Joining the gym.. how can I overcome my embarrassment??

I felt like this at first too but just remember everyone had to start somewhere. Nobody in that place was born with a rocking bod and to any of the people who judge you for being there, screw them. You are bettering yourself and you deserve that. Don't let anyone keep you from that. Keep your head high and go get that body you want!!

I know, I had belonged to a gym believe it or not, for 19 years before I really used my membership. The rest of my family used it, but it just wasn't for me. I finally got to the point where after dieting unsuccessfully for 19 years that I HAD to do something different. I bit the bullet and walked into of all things, a SPIN class! I honestly thought during the first 30 minutes of the class of every way imaginable that I could walk out and not embarrass myself, but I didn't do it. After 30 minutes, I got into that exercise "groove" and then POOF, the class was over and I DID it! I kept going back and back and now I do all kinds of classes there.

The other day, we were driving along and my extremely fit 16 yr. daughter saw an overweight man jogging and she said, "I love it when I see people like him jogging. If HE can do it, then that gives me motivation to keep going at track practice!" WHOAAAAA!!!! What!?

When I see overweight people at the gym and they are truly working to their best potential, they are an inspiration to me too. Nobody is perfect, we all have issues. Some people's issues are just more obvious than other people's. Go for it. Walk into a class, go back, go back again, and again, and again. You. Can. Do. It.

Your embarrassment is the reason you are going to the gym. Anyone there who judges you, well, they're not there for the right reason. The reason to go to a gym is to work out, get a healthy body, keep in shape. That is exactly the reason you are there. You are going for YOU, not for the other people there, and what they think DOES NOT MATTER.

Just go. The people in there are all trying to do the same thing as you. Who knows, some were probably in your situation at one point. I know I look a lot different than I did 70 lbs ago. Go and then go again tomorrow.

The classes at the gym are full of people of all age, shape and size and people are too busy watching the Instructor to notice anyone else. Select a class that you think looks fun and go for it. If you do feel that anyone else is looking at you, so what? You're doing something for your health so balls to what other people think. Good luck

Your embarrassment is the reason you are going to the gym. Anyone there who judges you, well, they're not there for the right reason. The reason to go to a gym is to work out, get a healthy body, keep in shape. That is exactly the reason you are there. You are going for YOU, not for the other people there, and what they think DOES NOT MATTER.

EXACTLY

Most people are either worried about how they are being viewed, their own workout or some combo of both. Those who are looking and making judgement on you are very very few and are acting on their own insecurities. They don't like the way you workout or look like when you workout, remember this, they didn't give you a Christmas card last year, they aren't going to give you one this year, so why should you care about them?

Just go do it! To be successful in this journey I truly believe you need to start to care about yourself more than any other person and prioritize doing the things that will help you succeed. For possibly the very first time put yourself and your needs first! Next, understand that no one at a gym is focused on you only themselves so you can stop stressing. You will earn respect from other gym members who see you come and work hard and begin to get results. Just do it and ask the gym staff for help in you're efforts. good luck!

At the gym I go to, I go during several different times of the day and I have yet to see anyone who is bigger than me that works out there.It does make me feel a certain way. When I work out with my trainer, I do see other people staring at me and sometimes I do want to quit the gym because I don't like people judging me. But what keeps me going is when I'm working out with the trainer and I do exercises that are extremely difficult for me, i usually have other people tell me that I'm doing a good job or to keep working hard. That motivates me and I ignore the other people who are judging. Don't worry about anyone else. Go to the gym to work on your goals and focus on that and forget the other stuff. Good luck to you!

You just need to get over yourself and go. Everyone has to start somewhere, so grow some balls and walk in that gym like you own the place. I was scared when I joined last year too, but if I let my fears defeat me, I would still be sitting here today crying about being fat. I go before work, and there is hardly anyone there. You might want to consider going during off hours so you feel more confident. When you decide to take that big step, do it with confidence. If you don't know what you're doing, fake it til you make it. And please don't be a cardio only bunny. Give the weights a go! You'll see more progress with weights than you will with cardio only. Trust me on this, I've been there and done that, and now I know better.

I run early when it is dark so I go to a fitness club and run on a treadmill. I get motivation as I am running from watching people work out, and a couple people who motivate me the most are very overweight like you describe yourself. I say go and work hard and motivate the people around you! Work hard and you will look awesome the first day, even before you have dropped one pound. People will totally respect you, and if any don't then they are losers and not worth thinking about.

I so felt like this at the beginning, but, I put together a playlist, took my music player, put my earplugs in and just went for it. I am sure a lot of folks were amused or grossed out, I didn't really care. Now 50 lbs later from that decision one of the guys at the gym told me he is incredibly impressed by my progress, WooHoo. I don't think he figured I would stick when I first came in and signed up, lol.

When I see really heavy people at the gym working out the only thing that goes through my mind is "Good for them! They are being proactive and doing something" and I just feel PROUD of them, even though I don't know them. You can do this, I just know it!

Oh I felt just like this for years. I refused to go to the gym because I was scared of being the biggest and not fitting in with all the skinny, make up wearing, half naked, young things. I had an image in my head of what the gym would be like and it terrified me!

I went for the first time ever (years ago I had been to classes but not the actual gym) the other day with a friend. I could have vomited with nerves! It wasn't too busy (choose your times well to start off with) and you know what? No one looked at me. Or if they did I was too busy working out to notice. I am now addicted and love it. All it took was making that first step. I'm so annoyed with myself that I let fear overwhelm me for all that time.

I first walked into a gym weighing 375lbs.

I held my head high, and concentrated on doing what I needed to. Inside, I cried with embarrassment, but outwardly I kept my composure.

OK I'm still a long way from goal, but walking in there now really doesn't bother me - I also swim whenever I can.

Everyone is there for the same reason - to improve their fitness levels - no matter what your size or appearance, you ARE the same as the person next to you.

Chin up and go get'em!