I realized something just now.

I think a lot of it is in your head, too. Truthfully people naturally care more about themselves and how they are perceived than about another stranger. There are the bad apples out there of course but they amount to few in comparison to everyone else. I know when I'm out and about I could care less what anyone else is eating or doing.

^^^THIS you probably haven't even registered on their radar.

I have been on the thin side most of my life, but have steadily gained over the last few years. When I've been at the gym and see others larger than myself I think good for them, even when I was a tiny size 0/2. They are here taking the initiative to do something positive about their health. My next thought immediately goes to - how much time do I have left on this elliptical?...my foot is numb! Most people are kind and even more are so self absorbed in what they are doing that they don't even notice what is going on around them.

People who do think degrading thoughts aren't happy with some aspect of their lives, therefore, they break on others to make themselves feel superior. We shouldn't waste our precious energy worrying about them. They'll most likely never figure it out if they are that self centered...at least until they gain weight someday.

Don't think about them, just enjoy what you are doing and know that you are making your dream a reality with every step and every choice. Have a fabulous day! :flowerforyou:

You can never really tell what someone is thinking.
There was a majorly skinny lass in the pool (walking up and down, listening to her iPod in a waterproof sleeve) the other day and she kept staring as I would swim a lenth using a pull-buoy between my knees to stop from kicking as I rehabilitate my knee. She would also stare at me as I jogged on the spot in the water at each end, and then did a minute of wall-squat knee bends in the pool before the next length.

I ran into her in the changing room ... whereupon she started chatting to me about rehab methods... before long we were comparing other bits of pool rehab equipment that might be useful.

I am carrying a fair few pounds more than her, and I am building up my time in the pool, but starting out slowly as I am not the greatest swimmer - but my £70 per month gives me the right to train how I want, and feel a damn sight better than if I was lying on the couch watching the tellybox and wondering why I never put on any weight!

You getting out and doing stuff beats the person who sits at home whining about how they haven't got round to doing stuff... EVERY TIME!

I think a lot of it can be from within.

I used to be in your shoes, feeling that way whenever I was around the fit, the thin, the athletic.

After losing the weight, I don't really think like that at all! If anything, I support the people that are trying to improve their lives. I'm mentally cheering them on because i'd be an annoying creep if I did it out loud, haha.

Just keep on doing what you've got to do to be where you want to be

Thanks to everyone telling me that it's all in my head. I need to work on being less insecure ^__^;

don't we all!

For many of us, that's the biggest reason we're here.

I think this is all in your head because you have insecurities about yourself. When I go to the gym I could care less what a "fat" or "skinny" person as you call them is doing. I go there to focus on me. My advise is that you shouldn't care what others thing. Just do your thing.

What about the fat people thinking nasty things about the skinny people? Plenty of thin people on here have told stories about heavier people making snide remarks when they pass up a cookie. It goes both ways. At the end of the day, who cares what other people think, if they're thinking anything at all? Do what's best for you and move on.

I agree that it is probably all in your head. How I like to think about the really skinny girls at the gym is the possibility that they started right where I am right now. And they are giving me a look because they went through what I am going through and are sympathizing with me rather than judging me.

Another thing that helps is when I look around the gym and notice someone the same size as me trying as hard as I am. I think to myself "They are doing so well! I hope I keep seeing them here."

The more nice thoughts you think about other people in the gym, the less you think about the possible "negatives" of some people. Remember, exercising releases endorphin's, endorphin's make you happy! Happy people don't think negative thoughts about other people, or murder their husbands. Legally Blond taught me that

LOL, unless you literally hear those words from someone, you are, in essence, judging them the exact same way you think they are judging you. "All skinny people" do not think bad things about fat people, just like "all fat people" are not sitting around eating twinkies all day.