Need input on gyms......embarassment here.

I'm like a lot of previous posters, when I see someone who's overweight working out, I cheer for them, especially if you can tell that they're putting their all into it.

A good way to get started would be to look into a personal trainer. At the gym my husband attends, when you sign up for a membership, they give a free 30 minute session with a personal trainer and they recommend what machines would be best to use, and how to use them based on what your goals are. They get you set up on reps and sets and all that, and then you can go from there. The trainers there are amazing, and very encouraging. Another reason that trainers are really good is because when you're overweight, certain exercises can do a ton of damage to your knees/ankles. They'd be able to organize a workout that you could stick to that won't destroy your joints until you can lose enough weight to handle the more high impact workouts. I have knee problems that are made worse by my weight, so I usually stick to light walks, recumbent bike or elliptical than something like a treadmill or jogging/running around campus.

I know that its a bit off topic from your original question, but if you're still feeling uncomfortable going to the gym (or if you find you can't afford it after a while), there are affordable options for putting together your own home gym that would be low impact that can help you lose weight. Check your local newspaper/craigslist. I managed to find a $500 recumbent bike that was barely used for $200. I got a set of resistance bands (free weights are good options too, something else people sell in the newspaper) and use those for resistance training.

Edited for typos

I personally never had a problem stepping foot in a gym, I like gyms, I was just too lazy to join one.

However, now that my wife and I are going to the gym on a regular basis, I have become aware of some of the regulars. I say aware because I'm there to work out, they're there to work out, I'm not going to interrupt them to get chatty and I hope they don't interrupt me.

For what it's worth, there is this older guy, who is really outta shape who is there almost every time I go, and I admire him. He works as hard as he can and he doesn't quit. I have noticed an improvement in how he looks, how he interacts with people, his attitude, and just the over look he has. Be that guy.

Go, work out for you, don't worry about others, and enjoy yourself.

Please go.
Here's the thing:

1) No one is looking at you

and if they are:

2) the very heavy women and men I see at my gym or running on the trails fill me with a sense of awe and admiration

3) Another way to begin to ease into working out is to go to the pool---pool walk or swim or pool run--they are great workouts and put little stress on the joints while you begin to re-introduce your body to exercise.

Remember; No ONE, real or imagined has the right to decide whether you get healthy or not. Take your power back!

"The most annoying people are those who are in exceptionally great shape at the gym. I'm like.. What are you doing here, you're done!"

Love this funny quote!

You will do awesome, the gym is what you make of it, you can do it!!!!

LOTS of awesome commentary in this thread! The gym is always a good place to be, and if you can afford it I highly recommend it. It's often a nice motivator to see others working hard...and the atmosphere is usually purposefully designed to promote motivation as well.

If you CAN'T afford it, or time/distance etc is an issue...there ARE other very effective options. An appropriately designed (meaning setup where the exercises are difficult enough to limit you to 5-7 reps or so) bodyweight home workout can give you very similar results to a good compound lift based workout at the gym. A good freeweight based gym workout will always have advantages in terms effectiveness and overall results, but the bodyweight stuff is a very real option if you're limited. Understand, I don't mean P90x, or Insanity, BodyRock, or anything with that woman Jillian Michaels name attached. I mean a real, grind it down, force yourself to work within 5 reps...and fail in 7 reps, full body workout, using your own weight as the resistance.

There's one listed in my profile.

For the record, I lost 40lbs (220lbs to under 180lbs) of virtually all fat in 3mos using that bodyweight program. But given the choice...I prefer (and currently use) the gym.

Hi. If you have never been to a gym before, you might want to call and ask if they have an introductory program or can give you a tour of the gym. Some gyms have a free program to get you acquainted with the machines, etc. This would help you get started on a program to do there. I would also find out what times are less used. At our gym the heavy times are before and after work. A good time to go is between 1:00pm and 3:00pm or early in the morning or late at night. I wouldn't be embarrased of what people think of you. When I see someone who is really heavy I just think "good for them." I wish you luck--keep up the good work!

My husband and I joined Lifetime Fitness and their facilities are really nice, lots of classes, nice pools, hot tub steam rooms, sauna, towels provided etc., No contracts, perks thrown in for joining. I love, love going. I remember having nervous butterfly stomach the first week, but that was short lived. We have 4 recreation centers with full facilities that come free with our homeowners association dues, but we would rarely go. The gym we joined is pretty and feels like a treat to go. The treadmills, bike and elliptical machines all have tvs on them. I know this is lame, but I find I can lose track of time while on a machine if I am watching a show of my choosing it really helps. Do we need the hot tub, sauna, steam room..no, but after a hard work out they are lovely to have. It sort of takes the initial dread out of going to work out because of the spa type environment we can treat ourselves to afterward. Now neither of us can go often enough. I say pick some place that feels really nice if you can. It really takes the dread out of the thought of going and that is the hardest part. Everyone does fine once they actually get there. You have to want to go and the perks are enough to get me through the door.

Also, please do come. I know I have to lose weight to be healthy and in shape. I want to have a body that still works for me when I am older (I am 51 now) so I will go work out regardless, but I am usually the most overweight person at the gym, and it is a busy gym. I can't tell you how happy it makes me when someone else that is large comes in. Misery loves company right? No one has been mean or snickered at me. The people who are the snooty types are so into themselves they have no time to notice you, they are too busy checking themselves out in the mirror. I say hooray for us that need to be there and are doing what we have to do to get healthy.

Good luck!