New to the site and embarrassed to even try

I sweat when I work out - giant, huge buckets of sweat. Funny enough, I've come to look at it as a badge of honor, sort of a physical representation of how hard I'm hitting the equipment.

Please don't worry about what other people are thinking or that they are looking at you. Almost everyone is far to into their own workout to be paying any attention to how you look.

Best of luck to you in your journey.

Don't worry about what other people think or don't think. I completely understand where you are coming from and that is the only reason I can say that. I too felt that way when I first started working out and especially when I started running. My stomach still makes noises when I run even though I have come a long way and for a second I feel sickened and then I remember I am still out here doing it. Give yourself a break and do what you can with where you are at currently. If you want feel free to add me

If you don't sweat when you workout then you aren't doing it right!! Hang in there and eventually you will love the feeling. Especially as things get easier. Plus you are doing great things for your heart. And eve. Though you feel like people are staring I promise they aren't! There is usually mutual respect in the gym. Keep it up!

One of my friends has the motto that "Sweat is fat crying!" Sweating is much better than not sweating. You have to cool down somehow.

I know how you feel. I don't want anyone to look at me when I'm exercising (even walking). I am completely self-conscious. But really, why would we care about what anyone else thinks? I'm pretty sure other folks don't care or notice half as much as we think they do. And most people that notice are probably thinking, "Good for you. Take control!" Try not to focus on what others think. By the way, I have had terrible foot pain (arthritis) for the past year and that is what motivated me to finally do something about my weight (I am 100+ pounds overweight). My foot doctor explained to me that every extra pound we carry puts an additional 4 pounds of pressure on our knees and feet. So if you do the math, it is not pretty! On the flip side, my doctor also told me that every pound lost has the effect of losing 4 pounds when it comes to our feet and knees! I was not expecting to feel any relief until I lost about 25 pounds or so, but my feet actually feel better and I'm only down 9 pounds! It's probably not so much the 9 pounds as it is eating healthier foods that don't cause inflammation. Whatever it is . . . it's working and I am not giving up. Enjoy the process and your workout - you go girl!

I also sweat rather profusely when I work out so I just take a shower pryer to going and make sure I smell good. As soon as I get there I hang a towel around my neck so when I start sweating really bad I have something to mop it up with and to wipe off any equiptment that may also get damp. Others sweating doesn't bother me . Now body odor is a whole nother issue.

It's discouraging.

You've come to the right place. Lots of people have felt the same way. You'll do great. I can just tell.

what is worse: maybe being embarrassed or feeling uncomfortable when exercising (but getting healthier every time) ....Or do nothing and live your entire life feeling uncomfortable and restricted buy your body.

Yep you might feel awkward... but honestly most people don't really care what you do or how you look while doing it....they are too worried about how they look and what they are doing.

if you look cute and all put together when working out....you didn't work out very hard....I'm red faced, sweaty and I probably look like I could cry ,

swimming is great for joint problems, water running can be a great workout! and there are exercise classes specifically for people with injuries or mobility challenges .... restorative yoga classes are great.

don't let the thoughts dominate you. you feel gross or the feeling of your own body jumping around bothers you, focus on what you can do and what you like to do. Don't give up on you.

ps

when I started back into running this year I seriously could of used a belly bra, the feeling of it bouncing sucked! but it's getting WAY WAY better. Super tight shirt under a loose shirt gave me the feeling of it being contained

Why not try the leslie sansone dvds, or on you tube. Its like low impact aerobics. No bouncing or jiggling really because its walking and other various exercises. She has them where you can walk from one mile up to five miles in one workout session

:flowerforyou:
You are in a good place here.... We're all very nice & supportive. Do this for yourself, & do not care what others think. They're too into themselves. Sending FR to you????????

Remember, when you're doing yoga, people are definitely not looking at you - they aren't even looking at themselves for the most part. When you're pretzeled up and your head is between your knees.... so is everyone else's!! All they can see is their own big toes. Find the right yoga studio (I prefer not yoga at a regular gym) and you will find one of the most welcome accepting environments. Everyone is on their own path, and wherever you are on that path is exactly where you should be, as long as you are looking forward.

If I don't sweat I don't feel like I even worked out!

Most of my weight has always been in my belly. It flopped around relentlessly. It did not flop on the elliptical or on the stationary bike, or when I was walking. Don't limit yourself to exercises you hate, but don't make excuses. Get out there and SWEAT!

I produce obscene amounts of sweat when I work out. I have seriously been asked why I didn't dry off before getting dressed after my shower. It wasn't a shower, it was sweat. I leave literal puddles of sweat on the floor that I have to clean up, and a fine spray in a circle around me. People look, sure, but I don't think it's judgment - I think people are impressed that I am working hard enough to generate that much sweat.

As for the yoga poses, I have lordosis, which gives me back problems and tight hamstrings, so I can't do all of the yoga poses either. Any qualified yoga instructor should be able to provide simple modifications you can use to get into the pose and work your way towards the full pose. It's all about starting small and working your way up.

Never be embarrassed for trying to better yourself....be proud that you have the courage and strength to try to accomplish your goals! Be proud of yourself every day because each day you are a day closer to a healthier "you":flowerforyou: