Getting past the embarrassment barrier of exercise?

If you feel like you are being judged or that people are looking at you... just remind yourself that this is about YOU and your health and fitness and not about them. At the end of the day you are the judge of you and what anyone else thinks is of no consequence. Will these people be there when you're reaching your goals? probably not. Will these people be there for you if you fail? Certainly not. Who gives a crap what anyone else thinks.

Tbh I feel exactly the same about the gym thing...so I did a bit of shopping around before I chose which gym to join. The one I go to has a complete mix of shapes and sizes and a friendly atmosphere. It's always a bit intimidating at the start but once you've been a couple of times and get used to how things work there you'll start to relax. I actually find it quite amusing now when the gym bunnys come in because a lot them don't really do much when they're there.

You could also look at different styles of classes, I've started going to beginners ballet which whilst it isn't much cardio there is a lot of flex and stretch so you really hurt the following day....and thankfully its a class where no lycra is required

I'm just back at the gym after having my third baby -she's 8 weeks old. I feel massive and a bit embarrassed about gaining weight, especially as I was going to that gym until 38 weeks pregnant! I've been going there for years so they've seen me pregnant, after pregnancy, and losing loads of weight and starting all over again!

I did spinning the other day and felt huge compared to the other people there, and compared to how I used to look when I did spin before.

I keep going because I have my goal in mind and a wardrobe full of clothes that don't fit. Plus I like exercise.

I'm starting PT sessions next week and I'm worried how unfit I'll feel, but I know I'll get there again.

I'm fairly sure no-one is judging me, and if they are, so what? I'm doing what I want to do.

I haven't been a member of a gym in years, but I remember always feeling out of place when I was a member. I treat it the same way I treat everything that makes me uncomfortable. I walk in like I own the place. I normally walk in and step on the first machine that look simple and easy and has a good view of other equipment. Then I carefully (but very nonchalantly and cooly) watch other people on other machines until I'm certain that I know how to do it. Then I strut the that machine and do that for a while while watching other people again. After a bit I knew how everything worked lol.

Just own it. It works for everywhere.

Do you have a friend that might be willing to do something with you? You could do it together. Believe me others go through this and for many it is their first time to a gym or class or pool etc etc.

Maybe search around for a "beginners' class of some sort. Then you will all be in the same boat and you will not be the only one nervous.

Also if you are nervous of being naked of people when going to the pool wear your suit to the pool under your clothes and after change in the bathroom if your pool does not have individual change rooms. My pool has an area where a curtain can be closed for privacy and many have that so maybe try another pool.

On my first few trips to the gym and spin class i averted my eyes and made no eye contact at all with anyone in case i saw them watching me or pointing/giggling etc.
After a week when i braved looking up and at people i realised that no-one and i mean no-one was looking at or watching me and i was sooooo relieved. Why would they anyway, they were all concentrating on their own thing.

Just get out there and get it done, you'll be great!

Honestly, I think only shallow people that you wouldn't want in your life would judge you. I had the same fears when starting out, but then someone close to me asked, when I see someone who needs to lose weight at the gym, or out jogging, or in the pool, what do I think. My response was "fair play to them".

You'll get a lot more people admiring the fact that you're doing something about it. Keep going, don't get demotivated based on appearance. Just put your chin up and remind yourself why you're doing it.

I just exercised at home mostly, doing walks in the woods or exercise dvd's in my living room. I have to admit when I started I was embarrassed even for my husband to see me in my workout clothes but I knew the only way I'd get to where I'd look better for him was to just do it anyway. Now that I've gotten to my goal weight, it doesn't bother me.

I felt the same way when I first started going.

I go to a local gym where there's lots of people of all sizes and ages. I take classes with a lot of women who are mothers like myself who have gained a bit of weight over the years, or trying to keep it off.

Trust me, no one cares. They're all there trying to do the same thing you are in one way or another. Even if they did care, no one has ever said anything. I'm there trying to do something about my weight. I've found most people to be more supportive than anything.

You're over thinking.

Just do it.

Okay this was me. I would go to classes only with friends and I would hide in the back and I would only run early in the morning when it was dark. Your confidence in what you are doing and the changes in yourself will come, just keep taking baby steps and getting out and doing as much as you can. I suffer with extreme anxiety and for a long time I would let that hold me back. However now I will run in the middle of the day, go to any class I want and I just dont care anymore. It took a lot to accept that the only person who was ever judging or critiquing me was me.

I am very self conscious about my body and that is fat or thin, but I dont pay attention to other people looks and put in my head that they are wired like me. What I do notice is the effort people put in their exercises no matter what size they are I always have admiration for their commitment

I remember a similar post a few weeks ago... The OP said something about summoning all her strength to do a class at her gym. The respondent said something about seeing people who have weight to lose in her class: They work harder, they look uncomfortable, and she respects the sh** out of them! That THEY are motivating to her because if they are there, working so hard, she can be there.

So... when you get there, hold that head up high! You never know who you are inspiring!

For me doing things that I do not need to go to a gym has helped. I have several DVD that I uses at home, I like to walk and to bike and I sometimes will skip rope inside my garage.

I have been the gym rat. I've seen people come into the gym and just wanted to cheer them on knowing what it took for them to get in there and knowing that anything I said would just make them feel uncomfortable.

Fast forward through two pregnancies - I'm 215 pounds, heavier than I've ever been in my life. I can't WALK a 5k let alone run one - I've NEVER been able to run. But I'm down to the bottom of the barrel, need to make a change, and have an app. Just go slow and see how far you can get.

My self talk as I was lacing up my shoes that first time:
"They are going to laugh to see me out there. They know I'm just going to quit."
"Don't worry about "them." They are in their houses and you will be exercising. Deal with quitting when you get there. All you have to do is get outside."
"I'm going to look like hell with my fat sloshing from side to side."
"Just get out there and do what you can."
"I"m never going to be a runner."
"And the alternative is to just get fatter? You have to do something."

So I went out there and jiggled and rippled and felt like all the empty houses were staring at me. I ran my first 30 seconds and felt like I could do that again. I felt SO proud. As a matter of fact, every time I run past that point now, I still get that feeling of pride and self-respect. But that's getting ahead of myself.

I got out there three days a week. Working around my responsibilities and schedule. Just doing what I could and not worrying about my eventual point of failure. Because I was going to fail. Did I mention that I was physiologically incapable of being a runner. I have asthma, for God's sake.

One day, one of my neighbors said something. She said, "YOU GO GIRL!!!!"

All of the negativity? All of the judgement? It was coming from inside. Everybody who saw me was inspired at seeing me do something they weren't. All of the runners knew EXACTLY how hard it was for me to be out there and respected me even more than the rest.

And another lady in my neighborhood started to run because of me.

You just need to do it. There is literally nothing to fear but the fear itself. You confront that and it will blow away like a mist. And you'll be left with the self-respect of doing something good for yourself.

And me? The "non-runner"? I ran a half-marathon a year after starting Couch to 5k. I've lost 50 pounds. I'm doing pretty well.