Exercise Stigma

Try to view the gym as "nope, you cant control me!" Even if its just to prove him wrong! Try group classes, theyre fun!! Good luck! Proud of you! Feel free to add me or support

Try to do activities that you love and you have fun doing. If an activity is bringing you joy, it won't feel like exercise!

Would it help if you found some other type of exercise that is not the gym? Ie you could join a netball team, go hiking with friends? It might help break the association.

Exercise didn't work for me when I thought of it as "exercise:" this looming responsibility to check off of a list. In the relationship I'm in now, I do activities I like mostly, or occassionally gym visits to achieve goals. Going to the gym is for goals like training to lift 160lbs (so I can better assist my clients as a nurse and feel better/safer at work).

Personally, what keeps the weight coming off is doing active things I like.

"Exercise" is a hike to the waterfall trails with the dog. It's a night in the moshpit supporting local bands. It's a bikeride along the water front for a picnic in the park. It's a 5k to booming music for a good cause. It's playing badminton with Grandpa, or volleyball with my siblings, or taking the stairs. It's dancing across the living room to a good song on the radio-- just living life. (Though, not gonna lie, sometimes it's a total Netflix and Pizza night, and that's okay.)

It's important to note, too, that weight management in general is much more stressed in diet than exercise. However, both are important for health because health is the sum of all parts, your individual ability to function as smoothly as possible.

On a personal note, I highly recommend belly dance, Pilates, and yoga. Belly dance especially has always been a workout that never felt like work, and the increased body awareness and general body positivity of the dancers I've encountered has been encouraging and supportive, even for a total beginner. It's always a feel-good thing for me, and it happens to be a great core workout to boot. Feeling better about yourself at any size helps the process of taking care of yourself.

Just find that thing, whatever it is, that floats your boat. Move and express and don't let it be a negative obligation. Movement can totally be indulgence.

If your gym offers classes at no cost, consider trying an activity. You don't need to stay the whole class to try it, and it may seem less chore-like if it's something you find you like. You may even be surprised; I have friends who swear by Zumba. And sweat by it, too.

Regardless, best wishes.

There are lots of ways you can exercise without ever stepping into a gym. There is home equipment like a treadmill or bike. You can set up a strength training routine with stretchy bands and a few dumb bells. There are DVDs like Leslie Sandsone or any of the others out there. And then of course there is walking outside, weather permitting.

When I started this journey I was over 300lbs and was too embarrassed and self conscious to walk into a gym. However I was determined to exercise, so I started looking for things I could to at home.

The other thing I have found with MFP is that seeing the calories burned during exercise has helped motivate me to do more of it. I like to be able to look at the day or week and see how many calories my exercise has burned.

Just take this journey one day at a time. Good luck.

Perhaps you could just start with walking. For me it seems less like exercise and more like a mental break. Or swimming if you have access to a pool. For now, just find things that don't seem like exercise but will help you burn calories.

I can't say I know what you are going through, that must be very difficult, I however can offer my support, add me if you wish.

as far as exercise goes, it doesn't have to be in the gym. Try different things that might not give you the same emotional response. find a walking buddy, go on hikes, go to a dance class, a group fitness studio (yoga, zumba etc.), a martial arts studio, check out what's available in your neighborhood and give a few a try.

I wish you luck

maybe take a break from the gym and do other things that you can get exercise in with like dancing or going for a walk or a sport or yoga at a yoga studio.

i hate gyms, i get my exercise in other ways.

glad to hear you seeking counseling, stick with that and good luck!

If you can afford it, have you considered a personal trainer? They can support an motivate a positive return to working out, be it in a gym, studio or even your home. With your consent, they can even work with your counselor to help you develop a more healthy attitude.

While my success is mine alone, my trainer helps keep me motivated. I do not want to disappoint her (or my husband).

Best wishes to you. I'd be happy to be your friend to encourage you.