Is it wrong?

I don't go to a gym, but if I'm at the park running, I definitely appreciate any sincere encouragement. Even a nod or smile is refreshing.

You will probably find, as with most things, some people will really appreciate it and others will flash you a dirty look.

I was that fat girl and I would have LOVED a sincere word of encouragement, even a knowing smile. It would have been such a sigh of relief to know I wasn't being judged for once! That I was being acknowledged as a real person with real feelings, not a robot in a fat suit.

So I DO make sure to smile at people, tell them to keep going and that they're doing great. :]

Skinny, fat, in between... we're all changing our lives and when I see someone with the strength to get out there and do something, I make sure to let them know I notice.

They always smile back.

I love that you asked the question! I'm very obese myself and just starting this journey again. I don't brave the gym yet, and I dread the thought of being the fat, sweaty, heavy breathing chick amongst all the fit people (or people more fit than I am that is). The thought just embarrasses the heck out of me even though mentally i know that it doesn't matter, that i'm not trying to impress anyone, that at least i would be doing something about "it"....

Technically i'm not gym shy at all, i used to work out regularly in my younger years, so it's not that i'm just afraid to try it, but i can honestly say there's a huge difference in how friendly people are and the way you are looked at when you are fit vs. fat. If people would look at me with respect for getting healthy and give me support, i would so be there now!!

I really can't imagine anyone being mad if you offered encouragement with a "way to go". If more people would recognize that it's a great thing for overweight people to be crowding the gyms and were supportive since we're all working towards better health, there'd probably be a lot less sedentary people around!

Well, I've been complimented at the gym before. The person giving me the complement seemed to think that I was new to exercise. I just said thank you. But the personal trainer I was working out with was appalled because she knew how far I had already come. She said that many of her clients are insulted when people complement them and tell them to keep up the great work. I do think it's a bit condescending. And you probably wouldn't complement someone in a healthier weight range the same way. My personal trainer told me that she has actually taken some people aside to ask them to stop complimenting her clients because it is upsetting to some people who have already lost a great deal of weight.

I think I will take the approach of giving a nod or smile instead of actually saying something. I suppose if I saw that person in the locker room, I might be more inclined to say something, but I dunno. I'm not really a forward person. Thanks for all the comments guys!

I don't think it's being forward, but if I think the timing is important for what you say. If others here the convo etc..

I think alot of people always welcome "Hey I've seen you doing great the last little while or your doing a great job"
A confidence booster, and realizing that someone has noticed is a great feeling.

There's definitely a fine line here. If someone were to say something to me, I'd be upset. I'm very selfconscious and would automatically feel like I was standing out and obviously struggling. I think the point earlier about how people wouldn't necessarily comment to someone more svelte is a big one. Unless you know the person, I'd stick to a smile.