Going to the gym tomorrow...

2»

Replies

  • zmoreno10
    zmoreno10 Posts: 69 Member
    As many (including yourself) have said, Who cares? Seriously, if somebody gives you a look, give 'em a look right back!
  • Rawr1978
    Rawr1978 Posts: 245 Member
    Honey I need you to have a seat after you get through with the treadmill seriously. Only your self-concious self would feel this way. **** anyone who has anything to say. Like are you going to allow someone who doesn't give you any at night,pay any bills or anything of value in your life stop you because they looking. No! And if they are staring give them something to stare at..

    haha this is pure awesome.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    I can honestly say I have never looked at anyone at the gym and thought "why are they here". There is one guy who was over 400 lbs (he's lost around 190 lbs). He actually inspires me more than anyone else I see at the gym, including my friend who competed in a national bodybuilding competition. He inspires me so much, I started following his blog. He also posted about thinking similar things you do, which I find is funny because I think pretty much the opposite.
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    I started working out at a gym (24 hour fitness) when I was morbidly obese. I never noticed anyone looking at me funny. About a month into my membership, the spin instructor (who had probably seen me on the elliptical every day of that month) came and personally asked me to give her class a shot. I would have waited a long time to try a spin class because I was so out of shape. But, she taught me how to take class at my own pace and I've made so much progress. It gave me the confidence to try other classes, and instructors showed me modifications when necessary. I can totally rock spin class now and can also run, swim, lift, jump... tons of things I wasn't able to do or comfortable doing in the past.

    I think it would have been hard to overcome negativity, and I was lucky and found none at my gym. In fact, people comment all the time on all the progress I've made, and it feels terrific. I hope you have a similar experience, but if you are unlucky, just stick with it. Eventually, people will see that you are working hard and are dedicated to making positive changes. If it still sucks after a few months, look at other gyms in the area that might be more welcoming.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    Nobody will notice anything. I would say just make sure your hubby helps with the gym etiquette. That's all we care about. :)
  • marceguerrero
    marceguerrero Posts: 27
    Anytime I see someone overweight at the gym (including myself) I think 'good for them' and am usually impressed at how hard they're working. go for it I know you'll feel fantastic for doing your best x

    DITTO!!!!
  • KarmaxKitty
    KarmaxKitty Posts: 901 Member
    There's this girl at our uni's rec center who HAS to be over three hundred pounds. And whenever I see her there she's puffing along on the treadmill, not very fast, but always for at least an hour. And I'm always mentally applauding her. Some of the really tiny sorority cookie cutter types (they're the stereotypes you see in movies) give her nasty looks out of the corner of their eyes, but this girl is doing more work than they are honestly. The other girls go in, do fifteen minutes on the elliptical, stretch, then leave. Don't worry about what OTHER people are thinking. YOUR workout is YOURS. :heart:
  • sullrico18
    sullrico18 Posts: 261 Member
    Honestly, I'm the type of person who wouldn't think twice. I wouldn't really even notice that they were really overweight unless someone pointed it out to me. And then, I would probably do the "who the hell cares?" kind of deal. If anything, more power to em. I mean, isn't that what people go to the gym for a lot of the time; to lose weight? You have to start somewhere.

    This! :-)
  • Rawr1978
    Rawr1978 Posts: 245 Member
    If you secretly think that some buff jerk is going to start pointing and giggling- that doesnt happen.
  • Everythin2Lose
    Everythin2Lose Posts: 110
    Don't let anyone put you off going... I'm still on my journey and a lot of people at my gym are on the same journey and they are rocking it!
    I'm NOT a small girl and when I see the really big ladies (I got to a ladies gym) I am so proud of them for getting there! The gym is an intimidating environment if you let it be- but you get there and you do what needs to be done! It's also really amazing to see that "big" girl putting everything into it (when I bother looking- usually in my own world watching tv or listening to music while I'm sweating up a puddle!) and I use it as inspiration- If she can do this SO CAN I!
    So go! Have Fun! Be an Inspiration! x
  • blakejohn
    blakejohn Posts: 1,129 Member
    how was your trip to the gym
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    So! I am going to the gym tomorrow for the first time in long time, my husband will be joining me. However, I am really nervous about it because I feel weird being so overweight and going to the gym. I really want to be able to use the lap pool, I used to be an avid swimmer on a swim team for years when I was a teenager but the thought of being around all the good looking in swim suits is starting to feel like a deterrent the night before I am supposed to go. I also am afraid to look straight silly trying to use the machine when I am so big, or even taking a run with all the jiggling and what not!

    My husband, who is more of a workout buff then me and knows a lot more will have no problem showing me HOW to use the equipment, which is nice, so that's not really the problem. I am more concerned about the looks from other people and feeling self conscience. Now, I know the general rule is, who gives a crap what others think, but the fact is I do. I shouldn't, but I do.

    My question to all you gym users: do you ever see someone who is obviously overweight at the gym and wonder why the heck are they there or bothering to be there? Is it generally true the gym tends to be for the in shape people and not so much over weight? For anyone overweight and going to the gym now, do you ever feel this way, and if so, how the heck did you get past it?

    I am going to go, regardless of feeling insanely self conscience because my health depends on it at this point but I hate the fact that I feel so weird walking in there.

    Also, totally new to using the message boards so hope I did it in the right place, and if not, my apologies!

    10 months ago I was in your shoes. I am only 5'2" tall, and I was 95 pounds overweight. I spent 2 weeks doing nothing but treadmill, and after 30 minutes I was dripping with sweat. After 2 weeks I asked the trainer to show me how to use a few of the machines...every few weeks I would try another machine. I now use 90% of the machines, including the assisted pull up/triceps dip.

    A few weeks ago a lady who looked to weigh 300+ pounds was watching me, and she made the comment that she had not tried the pull ups yet...so I helped her do a few! One day last week *I* asked a lady I have seen around how to use one of the leg presses in the weights area--today I pressed 188lbs--just 10lbs less than I weigh!!

    I'm still fat, but I have lost my "back boobs"...my thighs are lean enough that hubby cannot pinch them...and I have definition in my biceps and delts. Not bad for a girl who still has 40 pounds to lose before she crosses the line from obese to overweight! I never would have achieved this if I let what people *think* keep me from doing what needs to be done at the gym.

    the trainer recognizes me now, and is comfortable enough to crack jokes. Today he smiled at me when I walked in wearing my penguin and snowflake PJ pants ( over my workout shorts). Several of the other members recognize me and we chat occasionally...
  • justtodayjen333
    justtodayjen333 Posts: 142 Member
    You know, just starting out at the gym is hard. Everything is new. You're not sure how to use the equipment. You're not sure where things are. But it gets easier! It really does! And it starts feeling comfortable! And you start wanting to do more! When I first started going to the gym, I just walked on the treadmill and maybe did a little elliptical. The best thing I did was attend the orientation class that my gym offered--gave me great ideas for how to even use the equipment--but honestly it took me over a year to do this. Go at your own pace! When I'm there, I have my headphones on and am focused on what I'm doing. The only time I might notice you is if you jump on the treadmill next to me and you stink--I just hate that!--I'm thinking of two guys--don't know if it's just guys. I'm rambling! Go to the gym. It will get easier! And wear the swim suit. Do what you love! Ok -- I'm out!:)
  • Jeanlk4
    Jeanlk4 Posts: 18
    So sorry I've forgot to reply! I went to the gym and its been great! Everyone there is so nice and honestly I feel comfortable when I go in. Love 24 hour fitness! I've gone almost everyday now for the last 3 weeks (on Monday that is) and I'm 5 pounds down!

    Thanks for all the encouragement, it was really helpful!
  • imaginaryplaces
    imaginaryplaces Posts: 123 Member
    That's great to hear! And congratulations on losing 5 lbs!
  • losindood
    losindood Posts: 36 Member
    Try to let go of worrying about what others may or may not be thinking about you. Celebrate the fact that you made the decision to make a positive action in your life. Anybody who thinks anything else isn't worth your energy.

    Good job for going! I know it's not easy initially.
  • wixy15
    wixy15 Posts: 19
    I felt pretty much the same as you when I started, but don’t let pride get in your way.

    Now I’m a hardened gym goes and fairly fit, when I see overweight people at the gym I cheer them on in my own head. Sometimes I feel their pain but want to tell them to keep going as it does get easier and become more enjoyable.
  • candirose69
    candirose69 Posts: 149
    Just got home from the gym...

    There was a very over weight woman new to our class today and all I could think was "Wow, good for you!" I know she didn't know it but I felt really proud of her to take that step. It was very difficult for me and I was half her size when I started (still a chubby bubby though :D)

    Try and think how proud you're gonna be in 2, 8, 10, 50 weeks from now when all those people see your progress, you could be an inspiration to them and yourself

Categories