Gymstergram...

[Hesdeadjim]

I'll warn you, I'm a bit upset and rambley so this will probably be a bit of a rant

So DP and I are both just about morbidly obese, but both are making a concerted effort to get our weights under control (we've both lost 1st 4lbs each since the new year). We've both gone on eating plans and we go to the gym 3 times a week. I run (try doing that with 9st of extra weight, it's bloody hard work!) and DP bikes for 30 mins, then we do 30 minutes weight training. I'm telling you all this so you understand we know what we're doing in the gym, we have a goal in mind and we really push ourselves while we are there. Hopefully this will help you understand my pending rage.

Today I was half way through my cardio (c25k program) when a group of girls in crop tops and shorts come into the gym chatting away and looking as if they were going to get moving in the core mats/ free weights. I didn't really pay any attention at first, but after a couple of minutes they started pointing at me, then turning their backs away from me, then a couple of seconds later laughing. I get it, fat people running is funny. Not a problem.

Then, a couple of minutes later one of the girls gets on the treadmill next to me and starts mimicking my running pattern (3 min run, 1 min walk, repeat) in time with me. There's another girl behind her with her phone out filming her and I imagine me too. I stopped my run early and headed over to DP because I was pretty rattled.

I told him what was going on and asked if we could do our weights then leave. He agreed so we got going on the weight machines.

We needed the core mats but these girls were all lying down on them not doing much taking selfies, and arranging the kettle bells casually and taking photos of them, I imagine for instagram or something.

Eventually we exhausted what we could do without the core mats and went over to ask how long they'd be on them because we would like to use them when they were done.. they didn't really give us a straight answer so I got a bit pissed off and said 'you know, I've heard the kettle bells work better if you lift them'... I got a response of 'cheeky cow' and 'fat bitch who does she think she is' sort of stuff, but it made DP laugh so that was ok.

We decided to leave, so as we left we said to the front desk that the group of girls were making life uncomfortable for other gym users and told them about the treadmill thing and the mats thing, but they said unless they witnessed it there was nothing they could do.

I now don't want to go to the gym in case they are there and it's really knocked me :(

WIBU to find another gym?

[Derlei]

Absolutely don't find another gym. Mean bitches; I'm sorry you went through that. It sounds like they don't take it seriously enough to be repeat gym goers so please continue to go and I bet you will not see them very often at all.

If they do return and they are still offensive then identify any witnesses to support your story.
Please don't let those bullies win, and a huge well done to you and your DP for your weight loss

[Potentialmadcatlady]

Don't let the bullies win... Tbh if it wasn't you because of your weight it would have been someone wearing the wrong trainers/leggings etc...there is always nasty cows plastered in makeup with perfect hair who sit on their phones in gym and leave having done nothing/very little...I hate sitting on spin bike doing class while one of them sits beside me.l will put my all into it- sweat everywhere and soaking wet hair while they sit there barely moving..
As a complete aside if you try to do your cardio and weights at separate times it will be far more effective in helping you lose weight..my PT doesn't let me do cardio/weights right after..it has to be one or the other or one in am/one at night... Weight training will keep you in fat burning mode much longer than cardio so is way more effective for helping to drop weight esp if you use the big muscle groups- squats,deadlifts,lunges etc

[Lochan]

I'm sorry this happened to you.

I think I'd ask to see the gym manager/senior manager next time they were available and make a formal complaint. Any gym I've been a member of would have spoken to them - and probably asked to see the video footage.

Filming in the gym is strictly forbidden in my current gym.

[Trumpssyrup]

If they come next time you're there go and tell someone to come up. They can then see what's going on casually and do something about it!

Well done you guys. Keep up the good work and don't let one bad experience put you off.

[PamDooveOrangeJoof]

That is disgusting behaviour and if they were filming you unbelievably instrusive!
I would be on at the manager to take it further tbh. They should have it on cctv and hopefully they can cancel their membership. They bloody well should.

[SuperPug]

These women are unbelievably pathetic - you're making a positive effort to lose weight and as other posters have mentioned, you can't film others in a gym.
Why should you find another gym? I'd be inclined to report them- surely they've signed in and given their names?
Pretty dumb to take a few photos with kettle bells
Btw, I love your answer about the kettle bells

[napmeistergeneral]

The real regulars at your gym wouldn't do this - the hogging or the sniggering. They will have seen you both come in and work hard and will respect you for it. Ignore the silly girls. They are the only ones who look bad here. You can lose weight - they might well be stuck with those nasty personalities.

It's tough at the gym sometimes but maybe try and see it as an opportunity to get tougher both mentally and physically. If you can lose well over a stone in six weeks from hard work and determination, you can certainly rise above these girls. You're strong enough! Good luck wirh your fitness journey.

[sonyaya]

A stone by the end of February is great work OP! Keep doing what you're doing and don't let these vapid little dicks distract you from your goals.

[PuddleJumper01]

Agree with every PP, and want to pass on my 'good luck' too. Please go and report next time.

Aren't there staff in the gym?

[EmeraldScorn]

You'll lose the weight but they'll still be horrible little witches; Shame on their parents for raising such cruel individuals!

Don't leave the gym, why should you? You've every right to utilise the facility and you shouldn't be deterred just because of rudeness from jumped up cunts.

You should be proud of yourself for how well you're doing (your partner too), so don't let anyone demoralise you.

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

What horrible people.

Next time, whip out your own phone and start recording them - ask them if they're that confident that they'd be happy to have their cruelty splashed all over the internet - and also used as evidence to cancel their membership?

Just cruel. Well done you and your DH for taking the first steps, I promise you even if you're not at your goal weight, by the time you complete c25k you'll feel on top of the world!

[Snowflakes1122]

Really sorry

Please don't let some bitches stop you going.
If anything, go more and hold your head up high.

[Hesdeadjim]

Thanks everyone

I was feeling really bloody low last night but you've cheered me right up

Good to know about the cardio vs weights thing thanks!

It's really hard to be brave when you're this size, I already feel completely out of place at the gym and as if I have no right to be there in the healthy people's domain I actually really enjoy going though and really really don't want to give it up or find another one.

There's staff at the gym but only at the front desk, not on the gym floor.

Good point about them probably not being regulars, I haven't seen them there before so they might have been on day passes. We have a very regular schedule so we usually see the same bunch of folks every day.

[CaptainBrickbeard]

A model in LA posted a photo of a woman showering at her gym with a snide comment about the woman's appearance - the model got banned from every branch of Fitness First; the gym took it extremely seriously. Taking photos and filming others in the gym will be against the rules and if it happens again, report them immediately. What absolutely pathetic people they are!

[dudsville]

It must be awful to be them, to live in such a hateful world. To quote Michelle Obama, when they go low you go high. Maybe even get that printed on the back of a tee you can wear next time your in, with "so go on and take your bitchy pic ladies".

[BoobleMcB]

Making fun of an overweight person in the gym is the same as mocking an unemployed person at a job interview.

Some people are just dicks

[sofiainwonderland]

I'm the same as you. This type of comment/bullying would really affect me to the point I would change the gym. But NO. Hell no. They have no right whatsoever to comment on your weight whether you are at the gym or at the restaurant.

Anyway, since you are at the gym is quite obvious you are there to do something about your weight. Gym staff was rude as fuck as well, I completely disagree with the "didn't see, can't do anything, don't care" attitude.

About the girls: who the fuck raises such twats? I'm in my twenties and if my mom heard that I laugh about someone's weight or whatever would slap the hell out of me.

Stay strong and best of luck with your goal weight. Ignore these people...

[Itisnoteasybeingdifferent]

You are a woman on a mission.

I have more respect for someone in your position who knows they have to do something about their health and is doing it, than for someone who is already slim and taking selfies.

Do as Felicia says and film them . And keep us posted on your success.

[Dbsparkles]

Horrible horrible girls. I go to a class and I have so much respect for the larger people that come. Keep going, with your head held high. You're doing amazingly. Hope those girls get their comeuppance.

[JuneBuggy]

This is awful OP, what a bunch of bitches! I would make a formal complaint with the gym manager, be sure to let him/her know you're considering changing gyms as a result of these pathetic girls.

In the meantime, well done for your weight loss - you're making fab progress!

Oh and rest assured, if they do / did post it on social media, they'll get such a negative backlash!

[GinIsIn]

I'd have leant over and slammed the emergency stop button on the bitch's treadmill

[Minniemagoo]

Firstly Well Done to you and your Dh, great achievement so far. Don't let this be a stumbling block.
As others have said go talk to the senior manager. There should be a gym policy of no phones in gyms and regardless of witnessing it the girls should have been spoken to.
Honestly you might think about another gym anyway. I think gyms should have someone on site in the gym itself from a health and safety point of view.

[urbanrock]

That's terrible behaviour. I'd complain to the management and tell them if they continue with the attitude of 'nothing we can do' then you'll find another gym.

[RJnomore1]

Ok first of all a gay person running is not funny a fat person running is awesome! I'm a bit overweight and very good at weightlifting and MMA type things as a result but my heavens running exhausts me so all respect to you for doing it. When I see someone overweight out running I always have the urge to cheer them on out the car window because I know how hard they are working but I'm scared they think I'm taking the piss so let me cheer you on virtually instead. As an aside please watch your knees it can be a strain on them.

I'm going to go against everyone else and say yes please do change gym. It sounds crap. There should be staff at least checking the gym regularly for health and safety reasons and they should be acting when you made that complaint. There are better places out there who will take better care of you.

And love the weights - don't be afraid to lift big it will make a bigger quicker difference.

[RJnomore1]

I am terribly sorry I have obviously made a typo and my phone corrected fat to gay