Any chubbies at your gym?

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Replies

  • ashlbubba
    ashlbubba Posts: 224 Member
    Yep- me.. As for the other members I don't really look at their shapes... I put on my headphones and worry about me and what I need to do.
  • canadiandee
    canadiandee Posts: 196 Member
    Just go. If anyone looks at you, stare back, and don't blink. They'll think you're crazy and will leave you alone.

    This is handy advice for so many life situations. :smile:
  • mapnerd2005
    mapnerd2005 Posts: 363
    Just go. Who cares that you're not in the best shape. Everyone has to start somewhere. I remember the first time I went to the gym at 303 pounds, yep, I was intimidated, but I worked my way up, and I noticed after a while, nobody is paying attention to me anyway. I look around at others to set goals for myself. But now I go at 200 and I don't give a flying flip about what others think of me. I live in one of the "fittest" cities in the country, where most girls are 25 year old stick figures, and I'm the biggest girl in my Zumba class, but I put in just as much effort as them and could probably run circles around many of them. In the weight room, yep, biggest girl in there too, but I bench press more than most of the men.

    And honestly, most of the time I'm too focused on what I'm doing and trying to keep my sweat from forming a puddle on the floor to care about what anyone else is doing. The people who are regulars and go all the time won't care, and the people who might are the ones who pull a muscle showing off and never show up again.
  • thoshowski
    thoshowski Posts: 135 Member
    I used to think the same thing, but then my fiance told me that everyone else isn't there to gawk at you, they are there to work out. And if they do happen to look at, they are probably saying to themselves, good on you to realize and issue and get to the gym. They are more likely even to help you out if you have an issue with the equipment. Think of it as a MFP site at the gym; you are all there for the same goal, to become a healthier person.

    After he told me this, I now go to the gym and realize I think the same way. I saw a very heavy set woman at the gym, and I thought to myself, good on her for taking that first step in the right direction!
  • clarkeje1
    clarkeje1 Posts: 1,641 Member
    I work out at home, I don't go to the gym.
  • mhk0719
    mhk0719 Posts: 255
    I am chubby! I really don't pay any attention to what's around me at the gym. :smile:
  • Di3012
    Di3012 Posts: 2,247 Member
    OK -- I have about 40 pounds to lose. I used to work out, and have just signed up for a gym membership. I cannot get myself to go in, however, in spite of being fairly used to using equipment, because I feel too porky to be there. Also, I am 48. Everyone there seems to be about 30 and very trim......................any suggestions on how to get my nerve up and get in there??? I feel like I have to lose about 20 pounds first, and meanwhile my membership isn't being used. Dorky I know, but I am kind of shy and don't have a great body image at this time.

    They are trim because they go to the gym.

    Get in there, the pounds will drop off!
  • apriltrainer
    apriltrainer Posts: 732 Member
    I work out at a college gym since I am on staff at the college. I am in my late 30's and I admit sometimes being around the college age kids makes me self conscious. But really..no one else cares.

    I actually have the college kids ask me about my workout!

    Now..I will stare at somone and give them the evil eye...skinny or chubby if they display bad gym etiquette(i.e. talking on their cell phone will exercising which I just think is in bad taste)...not cleaning their sweat off..etc.

    I actually really admire those that are working out hard...regardless of size. One of my best friends is overweight...but she stepped out of her comfort zone and is working hard. I admire her. It takes guts and courage.
  • AvantGardener
    AvantGardener Posts: 9 Member
    Ha, isn't it a grand irony feeling like you have to lose weight just to be able to go to the gym? Honestly, this was one of my weird issues when I first started as well, and I began by going to the gym later in the evening or early in the morning when it wasn't at all busy. That quickly brought up my comfort level to where I grew to be fine with going to the gym during the peak hours when it was jam packed. (In fairness, I also had no real experience at a gym before--so I wasn't at all comfortable using the machines... so you've got a leg up).

    I think you'll also find that virtually no one is paying attention to you because they're so lost 'in the zone.' Your own comfort level will definitely increase rapidly. These days, I don't mind at all showing up mid-afternoon, when the place is packed with young students, and working my *kitten* off for an hour until I come out looking like a hot, sweaty mess. No one pays any attention to chubby ol' me, and I feel great.

    Good luck!

    Michael
  • links_slayer
    links_slayer Posts: 1,151 Member
    No idea, tbh. I don't really pay attention to who else is there.
  • lacurandera1
    lacurandera1 Posts: 8,083 Member
    Everyone is there because they have a goal, and everyone started somewhere (generally a lot further back from where they are, now!) No one should be devoting too much time to how they feel about how you look, etc. With the exception of a few, most of us are in a gym to do US. Go in. Do your thing. You won't regret it. And soon you won't feel "too chubby" to be there.

    I mean, the point of a gym is to get into shape. Even the guys with ginormous muscles probably didn't have those the first day they walked through the doors.
  • jlapey
    jlapey Posts: 1,850 Member
    Honey, don't sweat it. Just get in there and do your thing. Before you know it, you'll be the trim one intimidating all the newbies. Everyone starts somewhere including those at the gym who are now trim. YOU are who the gym is for. You pay the same fee as everyone else. Go get your money's worth.

    There are all shapes and sizes at my gym. I'm not the worst or the best of them and nor shall you be. I'm 5'0", female, 42 yrs old, 30-40 pounds overweight (which is plenty on a 5' frame) and as of last week, I play in the weight room with the big boys. Intimidating? sure it was, but they are actually very accommodating and helpful.
  • jennaworksout
    jennaworksout Posts: 1,739 Member
    yes. and noone gives a damn like another poster said, you are there!! thats the main thing!!! All shapes, ages and sizes are at my gym I was a chubbie once too. If you go it shows your determination and thats a huge step, and once you start going it does give you motivation to keep working at your goal ...and from my personal view, I don't care whos at the gym , I'm there in my workout zone and don't really care about whats going on around me
  • wk9t
    wk9t Posts: 237 Member
    I was about 30 lbs overweight and 63 yearsold when I joined the gym. I didn't worry about how I looked when I started because I was determined to lose weight and look better. I've been going for over a year ... I lost the 30 lbs., plus a few more. Some of the regulars that have seen my progress have complimented me on what I have accomplished ... these are guys that are 30 - 40 years younger than me and very fit.

    I guess the moral of my story is, "Just do it!".
  • hollyk57
    hollyk57 Posts: 520 Member
    Wow - glad the title of this post wasn't insulting in the least :grumble:

    And to answer your question - yes, there's plenty of us chubbies and fatties bouncing around at the gym. There's always going to be trim, fit people that live there, and the rest of us who are trying to get in shape, huffing and puffing and staring perplexed at the equipment because we have no clue how to use it but trying to look like a boss that's adjusting the resistance while secretly reading the instructions. Get over it and just go.
  • lacurandera1
    lacurandera1 Posts: 8,083 Member
    I work out at a college gym since I am on staff at the college. I am in my late 30's and I admit sometimes being around the college age kids makes me self conscious. But really..no one else cares.

    I actually have the college kids ask me about my workout!


    They probably want to know what they need to do to look like you!!!!
  • swordsmith
    swordsmith Posts: 599 Member
    I was 305 and 47 when I went in- I dreaded to shower. Barely did 5 minutes on the elliptical before dieing and I thought everyone was pointing and laughing at me.

    Fast forward 2 years- I am a gym rat. Lift 5 times per week and I know everyone. When new people come in- especially overweight ones- I have to say I now know the regulars dont even notice you. If you stick it out for a couple of months people will notice and then the encouragement will start.

    So basically- no one notices you. Even in the locker room I never hear anyone ever talk about new people re: of weight.
  • auroranflash
    auroranflash Posts: 3,569 Member
    Just go. If anyone looks at you, stare back, and don't blink. They'll think you're crazy and will leave you alone.

    This is handy advice for so many life situations. :smile:

    It really works. See ? ... :indifferent:
  • nikki2001
    nikki2001 Posts: 98 Member
    Yes me! Lol I have been going the past 4 weeks at first it was akward, but really no one is paying attention to you, we are all there to get fit or stay in fit, just go it gets better with time :smile:
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    All gyms have all sorts of people, you are self concious so you are noticing people you percieve as different than you.
    Relax and enjoy.
  • jr1985
    jr1985 Posts: 1,033 Member
    haha Me! I'm one of the porkers at the gym... Honestly I've never had anyone be anything but supportive to myself or any of us other porkers at the gym... I mean... where better for a fat person to be than the gym right? If you are really worried about it... just go early in the morning... definitely an older crowd generally and people are only there to get their work out in and go home... they are too tired to care to criticize anyone else at that time of the day.
  • hellokathy
    hellokathy Posts: 540 Member
    There's this really fat guy at my gym. And I don't mean this in a nasty way, it's just that he is huge, twice my size and I'm already obese. I absolutely love watching him (discreetly!) because he is so dedicated when he's working out. He sweats all over the place and you can see that it's so hard for him not to give up but he just keeps going, even though some idiots will give him "the look". He's one of my biggest inspirations when I'm there. :)

    Anyway, what I was gonna say is you're probably not gonna be the biggest person at your gym. And even when you are, what matters is that you're there to feel better. Everyone with half a brain cell will recognize that and the rest are just idiots.
  • JimLeonardRN
    JimLeonardRN Posts: 296 Member
    Shoot yeah there are chubbies at my gym.....I'm one of them. And I dont worry about what the gym bunnies think about me or what i'm doing. I put the ear buds in and rock out while I'm working out.
  • Juliejustsaying
    Juliejustsaying Posts: 2,332 Member
    just do it...do it for YOU...who cares what others think...you aren't there for them, you aren't there for social hour...you aren't there picking up dates...it isn't a bar. Just do it..

    I'm not the prettiest or tiniest woman at my gym...there are hot guys, old guys, young guys...everyone ... no one talks to me, I dont' talk to anyone...we just do it.

    I'm totally not trying to bust your hump or make you feel bad...just stop giving yourself an out...stop giving yourself an option. I don't give myself an option unless I have a serious migraine or illness. I set the days and I stick to it. If I let myself slide one day I know I'll do it again and again and everything I've worked so hard for will be down the tubes and I'll have to start over.

    Screw your courage to the sticking place - Shakespeare
  • april1445
    april1445 Posts: 334
    It's possible this just isn't the right gym for you. I've belonged to several, and definitely felt more at home at some than others. If it's your only option, just think of this quote: "In a year you'll be glad you started today".
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    Once in a while, when I walk past the hip adductor machine.
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    Yeah, me. That being said, I've also seen a few people who make me look great...in some ways. I remember one guy in particular, probably weighed the better part of 350 pounds, who then proceeded to make me look like a total puss in the squat rack, and on the elliptical. Those of us who have been at the gym long enough have learned that it's never a good idea to judge people by appearance, and it doesn't do anyone any good anyway.

    Worry about yourself, and your workout. The only people you have to worry about 'judging' you based on appearance, are likely people who haven't been in the game long enough to be worth worrying about anyway.
  • SamanthaClarexo
    SamanthaClarexo Posts: 353 Member
    Yep - lots of chubbies at my gym, me included.

    I don't care about what they're doing - I get on with my own thing. In the same way as, I don't care who's looking at me.

    :flowerforyou:
  • justal313
    justal313 Posts: 1,375 Member
    Last year when I started going to the gym I weighed 241 lbs, my BMI was 37.7 which is super duper chubby.

    I could barely manage 15 minutes on the elliptical at about 3mph.

    A year later I weigh 148lbs my BMI is 23.2 (I really need to get a BF% done). I've taken a foot of my waist. I'm running, lifting and when I do get on the ellipticals I can comfortable do 9-10mph for up to an hour (they dont like you on a machine longer than that and really an hour is PLENTY long enough)

    People never bothered me at my heaviest, and there are some rather heavy people I see every day in the gym. I really feel for them because I was there...
  • adamalle
    adamalle Posts: 88 Member
    Yep, several of them at my gym, including myself.

    It's a gym at work, so maybe not a great comparison - but the workplace is big enough for me not to know most of them still.

    I literally don't give a fark if people stare. And equally I don't give a fark what anyone else looks like, I'm not there to pay attention to others. As soon as the earphones go in, the world could implode and I probably wouldn't notice.

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