How to not look like fattest person in gym?
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Understand that everyone is pulling for you.0
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This is why going to the gym does not work for me. I am self conscious and I do worry about this. It's much easier for me to work out at home and walk around my neighborhood.
I wish I had known about MFP years ago and had the input you've had in this post tonight. I've paid for countless gym memberships over the years that didn't get used bc I just couldn't go to the gym.0 -
Just keep going. I once saw a woman transform her body before my very eyes...she did it by showing up and literally working her *kitten* off every day. I never spoke to her or knew her (we were all too busy with our workouts), but I was da*mn proud of her!
As for people looking at other people at the gym. Of course I look around. I do a lot of sets and end up with a lot of rests and I look around, make eye contact, whatever. So, YES, I am looking at people ("people watching")....but I am NOT judging them. Just what else am I going to do, stare at my feet? (I do that sometimes too.) We are all on our different paths, there can be no judgement about that. And even if there was--who cares?! You're way over there on your path and I'm way over here on mine--even if you're judging me, it effects me absolutely zero. But, you can, however, learn a lot from watching others at the gym (I've learned some exercises and how to use some of the equipment, etc). So there is that.
Maybe walk into a gym as if it's your home team. Imagine everyone there is part of a team and you all wear the same color jersey, so-to-speak. That's how I've kinda started to feel about the gym.
ETA: that lady who transformed herself wore the same gray sweat pants and gray t-shirt every single day and it started as a normal fit (not too tight and not too loose), but by the last time I saw her, it was all hanging off of her. It was one of the main reasons I could always spot her on the cardio machines everyday and how I could easily see how much she was changing day-to-day and week-to-week, as the clothes got baggier and baggier.
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I just started going to the gym a month ago, because it's too damn cold to run outside. The first couple of times I went in to run on the hamster wheel...uh...treadmill...I felt awkward and like I stood out...I actually was the fattest one in the room a few times. I wanted to just walk instead of running and being all jiggly. Then I reminded myself that it seriously doesn't matter. Does what they think change anything? no. Is feeling awkward gonna hurt me? no. Is there a solution? YUP: do it anyway. acknowledge to yourself that you feel awkward and that it's ok to feel that way. Which situation is worse...feeling awkward, or staying overweight? I prefer awkward.
I've been going a few times a week for just the past month...but already, I walk in like I own the place.
I don't have any advice for how not to look like the fattest one there, except for not worrying if you are.0 -
"You wouldn't worry what people think about you, if you realized how little they did."
^^ Truth bomb. Nobody cares. People at the gym are there to mind their own business, and the only time I make note of a fat person at my gym is to silently cheer them off for having the guts to change.
this. totally this.0 -
1. put on work out gear
2. walk in gym like you own the mo fo
3 crush your workout
4 leave
end thread/0 -
Haven't read the comments yet so sorry if I'm repeating, but,,,,,I used to feel self conscious at the gym (for other reasons.....don't how this machine works, are people laughing at how weak I am, etc), but I say just go. Most people are just doing their own thing. I also believe that those who do notice those of us who are less advanced are probably thinking "good for you. I remember when that was me!". And the few that judge, well, they have their own issues in life and aren't worth the worry. What I did was start doing cardio (treadmills and ellipticals are easy to operate) and while there I would observe others using the various weight equipment. That way, when I started using it, I had an idea of what to do. Getting in there is 75% of the battle. You can do it. Best of luck to you.0
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Any tips?
I want to leave right after walking in most times.
How do you go about not look like fattest person in gym? Maybe baggy clothes or something?
Go in there and own your work out. And continue to own it, people won't care. Wear something confortable and functionable.
i am usually so immersed in my workout that the only time I look around is on rest breaks..and even then I am not thinking..oh look at this fat dude what the F is he doing in here….I am just trying to focus on next set…now if some hot chick is doing *kitten* to grass squats, I will definitely notice that!0 -
Thanks for input. I guess I only feel like everyone is looking because that is all I am doing it looking around at all the different people the whole time and what they are doing. I can't help myself.
then you have waaaaayyyy too much time ..
I would suggest picking up a copy of starting strength and/or new rules of lifting ..and then build a program around compound movements and lifting heavy < start doing that and you will have a lot less time on your hands...0 -
I have the same thoughts at the gym or in the pool, however I have discovered that often I'm working out longer or harder than they are. For example I was at the pool tonight. I started by swimming laps for about 35 minutes, then did another 30 minutes of toning with dumbbells. There were several people who came in and left while I was still there. One even made eye contact and gave me a smile like 'good job.'
Just get in there and focus on working your butt off.
That said I'm still very self conscious about trying new things and I haven't worked up the courage to do a group class.0 -
My crossfitting, super buff friend posted this on FB
"Laughing at a fat person going to a gym is like going to a hospital and laughing at the sick people." I thought that was a nice way of putting it.0 -
Continue to be consistent with exercise and eating correctly and within a few months you won't be. That's how.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I read this over the weekend and I could so relate! I've been at both ends of the spectrum. Continue to put your best foot forward and the rewards you reap from your hard work will pay off!
http://ericamillard.com/?p=15660 -
The only ones at the gym judging the way you look should be you or your trainer. Pay no mind to anyone else, because they don't matter.0
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Yup, yup, yup...1. put on work out gear
2. walk in gym like you own the mo fo
3 crush your workout
4 leave
end thread/
OP everybody starts somewhere and I understand feeling self conscience but just focus on your routine and let the outside world melt away. You have as much right to be there as anybody else.0 -
I promise there aren't as many people looking at you as you think there are. Actually there many not even be any at all.0
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Don't look around at other people. Have a plan when you walk in, go to your weights/machine, get on with it. Wear headphones. Perfect your 100 yard stare. Be in the moment and focus on what you are doing.
No-one cares what you're doing. Only you should care what you're doing.0 -
I like this screen shot...
Look forward to seeing your success thread in the future OP.0 -
Stop being so self defeating. You're at the gym, you're doing a good thing and if anyone tries and tells you otherwise kindly tell them to get lost!0
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Yup, yup, yup...1. put on work out gear
2. walk in gym like you own the mo fo
3 crush your workout
4 leave
end thread/
OP everybody starts somewhere and I understand feeling self conscience but just focus on your routine and let the outside world melt away. You have as much right to be there as anybody else.
This!0 -
I like this screen shot...
Look forward to seeing your success thread in the future OP.
OMG I love this this almost made me cry ROCK ON OP :flowerforyou:0 -
I guess by reading a lot of the replies that it's easy to see that you are not the only person who has that fear. I joined the gym for the 1st time today and you would have thought I was going to the dentist or something the way my heart was beating so hard. And that was going there to JOIN! I went tonight for my "personal training assessment" and afterwards did the treadmill and once I was on there I realized that no one really pay attention to everyone else. Of course, once I get on the real equipment tomorrow I'm sure I'll feel a bit self conscience but I am just going to keep those earbuds in and pretend like no one else is there.
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I used to feel really self-conscious on the treadmill. It seemed everyone else who used them could run like a gazelle, while I could barely manage a slow jog. I was sure they were all judging me and criticizing me.
Eventually I realized that those other gym patrons didn't care that I couldn't run as fast as they could. They are there to focus on their own fitness and well-being, so I should just stop feeling bad about myself and be proud that I'm doing my best.
Your workout is about YOU. Do it for YOURSELF. Be proud of what you ACCOMPLISH each and every day.0 -
I'm overweight, in the process of changing that by eating less and lifting heavy, and if I catch someone gawking at me at the gym I give zero ****s because I just remind myself that I can crush their skull between my thighs. Thankfully, my local gym is super great and there's all types of bodies working just as hard in there. We're all so busy sweating that we just don't have time to judge.0
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I was 340 lbs and was the biggest person at the gym - I still went ... who cares? Just do you and what you need to do...0
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I am sure this has been said...I didn't read the replies.
But, when i am at the gym, I really don't notice others. I am focused on my workout.
And if I were to pay attention and saw someone overweight, I'd think great for them. Everyone needs to start somewhere.0 -
I have been on MFP for a little over a year and this is the most inspiring thread I have ever read! I have happy tears rolling down my cheeks and I am inspired by everyone who has posted, We all started out at some point. Starting out and then repeating. Yay for this thread! :drinker:0
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Seriously I wear the shirts that used to fit me. Baggy as hell I get in there and bust my *kitten*. And if someone cares to look im sure they can see how baggy my shirt is. It's not by accident. I've worked my *kitten* off. But no one cares, just put your headphones in and do work!0
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screw that. just go in and do your workout.
i'm a fat girl who wears compression gear so i'm sure i look like the michelin man, but i crush my workouts. anyone who doesn't like it can kiss my fat (although shrinking in size) a**
and yeah i've caught people gawking at me, especially when i'm running on the indoor track or doing plyo jumps, but most of the time those people are doing level 1 on the bike peddling at 70 or doing a zillion tricep kickbacks with 3 pound weights, so who cares what they think0 -
Who cares what other people think? For example, you shouldn't care that I think you shouldn't care what other people think. Lol0
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