Too Ashamed to go to the GYM

screw everyone else. if everyone was perfect, we wouldn't need to be in there.

Do it anyway. Once you're in the water you won't be thinking about anyone else.

Good first step! Next time move your swimsuit and gym bag to the front door, the next time put it in the car, then go to the gym! Almost everyone there is embarassed or ashamed of something about their body or the way they look. Don't let that stop you from getting to do something you love that will make you feel better and be healthier.

I'm sorry you feel this way, but I think this issue is largely self-induced and not reality.

I will occasionally hear out of shape people say that they are scared to lift weights because they think other people are laughing at them.

When I see someone lifting weights who is obviously out of shape, I think "Wow, good for you, you're making good decisions and doing something about it!".

I really think that the vast majority of people don't really care, and aren't judging.

Good luck with your fitness goals and don't get down on yourself.

screw everyone else. if everyone was perfect, we wouldn't need to be in there.

And those that do look good, didn't always start out that way. Go and do your thing. Before long you will be one of those, that others are jealous of!

No one goes there to look at you.

Go, you'll be glad you did. :flowerforyou:

You can do it. You aren't the only person who is going to the gym to improve the way they feel about themselves. Maybe you'll even meet someone that can help you on your journey.

My Mom says the same thing and it's tragic. Swimming is such a good workout for your entire body. We all have to start somewhere - forget what anyone else thinks and focus on how great it will feel to swim and watch your body tone up, and how fantastic it will be when you reach your goal and can step out confidently in your suit. If swimming is what will get you there, don't let anything stop you.
A quote I happened upon recently made me laugh and stuck with me..."You'd worry a lot less about what other people think of you if you knew how seldom they do"
GOOD LUCK!

Bingo; I signed up for a gym membership a few years ago and never went, finally canceled a year later. I exercise at home; maybe try to go during off hour times and ease into it?

Don't be. You are working towards a better you and should be proud that you've made that choice. I go to water aerobics 2-3 days a week and let me tell you I was BIG when I started last year (not that I'm small now) but I didn't care. There are ladies of all ages and sizes in class and noone looks down on you. The lifeguards and my instructor as well as some of the participants are rooting me on in my weight loss progress and I get compliments all the time. GO TO THE POOL, you won't regret it.

I had this same problem when I started working out, I felt so very very uncomfortable using any of the machines in my gym's cardio area. By the time I was 30 minutes in on my first trip, I didn't give a flying hoot, because it was so darn obvious that no one else did. Everyone is doing their own thing, and I'm pretty darn sure everyone would rather be doing it at home alone, except that the equipment/pool is not there. We all go to the gym and immediately ignore everyone else while we do our thing.

So throw that suit on (under your clothes BEFORE you leave the house, so you don't have to deal with changing there), strut yourself into the locker room and drop off your outside clothes, wrap up in a towel and don't discard it until you are sliding into that pool. And trust me, the water wiggles so much, no body can see your body once you're in. Take a deep breath, and swim!

The hardest step is deciding you want to go. You've made that decision already, the rest is cake

It's time for you to put on your big girl panties and pull yourself up by the bootstraps. You don't get very far in life fearing what others think, say or do.

Put on that bathingsuit, hold that chin high and get in that pool!

You WILL be a changed person when you are done with your swim. The first thing you build is confidence!

My gym is full of fitness models and bodybuilders. As an obese woman, it was really uncomfortable walking in there at first, but I found that most everyone was kind and friendly towards me. As my weight came down, they all started rooting for me and encouraging me.

Long story short, don't worry about it. Just go, do your thing, and you might find some of those "pretty" people are great and can be a good source of encouragement for you.

No! I love seeing people's progess at the gym! Seeing the dedication it takes to transform yourself is incredibally inspirational (think of the contestants from The Biggest Loser--they have the entire nation rooting for them!). That's why I love the gym, everyone there is working towards the same goal--health and fitness--everyone is just at a different part of their journey.

As for the bathing suit, I know how you feel. Of course the goal is to feel better about yourself so you aren't self conscious, and trust me--as you see that weight falling off, the conficence will come! Until then, there are many bathing suits specifically designed to be flattering for women of all shapes, and skirted suits are always helpful! You can also wear your towel or robe until you are just about to get in the water, then remove it quickly and jump in the water (I'm much more confident with water distorting my less-than favorite parts)

Until you are feeling more confident, try going to the gym at the non-peak hours--late at night, late morning, early afternoon. . .you'll be less likely to encounter as many people in the pool.

In the words of Dr. Seuss - "Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

Love this!