I am too Fat to work out at the gym

spzjlb · January 2017

Great to hear!!!!

I've been going to all kinds of gyms since I was a student (I am 52 now). I have NEVER ONCE thought poorly of an unfit or big person working out. I think " good for you" and feel inspired. I have seen obese people, people with physical disabilities, Downs Syndrome, very fragile elderly, people recovering from illness or injury - all exercising. Everyone wants to encourage those who are trying to take control of themselves. It is exciting to see someone progress, even when we don't really know them.

Also, consider that many of the most fit people you will see started out at a very different level...

I feel the same way when I see a very slow person out jogging. Good for them! There's a ton of couch-potatoes in our society and it's nice to see someone bettering themselves.

amandarawr06 · January 2017

As everybody else has mentioned, people are not there to look at you. I have been a regular gym goer for years and I almost never pay attention to anybody unless I am admiring what they are doing and want to try it next.

I was very overweight the first time I went into the gym and I understand feeling uncomfortable but you just have to get used to it and it starts to feel natural. Find a time when its not as busy until you start to feel better about being there. Or as other people have mentioned, try home workouts too to boost your confidence. Good luck!!

cheryldumais · January 2017

Oh honey don't ever think that! If you don't want to go at first you can do other things but there is no reason why you shouldn't be there. I started walking because I'm not much of a gym person but I used to go to the gym when I was over 200 pounds. I've lost 70 pounds though just walking about 45 minutes a day. Don't ever think you have any less right to go to the gym than anyone else. I applaud you for going! Whatever you do just hang in there and increase your fitness slowly and you will be successful!

bicycler1952 · January 2017

Chele, tomorrow when you walk on the treadmill, make a note of how many minutes you can do. I'll bet the next day you can do 1 minute more. And the next day...and the next...

_incogNEATo_ · January 2017

I'm fat. I look almost the same as I did a year ago. I'm stronger than I was a year ago too, though. The cool thing is: even though I'm still fat, I've gotten to know people, my confidence is higher (even at the same weight), and I can say that I'm now one of the ones encouraging new members instead of needing/wanting the encouragement. Do it now, and reap the benefits that come immediately, as well as in the long run.

onward1 · January 2017

^This. Slow and steady wins the race. One day at a time.

leanjogreen18 · January 2017

Simple truth I have found...You won't be able to please everyone all the time. If your'e fit and trim folks may judge you too. But most people at the gym won't care they are there to work out.

You said something I found interesting, "my daughter won't have my issues".

Stay with that by setting an example. She never has to hear the word "diet" (in the traditional sense) or weight loss, she only needs to see her mom work out and make better eating choices and she will have a good start!

Best!

WhizGidget · January 2017

What everyone else said - no one is going to be looking at you, and if they are, they are cheering you on. I certainly would be, even if I never say anything. There's a guy at my gym that has been going regularly, and I've watched his weight loss over the last year. It's been impressive, and I suspect if you start now, you'll have someone else in a year thinking the same thing of you - that your progress and dedication has been impressive.

And setting a good example for your daughter is absolutely the best start for her too. My daughters have watched me over the years staying in shape, and I never use the word diet (I work out so that I can eat whatever I want, after working really hard to get where I am), and they're lovely. They won't have weight issues because they know staying active and working out is the best way to not be deprived - of food, of activities they want to do, of anything.

Commander_Keen · January 2017

You might just be wrong,
Everybody that is there is there for the following reasons: To get into better shape, to be healthier, to change their bodies.
Everybody knows how hard is it is to make that 1st step. I would not be surprised if people start to high - five you.

kshama2001 · January 2017

Yes, do get a few sessions with a personal trainer - you will feel a LOT more comfortable afterwards.

I'm rooting for you!

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flatcoatedR · January 2017

I know how you can feel that way. I started this journey weighing 316 lbs. There were days I didn't want to go out of the house, let alone move around in front of alot of people. Was it because of what others thought of me? No, I believe its because of what I thought about myself. I thank God I have my job that motivated me to get out of the house somedays. You can lose weight without exercising. I loss 90 lbs in less then a year without doing much of anything. That being said, you will not get healthy or stronger without some kind of exercising. That dosent mean you have to work out in a gym. I started walking in my neighborhood. I even had to start walking at night so my neighbors wouldn't see me. As you lose weight and start feeling better, how you feel about your self will change . You'll get stronger physically and mentally. You'll want to do more and start to try different things. Maybe, even join a gym.

abennett3001 · January 2017

I joined the gym in August last year and I was 27st11lb best thing I done it was very scary people so stare and laughed at me and talked behind my back it just gave me more motivation to keep going back now I'm 5stone2lb lighter now who's laughing? Not me... Just think everyone who starts out at gym was new at one stage... Keep motivated and good luck.

bketchum1981 · January 2017

I think everyone who goes to the gym is about as "in the raw" as you'll ever see them. I know I am.

When I first started going to my current workout studio, I went thinking I just don't see the point in getting all dolled up to get super sweaty. That's just inefficient use of time. I also thought "these people aren't my friends."

I still have the no shower/bad hair don't care attitude but believe it or not I'm developing friendships or at least a kinship with likeminded people who don't care what I look like!

Adopt an attitude of "this is for me" and use whatever mind game to keep you walking through the door.

kar328 · January 2017

I was morbidly obese when I started going to the gym, and felt the same. But no one pays attention. They really don't care. As my weight has dropped, I've actually gotten comments from people who've seen the changes and are very supportive. Last year I started doing heavy lifting and was intimidated by the idea of that section of the gym. I got some sessions with one of the trainers. I loved her confidence as she strolled her 5'0" self around the weights and it helped me immensely (plus learning correct form and lifts etc). It's so worth it to get past this mental hurdle. My confidence has skyrocketed.

VeggieBarbells · January 2017

FWIW I think the exact opposite. When I see someone who is clearly overweight in the gym, I take my hat off to them. It takes courage and determination to just turn up. Many would rather sit at home and order in pizza - so respectfully I disagree.

And once the pounds start to come off, you'll be flabbergasted by how many people comment on your progress. Everyone expects the fat guy or gal to give up and never return but when you keep going and going and going - you not only inspire yourself, you inspire others too. Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

Jokerz9 · January 2017

You can't achieve anything until you start working for it. Here is one thing keep in your mind, TRUST YOURSELD AND DON'T CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK. If you need any help you can text me. Achieve your goal we all know you can do it we believe in you don't let us down .

unsuspectingfish · January 2017

Honestly, I've never gone to the gym, and I probably never will. I do bodyweight workouts at home, courtesy of Darebee.

unsuspectingfish · January 2017

Also, I think this comic is appropriate: At the gym: who is looking at whom.

trudie_b · January 2017

OP, I just want to thank you. Because of your post, and the other comments on the thread, I broke my usual rule of silence at the gym today, and spoke to someone who was obviously there for the first time. She was an older lady, very overweight, with brand new gym clothes, and I could tell she felt very intimidated and unsure. I told her my own story, how I'd been where she was, what a difference exercise has made to my life. I told her I was rooting for her, and what a great thing she was doing, starting on this journey. I could see her relax and feel more like she belonged, and at the end of her workout she came over to thank me and to say, "I'll see you next time!"

I'm really glad I did it, even though it was hard for me (I really hate talking to people I don't know).

Supawilkins · January 2017

#1 rule about working out. Focus on yourself

kenyonhaff · January 2017

One of the best things you can do is be a role model. And by role model I don't mean perfect. But if she sees you being brave, taking responsibility, and loving yourself she's more likely to do that herself.

lorrpb · January 2017

Honestly, you are putting way too much importance on yourself. People don't come to the gym to watch you or anyone else work out. They go for themselves and that's what I would encourage you to do too. Many people will feel inspired at the effort you make to get there and better yourself. Don't use what you think other people are thinking as an excuse! Even if you could "know" what they think, what difference would it make to what you do?

Did you talk about your concerns with the trainer? What did the trainer say?

If you prefer working out at home, that's fine too. Just do it!

mamajenb · January 2017

I felt the same way, I found a small yoga studio that offers personal training and I have been doing that once a week for about 6 months. I love it, I am the only person in the room and it has given me the confidence and ability to join other group classes. Shop around and find somewhere you feel comfortable.

bagge72 · January 2017

I'm sorry you feel this way, and part of losing weight is finding a way to not think like this, because I can assure you people aren't at the gym to make fun of you, they are to deal with their issues if they have them, or to just work out, and go home. As soon as you stop being afraid, the easier this is going to get!

Madwife2009 · January 2017

You're not too big to use a gym, really, you're not. I put off using a gym until I hit the top end of healthy weight because I had the same fears. I wish I'd gone when I started out losing weight as I really enjoy going (plus I need to do it for medical reasons, not just weight loss, and it would have been a lot better had I started months ago).

I still feel self-conscious though. I sit there in the belief that people are looking at me, thinking that I'm doing things wrong (this is probably a carry-over from spending my entire life as an overweight/obese child, teenager and adult and something that I need to deal with at some point but that's another issue entirely). But those people are probably just concentrating on THEIR workout and couldn't care less about me. It doesn't stop me going though, and I have no problems with jumping out of bed at 5am to traipse off to the gym as I get such a kick out of it

I would say that at least half of the people I've seen at the gym are overweight or obese. But they are there, doing something. Good for them, I say.

The gym I use is quite a friendly place. It only opened a couple of weeks ago, I've been nearly every day since then and I'm on speaking terms with quite a few people now. Please don't be intimidated by your own feelings, once you start things will look a lot different

cahubbard6421 · January 2017

Go back to the gym. Ask for that personal trainer. Everyone wants to see that person become a different person. Nobody should feel like they don't belong in a gym. Everyone has started from.different places but we all had to take that first trip into the gym.

Mexicanbigfoot · January 2017

I will tell you, as a morbidly obese person, the people at the gym don't care what you look like. Most of them don't even know you are there. If anything, they are silently praising you for getting up and getting out and moving. Do what makes you comfortable. You don't necessarily need to go to a gym to lose weight. I have met some amazing people at my gym, much fitter than me. You can do anything you put your mind to!

Funny story: Monday afternoon I was at the gym and I went to sit down on the bench under the lat pull down and underestimated the size of my booty and fell right off the back. Hit the floor. I don't think anyone laughed or even saw me, but I said "screw it" and I kept my headphones in, got back up and did my thing

jr1985 · January 2017

Saying that you are "too fat to go to the gym" is kind of like saying that someone is "too sick to go to the doctor" Personally no one has ever been unkind to me at the gym, in fact lots of strangers even have always been very motivating and encouraging...

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with working out at home either, I get bored, tired, cranky, want to give up etc if I'm on the same machine even for more than half an hour tops, it helps me a lot to be able to do the row machines for a little bit, then the ellipticals for a little bit, then the bike or the sit down elliptical for a little then some weights for a little etc. I'm WAY more likely to actually get an hour in if I can mix it up a little, and it gives me a better full body.

As a general rule, no one is even looking at anyone else or cares what other people look like at the gym... especially with new years, and a lot of people working out again after a long hiatus... trust me we are all just focusing on our own huffing & puffing, sweating, feeling like we are going to die, etc. to pay too much attention to anyone else.

Do whatever works for you... but if you think the gym might help you... don't be intimidated by anyone else.

MsMaeFlowers · January 2017

Every decent person at that gym would LOVE to see you there, no matter your size. Healthy people like to see other people being healthy and starting their journey to health. The only thing we're thinking, if we even noticed you, is good job for coming in and trying to make a change.

You're always going to find people that are jerks no matter where you are, but you can't let the chance of running into one stop you from being healthy and doing the things you need to do to be healthy.

albertabeefy · January 2017

You walked into the gym, which shows how much you want to change. Many people can't get that far!!

Sure, equipment can be intimidating... But the equipment is a TOOL, nothing more! You CAN figure out how to best-use that tool to improve things, yes you can

A trainer is an amazing idea if you can afford it and if you're intimidated.

Remember that although you may be morbidly obese ... so were some of the people in the gym that you're worried may be judging you.

As someone who was a morbidly-obese 355lbs myself, I know how hard it is to get in there and do the work, and personally - I'm only impressed when I see someone in a similar place who has found the strength to get to the gym and workout.

I am too Fat to work out at the gym

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