Fat Girl at the Gym

[Anonymous]

OP here: thanks for all the good karma. (And of course I'm changing my eating habits. I'm not going to the gym for FUN!)

[Anonymous]

I've lost 40 lbs, 10 to go. So I was pretty overweight ... "lighter" obese, I guess?

Going to the gym just makes me feel better. It's almost beside the point whether it accelerated my weight loss, because I feel stronger and happier when I'm sticking to my schedule.

[Anonymous]

1008 again.

So, OP, my point is ... going to the gym is awesome. Don't listen to the naysayers.

[Anonymous]

OP, you're doing an awesome job--keep it up!! I was teased mercilessly for being overweight when I was a kid; as an adult, I have nothing but admiration and respect for the overweight people I see working out. It's hard enough to exercise, let alone the pressure you put on yourself and worry about what others think. Of course diet is an important component of weight loss, but regular exercise has immeasurable benefits.

I'm pretty fit now--and work hard at it--but I know how tough it is. You'll do great, and don't you give a whit what other people think. Anyone rude enough to criticize you isn't focusing enough on him-/herself.

[Anonymous]

OP, you rock!! Keep it up!!!

[Anonymous]

Be inspired!

http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/22/health/gillis-weight-loss-couple/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

[Anonymous]

I look like Aunt Bee and don't gave the courage to be seen in a gym.

Best wishes, OP!

[Anonymous]

I'm the OP and still feeling ok. This thread is kinder than DCUM general. I challenge all the other big girls to hit the gym... or in my case... the gym at work... next week. I have a lunchtime meeting Monday, so I'll see you there on Tuesday at noonish.

To everyone else, thank you for encouraging (or at minimum not judging) all those noonish Tuesday workerouters... always.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the fat girl. 240 pounds. Been to the gym 8 times in the last two weeks. Feeling good about it.

But now, I'm wondering if what I'm doing is enough.

I'm starting with cardio.

I've worked up to 3.5 MPH on the treadmill at 3.5 grade.

Is it a joke to those around me?

It's so hard to stay motivated when everyone is jogging away and I'm proud I made it 2 miles.

I wouldn't think you a joke. It's hard to get up the motivation to work out at the gym. What you are doing is excellent. Don't worry about what others think.

[Anonymous]

Don't listen to the people who say exercise doesn't help you lose weight.

It does boost your metabolism.

Also, I read an article recently that people who did diet and exercise were more likely to maintain a stable weight after they lost than the person who just lost weight through diet alone.

[Anonymous]

You rock, OP.

I need to lose a few pounds, but I'm woefully out of shape. Cardio anyone?

Exercise will make you feel better in any case. Good for you. Hope you keep it up!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a former fat girl, bigger than you, honestly I can say you are wasting your time at this point if you are going because you think you will lose weight.

Put all your energy right now into changing your eating habits. Once you get under 200 lbs, then add in exercise.

This is dumb advice. You can do both. Exercise makes you feel better and increases your self esteem.

And when I see a "fat girl" at the gym, I normally don't think anything. But if do happen to notice I think good for her! People who workout regularly are generally very happy to see others incorporate exercise into their lives.

It's dumb advice for someone who needs to lose 25 lbs or so. But when a person needs to lose 100 lbs +, it's not dumb advice. At 240 lbs, the amount of energy one can expend at the gym is not nearly enough to make a dent in weight loss. After a few weeks, a person gets discouraged becase there is not much change and that leads to a vicious overeating cycle. Believe me, no one gets to 240 without binge eating. The PP who put up the stats are correct and I agree - change what you eat first.

As far as noticing the "fat girl" at the gym. I used to believe that too, that no one would notice but now that I am no longer the fat girl well I can at least be honest and say that yeah I do notice and friends make a lot of snide remarks about them to me now that I am no longer fat so it's just not me that notices.

Guess what? She can lose weight but, you'll always be an a$£h0l€. OP, Rock it!

[Anonymous]

I definitely don't think someone overweight who is working out at the gym is a big joke. I think it is wonderful!! Keep up the good work!! And by the way, I am slim and fit...in case that matters to you.

[Anonymous]

Keep going,OP! I used to be the skinny girl at the gym. Now I cannot exercise due to injury and have become the fat girl who can't wait to go back to the gym. I didn't get fat from not going to the gym, but by letting my eating habits go while stuck at home. It is true that overeating is how we get fat, but the discipline of going to the gym is motivating and improves your self esteem. You will be less likely to overeat if you are doing this other good thing for yourself. For me, I will not be self conscious at the gym, because I am doing something positive. I am self conscious everywhere else! Good luck.

[Anonymous]

do your thing, OP! i can guarantee you most people in the gym won't care, because they will be busy doing their own thing.