Joining a gym and very overweight

Well, you could get up every day for a week or so and work out at your house and see how that goes? I personally have a hard time waking up -- so that is what I would do to test myself. But like others have mentioned -- early in the am at the gym is usually less crowded!

Would you happen to be near a YMCA? They usually have daycares inside of them -- my sister's gym (not a Y) does too. It's like a dollar or two per kid. If not and getting up early isn't an option, have the kids work out with you at home! My 3 year old does 30 Day shred with me. I mean, she doesn't do it right -- but she has he own weights (1 pounders from the dollar store) and she plays and jumps.

Good luck -- and don't worry what people think! It's your health! People who judge are lame.

If some of them want to judge me for being big and sweating and all that, I'd rather they judge me in the gym where I'm giving my all rather than judge me as I stand in line at Popeye's fried chicken

Amen! I'll admit it, I judge when I see extremely overweight people doing unhealthy things. I try to remind myself that perhaps that person sitting in front of 2 double cheeseburgers and a mound of french fries as big as a salad plate complaining about how they're just overweight because of genetics......ok, maybe they're just having a really bad binge day, and that they are actually making healthier choices and getting some activity. But I'll admit that is not my first response. (cue attacks in 1,2,3...)
BUT.
I have NEVER judged someone exercising, no matter their size. Because it's obvious they're taking action, and I respect that. And I really think that's the reaction you'll get from the vast majority of people at any gym. Don't intimidate yourself out f it!

(A little background first. I'm 37 years old, haven't been swimming in 20 years, need to lose 300 pounds, and up until a month ago have never stepped inside a fitness gym.)

I felt the same way a month ago when I finally joined the YMCA. I knew I needed to join but was nervous about doing so. When I finally when to sign up I had to spend nearly a half hour in my car in their lot psyching myself up to actually walk in.

I expected the disapproving glances, stareing, and hushed conversations that I've come to expect when I go out. To my surprise and everyone else's credit, none of that happened.

So far everyone I've met has either been wrapped up in their workouts and ignored me (in a good way) or been friendly and encouraging. In the four weeks I've been a member, I've gone from be aprehensive about the gym to one of the 5 AM regulars and actually look forward to going in every morning..

I just wanted to add that I've found the early morning schedule you mentioned to be a real boost for me. Not being a morning person, getting up a going to the gym has been difficult. There are a lot of posts on the forum about non scale victorys (NSVs). I'm feeling those victorys every morning I as I'm driving to the gym and after each workout as I'm driving back home. I find these early morning victorys set me up to have a great day. By 7:00 AM I've already accomplished something which has been great motivation to eat better, feel better and generally just have a better outlook the remainder of the day.

My advise is to take the plunge and join the gym.

I am so excited for you! What a great and fun step you are taking!
I joined my gym when I turned 40, and it has been one of the best decisions of my life. Like you, I was absolutely scared to death... I am painfully shy and was very self-conscious. But I went in full speed ahead, determined to change my life.
Our gym is fairly big- we are lucky that it has so much to offer. We have people of all ages and fitness levels all there for the same purpose which is to get or stay healthy. Everyone is so focused on doing his or her own thing that they do not pay attention- in a good way- to anyone else.
If you are going at roughly the same time every day, you will begin to see familiar faces and start to exchange friendly hellos and smiles. It is so much fun! Get to know some of the staff- they are definitely there to encourage and have guided so many people in their fitness journeys.
When I first joined, I could do the stair-master for only TWO minutes! Seriously- two minutes and that was even with a couple of breaks. I would be sweating and breathing so hard I thought i would puke. But I kept going. I'll never forget the first time I completed 30 straight minutes on the thing- I got off of it and cried!! Tears of joy!
Find something you enjoy, and go for it. I've become an avid spinner- something I never thought I'd do.
I'm still overweight (due to poor eating habits which I am determined to change- part of the reason I am here), but can honestly say that I am stronger and fitter than I was 20 years ago because of the day I decided to join the gym.
Go for it!

YOU CAN DO IT! I especially love going early in the morning. Everyone there is very focused on their workout, and there are few people -- usually the same people every day. You'll just get to be one of the morning crowd regulars!

Edit: I was 273 when I started going and felt like a cow being led to the slaughterhouse on the treadmill. Now I feel like a superhero going to the gym every day.

I actually like the gym early in the morning because there are less people there. It seems to fill up with muscle heads and girls with a full face of makeup just there to flirt in the evening. Put in your earbuds and enjoy yourself.

Hey girl,

I was worried about joining a gym too because I did notice quite a few stares from the fit people, but eventually I came to the point where I could let that get to me or just push through it. It may feel awkward at first, but you just stick with it, don't let those people bring you down, speaking from experience, I enjoy working out now regardless if there is a super model next to me in the gym or not, it's about making your goals a priority over others opinions.

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -Eleanor Roosevelt

You can do it! :happy:

If you have your choice of gyms just go in and take a look around. Like any thing there are going to be differences.

I notice here locally certain clubs tend to be filled with the 20 somethings in shape people walking around showing off trying to get a gym date. Most of the clubs around here are more family fitness oriented and so I picked one of those.

The only reason why people will watch you when your heavy at the gym is to make sure they are beating you in whatever you are doing. I know it sounds odd, but I realize I do it now so I am assuming other people. When I see guys or girls bigger than I am (not many) and they are kicking *kitten* harder on a treadmill or machine I find myself trying to surpass them. Every one benefits it is ok.

If they do make a comment, because there will always be an insecure person waiting to say something don't sweat it, rest assured knowing that while your body is easily enhanced by working out and diet, being an asshat is impossible to fix.

I'm just going to copy & paste what I said on a similar topic last night.

I'm the "fat girl" at the gym. I'm always the biggest one there. I don't have cute workout clothes yet, I am sweating by the time I walk in from the parking lot. I can't move as fast as others.

But I go. I work. I sweat. I smile at people, and they smile back. They talk to me and support me in ways that they're probably not even aware of. Because, you see, I'm THERE. I'm working, just like them. If some of them want to judge me for being big and sweating and all that, I'd rather they judge me in the gym where I'm giving my all rather than judge me as I stand in line at Popeye's fried chicken waiting for food.

So my advice? Just do it. Just go and do your thing. It's for YOU, not for anyone else!

THIS. THIS. THIS.

I have been going for a little over a month now, and it's the BEST THING EVER. I feel better, I've already lost nearly a foot in inches, my ankles have stopped swelling, and sweet jeebus, I have MUSCLES underneath my jiggly parts.

I do wonder if I'm being gawked at because generally I am usually the biggest person there and it's 99% college kids (since it's the university fitness center), but you know what? I'm not here for them. I'm here for ME. Screw what anyone else thinks. GO! GO! GO!

You'd be surprised how many of these 'super fit' people you see, it's less than you think. And when you're in the gym everyone is too focused on their workout to look at who's in.
It'll also be fairly empty in the mornings.

My stats

Start Weight:256 pounds
Current Weight 228.4
Goal: 190 pounds

Our story

My Fiance and I Joined Xsport in fairfax and got trainers this is probably one of the best decisions we have ever made. Out of respect for her im not going to post her progress but as far as weight loss her goals are slightly different but over all weight loss pr0gress is on par with mine. We both have different trainers and work out at different times due to my work schedule being different every week. The end results have been great and we couldnt have done it with out the help of MFP and our trainers.

As far as cost I would say im breaking even. I spent alot money on beer and at starbucks, coldstone, panera and baskinrobins not that there is anything wrong with those places. you just cant drink the koolade and super size everything. Now the money I would spend per month there goes to the Gym and my trainer.

Getting more fit has also brought us closer together in every way possible. we get so pround of eachother we we get back from the gym and tell the other one about achivements that we might not have been able to do the day before. She also says that working out has made me just a lot more mentally stable since my job tends to be very stressful.

GO FOR IT you wont regret it !

I love my gym - they know my name, they weigh me each week (I need the discipline of being weighed by some one that is not me), they are soooo supportive of what I am doing, no-one is mean.
Just do it! You will not regret it

The only time I have had an issue of feeling uncomfortable is at a Gold's gym. I didn't realize when I joined that it is mostly a training gym for weight lifters. The staff was nice and gave me some training lessons but the other clients did not appreciate me being there. I am now at a LA fitness and it is awsome. People of all shapes and sizes. They offer a free lesson with a trainer to show you the equipment and they even have a day care that will watch your kids up to an hour a day. Great gym. I am over 300lbs and everyone has welcomed me.

Another thought I just had, I dont know if anyone else suggested but if you feel that nervous/self conscious maybe you should get a few personal trainer sessions? It might make you feel more confident using the equipment and get you going on a good program you are comfortable with.