Embarrassed to Exercise

I don't think people judge you..... I think you judge you. You know what..... you are worth it, you are worth the effort to loose the weight and be healthy and happy.

I know how it is! I am the chubby girl with my friends and at work (why am I surrounded by these fitness magicians??) and the embarrassment of trying to excercise in public used to keep me from going to my FREE work gym and jogging on the beach, so to say the least it was pretty crippling I'm swedish and quite pale and turn bright red with even the littlest effort so I thought people would be judging me the whole time abuot how "exhausted" I looked. But one day I just took a deep breath (the same day I tipped 225lbs), said "Screw it, let them judge me, they aren't worth my effort if they do" and went to the gym. And it was tough the first couple days!! But then I learned that people at the gym are usually "been there, done that" and really willing to help if you have any questions. Most don't judge, they are just genuinely happy to see someone trying to turn their life around!!

I say, take the plunge, it really really is worth it and now I adore the gym! I've managed to keep going 3-4 times a week for two months, still beet red, and down 14 lbs! You will be there just for you and only you!!

OOPS posted twice

I felt the same way but the truth is you just gotta do what is best for you.....screw what everyone else thinks

When I see overweight people working out I actually give them props because its hard to start/get into a good habit like working out and eating right

This was soooo me at the gym 2 months ago!!! My face gets really really red when I workout doing anything! I don't even run! I found the main reason I thought I was being judged or watched at the gym was because I do this to others :laugh: I think wow, that person is really really in shape, I wish I could look like her, wow I wish I could workout and not have a bright red face which makes my pores the size of nickles, why can everyone else not have a red face but I do, I wonder if people are looking at my butt when I workout alot :laugh: and you know why, I look at people's butts and wonder what exercise I can do to make mine better... :laugh: I'm a weirdo I know. Anyway, I don't think people are laughing at you at all. Everyone out to exercise all have pretty much the same goals... to get or stay in shape. We all have to start at the bottom and work our way towards our goals. It's much harder to get in shape than to maintain it! So in my mind, I'm always working harder than someone with no weight to lose. I don't run for now, you know why? It makes me feel bad about myself! It really does! I juggle, can't breath and my knees hurt. For now I use the stair stepper and eliptical.

Working out at home is great, and you will feel comfy and like you have nothing to prove to the world (I love these workouts they are awesome) But I also feel (for me anyway) that getting out there are working out around other people will teach you people are not as mean and judgy as you may think. Not only has working out in a gym been great for me physically (I say gym because that's the "public" place I choose to workout) but also emotionally. It builds confidance and really gets you out of your shell. I however do workout alone. I don't work out with friends or my husband, I find I get a better workout alone. I did lunges on the gym track the other day, I almost fell on my face! :laugh: My thought is "whatever, we all start somewhere".

I really hope you can find your self confidance to feel comfortable in any situation including working out :flowerforyou:

This is why I love working out at the pool. Everyone looks ridiculous in their swim gear! Swim caps and goggles don't look good on anyone.

When I worked out at the gym I always felt self conscious. I couldn't focus. So I started to do work outs on my own like bike riding and playing my Wii Fit Plus. I never tried DVD work outs, but that's an option, too, if you have gym anxiety. Swimming works for me because I feel safe at the pool. It's a matter of finding a work out and a place to do it where you feel comfortable and motivated.

hanr,
1) Looking at your pics, I would never think "fat girl".
2) If you saw a big ol' fatty working their butt off, would you be like: HaHAA :laugh: or go: Damn, :drinker: I need to get my act in gear ?
3) People at the gym are too worried about getting a good work out or checking out the hotties to focus on anything else.

This is kind of like dancing. Most of us are nervous about dancing, 'cause we're afraid everyone else is watching, and judging, and laughing at us. But the reality is that unless you are really outlandishly flopping like a fish, nobody is watching you. They're all too busy in their own empty, shallow little heads thinking "everyone is looking at me,,, be careful, don't look like a dork", same as you are (and I am too,,, hehehe).

I'll bet skinny girl on the next treadmill is thinking "OMG!!! They're all staring at my sweat/split endz/jigglebutt/dirty sneakers!!!"

You paid your money and you went through the silly gym orientation and you have as much right to be there and do your thing as anybody else. Joke 'em if they can't take a screw. :laugh:

Don't even worry about that. Everyone things that someone else is judging them at the gym no matter what you look like or who you are. This morning and most mornings I worry about people thinking that my hair looks bad. I have short curly hair, that is thin, so I get a terrible case of bed head and being that its curly I can't just brush or comb it, I would have to wet it conditionit, put product in it and defuse dry it with a hair dryer. But in all reality who cares if the pretty girl at the gym has better hair that isn't what you are there for. You are there to work on yourself. Block out what you think others are thinking about you because in all likelyhood they aren't even thinking that. They are there working on themselves too, thus too focused. Plus its not high school in the gym, people won't be mean.

So go out there and exercise your heart out! :flowerforyou:

Yeah forget about it - just ignore that thought b/c it's a lie. Everyone who isn't used to going to the gym has that feeling at first but it passes the more you go. Honestly everybody in the gym is really focused on trying to improve their fitness or the way they themselves look and really wishing that what they are doing there will really pay off for them in the future. We've all got some kind of inadequacy that embarrasses us in the gym, for instance in my case, I'm embarrassed by how little weight I can lift, feels like I'm a wimp, but you know what, I'm at the gym to improve that about myself.

And I'm sure the big muscle-bound guy or fit girl over there probably has some issue with herself that is bothering her just as much so they're not even noticing you. Just don't leave a mess or sweat all over the equipment and walk away without cleaning it, y'know common courtesy. Don't worry, once you get comfortable over there you'll be showing up in your pajamas with your hair in a mess and you won't care.

Everyone is equal at the gym, we're all people so self-absorbed with our physical health and fitness that we are actually spending time moving our muscles back and forth in silly contraptions that mimic movements that we should be doing naturally in our day to day lives. It's really quite ridiculous when you think about it.

I often have a gym buddy that I go with, and even though he's rail thin and doesn't need cardio, he still toughs out all the cardio I need to do just to keep me company. I dont feel like my friend is judging me, mostly because I'm getting off my butt and doing something about my weight, unlike all of our other friends who are overweight.

Another thing that helps me deal with being in public is just realizing how rediculous everyone looks. Not just me. Everyones doing it so if I see someone staring at me or something, i just try to laugh about how dumb they look. But usualy I dont really run into any snobs at my gym, thankfully.

I know how you feel. I'm embarrassed to exercise in front of my significant other. I think he'll see me struggling/hear me breathing loudly and think -wow- what a fatty. So I don't do much exercise at home. Other than yoga- which we do together. I joined an all women's gym and that helps a lot! I just look at the person next to me and use their speed as motivation! I can do that! Also the ipod helps! Lots of good grooving tunes to get your mind off of it! You can do it, girl! I'm sure that quote is right- no one is even paying attention to what you're doing- they're probably in their own little world.

I used to feel that way but the high I got from exercising was way more important than what people thought of me! Also, even to this day when I see a "big" person exercising I never think nasty thoughts. I always think " man, I'm jealous or look at them, way to go." Most people see others exercising and bettering themselves and feel happy for them. And I'll tell you what, I used to be that skinny girl in the gym and I felt just as self -conscience until I realized no one was looking at me. Most people only care about themselves. You just be proud of all the hard work you are putting in and don't give anyone else another thought. You are doing this for you, not them. And who cares if you can't keep up with your girl friends. It's not a race, it's your health and your life. Keep up the great work and you will see awesome results. You can do it!!!

I can relate some, I'm not so co ordinated and for that reason i work out at home. i don't worry too much about what people think about my size but i would be in tears if someone critiqued my form or ability in an exercise class. HUGS! I'm sure you can take a lot of motivation from all this support!

I walk around my neighborhood. Luckily it is a college town so people figure I have somewhere to be and don't judge.
Or you could walk around a local mall...window shopping can be fun!