too embarassed......

Just go for it. There will be those who may judge you, but prove them wrong, by showing you can do this. There will also be those that you inspire & impress, especially when you start showing results. Good luck. :flowerforyou: :drinker:

Dont be silly! Everyone is at the gym for exactly the same reason - to lose weight, get healthy and earn the beer/pizza/burger they want to enjoy later.

Just remember - you dont know where they are in their race. Some are like you, just starting out - and some were in your position the time 3, 6 or 12 months ago.

I joined a gym in May last year at 30+kgs overweight. I wore the baggiest, most unflattering gym gear I could find - anything to cover up. The gym (and mfp) has helped me lose 25kgs and now I meet so many people who saw me back then and congratulate me on my progress so far.

You can do it! Perhaps call one and go in for a trial. The ladies gyms (fernwood and curves) are a really safe and supportive place for women - no men!

I am 10 stone overweight and felt exactly the same.....got 2 the gym and NOT A SINGLE PERSON looked at 'ME'...too interested in doing their own workout xx

Don't be. I used to go to the gym when I was really heavy. I used wear a baggy T Shirt and a pair of leggings. Most people in the gym were impressed that I was making the effort to do something about my weight. Start by seeing a Trainer and they will give you an exercise programme to get you started. After a while I got loads comments about how well I was doing. So go for it :flowerforyou:

I have just spent 30mins bouncing about to Wii Zumba in my front room, I'd never go to a class because I'd be the one jiggling about out of time and getting all hot and sweaty in the process. I feel a bit daft even on my own at home but it's a good workout and I feel better for doing it

I am too embarassed to join a gym... or even go for walks outside. right now im getting exercise walking around my house.

its stupid I dont feel like people are looking at me normally. but I feel like if I was in exercise gear they would all be laughing at the very fat girl

I can sympathize. I feel the same way.

I use some DVDs so I can workout at home. (And don't forget there are TONS of free videos on Youtube and exerciseTV and BodyRock, so you don't have to go and buy something just yet.) One of my favorites is a DVD that you walk in your home. It's Leslie Sansone, check her out.

Other than that, I do feel more comfortable if I'm walking outside, but if I'm still dressed like I'm coming home from work ( I wear jeans, t-shirts, etc to work), so it's not obvious I'm out to get exercise. I do things like walk home from work (I'm only a mile away), walk to and from the grocery store, take stairs instead of elevator and so on.

To be completely honest, for my first month on MyFitnessPal, all I did was jog in place in my bedroom. I plugged in my mp3 player, cranked the volume and just went for it. And I saw results. I sometimes venture out for some running (it's rare), but it's always at night. I feel more secure that way . . . :-/

Don't be discouraged. There is a way.

Hey, i was exactly the same to begin with
i thought,, who wants to see me at 18.5 stone
Attempting to jog without collapsing after 5 minutes
lol but after the first time of gettin out there,
i felt so good about jogging for the first time (as a form
of exercise) that i didn't care as much next time round
its a good feeling once you get goin. Get your music in your
ears and pretend your the only one there!
Good luck! X

I am too embarassed to join a gym... or even go for walks outside. right now im getting exercise walking around my house.

its stupid I dont feel like people are looking at me normally. but I feel like if I was in exercise gear they would all be laughing at the very fat girl

If you feel self conscious in exercise gear, just get yourself some good supportive walking shoes and get out and go for a walk. You don't need to do anything special, just get moving.

Maybe that will give you the confidence to go to a gym. But really, people are there to do their own workout, if anything they'll just think "good for you" - I was only a few pounds off obese when I joined, nobody stared at me or made me feel embarrassed.

Well done for even thinking about it, no rush, just start walking outside (maybe take the long way round to the shops?) and you'll see what a difference it makes to you - mentally as well as physically.

If you want inspiration check this out - if he can do it after not leaving his house for two years, you can

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/452150-9-lbs-way-from-losing-300-lbs-b4-and-after-today-pics

I agree with everyone else. I have started walking and just continue it after walking my daughter to school, normal clothes (especially in this weather....you should have seen me this morning wrapped up against the cold!) Also, why not stick some loud feel good music on and dance like no-one is watching? Good exercise and boy does it make you feel happy! :bigsmile: Good luck, you will get there......oh, and if you haven't already why not have a look on the motivational/success stories thread.... that gave me such a boost!

I felt the same way and I still do. You'd think after losing nearly 3 stone I'd be out there jogging but no. Still extremely self conscious. Maybe one day - at least exercise works wherever you are

Why dont you bring the gym to your house? i brought my cross trainer from this site like ebay for 80 dollers.. way cheaper.. and i usually do 30 mins to 1 on it while watching my favourite t.v :_)

My Mum told me of a friend of hers who felt the same about going out to exercise. What she did was go out in her work clothes, but with trainers on then walked fast/jogged a little with her work shoes in her hand. She said it made her feel like she looked like she was just late/running for the bus and helped her to keep going until she felt comfortable in exercise gear.

When I started running, I used to take the dog to the beach - it was winter and snowing and so I wore so many layers of clothes I looked like the Michelin man (in wellies too) I must have looked like a lunatic but me and the dog had fun and it gave me that wee bit extra fitness that helped me get going in less clothing as the weather warmed up.

Go for it. More people will appreciate you making the effort (if they even realise) than will judge you. And any idiot that judges isn't worth the time of day - you're already a better person than they are!

I do my workouts at home. You would be amazed at how good of a workout you can get with your own bodyweight and some dumbbells. Don't let feeling embarassed stop you from achieving your goals. I have lost 40 lbs. Total20 since I started using MFP and have done all of it at home and by going for walks. I have belonged to Gyms before and had a hard time keeping up with a plan because it was hard find time to get to the gym. Just remember that you can do this and there's a lot of other people in the same boat as you. Good Luck.

I take my dog for a walk every day. On weekdays, we leave the house by 5.45 and get back just over half an hour later. Before joining MFP, he tended to get only 20 minutes in the mornings. It crept up to 25 minutes, and then 30 and now 35 minutes (much longer on the weekends).

Because we go early, we don't see many other people out walking. It is lovely going for a walk in the mornings - a great start to the day.

Apart from working in my house & garden (which I must admit involves a lot of digging/weeding), walking is the only exercise I've taken since joining MFP 4.5 months ago. In that time I've lost about 15 kg (33 lbs), and gone down in inches too.

So there is no need to go to a gym to lose weight and improve fitness. Even people who are much fitter than I, manage to do their exercise at home.