social anxiety at the gym?
Wow... I couldn't imagine putting on makeup to go to the gym! Even if that didn't irritate my skin (which it would, because my skin is super sensitive), I tend to sweat a lot, so it would be gone in about 30 minutes, or it would be a messy collage of streaks. Not cute.
Highest weight: 277 Starting Weight: 250 Surgery Weight: 241 Current Weight: 130
Goal Reached in 10.5 months :)
I'll tell you what my trainer told me when I went the first time. I told her I felt like everyone was looking at me in the weights area. She said they are all looking in the mirror at themselves cause that's all their worried about is themselves. Lol it helped and after that I felt fine going there alone an working out. If they are thinking anything it's "good for them getting healthy" a few people said that to me. And this was all pre-op too. Don't let it get to you. Soon enough you will love going and these thoughts will never cross your mind.
And someone said something about bootcamp class. I took a bootcamp last summer. I was by far the largest person by an easy 100lbs. I got paired up with the most fit guy in the class. He was super nice and very encouraging and helpful. Everyone was nice and would tell me good job.
So try going again and just think about how you're here to get healthy not impress anyone but yourself. It hard I know, but you can do it!!
And someone said something about bootcamp class. I took a bootcamp last summer. I was by far the largest person by an easy 100lbs. I got paired up with the most fit guy in the class. He was super nice and very encouraging and helpful. Everyone was nice and would tell me good job.
So try going again and just think about how you're here to get healthy not impress anyone but yourself. It hard I know, but you can do it!!
One thing that I've learned through this whole process is that on multiple fronts - I'm going to be uncomfortable and I'm going to have to push myself out of my comfort zone in order to grow and progress.
I still get embarrassed at the gym because of my excess skin and because I'm not as fit
But whenever I go - I get this tunnel vision and the only thing I think about is ME and burning calories!!! When I get in one of my funks, I go buy more workout clothes to make myself feel better. But at the end of the day - you just have to push yourself and make this about you.
I still get embarrassed at the gym because of my excess skin and because I'm not as fit
But whenever I go - I get this tunnel vision and the only thing I think about is ME and burning calories!!! When I get in one of my funks, I go buy more workout clothes to make myself feel better. But at the end of the day - you just have to push yourself and make this about you.
www.sexyskinnybitch.wordpress.com - my journey to sexy skinny bitch status
11/16/12 - Got my Body by Sauceda - arms, Bl/BA, LBL, thigh lift.
HW 420/ SW 335 /CW 200 
85 lbs lost pre-op / 135 post op
~~~~Alison~~~~~
Make a deal with yourself that you will not turn around and go back home. No matter how much anxiety you are feeling you will REQUIRE yourself to do 15 minutes of exercise. That's it. Take hubby with you for moral support and to keep you accountable to that 15 minutes or whatever amount of time you pre set before going.
I bet once you do that time you will feel better, if not-leave. Come back tomorrow and require that same amount. Try to think of exercising that anxiety away.
I, too, felt that way as a heavier person exercising. I was embarrased to be huffing and puffing and especially humiliated when I was checking in with my picture fitness memebership card and the lady said, "That's not you." It was, in fact, me when I was 50 lbs lighter. I was so big I was unrecognizable!
But I went anyway and those feel good hormones that exercise releases is NEEDED when you feel bad about yourself. Screw everyone else. YOU are what matters and you want to exercise. DO IT!
p.s. I also realized after losing a lot of weight already that people didn't care about my size nearly as much as I thought. It was ME that was grossed out with myself, not others.
Hang in there and keep trying, lady!
I bet once you do that time you will feel better, if not-leave. Come back tomorrow and require that same amount. Try to think of exercising that anxiety away.
I, too, felt that way as a heavier person exercising. I was embarrased to be huffing and puffing and especially humiliated when I was checking in with my picture fitness memebership card and the lady said, "That's not you." It was, in fact, me when I was 50 lbs lighter. I was so big I was unrecognizable!
But I went anyway and those feel good hormones that exercise releases is NEEDED when you feel bad about yourself. Screw everyone else. YOU are what matters and you want to exercise. DO IT!
p.s. I also realized after losing a lot of weight already that people didn't care about my size nearly as much as I thought. It was ME that was grossed out with myself, not others.
Hang in there and keep trying, lady!
I kinda know how you feel. I used to be a regular at my gym, and now I haven't gone in ages and ages - because my arthritis just wasn't cooperating.
I kinda freak out a little at the thought of going back, mostly because I'm afraid something will have changed so drastically that it'll be obvious I haven't been there in forever and I'll feel embarrassed.
my gym is a bit weird. I avoid the women's section, because only a handful of the people seem to be in there to REALLY work out. I felt uncomfortable there because I honestly did feel like the women were sorta sneering at me (although, in fairness, I was mentally sneering at some of them who were not working out INTELLIGENTLY at all - I may be fat and out of shape, but I understand the theory, dammit).
But on the co-ed side, that's where the serious exercisers are. The women who are focussing on their equipment. The guys who are mostly way more hardcore than the women. Yeah, they look and generally dismiss me as being not worth ogling (which is good), but they don't sneer. They mostly focus on themselves, which is what I'm trying to do too!
Plus, frankly, I fit into the men's equipment better than the women's. Even when I was much lighter I preferred the men's equipment (like in high school).
I'll be going back when our 9 month long rainy season starts...I've promised myself that.
I kinda freak out a little at the thought of going back, mostly because I'm afraid something will have changed so drastically that it'll be obvious I haven't been there in forever and I'll feel embarrassed.
my gym is a bit weird. I avoid the women's section, because only a handful of the people seem to be in there to REALLY work out. I felt uncomfortable there because I honestly did feel like the women were sorta sneering at me (although, in fairness, I was mentally sneering at some of them who were not working out INTELLIGENTLY at all - I may be fat and out of shape, but I understand the theory, dammit).
But on the co-ed side, that's where the serious exercisers are. The women who are focussing on their equipment. The guys who are mostly way more hardcore than the women. Yeah, they look and generally dismiss me as being not worth ogling (which is good), but they don't sneer. They mostly focus on themselves, which is what I'm trying to do too!
Plus, frankly, I fit into the men's equipment better than the women's. Even when I was much lighter I preferred the men's equipment (like in high school).
I'll be going back when our 9 month long rainy season starts...I've promised myself that.
I love going to the gym!!
There are ALL types of people there. Big, little, in shape, not in shape, fast, slow, strong, weak... ALL kinds.
The best thing I've noticed (at more than 1 gym) is that everyone is there for the same reason, to better themselves. They really aren't worrying about what I'm doing. Unless I ask for help with something and then they are ALWAYS willing to give a helping hand.
At least that's my experience.
There are ALL types of people there. Big, little, in shape, not in shape, fast, slow, strong, weak... ALL kinds.
The best thing I've noticed (at more than 1 gym) is that everyone is there for the same reason, to better themselves. They really aren't worrying about what I'm doing. Unless I ask for help with something and then they are ALWAYS willing to give a helping hand.
At least that's my experience.
I had a similar experience as most of the people. One day I was on the treadmill, red, barely breathing and sweating uncontroable and looking like poo. A really cute guy came over to me and said, "way to knock out that run." He didn't have to say anything, but he made me want to work harder. You can do it. Just put music in your ears and focus on why you there, not who's there. You'll do great!
(deactivated member)
on 8/8/12 7:03 am
on 8/8/12 7:03 am
Be open to inspiration.
I found my gym experience to be very positive. In the locker room I saw more of what other women really look like. Not how women are portrayed in most media, but real women, with lumps, bulges, wrinkles, stretch marks, etc. Were there some hardbodies? Sure. Something to aspire to maybe someday with plastics. But regular not perfect people far outnumber the hotties.
In the cardio area there were some quite fit folks really hitting it. And I saw some heavier than I working their tails off too. When I would see someone larger I thought "what the hell excuse do I have?" and "good for them". Once I saw a lady with a specially fitted tall heel boot and a walker cross in front of me by the gym. I remember thinking something like "poor thing" and "glad I'm whole and healthy". Then I saw the same lady later upstairs on the elliptical machine. What a rock star!
In my water aerobics class there were ladies of all ages up into their 80s if I had to guess. One of the regulars I got to know had MS and had to hold onto the side of the pool for many things. Totally enforced a "no excuses" attitude for me.
Try to remember that every one there is doing the work to be fit and healthy. Just keep going. It gets easier. And try to be brave and try some group fitness classes. You might find one you like. You might even make a friend or two.
I found my gym experience to be very positive. In the locker room I saw more of what other women really look like. Not how women are portrayed in most media, but real women, with lumps, bulges, wrinkles, stretch marks, etc. Were there some hardbodies? Sure. Something to aspire to maybe someday with plastics. But regular not perfect people far outnumber the hotties.
In the cardio area there were some quite fit folks really hitting it. And I saw some heavier than I working their tails off too. When I would see someone larger I thought "what the hell excuse do I have?" and "good for them". Once I saw a lady with a specially fitted tall heel boot and a walker cross in front of me by the gym. I remember thinking something like "poor thing" and "glad I'm whole and healthy". Then I saw the same lady later upstairs on the elliptical machine. What a rock star!
In my water aerobics class there were ladies of all ages up into their 80s if I had to guess. One of the regulars I got to know had MS and had to hold onto the side of the pool for many things. Totally enforced a "no excuses" attitude for me.
Try to remember that every one there is doing the work to be fit and healthy. Just keep going. It gets easier. And try to be brave and try some group fitness classes. You might find one you like. You might even make a friend or two.
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