Feeling embarrassed when exercising.

So for my Xmas present I bought myself Zumba for our Wii. Why is it that I can be doing this all alone & still feel self conscience & embarrassed even to the point of looking around to see if anyone is watching me or snickering behind my back & theres no one here to do that. I even laugh at myself with some of these moves, I'm like "there's no way my body is gonna do that". I really want to start taking control in the exercising & fitness department of my journey but it seems I can't get past my own self. Can anyone relate or have suggestions?

I can totally relate!  I think our self esteem and self confidence has been low for so long that it's hard for us to think good things about ourselves again.

 

You are doing this for you and only you... and keep laughing at yourself because laughter is the best medicine.  I'm paranoid of joining a gym because I have been out of shape for soooo long that I think I will just die doing one workout.

 

Good luck!!

I remember going to the zumba classes and thinking how silly everyone looked, including myself. So maybe just keep that in mind. Everyone looks silly! But who cares?! You're there to have fun!

One of the instructors always started her class with this phrase, "Lose your inhibitions!" Thats what you need to do. Cause in reality, some of the moves are silly and they feel weird to do! So have fun with it!

Yes.  It is hard when you are doing things that just don't feel natural to you.  However, the more you do it, the more your confidence will grow.  I remember when I first started running.  I felt spastic....like my arms and legs didn't work together....then I really started looking at the other runners I saw.....no one was judging me...they were in the "zone" and just smiling when I passed them....so I've now let go of all the self consciousness...........

Zumba...oh, lord.....I CANNOT DO ZUMBA!  I've tried....I looked like a spastic string bean.......I still had fun, but I knew it wasn't for me........I've found many other activities that I love.

Keep doing what you love even if you look silly-just go with it and enjoy that you CAN do it. 

Keep at it and it will pay off!  Don't worry what others think. 

I started a Spinning class in Oct. and I was exhausted and couldn't keep up with the class.  It took me 5-6 weeks to improve my endurance and now I keep up with the class and take a front row bike.

 

Kevin

Thanks everyone! I am doing this for me. I deserve to be healthy & fit. I thought I would give Zumba a try since I hear so many like it so much. Maybe it would help if I wore actual workout attire instead of baggy clothing. I don't like feeling all the jiggling going on when I'm doing these things. Lol I have often daydreamed of being one who loves to run. I did break a sweat tho so I was doing some moving let me tell you! Thanks again for all the encouraging words & I will keep at it even if I think I look silly & a big jiggly mess.

OMG!  Such a good excuse to buy cute workout clothes!  I actually own more active wear than real clothes!

Yes, look for compression type pants/capris and tops....and get a good sports bra.

I can identify with this wholeheartedly! I am down over 130 pounds and I am still so self conscious that it drives me mad. I exercise in secret even though I would love to join an adult aerobics class. Just as you stated I get in my own way more than anyone else ever has. That being said i have forced myself to move more and more and it does pay off maybe not in my own body image but I know it it working because I can move easier, longer and with more agility. I can sit down on the floor and get back up without using my hands to assist me and I have not been able to do that for several years. All of us on this journey will get there but we need the support of fellow travelers.

Find some tryp of shapewear to wear while exercising to stop the jiggle. I still have to wear capri leggings to stop my jiggly thighs.

If you look closely at most of the thin people who are working out, they all jiggle some -- skin does that. It's all good. . .

For me, it took over a year after I got to goal for my brain to catch up with my body. I still saw my pre-op self, not the "new" me. But it doesn't matter how it looks when you're working out -- what's important is that you're doing what's healthy! Anybody who's watching and judging you isn't working hard enough on their own workout!