Too Fat to go to the gym??? WHAT!?!?
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When I see heavier people at the gym I respect them for getting out there and trying to change. Everyone has to start somewhere, and it's great that they're actually trying to get healthier and not sitting on the couch lamenting the fact that they "can't" go to the gym.0
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The real question is....why do people even CARE what random (rude) strangers may say or think of them? To the point that they won't even exercise in public? I don't get it. Even at my heaviest I didn't worry about that.
As much as we say it doesn't matter it still hurts the heart deep down.
But I've had no issues at the gym's I go to.0 -
When I first started working out I was about 35 pound heavier (and I'm still about 20-30 pounds heavier than I want to be). The track at the YMCA gym I was going to is an elevated indoor number that sits above the weight area, with no floor on the inside portion of the track. From the track you can look down into the weight area and from the weight area you can look up and see the walkers and runners.
I finished my run and was walking down the stairs when this guy stopped me. He was built like a brick wall, maybe 5% body fat and clearly a long term weight lifter. He said he'd been watching me run and was really impressed, encouraged me to keep it up, and told me that if needed any advice I should come talk to him. Really nice guy, just wanted to stop and give me some encouragement. I think I'll always remember that, a little kindness can go a long way. One way to combat the unkindness of others is to put out a little kindness of our own. I don't think I'd have stopped working out if the guy hadn't said anything, and I wasn't really heavy enough to experience any sort of negative pressure at the gym; but for another person at another time that might have exactly the encouragement that kept them going.0 -
You guys are totally awesome. That is literally what my excuse has been. My hubby is a soldier and everyone at the military gym's are pretty much in great, if not perfect, shape. I'm about 75 pounds overweight, so I'm not in any kind of shape, but round, lol. I'm going tomorrow for the first time...and I'm scared to death...but your comments have helped me some. Thank you!
Good luck!!! I'm sure it won't be nearly as bad as you think it will be... But let us know how it goes Hoping you the best on your journey to get healthy! 0 -
Unfortunately a few months ago, I was teaching a Zumba class where there was a young girl who was quite overweight and struggling with keeping up with the moves. She was doing wonderfully, and trying as hard as she could. Off to the side, two other girls, in fairly good shape, started laughing and giggling at her, snickering, elbowing each other and obviously talking to each other about the way she looked and moved.
I kicked their sorry a$$es out for being sorry human beings, but told them it was because they were being disruptive and loud. I also told them they weren't welcome back.
Jessica, the young girl, has since lost 50 lbs and pretty much comes to all of my classes. She was sad, embarassed and she said it was hard to come back after that one day, but she did.
Good for her! I can't believe the other two girls... again... what better place for an overweight person to be than at the gym?0 -
When I first started doing classes at the lunch hour, this one totally fit, perfect looking, young woman kept periodically looked at me. At the start I was totally concentrating on correct form and could not keep up with everyone and stayed in the back. She was the only person that made me feel sensitive about my lack of abilities. Never said anything about it to my younger coworkers who joined me. One Monday, my co-worker, lunch hour classmate told me she had seen that same woman at a class at a different gym location on Saturday. The perfect looking woman described me and told her that I was her inspiration to keep working out, that she had heard me mention when I first started that I was recovering from chemo treatments and she saw how hard I worked to improve and she saw how good I looked after doing it for a year.
Ms. Perfect and I are now locker room acquaintances, exchanging pleasantries and support. It was a reminder to me not to be so self-absorbed. Even if her vibes had been negative, it would have been irrelevant. I do go to the gym and it has done wonders for me with no harm to anyone else.
What an awesome story! so reassuring that she was staring at you because you had inspired her!0 -
i joined my first gym at around 500 lbs. and it was one of the type of gyms that the really buff people go to to get even more ripped. well most every one of them did not even pay attention to me because they were so into their workout, and what few people did say something were nothing but encourageing. even the owner of the gym who was a former competition weight lifter came over to me and would congratulate me on trying to lose weight. since then i moved to a local ymca and i have only heard good things. people can look at me all they want and think whatever, but i have only had people give me inspiration to keep on. besides i dont think someone would like it very much if they told me i was too fat to work out.... but that is just me.... 0
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2. Hurrah to the girl who mentioned about gym clothes. Nike only do in this country up to a size 18. Susan Powter was an advocate of big girls stripping down in gyms because then a) you can really SEE your body and b) you can see it change shape as you move and lose ... yes, not to everyone's taste, but you can't argue with the theory. Although I love my big old baggy grey t-shirt, i know that when I start to feel fitter, I want to SEE the results - not hide it under a XXL T.
For bigger women in the UK, can I recommend Sainsburys for activewear! I know, pick up your tins of tuna, your salad, and your fitness gear. It's not a big range but it goes up to a 22 (and I'm a 24 really and it fits me). I bought a nice top with short sleeves, though there were more sleeveless ones. But trousers are the thing I really find difficult because I find that non-exercise trousers just don't stay on and stay comfortable. So I got a pair of yoga pants and knee-length shorts. Good value, basic exercise wear.0 -
Without exception, everyone I have meet at the gym and in the variety of classes I have taken over the past couple of years has been beyond supportive!
Now that my weight is down and my performance level up. It is my turn to be as helpful and supportive to those people taking their first steps of physical fitness.0 -
Unfortunately a few months ago, I was teaching a Zumba class where there was a young girl who was quite overweight and struggling with keeping up with the moves. She was doing wonderfully, and trying as hard as she could. Off to the side, two other girls, in fairly good shape, started laughing and giggling at her, snickering, elbowing each other and obviously talking to each other about the way she looked and moved.
I kicked their sorry a$$es out for being sorry human beings, but told them it was because they were being disruptive and loud. I also told them they weren't welcome back.
Jessica, the young girl, has since lost 50 lbs and pretty much comes to all of my classes. She was sad, embarassed and she said it was hard to come back after that one day, but she did.0 -
Unfortunately a few months ago, I was teaching a Zumba class where there was a young girl who was quite overweight and struggling with keeping up with the moves. She was doing wonderfully, and trying as hard as she could. Off to the side, two other girls, in fairly good shape, started laughing and giggling at her, snickering, elbowing each other and obviously talking to each other about the way she looked and moved.
I kicked their sorry a$$es out for being sorry human beings, but told them it was because they were being disruptive and loud. I also told them they weren't welcome back.
Jessica, the young girl, has since lost 50 lbs and pretty much comes to all of my classes. She was sad, embarassed and she said it was hard to come back after that one day, but she did.
I laugh at this because us bigger girls can shake more and make it fun compared to the skinny chicks in my zumba class. They dont have anything to shake, lol.0 -
At my gym there are folks of all different shapes and sizes, including extremely obese and across the board, everyone is incredibly supportive and encouraging to everyone, no matter what their size or goals, staff and gym members alike. I'd say if someone was made to feel uncomfortable for any reason, especially for being overweight, change gyms.0
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I think it is more of a mind game at the gym than anything. I had lost all the weight I wanted to about 2 years ago, and then lost my father last February. I turned to food and drinks instead of a counselor to deal with my pain. I quit working out, and now I feel the worst that I ever have. Met up with a friend this week and told her how much I've gained back in just one year, and she will be one of my biggest supporters at the gym when I go back tomorrow. I haven't gone for one reason of being ashamed and embarrassed to come face to face with my two trainers that had helped me lose all this weight. Well, no more excuses. The drinking is on the furthest burner in the back, and I'm ready to hit this head on. If anybody would like to be friends and support each other through my journey and yours, please do. It's one day at a time, and if I slip up one day, I will not let it get me down!0
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My hubby and I absolutely LOVE IT when we see overweight people working out. On the street or in the gym, it's like "Good for you!" If they ask us questions, we are more than happy to answer them. Our passion is working out and eating healthy. We love it, and if we can pass that on to someone who is just starting out and help them develop a healthier lifestyle, then it's a really good day for us!0
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I'm in the gym for me and my big fata$$. I could care less what other people might be thinking or saying about my jiggling fat becaus I am getting healthier.0
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78 pounds lost? That is so awesome and what an inspiration!0
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A friend of mine joined a gym and left it after a week, because some weirdo was ogling her boobs bouncing as she was running on the treadmill. So not a rude comment, but rude behaviour...0
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I would be hurt by such comments, but I'm pretty sure my initial response would be to tell the person to mind his/her own f'ing business. :mad: I would do the same thing if someone said that about someone else around me as well - way to encourage someone to be healthy by making fun of him/her!!
At my Zumba studio, I can't even imagine people making fun. There are bodies of all shapes and sizes there.0 -
A person thinking they are too fat to go to the gym is the same as a person says they won't try yoga because they aren't flexible. Both ideas are as backwards as saying you won't go eat because you're starving.
Hahah! Well said.0 -
I haven't read too many posts in this thread, but am I to understand that people mock strangers in gyms?0
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I know when I go to the gym, I think people must be thinking bad things about me...it's probably all in my head! Most people go to the gym to work out! More power to anyone who works out, regardless of size!
As for being the girl in the weight room, I've had guys tell me not to use their bench because it's already loaded with the big plates. I've looked at them, thanked them, then benched the big plates in front of them! That usually shuts them up!
Keep going to the gym. I'm headed there now!0 -
I bet in any gym there will be those that stare and think rude thoughts. Who cares what they think!!!
So far I have loved my gym. Everyone is so friendly and as soon as you walk in you are greeted by everyone. Maybe some of the ones that are extremely fit or even some of the trainers might be thinking rude thoughts. However, I could really care less. I am making an effort to change and that is all that matters.0 -
I've had comments shouted at me from cars when I was simply standing waiting for a bus, so it killed any desire I ever had to work out outside.
I LOVE my gym though - really supportive people, and lots of different body shapes.
I do look at people in the gym, but this is what usually goes through my head:
"Wow, I like her top, wonder where she got it?"
"Hmm, wonder how long she's been working out, I'd love to look like her"
"He looks scary, bet he's a really nice person though"
It's only fleeting glances, and I bet people do it to me. I think if you're in the gym, for whatever reason, you're already winning the battle.
I'm going tomorrow morning, and I can't wait! Oh, and I wear running tights, or tight pants and running shirts, and I'm five foot two and 182lbs. Yeah, it probably doesn't look good, but it's comfy for me so I don't care.0 -
I have a lot of respect for fat people that regularly make it into the gym. I know it's not easy even for myself, cant imagine what it's like for some of these people.0
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No, I haven't.
However I have a feeling that people who make fun of overweight people going to the gym have a few cognitive reasoning issues.0 -
Yea most people could not care less if fat people or working out. If anything its a positive thing because you are there exercising.0
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I've only been to a gym once and I kept feeling like people were looking at me funny. My sister says it was all in my head but I dont know. I was uncomfortable. People make fun of folks like me (334lbs) anywhere, hell at my place of work one of the managers calls me "wobbles" because I dont walk as smoothly as others.0
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when i first started strength training, some imbecilic musclehead started imitating me. I'm pretty sure he did it because of my weight, and it really hurt my feelings. I didn't stop doing what I was doing, but there are a lot of jerks at the gym who want to intimidate and belittle others just because they think they are so much better than them.0
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This is exactly how I feel!!!! Need better work out clothes!!0
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The last time I went to my gym, there was a woman there on the treadmill that was probably about 300-350 pounds. I could tell she was uneasy but she walking at a decent pace and was doing her best. A few of the gym bunnies were annoyed because they couldn't get on treadmills together so they started giving her dirty looks and whispering/laughing about her.
She stopped and got off the treadmill and I could tell she was completely crushed. I immediately went over and told the girls off at which point I realized one of the girls WORKED THERE (hence why I haven't been back since). Then I talked to the woman (her name is Shelly) for a little while over a bottle of water. I told her I was proud of her and that everyone has to start somewhere, etc. Shelly said, "they hate me because I'm fat and they're mad because I'm in their gym and they have to look at me. How am I supposed to get skinny so I am acceptable if they hate that I'm here." I really felt terrible for her.
I don't think this is how the majority of people act but it does happen and when it does, it's really difficult for the person that's being singled out.
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