Too embarrassed to go to the gym/exercise, help!?

Question

I would like to start working out, lifting weights to get into better shape. I'm just so worried that everyone would make fun of me or think something negative about my body because I'm really fat (165cm/90kg). 

I'm also in a really bad condition, can't run long without getting out of breath. I go for a walk late at night or really early in the morning in order to avoid many people seeing me. If I'm running people just look at me, and I'd like to disappear... 

I know many of you think this is just a fat person's excuse but it is a real big problem for me. Could someone please help me figure out what to do? I don't have money enough to hire a personal trainer.

Acidhead93 · Accepted Answer

I actually had this same problem when I first started lifting. At first I was ok going to the gym. But then I started becoming obsessed with my physique and I stopped going because I thought I was too "weak" and skinny. I started working out at home, basically just doing deadlifts and rows with a barbell. I did that for about 5 months and now that i'm deadlifting 250lb+ I'm not embarrassed anymore. (250 is still embarrassing but I've put my ego at the door, I weigh 135ish so that's almost twice my bodyweight, way more than any other person my size can lift at my gym)

To be honest, I think treadmills are stupid. Let me get this straight, your gonna get in the car, drive 10 minutes, waste gas, just so you can go jog on a stationary machine and stare at a wall or the stupid crap they put on their tvs? Why don't you find a trail or something? Or a bike? Or how about spending the gym membership money on a set of dumbbells?

And you shouldn't be embarrassed anyways. The fittest and strongest dudes in the gym will recognize the fact that you are putting in work and respect that.

DerrickRicketts93 · Accepted Answer

Don't be embarrassed. No one is so cruel that they are gonna point at you and make fun of you at the gym. You can't control what they think so you aren't doing yourself any favors by worrying about what they think. Pay no mind to everyone else at the gym. Let me tell you this, if you start going to the gym where there are many people it will boost your confidence. I suggest you start eating fruits and veggies and lean meats. Start doing about 40 -50 minutes on the elliptical. You don't even have to run. All that needs to happen is your body needs to be moving. If you find other ways to do it without going to the gym in front of many people you will never feel good about yourself ever. You have to get yourself out there. Face your fears.

JoeEDangerously · Accepted Answer

Start out with a good diet and longer walks. Do that until you see a difference. People aren't staring at you when you walk any more than they would any other person. That's anxiety talking. Even if it weren't, though, you'd need to push through it. No pain no gain, right? Then you can start running eventually and then when you've lost some of it go do something you feel comfortable doing until you can learn the confidence to do what you want to do.

So eat right, do as much good as you can with walking and then start running when you feel like it, and then when you're confident enough go work out. It will take time but you need to be in this for the long haul.

MaskofInsanity · Accepted Answer

You shouldn't be embarrassed, you should be proud. You're being proactive and making a healthy change for your life. I can see why you'd be nervous/anxious but you don't need to be. Any good person would just think "good on you". Anyone who is negative is a douche and not worth your time/thoughts.

So go to the gym whenever it suits you and slowly build up your fitness levels. Interval training is the best (walk 1 min, jog 1 min, run 1 min, and repeat as many times as you can). Even if you just walk, increase the speed each time to you do or try beat your times.

HelloHandsome · Accepted Answer

Actually from my experiences at the gym, the guys and girls there are actually helpful and nice. Some even come out of their way to show you new workouts or help with equipment. If I had to see you at the gym, I would feel proud of you and support you.
Don't get me wrong, you will always get jerks everywhere, but so far I have not met any. Most of the people are too busy working out, checking themselves or others out or trying to score dates, so no one will really pick on you or say something and if they do, I'm sure someone will stand up for you.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

there are some gyms that might suit you better at this moment than others - make you feel more comfortable. like in my town, we have one gym that's pretty much all the high schoolers, one for like the richer twenty-somethings, one that's primarily middle age and older, a few exclusively for women, and one for the like muscle-head type guys. i've gone to four different ones now and each of them have their strengths and each have their weaknesses, but i think it's safe to say that the majority of any gym's clientele will not be judging you, swear!!

myspacemybroke · Answer

I know exactly how you feel. I started working out a couple years ago because I was quite overweight. I was still living at home at the time, and I didn't even want my parents to know/see that I was working out. For a while I had to get up at 4:30 in the morning to avoid my dad seeing me to go into the living room, and do my workout DVD, but I did it.

You've got the right idea, speaking as someone who's been through exactly what you're doing. If there's any forest trails you can get to, try going for a walk/run through them. Find some workout programs online you can follow, join a fitness forum, ride a bike. If you have an area, or a ground floor room you can go to be alone go there and skip rope. That's a good stationary cardio workout that's very cheap.

rgb008 · Answer

I would just go to the gym. Think about it, everyone in that gym had to start somewhere!
I feel like going to the gym would keep me more motivated rather than trying to do it at home. I'd just get distracted. Just listen to your body and do what you can, don't force anything.
Never in my life have I ever witnessed someone make fun of a bigger person for going to the gym.

mario1321 · Answer

If you knew how many people dont really care then you wouldn't be so self conconciess about it,"those who mind dont matter, and those who matter dont mind"so go and be proud if anything your having too work harder than them, so that kind of makes you better

Keyspirits · Answer

Run outside ur backyard if its wide but honestly, dont even bother about what they're thinken. Think about when u see sumone jerking off in the streets, u juz think about how gross and stupid that person is for a min and u stop thinken about him after dat. Dont make it a big deal. Everyone think dat way so dont let it get to u and prevent things u wanna do. Its ur life. Do watever makes u happy.

internet_guy · Answer

Don't worry No one is judging you out there, I 'd appreciate a person who tries to workout rather than letting themselves go and feel things are meant to be like this

erock13 · Answer

I go to the gym often and when I see someone overweight there I have nothing but respect for them because they are trying to make a change.. however make sure you know what you are doing (trainer if needed) so you aren't just tying up machines and weights so people who want to work out can.

BassistForever · Answer

I feel ya. I go running at night a lot, even though its more dangerous. :( I can sympathize with ya but I don't know how to help. :(

GoldCobra · Answer

You could do home workouts. You don't even need the gym

SamuelB · Answer

Calisthenics.

Too embarrassed to go to the gym/exercise, help!?

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