Gym Humiliation

I would not worry about it the more you go the more you will get used to it. If you stick with it you will one day realize you are in fact a gym rat and you do belong. You will smile when you notice a new person and hope they also stick with it. I felt the same as you , I went super early at first to avoid the crowds. I also have my workout preplanned so I don't dilly dally , I get in- and get it done before I have time to panic.

That being said there is a lady at my gym who treadmills walks with one leg, there are many overweight people and many skinny teens I wish I could look like, but the one who inspires me and makes me want to try harder is the lady who was 9 MONTHS pregnant and still jogging on the treadmill every morning.... If that don't make me have no excuses to skip... I don't know what else would!!! My point is we are all different, no matter if we are fat, tall, short, one legged, preggers , or body beautiful. We are all there to be HEALTHY!! Go join - do it for yourself because you love your body.

“You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.”

No one cares! Go to the gym, get sweaty, and don't worry about anyone except yourself!

I sure wish we had "Like" buttons for posts like this.

I ALWAYS used to feel like this. I've never been greatly overweight, but I've also never been active in my entire life so my stamina and strength are very low. I used to think I could never work out in public, and tried to find programs I could complete at home alone. I wouldn't even work out in front of my (ex) boyfriend or our other room mates.

I'm not sure exactly when the shift happened for me but one day I just thought *kitten* this! No one gets fit without starting somewhere. The people in the gym around you don't really care about you, they're more focused on themselves (much like how you're not judging them, but instead worrying that they're judging you.)

I'd say just go for it! Huff and puff and groan and pant and die and even throw up all you want lol if someone judges you for wanting to better yourself, they're the ones who are in the wrong, not you!

Only for a split second before I remind myself that they're in the gym for the same exact reason I am, and that they suck at being subtle.

With an office job/sitting around all day and having an under active thyroid I can't just eat healthy

This part doesn't have anything to do with joining a gym, and you need to fix it separately from your need for physical activity. You need to learn to set a calorie goal and eat at/under it every day. Working in an office and having an under active thyroid have nothing to do with eating at a calorie goal.

I thought the same way you did until I actually went to join. I saw several normal, older people working out. I also saw several very heavy people working out. It gave me the confidence to join. Now, I feel like an inspiration to other potential members, because if I can do it, so can they. . All that aside, though...no one pays much attention at all to others while working out. We're all there for the purpose of getting fit. We all started somewhere. And we all cheer on the newbies in our head. Why? Because they're doing something and it's not sitting at home watching TV! Go for it! I promise you won't regret the decision.

Eta: see if the gym has an orientation session with a trainer. That can be really helpful in helping you feel like you belong.

^^ This for sure!

I wear a prosthetic leg and walk a little awkward because of me leg. I can say without a doubt the people in the gym don't pay attention to your flaws what they do see is that you're making a healthy lifestyle choice and starting your goal to a better you!

Gyms are different if you have choices visit and try out several and see if you just like one better.