Fat folk at the gym

HurdyGurdy

It's high time I took the plunge and actually make an effort to lose weight, and increase my currently woeful fitness level, instead of just thinking about it and making vague promises that I will do something.

I have been to gyms in the past, but always felt uncomfortable there as I was always the lumpy, red-faced sweaty, breathless lump and felt so terribly self conscious. And that was before I was the size I am now. I don't know if I just happened to go to the gyms where everyone was slender and superfit, or if that it just the way that all gyms actually are. Do any gyms really have fat members? (The thing I really loathe about gyms is the communal changing rooms. Ach - I don't stand in my bedroom window and dry/dress after a shower. Why should I have to do this in "public" in a changing room. It REALLY puts me off going.)

I am currently about a size 20-22 and VERY unfit. I can't decide what is the best way to approach this. Do I lose weight first and then think about going to the gym to make use of their facilities. Or try to develop a thicker skin and not feel as though I am the subject of the "nudge-nudge, look at the size of *that*" comments, and hope that the weight loss will just happen as a result of the exercise.

I did WeightWatchers a few years ago, and thought it was excellent. I went to a class once a week (my only time out of the house, apart from going to work) and really enjoyed it. I can't afford to both WW and join a gym at the moment, so it has to be one or the other - the cost is probably roughly the same. (I stopped when a medical problem resulted in me going onto massive dose of steriods which undid all the good work I'd done there - and then I lost motivation and didn't go back.)

I also wonder about gym clothing for the fat folk of the world. I suppose I could just wear jogging bottoms and a baggy tshirt, but as I always sweat SO much in the gym (due, I suppose to lack of fitness), I don't really want to wear "cozy clothing". I also don't want to spend a huge amount of money on it, as *hopefully*, the weight will come off fairly quickly and the clothing will need to be replaced.

If I didn't join a gym, then my plan is to walk to and/or from work (3 miles each way). In Spring, a new guided busway is opening in the area, and there is supposed to be cycle lanes alongside it, so I could cycle at least some of the time. I won't cycle now as I am too nervous in traffic, and I haven't properly cycled for over 35 years!

Any advice as to the best way to approach this? WW or gym? Or something else?

kiss_me_now9

Go to the gym.

The only way to lose weight and keep it off is by changing your eating habits and moving around more.

Anyone who looks at you funny or in a condescending manner can shut their trap - you're doing something about it and they can literally jog on, be confident and know that you're doing a hell of a lot better than anyone sat on the couch at home.

Gillyx

I'm glad I read this, as at first I thought it was going to be someone complaining about "fat" people at the gym, and wasn't going to be amused.

I think it all depends, would you find it easy to follow WW at home without going to group? There are loads of resources out there on the internet/facebook groups etc for support and info. If you feel you'd "cheat" if you like without the support of the group then I'd go for it, and do some exercise at home, maybe 30 day shred (videos on youtube) walking as and when you can.

If you feel able to follow WW or SW at home without the support of the group, I'd join a gym, bite the bullet and go. Take an MP3 player and just concentrate on your exercise, I think most of the time you imagine that people are staring/looking when they're too busy with there own workout. I know there are certain women only gyms, that are short circuits, which take around 30/40 minutes. May be worth a shot? I haven't attended that type myself but I think it is more people who are new to fitness etc who attend them.

Well done for taking control and deciding to do it, it's not easy I have done it myself recently and it took a few years for me to get to that point.

Carl31

I'm a bit of a gym addict, and like I say to anyone in your position, I have better things to do than look at you when I'm working out

Everyone is at a gym for the same reason, to improve their fitness, get your !!!! in there and get going

Stephb1986_2

I'm a size 20-22 the same as you, I joined the gym just before christmas and had my first proper gym session yesterday as my new years resolution.

Have you got someone else to go with? what you could do is go to your doctors and ask for a healthy living gym membership it's £20 a month and you get full access to the gym and swimming pool, classes etc. If you are local to me your more than welcome to come with me

There is loads of other bigger people in gyms at the moment, a lot of them have cubicles now so not getting changed infront of people.

Your not alone in this

Steph xx

kiss_me_now9

Random aside (you got me thinking about it!) - you know who I stare at (unintentionally ) at the gym?

The girls who turn up in short shorts, a tiny crop top and flip flops or the guys who turn up in skinny jeans, converse and a baseball cap. Inappropriate and dangerous clothing bothers me

Chickabiddybex

Go to weight watchers if you enjoyed it. You can work out for free by going for a walk around the block. Or go swimming if the weather is poor which you don't need to pay a subscription to like the gym. And it supports your weight so you can work out easier. I know it's not a good place for the self conscious but you can't see your weight when you're in the water. You could even go to water aerobics which is great fun!
I know it costs but if you're going to be eating less after a few weeks of weight watchers you might find you have spare cash!
It's an investment really. And as I said no subscription so if you don't like it there's no loss.

Good luck! I hope you achieve your goals
Stay positive. It's very hard to do but when you get into the swing of it and start to see results it'll be worth it.

Side note: I've never looked twice at overweight people at the gym. I'm too busy listening to my headphones and pretending I'm in a movie/music video XD

*max*

!!!!!! everyone else and what they might think. You're doing this for you and if anyone gives you "looks", they're the ones with a major problem, not you.

If you're really sensitive about the changing bit (don't they have cubicles?), just take a spare tshirt with you and put that on after your session, with a warm hoodie/sweater on top. No reason why you can't have your shower at home afterwards!

life_unexpected_2

I think health eating and the gym go hand in hand but as other have said there is plenty of resources out there to enable you to do WW or SW without attending class, so that you can attend the gym. Though if your like me I need to go to classes to stick to the plan, so I exercise at home with DVD's. (well I do when I can )

mountainofdebt

Have you thought about joining a Rosemary Conley class?

Not only do you have the weigh in and the 'talk' but you also have a keep fit session as well

itsmecathy

Hi hurdygurdy
There is a weight loss thread over on the old style board where folks are very supportive. Alternatively, weight watchers have an offer via quidco which makes online membership effectively free for three months (assuming cashback pays out). You could combine this with something like the nhs couch to 5k running programme, and save all your cash for some new clothes when you reach your goal.

Good luck,