Shyness working out around people?!?

I feel the exact same way! I've been married for 13 years and won't even exercise in front of my husband! I want to join a gym so badly but feel embarrassed that people will look at me or think what she doing here?! I wish I knew how to get past it!

I have that issue too. I walk around my block at a fast pace and its a large block. I'm sweating quite a bit by the end of it and usually no one is around but sometimes there are and so I quickly cross the street to avoid them. I also work out in the living room when no one is home but the second someone comes over I'm diving into my room to quickly finish it. Same reason I don't have plans to join a gym anytime soon. And when I do it will be a 24 hour gym so I can work out at less popular hours.

Sorry I don't have a cure other than just not caring what others think

Same here! You're definitely not alone. I like to think that it will pass once I lose more weight and feel better about myself. I actually do my walking/jogging at night juts to avoid interaction. Everyone in my neighborhood is way too friendly and there are always people out walking during the day. I'd rather not have to get into huffy puffy, sweaty conversations with them. So I typically walk around midnight a couple times a week, and do the rest of my stuff inside my house, alone, with videos and my stationary bike.

This was part of the reason that i chose to go to the gym at 3:30AM during the week when there weren't as many people. The other reason was no waiting for any equipment i want.
I had been doing this since October when I joined the gym. Sundays I normally went at 5AM, but today I said to hell with that BS, and I just went at about 7:30AM after i woke up and had a nice cup of coffee. I am a lot stronger, and much less fat, and much less self conscious than before, but by no means do I have a body like Charles Atlas, but I don't care.

I've been going to gyms for years and have been in shape up until a couple of years ago. I gained some extra lbs when I quit the gym, but I started the gym again and started using my fitness pal and lost most of the extra weight.

I can honestly say I've never judged someone for trying to better themselves. Everyone I know says they share my views on this matter. To see someone obese or just out of shape at the gym or outside exercising is awesome! I think being at home on the couch is something to be embarrassed about, but definitely not when you're actually doing something to improve your health. Be proud of yourself for making a positive change. I really think it's mostly in your head and I don't think most people are judging you, but if they are, that's really a negative attitude (on thier part) and you shouldn't let that stop you from changing your health and shape for the better.

Most people at the gym are pro health and would encourage others to make a change for the better. I think once you start going often enough to see results, you will be eager to return and you will naturally become more comfortable. You just need to build that confidence. It's probably akward when you're not familiar with the exercises or machines, but you can always stick to the treadmill or something until you feel comfortable enough to venture out. You can even try just one new machine a week until you feel comfortable to add more. Put on your headphones and get into the 'zone'. After you start working up a sweat you won't care who's there. Just remember you're not alone......most people have weight fluctuations throughout thier lives and have been in your shoes to some degree.

I am a big bloke and I had a similar phobia to the OP. When I joined the gym I expected to be greeted with sneers and whispering behind my back because I was a fat guy trying to run on a treadmill.

What I found was quite the opposite. I found the gym is a place I can go and pretty much leave my self conciousness at the door. People tend to just get on with their workouts and pay very little attention to me, that combined with the fact I am focused on what I am doing and the music blasting through my ipod means I stop wondering if people are looking and laughing at me anyway.

I have recently took my training out onto the roads for the C25K and I haven't found the real world quite so welcoming, sneers and laughs from people sat at the bus stop appears to be the norm but because I have built my confidence in the gym it doesn't seem to bother me so much.

Try and find a gym with a free trial and just give it a try, it could be the best thing for your training and your confidence.

This is something I need to over come, I haven't exercised out side because I am scared of people laughing at me.

I wont go to gyms for the same reason.

Back when I started running, I would only do a treadmill so I wouldn't be seen as a sweaty mess out on the roads. And even then, I'd need there to be no one else on any of the other treadmills in the gym at work, so colleagues couldn't point & laugh at me. Fast forward a few years, and after having done many miles both out on the road, and on treadmills in front of people, I can tell you with 100% certainty that people are not there to judge *you* they're judging *themselves*.

It takes time to get used to something outside our comfort zone. I'd strongly recommend some music & earbuds as was mentioned earlier. Best of luck!

Its all mind over matter, i was exactly the same!
I still feel a bit nervous when i first walk into the gym or step out on my own for a walk/ jog!
The best way i got over it was to take a friend with me and laugh it off, people can't judge you when your already laughing at your attempts to clamber on to an exercise bike or any other alien looking gym equipment.
Make it fun and you will soon forget about how self conscious you were, instead of the gym i've taken up Zumba now and its great, i much prefer classes and the group atmosphere, who's going to be thinking bad things about you when theyre in exactly the same position as you, looking to lose a bit of weight.
And if you've tackled exercising in front of your boyfriend, well who cares what any1 else thinks? as for your mum, why not ask her to join in with you?

Its never as bad as your gonna think it is, honestly and once you've got past that embarassment stage you'll start to enjoy yourself, so go for it

I have the same issue as well. In order to remedy that problem, I'll often go with friends and do sets with them. I don't go to the gym as often as I used to simply because I've been doing the p90 workout. I love being able to work out in the comfort of my own home.

If people are watching you exercise it's generally because they're thinking "Damn, I need to do some exercise!!" If you join a gym definitely agree to sticking headphones on and zoning out. And take it easy on yourself - build up to stuff. If you join a gym, just start with light exercise so you don't get too sweaty and self conscious. Then as you realise everyone's focusing on their own workouts, step yours up! I go bright red and sweat like a pig in the gym but I couldn't care less Good luck getting over your shyness and well done on being brave enough to admit it! Definitely a step in the right direction hun xxxxx

Even if it does feel embarrassing and you feel like you're being judged, you probably aren't. Seeing people exercising makes me happy, it's great that they are doing something great for their health! It also may make me start thinking that I should do some exercise if I haven't already.

I do notice that it's harder for me around people I know, but working out in a gym should be be easier since people wouldn't really be watching you (I've only been to hotel gyms though). Going outside to bike, run, or walk is a good confidence booster, all I ever get when people see me is a friendly smile or nod.

Never been a problem, I just exercise.

Most people in a gym could care less about you.

Think about it, we're in an era of epic narcissism. People at the gym are too wrapped up in themselves to notice you.

OP- Do you have a gym you can go to? I know it may seem counter-intuitive to go to a place to work out with others being as how you're self conscious, but I think if you just force yourself to go to a gym you'll find that everyone there is sweating, listening to music, watching the TVs, and generally doing their own thing and not paying attention to anyone else. They won't be judging you because everyone's there for the same reason. The only people that get the hairy eyeball are the goofballs that show up and do everything BUT workout (talk on the phone, chit chat, prance around looking like it's a pickup bar). You will fit right in. I promise.

I agree with this. I find that if you go to a gym, people are much more easy to give support and credit for you just going. Who cares what you look like? Every time I'm there and I see someone who others might make fun of or something, I'll give a smile while they're kicking *kitten* or say hello, just something to make them feel better. I do the same thing on the street too. Don't worry about what others think, they're not worrying about what you think! :flowerforyou: