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Feeling uncomfy at the gym

Maryaly40
Maryaly40 Posts: 551 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
So, I'm still a newbie here at mfp but prior to joining I have lost over 40 lbs and have been going to the gym faithfully. Anyway, recently I noticed I'm being "looked at", checked out even by guys. Now, my body is transforming, however, the way I still view myself is not. Cause what I'm thinking is "why the heck are they looking at me?", or "that chubber better run another mile" lol When does that automatic negative thinking go away? lol So then I start thinking they're thinking negative and I lose concentration and start to feel embarrassed. Maybe I'm just nuts LOL! If eye contact is made I put my head down. I think I have issues? lol Has anyone else ever felt this way?

Replies

  • mfastdriver123
    mfastdriver123 Posts: 143
    My friend feels the same way as you do. She doesn't know how to over come the feeling either. I myself don't have that problem as I have not started losing yet. She dropped a whole lot of weight really fast due to depression. She doesn't go to the gym but finds guys staring at her when she goes to the store. Hopefully we can get some answers that help.
  • auticus
    auticus Posts: 1,051 Member
    Keep going. Ignore them. Put headphones on. Live in your own land while working out.

    One reason I have hated the gym is because it is often used as a hookup establishment, where the gymrats go to check each other out and hit on each other.

    Or the guys that take pictures of themselves in the mirror congregate.

    One guy a month ago was smiling at himself in the mirror and doing the finger point thing to himself.

    Or the women that go all dolled up like they are at the club.

    Put the headphones on. Ignore them. You are there to transform yourself.

    Men are programmed to dance and preen and show you their feathers.
  • adjones5
    adjones5 Posts: 938 Member
    I've never felt that way at the gym but I've felt that way other times. You just have to stop the negative thinking immediately. Literally think to yourself "stop". Then think about all the things that are wonderful about you. When those guys are looking at you I guarantee they are not thinking anything negative. They are thinking hell yeah I hope that sexy girl notices me looking at her and looks back at me! If they didn't think you were cute they would be looking at someone else. Moral of the story, you're hot so embrace it.
  • Justjoshin
    Justjoshin Posts: 999 Member
    The simple answer is, get over it. Negative thoughts bring negative results

    Be positive and take it to the max everyday for yourself, not for them.
  • H_Factor
    H_Factor Posts: 1,722 Member
    try to focus yourself while at the gym. Whenever I work out, I'm focused on myself. In my boot camp, I rarely notice what the other folks are doing because I'm focused on giving a max effort myself and doing what I can do. you go to the gym to work out. unless these other folks are your friends, you will never likely have any interaction with them. who the eff cares what they might be wasting their time on...but you know you're focusing on your fitness and, as a result, you're winning!
  • cdngirl71
    cdngirl71 Posts: 2,641 Member
    People could be looking at you because they notice the change in your body. I felt like that too. I even had some strangers come up to me to let me know what a great job I am doing. I wouldn't let it make you think negative. If you make eye contact, give a smile and I am sure you will get a smile back.
  • JennsLosing
    JennsLosing Posts: 1,026
    The simple answer is, get over it. Negative thoughts bring negative results

    Be positive and take it to the max everyday for yourself, not for them.

    **negative thoughts bring negative results** i like that.
  • Grimmerick
    Grimmerick Posts: 3,342 Member
    it's called ugly duckling syndrome.............you'll come out of it once your brain catches up with your body
  • toniRAD
    toniRAD Posts: 196 Member
    Don't think about it. Try going with a friend, that used to help me be more confident at the gym. It's a natural reaction for people to look at each other, I'm sure they aren't judging you or anything like that. Just keep making yourself do it and eventually it won't bother you!
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    So, I'm still a newbie here at mfp but prior to joining I have lost over 40 lbs and have been going to the gym faithfully. Anyway, recently I noticed I'm being "looked at", checked out even by guys. Now, my body is transforming, however, the way I still view myself is not. Cause what I'm thinking is "why the heck are they looking at me?", or "that chubber better run another mile" lol When does that automatic negative thinking go away? lol So then I start thinking they're thinking negative and I lose concentration and start to feel embarrassed. Maybe I'm just nuts LOL! If eye contact is made I put my head down. I think I have issues? lol Has anyone else ever felt this way?

    the negative thinking doesn't go away unless you change your mind set. They're looking at you thinking Day-um she looks good or Man she is making some serious progress or Woohoo, now that's what I call drive and determination or YOU GO GIRL!!! You just have to realize these thing. However, I've read it takes the minds eye about 6 months to catch up with the mirror.
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