Discouraged from working out in public.

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Replies

  • VelveteenArabian
    VelveteenArabian Posts: 758 Member
    I was just wondering, do any of you ever get discouraged from working out because of your body? I know, it seems like a circular argument, but sometimes putting on a tight work out bra and pants that show my love handles makes me feel like crap.

    Stop wearing workout clothes that make you feel bad.
  • hiyomi
    hiyomi Posts: 906 Member
    265 pounds of no shame at the gym. I see girls half my size texting and talking instead of actually exercising. It motivates me to see that there are a lot of girls that have way more endurance and mobility to exercise harder, but I am actually the one exercising more than they are. :)
  • Mellyajc
    Mellyajc Posts: 142 Member
    Yes it's happened to me. Self consciousness used to get in the way.

    What helps is realizing that they are also people.

    I LOVE being out on the running trail and getting the smiles, waves (and once even a hug!) from strangers. Some on bikes, some running, some walking. But we're all OUT there. It's like a secret we all know...how awesome it is to be out on the trail getting fresh air and sunshine on this little trail.

    I know I can run because I'm a runner..but I wasn't always. I used to NOT run because I would have been a wannabe. But it turns out, under there, was a runner!

    Doing something easy is easy. Doing something that's hard (like getting started), is a challenge, and I have SO MUCH APPRECIATION for anyone willing to take that risk, get the guts to take hold of their own life, their own identity.

    As a straight A student I always looked up to the kids who got Bs and Cs because I saw how hard they were trying, and I still feel like that is so much more worthy of pride than the grades that came so easily to me. Effort is something to be proud of. Daring to dream..not everyone does.

    You. Are. Awesome!
  • cruciia
    cruciia Posts: 94 Member
    When I was about 12 I was overweight and rode my bike every day to try to lose weight, and someone drove next to me and shouted "Rissole" in front of my dad. It really affected me and for years I was very self conscious and extremely nervous to exercise in public.

    Now i know that was just a stupid insult from a teenage boy trying to look good in front of his friends, it's too bad he had to put down a child in the meantime.

    I still hate gyms and don't go during busy periods, but I think that is more because I am more concerned with what everyone else is doing than what I want to do and achieve.
  • johnny7625
    johnny7625 Posts: 50
    don't get dishearten focus on you little by little you will get there just be constant don't mind others cause it doesn't matter how you look there are mean people everywhere
  • Focusisfab
    Focusisfab Posts: 140
    People are watching you, they are looking to see if you will stay committed. There are people at the gym that YOU are inspiring right now with your consistency. That girl heavier than you; is thinking....If she can do It, I can do it. She cannot see herself as the size 2 hottlie in the sports bra, but she can relate to you. Keep on keeping on.

    You will surely transform your body image as you go.
  • cebreisch
    cebreisch Posts: 1,340 Member
    Yes. and my husband does too.

    I just keep reminding myself it's not a social club. I'm there to get healthy and PTOEY on what anybody else thinks.

    My husband first felt that way too - he didn't want to be among all these buff people using free weights and he'd feel really scrawny. I'm like, "really? Why do you care that other people there may be really buff and you aren't. That's why you're going there is to get closer to what they are." He finally decided that his goals of getting in shape were more important than being insecure about going to the gym.
  • mumblemagic
    mumblemagic Posts: 1,090 Member
    I go running in the park, in tight ish clothing. I feel self concious when "real" runners come past, but smug when I think that there are hundreds of people who can't be bothered! Plus when I first went, I got some encouragement from a random family out walking when I lapped them a couple of times. They were like "keep going! pick those feet up!", really friendly. I think people who aren't exercising probably feel guilty and/or a bit inspired when they see people trying. Plus if you're really overweight, it's commendable to try to change that and many people will realise that.
  • ibleedunionblue
    ibleedunionblue Posts: 324 Member
    When I weighed 225, someone shouted out from a passing red truck... "Keep Running FatBoy!"

    I did just that and lost more than 85 pounds.

    Point being: Dont worry what others think about your efforts to lose weight. Do it for yourself.

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