Don't be afraid to go to the gym

[bull999999]

Granted, there will be jerks at the gym like there will be jerks out in the streets but most of the lifters will give you respect just for trying.

Here's one of Joe The Peacock's Official Rules Of The Gym

2. Don't laugh at the fat guy / girl. They're there just like you are, they're working just as hard as you are. In almost every way possible, they're 10x the athlete you are - not only did they show up to the gym to get better, they did it amidst snickering and comments from assholes like you - and that takes more guts than you'll EVER have. :thup:

[Mousesmom]

I am one of those rare people that thinks people "of a certain size" should be ADMIRED for being at a gym, swimming, running etc.

I cheered for very last person crossing the finish line in a 10 K race I ran last year: a woman about 5'6" and ~400#. She cried when I told her how amazing she was for finishing!

Cudos to all the people who are there for they are ALL making an effort to improve their health.

If you are in a gym and making fun of anyone it means you aren't focussing on why YOU are there....

JMHO, Julie

[foxgluvs]

2. Don't laugh at the fat guy / girl. They're there just like you are, they're working just as hard as you are. In almost every way possible, they're 10x the athlete you are - not only did they show up to the gym to get better, they did it amidst snickering and comments from assholes like you - and that takes more guts than you'll EVER have.

Sadly because of a severe lack of confidence, which is a hangover from being fat and feeling ugly for years, I feel like that person in the gym. And I KNOW why I am there and why I am doing it, but it's still a mental hurdle to get over.

Thanks for posting this.

[Judynyc]

2. Don't laugh at the fat guy / girl. They're there just like you are, they're working just as hard as you are. In almost every way possible, they're 10x the athlete you are - not only did they show up to the gym to get better, they did it amidst snickering and comments from assholes like you - and that takes more guts than you'll EVER have.

Yup!! Thanks for posting this.

I too, just started to work out at a gym with a trainer.:rolleyes: ...I know, I'm pathetic, but at least I'm finally there.

He told me of people, like me, who lose the weight and then will come to work out. He did not understand this....I had to explain to him what its like to be an obese person and how awful some people treat the obese. They don't even have to say anything bad or laugh, just a look of condemnation has made me shrink away.

So yes, Its great to go while you're losing...but not all of us have what it takes to do that....so I walked alot while I was losing and now I need to work out a lot!! ;)

[FatFreeMe]

I am the obese person at the gym. *grins. been going 2 years now. all i seem to accomplish is to be more 'functionally fit'. but thats ok, i can carry my laundry basket up the stairs and not feel like passing out! I posted a q on another thread, about being on induction and not having the energy to go. I only went 2x this week. (3 if i get there this morning) I feel like such a slacker.

[bull999999]

I was planning on going to the gym yesterday but felt tired so I just slept in. Just to show that everyone slacks once in a while! :D

My energy level did go down when I started induction but it did better as my body got used to it, so hang in there!

[Citruskiss]

I feel too 'out of shape' and fat to join the gym. I'm one of those people who thinks that I need to get in shape before I actually start going to the gym.

Meanwhile, I've got a brand new treadmill, and a DVD player in my new exercise room downstairs.

That said, I really...really could use some instruction and help. I'd get that if I could just work up the courage to actually go to the gym.

Silly isn't it? I need what a gym could provide, but feel too fat and out of shape to go there.

Ah well, I'll get it figured out somehow.

:)

[Mousesmom]

Citruskiss: come visit Victoria and I will take you to the gym with me..... might inspire me to go more often!!!!!

LOL

Julie

[FatFreeMe]

Thanks for the encouragement bull. I really was going so regularly until I started induction. Now, I feel .. crappy.

[camaromom]

When I first started going to the gym there were two ladies there who were very fun to be around and very fit. To my astonishment, I later found out that both of them had lost > 100 pounds. Since that time I have found out that several others at my YMCA have lost > 50 pounds including one of my favorite instructors. :) When I see someone who is overweight at the Y I just want to applaud their efforts and I'm happy to see them there. Remember that we all have to start somewhere. Go ahead and head to the gym, who knows who you will inspire someday.

[bull999999]

FatFreeMe: Are you still feeling crappy?

[dan_ak]

I had some friends that started joining the gym and I decided to join as well, this was about a month ago before I started LC. I went maybe 6 or 7 times, but I felt the same way.
I felt that everyone was laughing at me.
I felt that what I could do at that point (e.g. 15-20 mins of cardio max) was not good enough.
There were too many people around all the time (I have a bit of that social anxiety)

In retrospect, it probably wasn't nearly as bad as I made it out to be in my mind. Just something to think about for others in the same boat, and I did notice that there were many people my size and larger there. I guess the key is to only focus on yourself, and not any of the other folks around you.

[redness]

even if everyone is actually laughing at you - (not sure about your gyms but gyms ive been to in the past) i rarely see (or remember seeing) the same person twice and they will prob think the same about you. so youll never see them again to care what they think etc.

[LadyC]

i never liked going to gyms, even in my days of being young and fit. i ALWAYS felt like i was getting sideways glances. i always felt like i was being snickered at for not using as many weights as others. (i looked toned, but was never very strong.) i always felt like maybe i wasn't using the equipment right. oh goodness, and i wouldn't DARE ask anyone how to use something i wasn't familiar with!

self-esteem issues can affect anyone, no matter what we look like. so remember next time you're working out, the beautiful body on the piece of equipment next to you may be feeling just as self concious as you are, and may even wish they had the nerve to overcome shyness enough to talk to you.

my esteem issues run so deep that i now have my own little mini-gym in a spare bedroom. i won't even step into that room if there is anyone in my house, even if that person is my husband snoring in the bedroom.

[Bailey198]

I feel so lucky to have found the gym that I go to (Planet Fitness). The motto for the gym is "The Judgement Free Zone". I am truly comfortable when I go there. It is not like a typical gym and best of all... it is only $10 a month!!! I highly recommend the gym.

If you want to know more about it or to see if there is one near you here is the link: http://www.planetfitness.com