Scared when get into fitness center...

Well dont go swimming then, so something else until you feel more comfortable

Yeah don't swim until you are comfortable. I for one, don't go swimming when I am out of shape so I feel your pain. You can train in sweat pants and a hoodie if you want. A lot of people do.

If you don't feel comfortable swimming then walk, if you can do that. You don't have to walk fast or at an incline or anything crazy to start off with. Start with what you can handle and work your way up.

Social anxiety in public caused by feelings about self perceived inadequacies (be they real or not) are common when it comes to exposing our bodies in such public places as a swimming pool or beach. A lot of people dread the concept of taking their shirt off in public or getting into a bathing suit, this is not abnormal especially if you are overweight, out of shape etc.

That being said you mentioned swimming as an exercise because you are currently unable to do other forms of exercise, I suggest you learn to appreciate the fact that the majority of people will not being paying attention to you, let alone passing judgement of any kind...and for the small majority that may or do, just ignore them! Don't let their shortcomings stop you from improving your health and elevating your self-confidence.

Also as previously mentioned you are limited to what exercise you can do, well don't underestimate the smaller activities such as walking, taking the stairs, parking your car further away from your destination etc these will all contribute to some extent to better health.

Exercise will contribute to a calorie deficit but a calorie deficit is the fundamental reason for weight loss, so here is a link to get you started...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

Also try to remember that unbeknownst to a lot of people exercising in public who feel shamed by the condition of their bodies, a lot of people are actively cheering you on in their minds but would consider it impolite to mention the fact because of personal space, etiquette etc sadly the rude ones are often the loudest but their opinion is never worth listening to anyway.



Good luck OP and enjoy the water...I find swimming very therapeutic in nature.

There is no shame in wanting to improve your health and fitness. Swimming is a great way to start. I understand the self consciousness but I bet no one there will be worried about you. Everyone is there doing their own thing. You can do it, every trip to the pool or gym will get easier. Today is the day, go for it!

Hi,

Don't be afraid of what people think when they see you in a swim suit. Trust me they know you are overweight. I was extremely overweight and the pool has been my saving grace. I started with moderate exercise and now can do a hard cardio session in the pool.

The water supports your body and lets you move your muscles without damaging your joints. These days I am smaller but now I am saggy from the weight loss but I don't let my concern about what people think stop me. Hang in there the pool is an excellent option. You may find that there are aqua aerobics classes, maybe try easy ones and graduate to the tougher ones. I started with aerobics for athritis in the pool now I do aqua zumba which is fun, and hard as "HELL". But I'm stronger and smaller for it.

Go for it you will find lots of overweight people hit the pool so you have nothing to be self conscious about. Your health and fitness are more
important than what anyone thinks. Just for the record a work out in the pool is a seriously good cardio workout and can easily burn 500 or more calories in an hour while strengthening and toning your muscles.

JUMP in and work up a sweat in the water.

So much good advice in the above posts! Don't let fear of what other people are thinking stop you from doing what you want/need to do to change your life for the better. When I bought my bike a few weeks ago I was embarassed to even walk into the cycle shop. I just knew everyone was thinking "Eww, what is someone like that doing in here". But I went in anyway and found a huge amount of support from the employees and even other customers. I literally had 3 different employees helping me to make sure I found the right bike and when I went back in for an adjustment last week those employees remembered me and were right there asking how I was liking the bike, making helpful and encouraging suggestions, and treating me just like they treated every other customer. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. We think people will react negatively so we talk ourselves out of doing what we want when in truth, many people will be right there to encourage us even if it's silently. So put on that swimsuit, hold your head up, and when the doubts and fears kick in say "I AM DOING THIS FOR ME!"

I can understand why you feel this way. But, the people at the gym are adults. And they are adults at a gym. It is completely expected that people in the pool will be heavy, elderly, dealing with injuries and disabilities. So go there, have fun, get fit. Once you are in the water no one will be noticing your body. The people that matter don't care about that.

Do not be intimidated at a gym. Everyone is welcome and if you show up consistantly and work hard you will actually get a lot of respect from people. Do not feel shame, if you are going to feel anything, feel anger at what makes you feel shame, then go to the gym and kick its *kitten*.
I am going to copy paste something here that I just put up on my profile comments, I hope it helps.
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Back in the Heavy fitness days, I was privileged to spend time with some of the best fighters and most fit people around, people that spent all their time training to be the best and teaching others, Some of the most bad *kitten* men and women around that also happen to be the most humble and kind I have ever come across. Some really great and truly friendly people. But there was one person the I had the most respect for, One person that inspired me to work hard. I never really talked to her other than to say hello once in a while. She would come into our early am cardio class, I mean like 5am or so class. She was very over weight. Very big girl, but she was there, every morning for every class. ( about 4 classes scheduled a week) I know it was hard for her, that is a difficult class for someone not over weight, and her being a mother and having a job as well.
I was away from the morning classes for a few months and then came in one morning and there she was, About half her size and still getting her but up in the morning and coming into the gym for punishment. I respected the hell out of her for that and I told her so. I hope she stayed with it and met her goals. People accomplish their goals only when they are willing to commit and do not give up.
When I think about getting motivated for just about anything, I think of her to get myself motivated, not the guys fighting from our Academy on ESPN and winning belts.

Hi,guys. I'm just getting started to weight loss. I used to be pretty thin or slim. I was 180cm and 140 pounds...Somehow I got lazy, and started to became fater and fater...And now I'm over 300 pounds...I tried lose weight before, and my body is no longer capable for these exercises...So I'm thinking about swimming pool. But I just feel shame to get into the bathing suit and go there...I feel like everybody gonna laugh at me, like they did back my hometown...Everytime I see myself in the mirror, I just hate myself...I want to make some changes....

I love swimming. I do 25 laps in a 75 foot pool every time I swim. Who said you have to wear a bathing suit? If that's your main hangup just do what I do and wear shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt. Whatever it takes to get you past the mental discomfort and into the gym is what you should do. YOU CAN DO IT!!

Yeah, they sell shorts and short sleeve shirts in bathing suit material also. You can find it in sun protective clothing.

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