Morbidly Obese
absolament
Posts: 278 Member
Today I saw the most amazing, encouraging thing. Something that helped me focus on one important fact about nutrition and exercise...that regardless what shape we are in, the simple fact that we are all interested in taking better care of our bodies is a goal to be honored. Mindful eating and finding time for exercise is a challenge for us all.
I was leaving the gym this morning and saw a morbidly obese woman. I noticed some people were too uncomfortable to come close to her. But not me. I walked right next to her and held the door open as we were both leaving the gym for the day. I would have done it for anyone. And I certainly didn't want to treat her any differently. I smiled at her as I do anyone I hold the door for, and she thanked me. She had kindness in her heart. And she was beautiful. I admire her so much for facing one of the most uncomfortable hurdles of getting back on track: being at the gym.
If any of you are over weight, don't feel discouraged about being active in public. While some people may ridicule you, there are others, too, who will admire you for becoming active and making a change. And regardless of what anyone thinks, the most important thing to remember is that you are becoming active for you, your body, and your health...and your family who love you dearly.
I was leaving the gym this morning and saw a morbidly obese woman. I noticed some people were too uncomfortable to come close to her. But not me. I walked right next to her and held the door open as we were both leaving the gym for the day. I would have done it for anyone. And I certainly didn't want to treat her any differently. I smiled at her as I do anyone I hold the door for, and she thanked me. She had kindness in her heart. And she was beautiful. I admire her so much for facing one of the most uncomfortable hurdles of getting back on track: being at the gym.
If any of you are over weight, don't feel discouraged about being active in public. While some people may ridicule you, there are others, too, who will admire you for becoming active and making a change. And regardless of what anyone thinks, the most important thing to remember is that you are becoming active for you, your body, and your health...and your family who love you dearly.
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Love this!0
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good post!0
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Thank you for this post, it made me cry. It is so hard to work out in public. When I first began to run, I would hide in the trails in the woods so no one would see me, I was so embarrassed. I am not embarrassed anymore but I will never forget how hard it was to begin and how I felt that everyone was laughing at the fat lady trying to run on the trail in the woods. I have more respect in my heart for someone that is just beginning than a seasoned fitness guru, because those first steps are the most difficult.0
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I agree! Thank you for sharing! :flowerforyou:0
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I agree. I get encouraged when I see people starting out in the gym that I go to. I talked to this larger lady on the treadmill next to me and helped her with how to move her arms to help her balance. I know when I started this I was 251lbs. It was embarrassing to go to the gym, but we all start somewhere.0
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Great Post!!! And so true:)0
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Thanks for this post! It's really encouraging! I never liked going to the gym (still don't, so I don't go) because I felt so out of shape. It always feels like people are judging you, especially if you're like me - breathing all hard and sweating all over the place. I always felt like I had to lose weight and get in shape to go to the gym!'0
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That's awesome! I hope that everyone who wants to get fit feels comfortable at any gym!!! I love mine, it's just really casual and friendly, of course my town is pretty friendly anyway and most of us know each other!!!0
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This is amazing! Thanks for posting!0
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Thank you for commenting on this. I really have to motivate myself to go work out because I have a fear of what others around me might think. This is obviously something that I need to get over, but thank you for making it known that it shouldn't matter what what others think because there was always be someone else who admires your desire to make yourself healthy.0
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I am 23 and need to lose 81 pounds. I went to the gym to meet with a personal trainer and he actually laughed at me and called me fat to my face. Needless to say I don't work out in public anymore because of it. :-/0
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RIGHT ON!! The people with the most courage, and who deserve the most respect, are those that take the first most uncomfortable step in their journey. Then, the wonderful folks that step up along side them and create the team. We all do better with support. This site is wonderful.0
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Great post!!! My mother quit going to the gym because one of the patrons had something about her being over weight. It broke my heart to hear her tell me this!0
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Thank you for posting this. My morbidly obese cousin died a week ago. She was trying to get to a gym, but her efforts were inconsistent. I know public perception was at least partially responsible for her inconsistency.
And thanks for showing kindness to someone who needed support at that time.
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Good for you... no matter the shape or size of a person, they are still just that - a person!
For those of you who battle with the idea of going to a gym for fear of how others may view you, please check out my blog entry about the topic:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/guardup/view/overweight-and-afraid-of-the-gym-73787
It is hard to keep the courage... but there are those of us who are inspired by you.0 -
First he should have been reported, trainers should be there to help you not insult you, don't let a jerk like that get to you. I started going to the gym when I was 275 pounds and never looked back, it is what is helping me keep on track. I have this one class I take and she modifies things for me, not for my weight but for foot issues, so please don't be discouraged, either report him or find a new gym. If you have Curves around they are a great place to start if you are still weary of the gym.I am 23 and need to lose 81 pounds. I went to the gym to meet with a personal trainer and he actually laughed at me and called me fat to my face. Needless to say I don't work out in public anymore because of it. :-/0 -
I am 23 and need to lose 81 pounds. I went to the gym to meet with a personal trainer and he actually laughed at me and called me fat to my face. Needless to say I don't work out in public anymore because of it. :-/
Wow that's horrible. Someone like that does not deserve to be a personal trainer... Find another one... one who is not an a-hole.0 -
When I was in the latter years of school, I was obese along with a few other class mates and we were discussing using a gym. The conversation quickly ended as we all decided we would have to lose weight before we even set foot inside a gym because of the embarrassment of trying to use the equipment while body builders strutted around in hot pants and sports bras laughing at us. I didnt enter a gym until about 4 years after that conversation because I was so terrified. Its not right. My teenage years were the most depressing of my life because I was so overweight and too afraid and clueless to do anything about it. Now that I think back on it, what was so wrong with acknowledging I had made bad health choices and I was trying to make it better? My problem is that I care WAY TOO MUCH about what other people think of me
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Wonderful....thanks for sharing this!0
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i applaud you for posting this....i am morbidly obese and trying very hard to take this terrible tag off of me! it is not easy and i am sure that the people that you noticed ignoring or avoiding her were under the same impression as most..... that is; people who are over weight are lazy slugs who do not care about anything especially themselves. this could not be further from the truth and thank you for this....it touched my heart!
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First he should have been reported, trainers should be there to help you not insult you, don't let a jerk like that get to you. I started going to the gym when I was 275 pounds and never looked back, it is what is helping me keep on track. I have this one class I take and she modifies things for me, not for my weight but for foot issues, so please don't be discouraged, either report him or find a new gym. If you have Curves around they are a great place to start if you are still weary of the gym.I am 23 and need to lose 81 pounds. I went to the gym to meet with a personal trainer and he actually laughed at me and called me fat to my face. Needless to say I don't work out in public anymore because of it. :-/
I was surprised because it was at 24hr fitness. They are suppose to be like one of the best. But it really made me dislike them. I contacted the manager and let them know. Unfortunately we don't have curves here. The closest thing to me is the gym on the Marine Corps base. I have been working out in my living room instead0 -
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Wow that's horrible. Someone like that does not deserve to be a personal trainer... Find another one... one who is not an a-hole.
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No kidding! I was shocked.....0 -
You have kindness in your heart too
Starting out at the gym is hard for anyone especially in this case, discouraging someone or making them feel uncomfortable is unforgivable. Koudos to those who try to make new people feel welcome & accepted! If everyone were this accepting of other's differences the world would be a better place.0 -
What a horrible person that personal trainer was! I just cannot believe the gall of people. I would have talked to his supervisor in a heart beat. I was thin all my life and after 3 kids and a number of years (I'm now 47) I need to work on my body. I think that anyone who talks that like is just a terrible person, period. You can find a gym where people will respect you. You deserve respect no matter what you weigh! Especially if someone is overweight AND going to the gym, I mean that says, I'm trying! Sorry about my rant but this just hacks me off.I am 23 and need to lose 81 pounds. I went to the gym to meet with a personal trainer and he actually laughed at me and called me fat to my face. Needless to say I don't work out in public anymore because of it. :-/0 -
What a horrible person that personal trainer was! I just cannot believe the gall of people. I would have talked to his supervisor in a heart beat. I was thin all my life and after 3 kids and a number of years (I'm now 47) I need to work on my body. I think that anyone who talks that like is just a terrible person, period. You can find a gym where people will respect you. You deserve respect no matter what you weigh! Especially if someone is overweight AND going to the gym, I mean that says, I'm trying! Sorry about my rant but this just hacks me off.I am 23 and need to lose 81 pounds. I went to the gym to meet with a personal trainer and he actually laughed at me and called me fat to my face. Needless to say I don't work out in public anymore because of it. :-/
No I totally agree! I cried so hard when he did that. I was just in shock that he had the nerve. I was trying to get back into shape I was working on my self esteem and he just crushed that with one stinking word! I have not had the courage to go back to a gym but I am working out at home and going to the Gym in our apartments at night (when no one is around to see me).0 -
You're awesome! I definitely treat all people the same and think all people are beautiful (unless they are mean to others for no reason). All people willing to bust their butts have my upmost respect...this ish is hard!0
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GREAT post and you have an awesome attitude! I was picked on at my gym today by a bunch of skinny teenage boys. It doesn't bother me anymore, thank goodness. It makes absolutely NO sense to me why anyone would discriminate a heavier person for working out - why should we deserve that? We are exercising, and doing what needs to be done to be healthier. I'm not asking for a ticker tape parade in congratulations, but I think people should focus on the fact that we are making a change in our lifestyle instead of degrading us for our PAST choices.
Luckily, I find that the majority of the adults are very welcoming and supportive. Sure, there are a few bad apples, but that doesn't ruin the whole bunch.
To anyone that stays away from the gym in fear of being treated badly - try to let it roll off your back. You aren't doing this for the haters, you are doing this for YOU - and YOU are all that matters!0 -
That guy should be fired! My daughter had a similar experience at a gym and she isn't even overweight! She never went back either.0
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Awww, thats sweet!;-)0
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I made two new years resolutions this year, and I've stuck with them. The first was to try to be more image conscious. The second was to try to be less damned image conscious. What I realized is that I let my poor self image become a self fulfilling prophesy-too afraid to diet because when I failed I'd look like a fool. Too afraid to be seen exercising in public because I'm large and in bad shape.
I let go that bad image consciousness - not just in weight but in multiple areas I was letting my self image govern my behavior. I challenge myself daily to be who I believe I can be, NOT who I've been busy being. And I've quit worrying about being mocked for being my best self. That thought got me to the gym and through it often enough to reach a point where I no longer felt the discomfort. Let go of what others think- so long as you Are doing your best. It's not easy to ignore snide people but it can be done0
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