Too fat to lift weights?

There should be someone at the gym who can show you what to do, ask the person at the desk. Some gyms offer at least one free personal trainer session, too. Take advantage of that if you can. Get as much knowledge as you can out of the trainer and then go off on your own. You might also search through Youtube. I'm betting there are hundreds of videos showing you the proper form and technique for common lifts. Don't be afraid to be the "newb". I let that keep me out of the gym for months and I regret it. No one is really paying attention to what you're doing, they are too focused on themselves.

Whatever you decide to do, you're definitely not too fat to lift weights. I started lifting heavy a few months ago and I'm very pleased with the results so far. I spend about 45 minutes to an hour in the gym twice per week and run 3-4 days per week. I look and feel so much better than when I was just doing cardio alone.

The one thing you will notice is that you aren't losing weight as fast when you're lifting. You're replacing fat with muscle and muscle is more dense. So, if you haven't, grab a tape measure (the cloth kind) and measure your waist, thighs, calves, biceps, etc. and track them on MFP. When the scale doesn't move you'll often see a difference there.

Best of luck to you!

I think that a lot of people have anxiety about starting new things, and lifting weights can be intimidating. As long as you have a green light from your doctor there is no good reason to not give it a try. Every person who is in that gym had a day one, too. They aren't there to judge you, they are there to do their thing. Look at Starting Strength or Stronglifts 5x5 to give you some guidance on what to do while you are in the gym. I have never seen anyone on here say they regret lifting weights.

I agree though lifting weights can be intimidating everyone has day 1 the important thing is you are working on it

Yep, you are only a newb until the next newb comes along. No one is going to make fun of you...(unless you fart really loud while lifting...then you might get some snickers ) The person at the front desk will be more than willing to find someone to show you how to use the bells. Good luck!

So I'm a fairly overweight guy at 280 is lbs.
I'm a member of a gym that I'd been having an on and off relationship with for a while. Now though, I want to get back to it and have been reading various articles online about the big benefits of weight lifting (not on the machines but with the bells) to weight loss.
Problem is, I'm a complete newb and am afraid of what people may say if I venture to that area of the gym... I'm also rather shy and wouldn't have anyone to bring to the gym with me to help out anyway.
Does anyone have tips or advice/motivation for those of us in my situation?
Thanks!

Get a trainer for at least a couple sessions to get you going...and yes I have found that doing weights and circuits have benefitted me more!! And my trainer has me out of the floor not on the machines.

Definitely get a trainer to help you out through the "newb" time. Proper form prevents injuries and it'll help you get a feel for it. I'm meeting with one weekly myself (and I'm a 265 lb female, was more when I started)! Good luck! :flowerforyou:

As someone said above me you should try the 5x5 strong lifts, it focuses on building a strength foundation and will correct any muscle imbalances you might have. I was a little over 336 when I started going to hitting the weights again, it's just all just in your head, no one makes fun a chunky person trying to get fit in the gym. Just go for it man worrying about what other people think just slows your progress. Check this site out a must for a newbie http://simplesciencefitness.com/

Good luck and feel free to add me.

I started doing Crossfit at about 250 pounds. I am 5'2, so 250 pounds on me is quite robust!!! I tried it at first simply for comedy material. The funny fat girl doing Crossfit will be hilarious. I almost died the first time, comedy ensued as I had hoped. Then my stupid friend said she wanted to go back and wanted me to go with her. Whatevs, I'll go back again. After about 5 times, I wasn't getting sore anymore and I was dropping weight like cray cray. I felt amazing. I ended up doing Crossfit for about 5 months until it ended where I was going. I have now purchased some circuit training DVD's. Not the same moves or intensity, but it's still a good burn!!! Hoping to start it up again the way I was before and get this last blasted 20 pounds off!!!! Good luck!!!

Don't worry - everyone has been a newb at one time or another! Just last night I had to get a trainer to show where to put some plates that someone left on a machine. It felt like a really dumb question since I was obviously getting ready to use the thing, but he was happy to help & quite apologetic that it gets "so messy" at night.

cardio should be your priority 5 days a week and strength train 2-3 days a week low weight lots of reps