Gym

[Natalie9209]

How do you get confident enough so you don't feel like you're being watched when you go to the gym when it's really busy... it really makes me feel uncomfortable because of my weight

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

My response is, do you really need to go to the gym? I manage to get all my exercise needs met, without ever having passed the threshold of one.

If, however, you feel a gym is essential, then to heck with all the gym bunnies, they're there doing their own thing and won't spare the time to notice you

Don't forget

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

[Tiggerr in reply to moreless]

In my mind, moreless has said it all and in the right order of priorities.

Additionally, if you do feel you have to go to the gym, how do you know that the people there weren't overweight once and wishing you all the best. Even people that are slim are probably wishing you all the best as well.

If I seem someone overweight jogging along the road I always think more kudos to them for pushing themselves when it can't be easy, compared to someone who's already lithe and fit.

Do what's best for you.

[IvanTheHorrible Maintainer in reply to Tiggerr]

What they said.

Nobody in the gym is laughing at you. They all have their own goals and wouldn't be there if they thought they were already perfect. Generally speaking, if they look at you at all, their attitude will be 'you go, girl'. Gyms often have very good camaraderie if you get to know people, but unfortunately gym etiquette is to mind your own business (approaching others can sometimes be taken as creepy or as an unwelcome interruption).

I agree with moreless that, if you are still drastically overweight, there is little point in going to the gym UNLESS it motivates you to be around other people exercising. Since it appears not to, it may be better to lose weight FIRST and then go back to the gym if or when you feel ready. Keep active of course, but stick to non-impact exercise like walking.

If you are carrying a lot of extra poundage you run a real risk of injuring yourself with certain exercises (especially jogging), and in any case it will have very little effect on your weightloss progress.

[Worz65]

Hi Natalie to be honest I felt like you but once you start doing your exercise you forget about other people as they are all concentrating on what there doing so don't worry once you have got over the first visit you will see never mind other people in there you go for yourself and do what you have to do and it's also a good place to make friends hope this helps

[ExcitableElf]

I think gyms can be great environments to be in, but I wouldn’t have said that a few years ago. Last year though I found a small really friendly gym nearby. I think with gyms sometimes it’s about finding the one that works for you.

[ExcitableElf]

I want to add that for me, going to the gym isn’t just about exercise - it’s also about giving me the opportunity to meet other people, have a chat about how we’re doing, and just get out and about a bit.

[mogin26 7lbs]

All good advice here. When I go to our local council run gym there are people of all shapes and sizes and abilities and no one takes any notice of any one else or how they look or what they are doing. have a go if you think it’s for you. Yes, you can get all the exercise you need at home but you can feel better if you go out to go to the gym, be amongst other people and also ask the instructors there what’s best for you to do. Good luck and keep us posted. 👍😄🌸

[Natalie9209 in reply to mogin26]

Thank for comments its day one at a new gym... i will return as i paid for the month...hands down to the runners that run outside I wish I could do that maybe in a month I can without dying lol... i will have my headphones in and focus on myself...im thinking of people watching me when they probs think i was watchinh them lol :/

[Rignold 3kg]

The only time I look at other gym users is when they dramatically drop weights on the floor or are hogging machines to take selfies or play on their phones, in which case I give them the Paddington hard stare.0

[IvanTheHorrible Maintainer in reply to Rignold]

aaaaaaaaargh people playing with their phones on the machines. Want to mess around on facebook, GO HOME AND DO IT. Don't waste your own time and other people's doing it at the gym.

[rozwalts in reply to Rignold]

Mmmm, I do that with cars and other pedestrians when I am in full flow with my walking. Do car owners who get in my way think they own the road!!! Lots of muttering under my breath.......................

[Hidden]

When I started going to the gym.... I had some nice expensive gym clothes, and I’d do my hair up really well. It gave me the confidence to face all those people even though I felt like everyone was staring at me for being fat at a gym.

Now I’m not so big and I’ve lost some weight and gained some strength and kinda know what I’m doing. And I stopped doing my hair. I still wear my best gym clothes though. High waisted compression pants so they won’t fall down and they kinda tuck my stomach in a bit and make it look smaller. I got them a size lower (like you’re supposed to) and even though I’m big I feel like a million bucks in them.

[Lizzie-b 2 stone]

I used to hate the gym but 18 months ago I used my summer Holiday to address my eating habits for good and got a personal trainer so I wouldn’t injure myself. I lost weight and changed shape in a way I’d never imagined possible at the age of 55. From being a size 16-18 I’m now a 12. My back which was always a problem is now strong but flexible and I am the fittest I’ve ever been. Going to the gym gives me energy and sets me up for the day. Everyone is on their own agenda but if I see anyone who’s overweight I just think “good on you for being here”. The gym isn’t for everyone but the right place and the right program can do wonders . so well done for giving it a go and know that if people are looking, chances are they’re rooting for you!

[Natalie9209]

Thank you all for all the great positive comments.... today went better, i know where the changing room is now and managed to buy a lock haha... i went earlier today (Im not an early bird but feeling good so far) it wasn't as daunting today as yestaday... i ran for 13mins today a few months ago i could only run for 3mins... it seems like when the gym is busy it motivates me to go the extra mile... looking forward to going tomorrow... going to go early again so i miss the crowds haha but it feels good knowing where stuff is

Thank you all again the support you gave me really helped me today xx

[Jay86]

I worried about that once, but the way I see it there are two types of people in the gym, people there to improve their fitness who look around and worry about what others are thinking of them, and people who are there to look good on a Saturday night, and they aren’t looking around at others, they’re why all the walls are made of mirrors.

[Rignold 3kg in reply to Jay86]

I always thought the walls were made of mirrors so people could watch their form while lifting to make sure it was correct.

[Jay86 in reply to Rignold]

Its for checking out your own sweet guns bruh!

[Rignold 3kg in reply to Jay86]

I actually only use it for taking selfies so everyone else can check out my sweet guns. Gotta do it for the 'gram.

[MissisB 4 stone in reply to Rignold]

No mirrors in my Gym. Apart from over the sink. Our trainers keep our technique nailed. 😉

[Rignold 3kg in reply to MissisB]

That's a good pair of trainers you have there.

[MissisB 4 stone in reply to Rignold]

They cost enough. 😀

[Rignold 3kg in reply to MissisB]

and not even a mirror to check them out in...

[MissisB 4 stone in reply to Rignold]

Clearly an expense too far. 😀

[MissisB 4 stone]

If you enjoy the Gym, ignore everyone else. 🙂

If I am exercising in the Gym, I need all my concentration and effort for my own workout, and certainly don’t have time to “watch”.

And if I see people of different shapes and sizes, I just think “brilliant”. One of the gyms I went to had people of all ages, sizes, abilities, with disabilities both mental and physical ... Fantastic.

I would also suggest that if your Gym is full of people watching, posing and wearing lycra, you could be in the wrong Gym. 🙂