Gym embarrasment?

You are not the only one who's fuller and at the gym I promise. You just have to get out there and do it. I find that going to a public gym is a big motivator because everyone is working hard and sweating, so I have to do something. I'd get a membership, sometimes when you work out at home, and don't have people around you, you don't work out to your fullest. Hope this helps!

just do what you want to do and dont worry about it..

You know what I do? I put on my ipod really loud and I don't look at anyone else. I usually make a plan of what I'm gonna do ahead of time and just go to my machines, do my work, and leave.

And I want you to know that the only people who are judging you are the people who aren't willing to work as hard as you or who have never had to work that hard. Whenever I see someone bigger than me at the gym, the only thing I'm thinking is "Good for them" and I shoot them a mental high-five.

Don't ever let what you *think* other people think of you get in the way of your goals. Chances are, they're thinking the exact same thing. Go for it!

i am totally the same. after 4 months ive finally come around to the idea of gym working out and i'm stoked. i had a test run when i was on vacation and was working out in a gym, a chick walked in and i felt embarassed for a quick second but then go back to work. if anything someone else (who was smaller than me of course) being there and being able to see me made me work harder. in my crazy head i was thinking, she might think im a fatty but at least i'm working my *kitten* off as hard as i can! lol idunno, that kind of worked as a crazy motivator for me

When I joined our Y 4 years ago, I was 260lbs. I'm 5'4". I felt the same way you do. But one day I finally decided that I really could care less what anyone else thought of the fat girl on the treadmill. I was there to get healthy and while I may not have cared before about my weight, I did at that moment and I was doing something about it.
Those thin girls? The majority of them are stressing too about what they look like.
Go and have fun!

I'm a bigger gal, and I use the gym at my university ( and you probably know how college guys can be). I just put in my headphones and do my workout, ignoring everyone around me. Even if they're thinking whatever you're afraid of them thinking, they're not going to say anything. And if they do, you won't hear them because you've got your music going, and you're too busy working out.

This is my advice to you........ Remember this.... Everyone has a "day 1"....... then a "day 2".........and a "day 3"...........and so on.............and so on..........and so on.
You get the picture?

We all had to start somewhere...
it isn't where you've been, it's where you're going that counts...
and if you are 'going' to the gym, you are miles ahead of those sitting on the couch, too self conscious to help themselves!!


p.s. My lil' bit of psychology on this? It is your self consciousness that has likely been the culprit to your weight gains all along... don't you think it's time to conquer that beast and take back control of your life?? Jus sayin'

Don't be embarrased or ashamed. It's hard for anyone to try anything new, and I think you're an inspiration. I love seeing people in the gym work toward their goals...whether it's to lose weight, gain weight, rehab injuries, etc. If someone is judging you because you're trying to better yourself, they have mental issues they should be working on before they even worry about their body.

I started bigger. I'm now smaller than I was, but still bigger than most.

I swear to you, nobody ever even looked at me sideways. I personally never notice anyone, fat or thin, at the gym unless (a) I need to cycle in with them on a machine or bar (b) they're gross and don't clean up after themselves (c) they wear way too much cologne. Just go in there and do your thing. If anyone does look at you, smile/grimace at them and go back to doing your thing. Everyone else is either there to work, or not even worth thinking about!

Some of the people working out used to be big When I started at the Gym I was to heavy to weigh in and they estimated my weight the scale only went to 350 but I kept at it and have lost alot of weight and appreciate the bigger people working out because I know how serious I was to keep going.
So you go and do your thing and you will earn their respect as well

Despite being a guy, not being very young anymore, and being overweight I do feel self conscious at the gym when surrounded by groups of giggling teenagers and intense-looking bodybuilder types.

So joined a 24 hour gym and try to go when most people are at work (I have a sliding work schedule).

Have you considered a gym like "Curves" or another gym aimed at women and people who aren't "muscle heads" - you might fell less self conscious there?

You need to walk into that gym like you own it! It's YOUR gym! (Just don't spot anyone on your 1st day)

the gym, and all public exercise outlets (especially the pool) terrify me. i let it get in the way of my going for too long. my constant mantra is that no matter what anybody thinks, i am trying, and that says something positive about me. also helps if i can paste on my '**** you' face for an hour or however long it takes. i suffer from social anxiety disorder to boot and really if we don't go we are doing ourselves a disfavour... you only got one life to live, so don't let the jusdgement of other people cramp your style (easier said than done i know!!)

I go to a smaller gym in a smaller community (not in a big city). I find that everyone is very supportive, I used to be the person walking around trying to figure out how it works, now I am the person that helps the lost souls!

Go and talk to the owners and ask to meet some of the trainers and maybe some of the patrons too. People at gyms come in all shapes and sizes and have all kinds of goals and agendas and I have never heard anyone comment or stare. We have two guys that come and walk on the treadmills wearing jeans and leather jackets and we are all like 'whatever!'

It was funny you posted this today - this morning I was working out and a lady who must be around 300 lbs came in - it was her first day. I wondered how she must be feeling so I gave her a big sweaty smile.....and I noticed that everyone else around me was smiling at her too. Rather than judge, I know we all felt pleased that she was joining our fitness journey.