Are You Too Embarrassed to Exercise?

I know this is a topic that affected me and judging from reading posts here has impacted many of us...

Good article from Psychology Today addresses it.

Anyone who tries to start an exercise program knows how difficult it is to stick with it for more than a few weeks. You may feel selfish for taking time out for yourself, or you're too busy or tired to exercise. Some people find exercise boring and lose their motivation. But there's an overlooked reason people may avoid exercising, and that's embarrassment.

Rest of Article here

I used to be. I hated to walk on the street because I felt like my neighbors were staring at me. So what I did was talk to them about what I was doing, that I had surgery and exercise is part of my weight loss. I even got one of my neighbors on my pre-op diet plan, he was slightly overweight but now he is down in "onederland", his back and knee pain have gone away and he feels great. At the end of this month I plan to join a gym, again I will be up front about why I am there and I think most people are supportive and think "Wow, he is doing something about it" 

Great ideas!  I think when people know you and your story, even a little, they turn VERY supportive, very quickly.  

Good article, thanks for sharing!  

I've definitely had some "ugh, I look like a fool" moments but I've managed to do a really good job of convincing myself that everyone else feels the same way.  So that helps :)

Thanks for the article.  I'm ashamed to admit to this now because I love my exercise routine; it helps me sleep better & de-stress.  But I was once too embarrased to go to the gym and would make excuses to myself like; "I don't have any work out clothes that aren't too tight, I'll go when I lose 10 pounds, I know everyone will stare at the poor fat girl who obviously doesn't work out enough and eats way too much"...all of these + more were my stupid excuses for not exercising...imagine "I'll go when I lose 10 pounds" as an excuse...how could I have lost 10 pounds if I wasn't being active?  If I could talk to my old fatter self I would say "girl get up an go, you'll feel better! & who cares what anybody thinks if you're trying."

I am down 145 lbs and still embarrassed. im down to 230 and still feel like the beast in the room. like people are staring because im so huge. I find a hidden area at a local lake and do 5 miles twice a day out there and do weights at my house to avoid people. Im hoping the closer to my presteroid weight i get which was 155 that itll go away.

Awesome article! I related in so many ways. I realized that I have been working out steadily for close to three years now. I'm one of those "older" guys now and I had to get past all the insecurity of being older and heavy and out of shape awkward and.... but once you do all that and focus on you getting better for you, it becomes second nature and all those early issues fade away.

I remember when I first started I didn't want anybody seeing me. Now I don't give a hoot! It's really freeing when you leave the embarrassment and insecurity at the door of the gym!

I find it helpful to remember that nobody ever died of embarrassment.  I've embarrassed myself so many times, in so many ways, that I finally figured out that I'd live through it.  Now I mostly don't care, although the fear of embarrassment still does pop up occasionally...