uh-oh...
I consider myself to be lucky...so far i seem to be on track with this tool...i still have some issues i'm fighting, but i'm learning more about myself & how to make this work through this forum...thanks to everyone!!!
i was so excited when my insurance plan informed me that a gym membership is covered as of feb 1st-no charge...it took me some time to work up the nerve to go (wow, so many body issues) but yesterday, hubby offered to go with me, & i decided that with him by my side i could do this...well, after taking a tour of the facility we were introduced to a personal trainer, an awesome trainer...i was a little embarassed to tell him my story-that i haven't set foot in a gym for ten years, that this is the first time in 8 years i've weighed less than 300 lbs, even telling him i'd had wls was difficult...i didn't want any attention, being the fat girl trying to work out...i should't have been so paraniod...he took me to several different pieces of equipment, & asked me to try them, then showed me the correct way to use them...he told me he's worked with several wls patients, & understood my specific dietary requirements, & would be able to help me with that along the way...
so i now have a personal trainer...& i'm scared to death...my first session with him is today (i figured if i procrastinated i would talk myself out of it)...i'm facing all those fears of people staring at me, worrying i won't physically be able to do these exercises, scared of getting on the scale & being measured by this trainer...i'm so scared of being judged...so wish me luck!!! & i hope i don't let anyone down, especially myself...
i was so excited when my insurance plan informed me that a gym membership is covered as of feb 1st-no charge...it took me some time to work up the nerve to go (wow, so many body issues) but yesterday, hubby offered to go with me, & i decided that with him by my side i could do this...well, after taking a tour of the facility we were introduced to a personal trainer, an awesome trainer...i was a little embarassed to tell him my story-that i haven't set foot in a gym for ten years, that this is the first time in 8 years i've weighed less than 300 lbs, even telling him i'd had wls was difficult...i didn't want any attention, being the fat girl trying to work out...i should't have been so paraniod...he took me to several different pieces of equipment, & asked me to try them, then showed me the correct way to use them...he told me he's worked with several wls patients, & understood my specific dietary requirements, & would be able to help me with that along the way...
so i now have a personal trainer...& i'm scared to death...my first session with him is today (i figured if i procrastinated i would talk myself out of it)...i'm facing all those fears of people staring at me, worrying i won't physically be able to do these exercises, scared of getting on the scale & being measured by this trainer...i'm so scared of being judged...so wish me luck!!! & i hope i don't let anyone down, especially myself...
Good luck! You will do fine! I used to be a gym rat and never really spent much time looking or judging others at the gym. Occasionally I would think "that guy needs to do more leg work and get off upper body.". But even that was rare. Just make sure you appropriately increase your protein now that you are working out. You personal trainer or NUT can help you with that. Have fun! Your insurance company sounds progressive!
Start weight 226. Surgery weight 218 on 1/6/12
Oh YEAH, way to go! I know how totally daunting it can be to walk into a gym, BUT YOU DID IT! Good plan making the appointment with the trainer right away so you don't chicken out... get the first one under your belt and I bet the next time is MUCH easier.
This is SUCH a huge step, so proud of you and happy for you! Some might not truly understand, but I'm totally self-conscious (and shy, to boot), so I faced this same thing. In fact, I moved to a new location and have not yet found a new gym because of this same reason (even though I've lost 130 pounds!). Your journey can only go better having made this step... so fantastic!
Hope the training session goes well... you can do this!
tori
This is SUCH a huge step, so proud of you and happy for you! Some might not truly understand, but I'm totally self-conscious (and shy, to boot), so I faced this same thing. In fact, I moved to a new location and have not yet found a new gym because of this same reason (even though I've lost 130 pounds!). Your journey can only go better having made this step... so fantastic!
Hope the training session goes well... you can do this!
tori
When I see overweight people with personal trainers at the gym two things come to mind: 1) Wish I had the $ to afford a personal trainer, and 2) Bravo! I feel very proud of people who are willing to make that type of stand for their own health.
Pay no attention to the thin as rail Soccer Moms and College girls who also have trainers...They at times seem so intense and into themselves I think they have very little time to notice others. And if they do - so what!
Pay no attention to the thin as rail Soccer Moms and College girls who also have trainers...They at times seem so intense and into themselves I think they have very little time to notice others. And if they do - so what!
Don't ask me how we lost to Baylor. I can't figure it Out either! 
Kudos for you!!
I think where there's the will and the motivation, there is a way.
Planet Fitness was my gym just prior to my surgery. I hated it. I didn't care about the monthly fee, it was just cold and uninviting. I didn't feel comfortable waddling in the facility. So I switched to a smaller gym where the yuppies go. Talk about intimidation!
When I first started working with my trainer I paid $90.00 week for three sessions a week for six weeks. It was crazy because I couldn't afford it. However, 25 pounds and a grand total of 17 inches lost in that time gave me pause that working with a trainer was obviously a good move.
I went through my budget a zillion times to find something I could cut. It eventually was my high-end-steroidal-cable package. I returned the boxes, downgraded my internet, and talked to the trainer. He quietly gives me group rates which I pay monthly and I do a Boot Camp class every Saturday(and is about 10 bucks less than I was paying for my high-end-steroidal-cable package). His work with me is advertisement for him, which just benefits me in all sorts of ways.
Before you think you can't do a trainer...find out about a complimentary pass to meet with one. Most gyms will offer them. They'll also offer free assessments. Shop around to find a trainer who will work with you. Someone will, especiallly once they see your committment level and see results.
Still think you can't afford a traditional trainer? There are group classes: Boot Camp, TRX, Spin, Cardio Fit Clubs, Zumba, Jazzercise, the list goes on and on.
Believe me. There's something for everyone. Just gotta make it happen. The only way to start is to start.
I think where there's the will and the motivation, there is a way.
Planet Fitness was my gym just prior to my surgery. I hated it. I didn't care about the monthly fee, it was just cold and uninviting. I didn't feel comfortable waddling in the facility. So I switched to a smaller gym where the yuppies go. Talk about intimidation!
When I first started working with my trainer I paid $90.00 week for three sessions a week for six weeks. It was crazy because I couldn't afford it. However, 25 pounds and a grand total of 17 inches lost in that time gave me pause that working with a trainer was obviously a good move.
I went through my budget a zillion times to find something I could cut. It eventually was my high-end-steroidal-cable package. I returned the boxes, downgraded my internet, and talked to the trainer. He quietly gives me group rates which I pay monthly and I do a Boot Camp class every Saturday(and is about 10 bucks less than I was paying for my high-end-steroidal-cable package). His work with me is advertisement for him, which just benefits me in all sorts of ways.
Before you think you can't do a trainer...find out about a complimentary pass to meet with one. Most gyms will offer them. They'll also offer free assessments. Shop around to find a trainer who will work with you. Someone will, especiallly once they see your committment level and see results.
Still think you can't afford a traditional trainer? There are group classes: Boot Camp, TRX, Spin, Cardio Fit Clubs, Zumba, Jazzercise, the list goes on and on.
Believe me. There's something for everyone. Just gotta make it happen. The only way to start is to start.
I'm inmpressed. From the tone of your post it was very scary to go and take the step joining the gym and then meeting with and talking to a personal trainer. Even though it was hard, you did it!!! That is SUCH a positive step.
I agree with the sentiment that seeing someone obese working with a trainer would make me think, good for them, rather than, what are they doing here.
Bottom line....who cares. You know your journey and how hard you have worked to get here. Few people who judge have any idea. You hold your head high and take pride in how far you have come and how hard you are working. Anyone who wants to judge can go right ahead because their opinion means diddle to your life.
Congrats on the big step and good luck. I bet in a few weeks you will wonder what made it all look so scary.
Andrea.
I agree with the sentiment that seeing someone obese working with a trainer would make me think, good for them, rather than, what are they doing here.
Bottom line....who cares. You know your journey and how hard you have worked to get here. Few people who judge have any idea. You hold your head high and take pride in how far you have come and how hard you are working. Anyone who wants to judge can go right ahead because their opinion means diddle to your life.
Congrats on the big step and good luck. I bet in a few weeks you will wonder what made it all look so scary.
Andrea.
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