Overweight and feel awkward at the gym?
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I go to the gym to grow not to show.
I dont notice others, i have a good physique in my opinion but even in summer i wear a hoodie and beanie with headphones on, i dont talk or socialise with others, im there to train.
Find your zone, settle in it, if anyone steps into it drop em like a 200lb dumbbell.
Peace
Well said0 -
I am about to join a gym for the first time in my life - not bad as I'm nearly 65. What makes it easier for me is what my mother used to say... 'I don't know them and they sure don't know me, they have no right to judge but even if they do I don't care!!' Nobody said this journey would be easy - but its worthwhile, thats for sure... Good luck!!0
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I wouldn't let that bother you. Everyone has a reason to be there. If it is for health reason, therapeutic, to lose weight for a event or keep fit. The main goal is to improve your quality of life.. My husband and I are both over the 300 lb mark and we go there to workout. We keep to ourselves, unless a friend comes in and talks to us. If we get stressed, we go to the gym now instead of binge eating.
Keep up the good work.0 -
When I see an overweight person in the gym, my thought is "good for you". You are trying to get healthier. I have mad respect for people like that.
Agree with this completely. I totally understand feeling a bit "awkward" or self-conscious, but I think that's normal, and I think it's a good thing! That way, you'll work harder so that you don't feel that way anymore. Keep it up!!0 -
I recently joined the gym and it's really hard to start going when you feel so unfit and when everyone else seems like they've been doing it forever. But...no one cares, really. People get so into their own workouts that they don't notice anyone else. And everyone's got to start somewhere! Chances are that if they do notice you, they'll just be happy for you that you're there and have started on this journey because so many people don't ever pluck up the courage to go to the gym
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Does anybody else have this problem?!
Only on days that end in Y. 0 -
I have NEVER had a negative thought about overweight people at the gym. Most of the time, I am too focused on my book/ipod/tv to look twice at anyone. If I did happen to notice an overweight person, I would think: good for them, it can't be easy!
In short, don't worry 0 -
Don't forget that a lot of the so-called "skinny & fit" people were once overweight. I go to the gym in cute tight matching outfits but I was once obese ... and in the gym wearing baggy sweats and t-shirts. I was extremely self conscience working out back then.
Now I try to be really friendly with anyone new. I def know what it feels like to be lost and uncomfortable in the gym.
Go to the gym, find exercises or classes that you like, and enjoy your workout! You might even make some friends as well.0 -
Don't even worry. Everyone at the gym is there for one thing really: self improvement. There are plenty of people you don't see who go in there at times you aren't there who probably feel the same way, but the general rule of good gym habits is: you check your ego at the door. Do you work out, make friends if you want to, keep your eye on the prize
...totally, THIS. Nicely said, and pretty much true. Everyone at the gym is paying attention to number ONE. Make eye contact if you want and smile - most people are self consious and looking for a friendly face. Pretty soon, if you stick with it and DO THE WORK, you'll see results, and yet -- will still want improvement.0 -
Congrats on taking this step! I think that when you push yourself outside your comfort zone, you will find that your worries may have been for nothing. Like everyone says, focus on YOU. Psych yourself up, get in the zone...do whatever you need to do the first few times to get there and kick *kitten* at your workout and everything will fall in place.
I have been going to the gym for a while and using the cardio equipment and weight machines. Then I decided to try classes which made me feel awkward. Every class I tried I was so nervous but I thought, "everyone here was new at this once. f&$k this". Now I love classes, especially spin. Yesterday I started a heavy lifting program and I will admit, I was feeling anxiety about venturing over to the "other" side of the gym with all the huge dudes and a few very fit looking women. I just turned up my tunes, got in the zone and did what I went there to do. I actually felt good about myself for facing up to that "fear"...and you will too! Good luck!0 -
The good thing about joining a gym is that you are joining for the right reason. People are drawn to and would rather be around sincere people and people who are there for the right reason. If you enjoy working out in the gym, and keep going - sometimes if you just say something nice to the people at the gym, the person checking you in, the towel person, the trainer, and make that your first goal, (Thank you is a scarce saying these days unfortunately) you will be amazed how the atmosphere is more conducive to encouragement to come back.
this is VERY true. I have noticed that the trainer who works M-F morning at my local Y definitely notices me and I am still 50lbs over weight. 90% of the time he says *something* even if it is "hey, how you doin?". A few times he has made comments like "you're getting a late start today, aren't you?" ( I was!), or cracked a joke. This summer the running joke was how many days til school started--about once a week I would walk in and greet him with "hey Justin--(insert number) days!"
and certain other members have come up and said something to me too. Haven't seen him in a while, and I am kinda worried, but one day I was leaving and this big buff black guy ( I'm short, fat and casper-white) made an encouraging comment. Another time, 2 grandmotherly women were on the treadmill next to me and mentioned that they had noticed that I was there VERY regularly ( like 3-4 times a week for 4-5 months)0 -
Does anybody else have this problem?! I am starting a weights for women class at my school's rec center tomorrow, and while I am excited about getting back into working out and learning how to use weights the right way, I'm nervous about it. I feel like I will stick out like a sore thumb among all the skinny sorority girls that seem to spend all their time in the gym. Anybody else ever deal with this and/or have some ways that you learn to deal with it? I do not want to let this discourage me from going to the gym.
PS- Just as you don't want to be judged, I am sure the "skinny sorority girls" wouldn't want to be judged, either. You never know someone's past or what they have been through to get where they are today. Just my 2 cents.0 -
maybe its the gym I go to but Ive only ever seen a cuople of nearly perfect bodies! I doubt anyone is worried about the other person beside them its certainly nice when someone is friendly with a smile or a nod ! I think thats so much more important than what anyone weighs!0
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Couldn't agree more. It's good when you see people who've stuck at it and you can really notice their weight loss.When I see an overweight person in the gym, my thought is "good for you". You are trying to get healthier. I have mad respect for people like that.0 -
firstly, the only people staring will be in your imagination, so ignore that! and there aren't only skinny girls at the gym. trust me on that. all sorts of people go, men, women, all shapes and sizes. it'll be so much fun! it's just nerves. go there, focus on yourself and what you want to get out of it, and it'll be over with, and you'll want to do more!0
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At first it may seem that way ; but If they are good people, they will root you on without making you feel separate at all. Plus, guys dig a girl trying to get in shape. Trust me
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I started at a local gym a couple months ago and almost everyone was fit. Not to mention it was raided with **** disel guys... I let it be enough to discourage me and I ended up putting on +6 more lbs its not worth it. Besides when I got over it and realized I was there for a reason ie. myself. They ended up being very supportive and fun to be around. -Good Luck0
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Yeah, I did feel awkward at the gym. I got over it, got in shape, and now feel completely comfortable there. The gym is a place where people go to improve their bodies. If you feel like you're the only overweight person who's ever set foot there, you're wrong If you go regularly, you won't feel awkward anymore. 0
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Did at first but as I got to know the gym and the people in it now I feel right at home and the more you go the more at home you will feel. This awkwardness is temporary trust me.0
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I would not worry at all! It's an amazing accomplishment to take the steps to make a better you! I always felt uncomfortable to be there but knew I was bettering myself. And once I put my head phones in I was in my own little world. I love seeing people at the gym that aren't super skinny and fit. It just made me proud of them and myself for trying to doing something good for ourselves! you go!0
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Do you KNOW those people? if not, then why care what they think? You are there for the same reason they are, to better yourself. They are just a bit further along in their journey than you are in yours. You'll get there, if you don't let things that don't matter get in your way. Do what you HAVE to. You'll be far more respected than you would be if you didn't.0
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I have this problem too. I have really bad anxiety when I go to the gym. It sucks and sometimes I can't even get out of my car. I wish there was something that I could do to stop this because I actually like to work out.
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How do you know these 'skinny sorority girls' don't actually think 'good on her' when they see an overweight person go to the gym?
How do you know some of these women weren't in your shoes a year ago?
Either way, you shouldn't let what anyone else thinks interfere with your weight loss. You are doing it for you, no-one else. And to be honest, more often than not, they are too busy doing their own thing to pay any attention to anyone else.
I agree with this 100%.
As a 'skinny sorority girl' myself (who was ANYTHING but skinny a yeah and a half ago) when I see other girls in the gym who are overweight I am proud of them and think wow good for them and think nothing but positive thoughts about ANYONE looking to better themselves and become healthy.
Who cares what others think of you at the gym - you are there for yourself and no one else! Get in the gym and kick butt girl!0 -
I stepped foot into a gym yesterday for the first time in about 20 years...and loved it. I went with my son, who wants to get back into lifting since he hasn't been able to lift much since he graduated high school last May. I'll be going with my wife after work tonight.
Just like everything else, it's a mindset you have to have. Why do you want to go to the gym? To work out...hmmm...imagine that, that's why EVERYONE else there. So, right from the beginning you have something in common. Some of those people are even eager to share the knowledge they have learned, if you just ask.
I probably stared more at other people then they stared at me. I watched a guy work out and said to myself, "When I grow up into a big strong boy, I want to be able to do that!"
I realized how much I missed the gym and this morning, with my sore muscles and all, I realized I can't wait to go back and make other parts of my body sore.
It's only going to be as fun as you make it. You're in this for you, and when you get where you want to be, you're going to be the one the new "fat" kid is worried about when they walk into the gym for the first time.0 -
Honestly the worst feeling ever is to walk into the gym to get started - again and all of these buff women are looking at me and wondering if I'm going to hurt myself. Once I get started on my routine I lose track of them completely. The weights and my routine take up all my thoughts.0
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I used to feel like that too. I thought all eyes were on me but I realized that how would I know if they are watching me if I wasn't watching them? And for the most part everyone has their own thing going on. My husband would always tell me that don't worry about anyone else.
A side note...I love to Salsa dance and the tables turn for my husband. He always feels that people are watching him. I explained to him that no one is watching and that people are into their own thing. If they are watching it usually means we are awesome! 0 -
I had this issue - especially because our only local gym is at the college. I have it every time I consider going to the gym, but it goes away when I'm there. Good music, headphones, and I'm good to go.0
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Put in your headphones and work out to a motivating playlist - if I have good music, I completely forget about anything around me. It also helps the time pass! And try not to worry about what anyone else is thinking - you are there to help YOURSELF and should be proud of that! 0
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NEVER let anyone make you feel like @$#% at the gym! You made the hardest decision and decided to get up and do something. Anyone who has the balls to mock/snicker/point while you're busting your hump at the gym is a soulless &@*#. No one steps into the gym ripped and in the best shape of their lives. It takes time and dedication to get results. I was 300 pounds when I first started and I'll admit, the first week did feel humbling and a bit embarassing. It wasn't because of the looks I was getting from other members, but because I had let myself go this far. I'll say this though, those same people that used to look at me funny and smirk are still stuck in the same rut they were when I started while I've dropped from 300 to 243 and continue to drop. Keep going and don't look back! One of my favorite motivational lines from a favorite song of mine.
By my own command.
To be vehement, remain confident.
Doubt me, Hate me
You're the inspiration I need
You're all the inspiration I need.
Your doubt, it fuels me.
Your hate, it drives me.
The challenge ignites me.
You make me fight harder.0
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