more will quit in Feb/Mar, so it's just a huge waste of everyone's time. As I said, we'll see how you feel in a few years.

c_faulkenburg

When I first started checking out the MFP community last week, I came across a thread where a MFP member was complaining about all of the resolutionists taking up space in their favorite gym. I was surprised to see that most of the comments in response agreed with him, and called for the "soon to be quitters" to "get out of my gym."

I'm just going to throw this out there. What the hell?

THIS is the reason I was always afraid to go to the gym. During my more lethargic years, I WANTED to go starting in the New Year (when many gyms offered membership specials), but was too nervous to go because of numerous posts I would read on Facebook or Twitter by healthy, fit gym-going people calling for the "fatties" to "give it up already."

I've gone to the gym almost every day in the past few weeks, and I feel great. Newsflash: I'M NOT LEAVING. But I have to say that this type of sentiment is just poisonous, ESPECIALLY in a community like MFP! How many new members came in and began participating due to the New Year??? Many may fail, but others will succeed because this is finally their year and they want better for themselves.

I'm sorry that you can't use your very favorite elliptical machine every time you go to the gym, or that you have to wait five minutes for a swimming lane. People will trickle away soon enough. But don't harbor a resentment towards those working to make a healthier change in their lives; they can feel it. Going to a gym while unfit takes a lot of courage.

Amen!

kwest_4_fitness

So very true. Even if only one person sticks with it, that's one life that's changed for the better and one more healthy person in the world!

tpfoodie

Agreed--and MFP locked that thread because it was so offensive.

Oh good! I didn't know it had been locked. Glad to see that MFP doesn't support that kind of mindset.

It's all over my facebook, too. Maybe most of the "resolutioners" will quit, but some might stick it out. Why not support that?

Exactly! These are the same people that judge others who are unfit. So they're stupid if they are overweight, but they're also stupid if they take up space in the gym? How does that make any sense?

Agree. However; I feel most the people who post these things in cyber space rarely say anything aloud in the gym setting unless they're with a group.

more people=stupider you get for some reason.

ignore and keep being awesome

While that's true, I've unfortunately always been very good at reading other people. That judgment hangs heavy in the gym, especially during this time of the year. It doesn't affect me very much, because I swim more often than not, but when I do machines or see other overweight people doing the same I can feel the tension.

Danni1585

Be there and proud. I am currently battling in my local swimming pool, getting looks of disgust from people who try to push me in the swimming lanes. Don't get me wrong, I am a strong swimmer, my tip is don't be intimidated. You paid your money, head high and shoulders back xx

lauradawson1123

Yeah I remember one year I had been going to the gym since the previous August but since I was still overweight and it was January they thought I had just joined. It wasn't until January that I started getting dirty looks and I heard a few women talking behind me about how fat I was and how they just wanted me to give up. Ugg, to this day it still makes me both want to cry and punch them in the face. Resentfully I quit the gym and worked out at home after that. Now, years later, I dont give a flip and I'll sweat my fat *kitten* next to the skinnies.

GlassslippersAndFairyDust

I thought the same thing when I read it. Seems that we as people have become so rude, unfeeling and down right mean that it's almost accepted as today's normal. Well, not for me. I was raised to have manners. I still say yes/no ma'am/sir, excuse me, please, thank you and I'm sorry. When a person pays his or her dues to a gym they have just as much right to occupy any space in it that anyone else does and I don't get the superior attitudes that I witnessed/read on here the other day. We all have to start somewhere and instead of putting people down for what others may perceive as possible failures, we should be lifting them up to their full potential.......just my 2 cents worth. :flowerforyou:

rizzaG

When people decide it's time to lose weight right away the option is to get a gym membership. Actuality is there are tons of at home exercises out there available to everyone for FREE. I can do all of my workouts in the comfort of my own house and have successfully lost 20lbs. If the intention of going to the gym is to get motivated well if they think they're getting judged by the people at the gym or for any reason feels uncomfortable then surely that defeats the purpose of going there in the first place.

tpfoodie

This is why I have never and will never join a gym. I've lost 34lbs by myself so far and I'm going running 3x a week and doing strength training at my house, by myself. I will get there without the help of a gym and I'll avoid those nasty mean people too.

I'm so glad to hear about your success! I just think that it's so sad that these types of people keep others who WANT to be healthy away from a really useful resource. Keep up the wonderful work!

We'll see if you feel the same way in a couple years. It an unnecessary and arbitrary disruption to your routine. It's like if all the sudden, your drive to work starts taking 30 minutes longer, and this happens every year at the same time for no real apparent reason. It's annoying and unnecessary. I'm the first to applaud new people. I love success stories. It's not about that at all. It's just that 98% or more will quit in Feb/Mar, so it's just a huge waste of everyone's time. As I said, we'll see how you feel in a few years.

Frankly, I don't care how I'm going to feel about anything. Because for all of the Resolutionists that join and then quit, there are a few who make a commitment. And I'm not about to let those people know that they are unwelcome in MY gym. If your routine takes a little longer, make more time for it. Traffic in my city does fluctuate by about a half hour each time I drive it, so I get up a little earlier in the morning. And just because people leave the gym in February doesn't make it a "waste" of anything other than calories. They may not be long term members, but for a while they got in there and worked out and tried to be healthier. That should matter more than a little disruption to your routine.

So very true. Even if only one person sticks with it, that's one life that's changed for the better and one more healthy person in the world!

^This!

tpfoodie

When people decide it's time to lose weight right away the option is to get a gym membership. Actuality is there are tons of at home exercises out there available to everyone for FREE. I can do all of my workouts in the comfort of my own house and have successfully lost 20lbs. If the intention of going to the gym is to get motivated well if they think they're getting judged by the people at the gym or for any reason feels uncomfortable then surely that defeats the purpose of going there in the first place.

The point of this isn't to say that a gym is the only place where people can lose weight. I just think it is ridiculous that people who choose to try and begin an exercise regiment at a gym are judged by regulars.

dorothytd

I don't go to the gym, but take/teach fitness classes. So I love this time of year with lots of new people working to get healthier! My challenge is to make them want to keep going, keep it interesting and tough, yet "doable" enough so they don't give up. Even when I'm taking the classes, helping someone or encouraging them can go a long way to get them to come back.

That being said, I can understand the frustration for those who are used to a routine that gets interrupted. I'm a little OCD with my routine, which involves certain exercise certain days of the week. So now when it gets interrupted, I started trying to think of ways to change it up, that will still be effective. I'm always a work in progress.

Happy New Year to newbies and oldies, all.

girlschmoopie

Those of you who say you will never join a gym, I would encourage to seek out a fitness community center.

I belong to the local JCC (Jewish Community Center) and the atmosphere is not at all like what I see described here. (I'm not Jewish, and you don't have to be to join a JCC.) this gym has people of all ages, sizes and levels of training. Great classes like spinning, Zumba, Yoga (Hatha & Vinyasa), Tai Chi, Body Pump, CXWorx, etc. plus a great cardio machine room with brand new treadmills, Expresso bikes, ellipticals, AMT's, row machines, and then there is the whole weight lifting room with the machines and free weights, the racket ball room, the gym for basketball, the POOL for swimming laps (and a whole host of classes for those who like water aerobics).

The best thing is that everyone is friendly and encouraging, and patient with newcomers. Yes, there are Resolutionists in the beginning of the year, but I've never seen anyone less than encouraging and helpful to them. Yes, some dwindle off, but not all. We have a lot who become regulars as they find the exercises they enjoy the most and the schedule that works best for them. So just remember, not all gyms are the same. Some are truly a COMMUNITY, which is even more helpful in weight loss pursuits.

(My ONLY gym complaint, is not about Resolutionists, but about anyone wearing strong perfume or cologne that gets on the treadmill next me, as it becomes incredibly hard to breathe while working out. Fortunately, that only happens once or twice a year... So if you are new to a gym, be aware of synthetic scents, and how they effect others.)

Best of luck!

dorothytd

^^You're schmoopie! Sorry, couldn't resist a Seinfeld quote! Great idea

neverstray

This is why I have never and will never join a gym. I've lost 34lbs by myself so far and I'm going running 3x a week and doing strength training at my house, by myself. I will get there without the help of a gym and I'll avoid those nasty mean people too.

I'm so glad to hear about your success! I just think that it's so sad that these types of people keep others who WANT to be healthy away from a really useful resource. Keep up the wonderful work!

We'll see if you feel the same way in a couple years. It an unnecessary and arbitrary disruption to your routine. It's like if all the sudden, your drive to work starts taking 30 minutes longer, and this happens every year at the same time for no real apparent reason. It's annoying and unnecessary. I'm the first to applaud new people. I love success stories. It's not about that at all. It's just that 98% or more will quit in Feb/Mar, so it's just a huge waste of everyone's time. As I said, we'll see how you feel in a few years.

Frankly, I don't care how I'm going to feel about anything. Because for all of the Resolutionists that join and then quit, there are a few who make a commitment. And I'm not about to let those people know that they are unwelcome in MY gym. If your routine takes a little longer, make more time for it. Traffic in my city does fluctuate by about a half hour each time I drive it, so I get up a little earlier in the morning. And just because people leave the gym in February doesn't make it a "waste" of anything other than calories. They may not be long term members, but for a while they got in there and worked out and tried to be healthier. That should matter more than a little disruption to your routine.

So very true. Even if only one person sticks with it, that's one life that's changed for the better and one more healthy person in the world!

^This!

Cool. You say that now. Lol.

No one makes anyone feel unwelcome. Lol. I don't know where you get that idea.

And, since you missed my entire point, what if your drive, HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES YOU EVERYDAY NORMALLY, is extended by 30 minutes for two months out of the year for no apparent reason. That's what it's like.

I'm not negative on new people at the gym. I'm negative on the unnecessary influx. I have never joined on Jan 1. Usually, I join in the summer. But, joining on Jan 1 has a thing to it. I wouldn't do it just on principle alone. But, that's me.

dad106

I'm not negative on new people at the gym. I'm negative on the unnecessary influx. I have never joined on Jan 1. Usually, I join in the summer. But, joining on Jan 1 has a thing to it. I wouldn't do it just on principle alone. But, that's me.

I'm with this guy.

I could care that less that new people join the gym.. hey, more revenue for the gym.

I do care that the new people forget their god given common sense/manners during this time.
If you are on a machine I'd like to use and you are on a cell phone instead of working out, I will tell you to move it.. new or not. There are too many people to be acting like the gym is your own personal lounge.

RacheUk82

ok, IM A RESOLUTIONIST!!! Yes I joined in Jan because my local gym was offering a a very good deal (I know thats the point but still) surely me getting my derriere and off the couch is better than sitting at home stewing in my own juices?

I have been debating joining the gym several times, because the act of actually going somewhere to work out will make me do it, where as at home I will get distracted by other things, but I KNEW the attitude of others would be despising my good intentions.

But, SO WHAT, I am loving the gym, and coupled with MFP I am seriously getting a buzz, fingers, legs and toes crossed that I keep with it.

I just wish I had silenced those critics years ago!

mjstewies

Seriously agree with Glass Slippers. Thank you.

prettygorgtors

Everyone has to start somewhere, I think a lot of people in those types of threads fail to realize that.

mcflat29

I've now been a member of 3 gyms. The first was one of those big box brands and I felt the discrimination year round. And I joined in the summer! It was either skinny girls laughing at me or old men trying to get me into the hot tub... ew. I found my comfort zone in the free weight area. Most of the men were friendly enough, but I still felt a little peeved about it. When that membership expired, I had moved and joined a very small gym in my small town. No judgement since I was usually the only person in there. My mom was my personal trainer and introduced me to circuit training. Worked great and I really loved it. Not surprisingly, that gym closed while I was in school working and studying 90 hours a week. The pounds packed on from not eating, stress, no sleep, and no time to work out.
Fast forward to yesterday. I live in a 112 year old farmhouse. I can't bounce around the floors and we're scared a weight set would fall through -haha- So I was looking for a small gym with the items necessary to get my circuit training groove on. I set up an appointment, went in and waited for the lady by looking around the gym. I was actually inspired by the people there. Several asked if I was wanting to join, told me about things they'd learned and what they liked about the gym. It was actually very supportive. I guess the real difference is I walked in with confidence. I may have lost my shape, but I still know what I'm doing.

If you're having problems with snobs at your gym, find supportive people and focus on them. Ignore the snobs, they don't know what they're missing.

Edit: to correct spelling.

ubermensch13

I think most of you are overreacting to the last thread. Yes, there were some that got out of line, but overall, most people were expressing their frustrations with seeing, year after year, their gyms becoming overrun with people. For us seasoned gym goers, it is akin to a high tourist season in a town/city where tourist flock to at certain times of year. Over time, there becomes a feeling of dread and frustration.

I also have to say, the newbies aren't always the most friendly. When I first started going to the gym about 10 years ago, my first week I was on the bench press, and during a set a guy came over and corrected by form and told me to "slow down eat rep" to get better results. I appreciated the critique from an obvious more informed gym goer, but I've been almost spit at several times when I've tried to offer help to obvious new people when they were using form that wasn't just ineffective, but possible dangerous. So, it is a two way street.

However, whether you become one of them or not, because they all say they aren't going to quit 2 weeks in, a gym wouldn't make money if everyone that signed up used the gym.

jayche

Do we really need another "resolutionist" thread?

SummerNights32

As a 270 pound female, I joined the gym and never once felt like people we judging me. What I felt was that I was judging myself, and comparing myself against the people who had been there for years. I think if most people really stop and think about it, people at the gym are not laughing at you...especially when most of them walked in the same shoes you are at one point. I think we all join a gym, starting off inexperienced and self conscious...so we tend to feel we are being judged. In reality we are the only ones doing it.

On another note, I do get annoyed at resolutionsist sometimes. Not the resolutionists who come in and work towards their goals, but the ones that quit after just a few minutes. For example...this week I have seen at least 2 new people quit a class 10 minutes after it starts. Those were 2 spots that someone else could have taken, whether new or not. What is what annoys me. If you are going to join a gym, and pay for it, be serious about it. Effort goes a long way.

For the rest of the new people who really want to try, I am all for it. Believe it or not, we were all there one time too. I am now 190 pounds and spend a lot of the time in the gym, but I remember what it was like at 270.

fihealth

We'll see if you feel the same way in a couple years. It an unnecessary and arbitrary disruption to your routine. It's like if all the sudden, your drive to work starts taking 30 minutes longer, and this happens every year at the same time for no real apparent reason. It's annoying and unnecessary. I'm the first to applaud new people. I love success stories. It's not about that at all. It's just that 98% or more will quit in Feb/Mar, so it's just a huge waste of everyone's time. As I said, we'll see how you feel in a few years.

Every year, new humans and baby animals are born into the world, creating more competition for limited resources. What's worse is that a huge proportion of these resource-stealing individuals die young, so it was a total waste! Oh wait, it wasn't, because that yearly cycle produces stronger individuals every year that DO make it.

#perspective