Go for it OP! I'm a jiggly overweight gym goer and every trip to the gym is another opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone. I even started going to Zumba. Aside from the health benefits, I am so much more confident and happy with myself when I do something that makes me nervous or uncomfortable. For me, conquering those fears is a benefit all it's own.

Post later and let us know how it went.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I think I'm going to do it. On Friday I am going to join a gym!! Thanks everyone.

Do it! I did it 8 weeks ago, and I am stronger, more flexible and have way more stamina. I do pay a personal trainer twice a week but it's worth it!

I'll just chime in and say that I absolutely don't laught at the less fit people working out. I applaud them and like many have pointed out, used to be one of them (I recently lost almost 45 lbs). I do understand the self-consciousness though. Good luck OP. Once I found the right gym for me, I found that exercising has done WONDERS for my weight loss. I know that 75-80% of losing weight is diet, but working out feels great. It was tough the first month or 2 when I was still out of shape and overweight, but once I got over the hump, I now always look forward to working out.

Remember that people are much more self conscious about themselves - including other people at the gym. People might look around, but at the end of the day we're all more worried about what we do, how we look, etc. We're all our worst critic!

It took me a loooooonnngg time to work up the courage to try some classes like Zumba at the gym, because I'm terribly uncoordinated and cannot dance to save my life. I thought I would look like a fool.

Now, maybe I still look like a fool! But who cares. I focus on the instructor, and myself. That's it. Everybody's too busy trying to get their own self in order.

Just don't have cellphone conversations at the gym (unless you're in the lobby or something), and we'll be cool!

The assholes may judge and make comments. But really who gives a F about losers like that? Most of the regulars will not care or think good for you that you are there to improve your health. You do what is best for you and nevermind others. You go girl!

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I think I'm going to do it. On Friday I am going to join a gym!! Thanks everyone.

9:07 here - please update back and I will too when I join! Go for it!

Uh, you aren't the first overweight person. I am not sure if you are aware there is skyrocketing obesity in this country. I am 99% sure a gym is the last place you will receive criticism because you are taking active steps to solve the problem.

Anonymous wrote:No, I admire your initiative.

Same here.

I do laugh when I see a jiggly belly on the treadmil....



....until I realize that I'm looking in the mirror!

Joining you soon, OP!

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I think I'm going to do it. On Friday I am going to join a gym!! Thanks everyone.

Good for you, OP! Let us know how it goes!

OP here. I think I'm going to do it. On Friday I am going to join a gym!! Thanks everyone.

I'm a really slow runner, my face is always bright red, my head is always sweating, etc

hey, that's me too! I turn BEET red (thank you fair skin) and a couple times people have asked if I was okay when I've felt great, and just looked like I was going to keel over.

anyway, I joined a cross fit gym a while ago and was incredibly intimated by the badass folks there running around lifting weights and going crazy stuff. But everyone was/is super encouraging, there's a big range of fitness levels (and body types) and now I am one of those crazy folks running around doing crazy stuff.

I started going to the gym when I weighed twice as much as I do now. I was intensely self-conscious, but no one ever laughed at me or said an unkind thing. Even now, much smaller and fitter, I'm still self-conscious! (though not to the same degree.) I'm a really slow runner, my face is always bright red, my head is always sweating, etc. But no one cares, and no one even notices me except the nice, über fit and fast runner who always says "looking good! keep up the good work!". On the rare occasion when I notice someone substantially less fit than myself, I always want to express the same thing - "you're doing great!" Just showing up and doing the work is awesome in my book.

I am now a lazy and tired mom who doesn't get to the gym but I was very fit and worked out regularly prior to my child being born (still thin, just not fit). Anyway, I always felt very sympathetic to the people at the gym who were overweight and working out. I look at them and think of how hard they are working to make a change in their life. I have often wanted to walk up and congratulate them and offer friendship/gym partnership to help us both stay motivated. Of course, I realize how terribly rude this would be in reality so I resist the urge.

Nope. And remember that a lot of the gym rats you see were once newbies. I find the majority of fitness oriented people to be very encouraging and helpful and accepting.