Joining a gym and very overweight

All of those fit people know that they wouldn't be fit if they didn't get their butt to the gym every morning. Don't worry about it- your there to sweat and get healthy and they will absolutely respect you for that.

It just takes getting into a schedule- soon enough you'll be a morning person and look forward to getting there. DO IT

I understand exactly how you feel! I had a total of 85lbs to lose. I joined Curves for Women. Head to toe exercise with out the stress of a gym, not expensive to join, hours open are very convenient AND you lose weight! I'm down 40lbs in 8 months with the help of MFP as well. You'll love it! Just Do it!

Do you know what I think when I see an overweight person at the gym? Good for them. That's what I think. If you're not familiar with the equipment or what exercises get a trainer for at least a week or two so they can get you comfortable with a routine. Good luck.

Every journey starts with the first step. Cheesy yes but true.

I totally get the anxiety of going to the gym and having just another place on the map of being the "biggest girl there". I felt that way when I was 400 pounds and I STILL feel that way at 181 pounds.

Best thing to do is find a good time to go where no one gives a ****. Mornings are best for that. And you've got to put your blinders on; get on that machine and do what you gotta do.

"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great"

Good luck!

Some gyms have babysitting or children's play/exercise sessions.

On the other hand, there's a guy in my neighborhood who is quite heavy, and I see him jogging frequently when I'm on my way to work. He inspires me! Here's someone who has decided to make good decisions and value his life and health. It makes me want to hop out of the car and join him.

It is definitely a little intimidating to go into a gym at first. I had some of the same apprehensions. At somewhere along the way, I finally decided that I could care less what anybody in the gym thought of me. I put on comfortable clothing and just focused on my workout. I mean, seriously, think about it, who cares what these people think? Just ignore them. Also, after 6 months, people start to take you more seriously because you are still coming in, while most people quit after a few months. That's what I recommend--suck it up and just plough through each workout one day at a time. Just make yourself go even when you don't want to.

Previously being one of those fit people at the gym in the morning I don't ever recall thinking to myself: "What in the world is this person doing here?!?"

Trust me - the vast majority aren't thinking like that. They know why you are there. They are there for the same reason and they have thier own business to attend to.

Occasionally there's a rouge *kitten* that spoils it for everyone and there isn't anything you or I can do about it. What goes around comes around. Just do your thing like everyone else does and speak positively to yourself.

You['ll be fine. Everyone's concentrating so hard on their own workouts they won't even notice you. When I started at the gym I was obese and now if I do happen to catch the eye of someone larger I think, good for you, I know how hard that decision was but how much good it will do.

Mornings will be hard at first, but once you get into the habit you'll start to look forward to it. Lay out all the kits you need the night before so you can just hop into it and get out the door before you wake up enough to talk yourself out of it!

I used to go to the gym at this size, and even swam in the pool in that bikini!
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/656044-500-days-on-mfp-photos

Look for a gym that offer's child care. Go talk to as many gyms in your area as you can, all the people will be really friendly with you because you are looking to join, you want to take care of your body!!

Look, I went into the gym at 270lbs, I was treated with the upmost respect at one gym, some respect at another and what seemed to be only a slight amount of respect at the third (There are only 3 gyms in my area, not counting Curves, not my idea of a gym) I went with Anytime Fitness because they treated me like a PERSON! I get high fives and fist pumps each time I share a new scale and non scale victory with the owners. I love my gym!

You NEED to get over the fear of what other people might think when they see a larger person on exercise equipment... I have more respect for the ones working out than the ones walking by the front of the gym.

The gym is a safe place. It has become my home away from home. Everyone is there because they have goals that are right for them and they want to reach the goals that they have set for them. They are not there for anyone else. When you are there and you are really working hard, people will show you a lot of respect. In my experience the only people in the gym that get any flack are the ones that are not there to work. Go, play, learn, and have some fun. The gym offers SO many resources to assist you in your weight loss journey. Good luck!!!

Hezz

Do it !!! you will look back in 6 months and think what the hell were you getting so hyped up about

You should get an induction and a training programme when you sign up, tell the instructor that you haven't got a clue about using the equipment and he/she will take you through it all explaining what each bit of equipment is for and how to use it

Good luck and best wishes on your journey :drinker:

I, too, am overweight. I have a gym membership, and the only time I could fit in any time to use it was the morning. I would show up in my ugly clothes, hair was combed and pulled back, no shower yet in the morning, and some water before I went. The wonderful thing I discovered was that the other people who were there got to know my face and my routines and would greet me in the morning. It was like a whole new circle of friends! I would walk the track that circled the basketball court where several guys were playing before they started their jobs in the morning, and I would also go into the Nautilus room where there were several more people working out before they started their day. In the cardio theater there were a few more people who were doing the same thing I was---getting a workout before the day started. Give it time, and use the showering facilities if they have it. Just be sure to bring your flip flops to where in the shower. Now that my life situation has changed, I no longer go in the morning, but when I can. I miss the morning crowd.

So, Im thinking about biting the bullet and joining somewhere. - a few issues so I need some support please!

1. This would mean extreme dedication on my part as the ONLY time I can go is first thing in the morning.
(I work full time, my hubby and I work opposites and no one to take care of the kids in the evening) ---- sooo morning it is.

2. I'm seriously freaking out at the thought. All I can picture is all these fit people around me wondering what the hell Im doing there.

Okay so now I'm talking myself out of it .....

1. Although I don't have the same commitments as you, I get up every morning regardless of what time I start work and I train. Whether that be for 30 mins or 2 hours - I go! Generally in the morning you get people that are serious about training and less that are there to 'look good'. (and before anyone says anything, I am not saying that if you go any other time of day you are only going to look good!) Also because it's early, everyone tends to be in a zone of their own and I certainly don't take much notice of what's going on around me!

2. A year ago I weighed 126lbs and was a UK size 8 and trained every day. At that stage I recall a lady that was quite overweight and was really throwing herself into training, I mean, really! She was unbelievable to watch and left a trail of water in her path. A year later I am 50lbs heavier and UK size 14 and yet the lady I was talking about it still in the gym every morning and is looking AMAZING. She is a true inspiration that hard work and commitment to exercise really does pay off. So yes, I notice her, but only for positive reasons!!!

Join, start off slow, don't beat yourself up and enjoy the changes you see to your body. You can do it, you really can!!!!

Good luck!