Hi @Birgitkwood! Joining a gym is a fantastic idea. For me, it was essential. There are too many distractions at home for me to be able to work out and stick with it, so when I go to the gym, I keep focused on what I need to do to attain my fitness goals.

I'm a 42 year-old fat white guy, and I had some reservations about joining the gym and working out amongst all the "in-shape" people as well, but do NOT let that stop you. My approach was two-fold. First and foremost, I knew that I needed to do it, and I didn't care what anybody was going to think or say. I saw this as almost a life and death issue, honestly. Either I do this (get healthier), or the curtain's going to fall a lot sooner than I want it to. I found that's a great motivator. That, and the opinions of other people who probably don't know what it's like to struggle with weight, not only don't count, they don't matter. Second, my experience has been that most people at the gym aren't going to be idiots, and that the feeling you'll have of being watched, or stared at, or whatever is greatly exaggerated. I'm not saying that there aren't some, just that there aren't very many. Also in my experience, the few that have been that way aren't brave enough to say anything.

On the subject of choosing a gym, my biggest consideration was when I would be able to go. I have a CRAZY schedule, so I made sure that my gym was accessible 24/7, and I'm often in there at 11 PM. Past that, I'd say pick one, go in and chat with the staff. If they're friendly, the place doesn't smell like feet and is clean, and you like it, Give it high marks on your score card, and check out another one. Pay attention to programming, too (HiiT classes, spin classes, etc.). That's the one thing that I'm not in love with my gym about. They don't have any classes. I have found ways to work around that, so it's not a huge deal to me, but it may be to you.

I hope that helps! Have an awesome day.

BTW, I'm just starting a youtube channel to talk about getting healthier, and you've asked about a couple of the topics that I plan on addressing early on. Feel free to check it out right here.

I was terrified of joining a gym. I figured that the people in there would look at this fat 34 year old, and laugh me out of the door. I picked a 24/7 gym so I could go at 'unsociable' hours, and one that had a website where I could check how busy it was before I went.

In the time I've been going, I've had two tiny incidences that may have put me off a year ago, but didn't. In my first month, no one even looked at me (mind you, I was there at 6am). I did, however, have a guy laugh at me when I was walking across the weight room, but he was a judgemental meat head who clearly didn't understand I was there to get healthy. The only other time was two youngish girls, maybe 17/18ish, full make-up, fake nails, hipster glasses, clearly not there to work up a sweat, who looked at me and giggled. It bothered me temporarily, but I realised they were paying membership fees to try and meet men - I was there to kick butt!

What Pepperhead & Medusa have said is right. Find a gym that works for you. You're there for you, no one else, and we're here to cheer you on too.

Ask for a free trial period and see if what they offer fits you and your schedule. I live in a small town also and just switched from the one in the larger town 20 miles away to the one in my small town because the equipment is in better condition. I try to go in the middle of the day when it is less busy so I don't have to wait on the use of equipment very often. This one does not have classes, but that suits me fine since I can go in, do strength training then do cardio. The people who I have seen that work out at the time I prefer to go are faces I recognize from church and are all polite and considerate. If I try to walk outside, I get stopped so often by people wanting to chat for a few minutes that it's hard to make progress - even if I go walking on the rural road going out of town. I am very much over weight but find that I am making improvements in my health so it is very much worth it.

I just posted episode 2 early early this morning. Check it out! https://youtube.com/watch?v=vsiDJH7Bsp8