New to the site and embarrassed to even try

Oh hon. Please don't think anyone is looking at you and judging. If anything they are looking at you and saying "Atta girl!".

Go to the gym for YOU. No one else. Who cares if you sweat.....its the one place you're allowed to! My gosh...I get on some machines next to guys who I swear never heard of antiperspirant LOL I just nonchalantly move to another machine away from them if it bothers me..but I know he is getting a good workout!!!

Everyone had to start somewhere. No one here ever went into the gym already fit and toned. We were all the newbies at one point.

The people at my gym are all friendly. I don't even look at anyone when I work out..I watch TV or just focus on what I am doing. When someone talks to me I have to ask them to repeat because I'm so zoned out.

One day at a time....thats all it takes. You can DO THIS! You're the only one holding yourself back!!!

When I work out I look like I am about to die. My face is red, I am sweaty, I probably smell like a moose but honestly its a good feeling.

Start slow - go for a walk in your neighborhood, I walk through the park in my neighborhood with my dog, its a big park and then to double back home its about 1.9km. If you can swim, do swimming - you wont even know you are really sweating and trust me no one is looking at you if you are in a lane swim. I am over 200 pounds and lane swim in the morning with the older folks and they are wonderful people.

Really though find something you like, even if its just modifying things like yoga (I modify some poses because I can't do them ) home work out DVDS work too - then you only sweat in the privacy of your own home.

I know its scary but I promise you that eventually the fear goes away, put some head phones on ignore the room and go to your happy place.

Swimming or you can also buy a weighted water belt that you can use in a pool to walk in the water. It helps you keep upright while you walk along the pool floor or 'walk' without touching the bottom. You can also tether yourself to the side of a pool with the weighted belt on and 'walk' in place. It's about moving - If you are too embarrassed to do it in public - do it at home - walk in place in your living room. Do NOT give up is the key! Think about how good you will look when you've been doing it for a while. Just 3 months ago I was wearing size 16 pants and I couldn't fathom wearing the clothes that were in my goal bucket! But this week I have more than half of those clothes back in my closet and I am wearing them (size 12) everyday!
Good luck!

One thing I've noticed as I've continued along my journey: when I'm amongst a large group of others who are also working out, no one really is looking at anyone else.

I've recently started the Zombies, Run 5K training. I do most of my training at the Rose Bowl (there's a 5K track that surrounds the Rose Bowl and neighboring properties). When I first went there, I was a bit intimidated because I knew it was a popular workout spot in the area and I was sure people were going to look at me.

I was right about the first part: it is a popular workout area for runners. walkers and bicyclists. But, aside from an occasional smile of acknowledgement, no one really paid much attention to me (except to make sure we didn't get in each other's way). Because we're all there for one thing: to get our active on.

The other great thing is that there is such a wide variety of people there, of all sizes and fitness levels. I realized that my concerns were not founded. Now I love to go there.

Start out by working out in your home, if that's where you feel most comfortable. But realize that, once you decide to get out there in public, you'll be just fine.

ETA: I'm no beauty when I work out. Sweaty, frizzy haired, flushed cheeks - I won't be winning any beauty pageants. But you better believe that all of those women who you think are ridiculously pretty when they work out hard also think they look horrendous. We are always our worst critics.

I have been in the same boat as you, but I reached a point where I realized people aren't judging me like I think they are. As of last week, I get out and run every single day now with my dog. At first I felt self concious that people would laugh at me, but now I just don't care. Not one person has commented, laughed, or done anything of the sort to my face and I have actually had some people smile and say hi as they are also running or walking. I look at it as being a good healthy role model to my children and the feeling afterwards is amazing.
I walk a lot, dance with my kids, do yard work, clean. It doesn't matter what you do, dear. Just move your body and it will add up. At home dvd's are awesome and they may give you that bost of self confidence to be able to go to group classes. Just know you will not be judged like you think. In fact, you will see it is the total opposite.

Feel free to add me and by the way....YOU CAN DO THIS!!!


You are smart
You are kind
You are important
You are beautiful
You are loved

When I work out I look gross and sweaty and I am so afraid to have people stare at me. My tummy prevents me from yoga poses and other things I would like to do. The feel of my own body jumping around bothers me. My feet problems and Achilles tendinitis make even walking a challenge. It's discouraging.

Embrace it and get over it. You will never get all the way out of "I'm feeling bouncy" or "I just can't get my x out of the way enough to do y" but you will, over time, feel less bouncy and have less of x to get in the way of y. No one is staring at you and if they are they're either thinking "you go girl, with your bad self" or something the opposite of that which deserves a punch to the taint. Will people say things directly to you? Maybe, but that has nothing to do with you, that's just because some people are *kitten*, kharma will take care of them, you just take care of yourself.

As far as sweating . . . no matter what I do I sweat like a *kitten* in church, it's just the way I'm made. I wear a tennis sweat band on my head and carry a towel . . . the reason gyms hand those tiny towels to you when you walk in the door is because that's what you're supposed to do there, sweat and wipe.

One of my favorite quotes is "If you look pretty after working out, you aren't doing it right." I am a hot, sweaty mess when I finish working out. But that gives me a sense of accomplishment. I don't care if people stare at me, I am there for me and nobody else. Keep going and you will see the results.

You need to get past that, if you don't you aren't going to be able to move forward. The only way you are going to succeed is to believe in yourself and if you keep going all of these things you say embarrass you will become non existent, if you don't keep going they are always going to be there and you will never change:) You have the ability to do this, believe in you, that you are worth the effort!!:happy:

I sweat a ton! I work out at a personal training studio with 6 extremely good looking fit trainers. I do jumping jacks and my shirt comes up and my boobs flop around, but they love their job and love that I'm willing to work hard to change my body. There is no shame in the awkwardness that is exercise. It is truly a badge of honor showing that you are willing to work to make yourself healthier. Do not let the possibility of looking a little silly get you down. I fall over and get stuck on equipment but god do I feel good knowing I put in the effort. Your self esteem will go way up once you start to feel the accomplishment that is taking control of your body!

It's hard - it really is. But remember - everyone is on their own different fitness journey and we are all in different places along the path. But EVERYONE started at the same place - the beginning. At some point, every single person in that gym, on the track, in yoga, etc. was there for the first time. Trying something new or different is always hard - but we do it so we can grow and improve and be better.

The more you stick with it, the better it will get. And honestly, at some point, the journey itself (into fitness) starts changing my mind and your perspective. Even without weight loss, just getting moving will start to give you a better overall perception (and likely a more realistic view) of yourself. You absolutely can do this!

I would also recommend keeping a diary or a log of whatever it is you do. Swimming, walking, elliptical, etc. - Set realistic goals to start. Maybe it's just 5 minutes. But log the time and write down how you feel, what's in your mind. Do it every time and maybe every week or every two weeks or so add just one more minute what you are doing. After a month - 1) you will be going longer with your cardio and 2) looking back you'll see just how far you've come. It can be pretty powerful.

Best of luck to you!