gym = embarrasing

Honestly, I don't feel embarrassed. You're in the RIGHT place to get help and to take care of yourself. You go to school to learn, to the movies to have a good time, and the gym to lose weight. Just watch those funny planet fitness "gymtimidation" commercial. So funny! You're doing this for YOU. The beginning won't be so glamorous like Chuck Norris and his bo-flex but the desire for better health is always attractive.

I think the majority of people do the first few times they step into a gym. I know I certainly did.

The best thing I can suggest is find a time (when you're available) that matches up with the less popular gym times. Less people there = less people to worry about, and can help use ease into a gym routine with a little less stress. It also means that you have the chance to try a few different machines because there are less people using them.

I've been going for months and I still get a little stressed if I have to go in during a peak time. That's when you take a deep breath and remind yourself that everyone else there is concentrating on their own workouts, and if they notice you at all are silently applauding you for going since it's more than what people on their couches at home are up to.

When our tax refund comes thru we are joining an aquatic center. It has a fitness room, a lap pool, a warm pool, and small hot tub...I am excited but also uneasy because I bought a new suit....but hey it holds in all my bawdy bits sooo...Im gonna swim laps like I know what the heck I am doing :-)!!!

Gosh, I felt awful the first time I stepped in the gym. I'm like "all these people are going to be super fit looking at me like why is this fat idiot in here even trying." After I got going, and I saw changes in my body, I noticed it changed how I felt. I had more energy and I know I can better myself. Who gives a s*** what those people think even if they are judging, but the reality is...we're judging ourselves first. You'll get to a point where you know you're in it to be better, and that's all that matters. Good luck!

When I first started back 3 1/2 years ago, I felt embarrassed. But I sucked it up and kept going. When I've been on the injured list, and not doing anywhere near my normal, I've felt embarrassed. But these days, I walk into the gym, smell the chalk and iron and sweat and it's instant stress release. There is nowhere else I'd rather be.

I had a self-conscious moment today when I was doing some rehab exercises in my bright yellow shirt and clompety, totally unfashionable stability shoes in the same room as a guy training for an MMA fight. (It would have been fine if I'd worn navy or something, I don't know.) But whatever. I paid my fees just like he did.

DerekVTX wrote: »

There are a lot of people in there in your state, and a lot of fit people in there that used to be overweight. When I see very overweight people in the gym I think "AWESOME FOR THEM", they are taking the first steps. When I see overweight people waddle out of Dennys I think...."DISGUSTING....they don't have to be like this". Be more embarrassed about not being in the gym The hard work will pay off, if you honestly put your all in.....I promise it will pay off.

What a horrible thing to say. Be ashamed of yourself, truly.

Just remember everybody that's there is working on their body. Everybody has their own goals. Don't pay attention to anybody around just focus on your goal. Patience and confidence.

I used to feel like that at my gym, now I just think 'I'm making one hell of an effort, just like everyone else here. Right now, we're equal people.'

kassienoriega wrote: »

@Brandzilla‌ I think the embarrassment comes from being out of shape and running into familiar faces. Its the whole judgement thing which I need to pass

Do you mean "familiar faces" in the sense of people you know from elsewhere? Or familiar faces in the sense of people you just recognize from seeing around the gym? Because I can tell you, people I see ONCE at the gym leave zero impression on me. Whatever. Anyone can pop in for a day and play around on the weight machines or a stationary bike.

The people I see twice, three times?

Those are cool people. Regardless of whether they're pounding out supersets on the free weights or walking a mile around the babytrack. They belong. *You* belong.

myfatass78 wrote: »

Yes, I have the moment when I am in a class doing aerobics or similar. I feel like I'm in the zone and getting all the moves right. THEN I LOOK IN THE MIRROR and it looks like an octopus is dying in pain. It does get a bit better.

Seriously the funniest thing I've read in a while

Well, I don't actually go to the gym but I believe, you shouldn't be ashamed.
Most people are focused on their own workout and don't pay much attention to you.
As a (now) fit person, I can tell you - seeing an overweight person working out puts a smile on my face. I feel happy for them for starting a probably long and hard journey and - if they do it right - watch and feel their body transforming, which is a wonderful experience. It's actually motivating.

There are other people who should be ashamed, like those guys who seem to go there to check out girls or chat and block the machines all day. Or those "genies-in-a-bottle" or "disco pumpers", as we call them here (I guess you know who I mean).

Sorry for my bad english, not a native speaker.