18 stone and panicking about gym today

[MamMamMam]

I signed up to my local gym a few days ago, so paid in full. Now I'm thinking of a million ways to back out

Im almost 18 stone. Unbelievably unfit, i can't believe I've let myself get here.

I feel physically sick thinking about it. The judgement, the showers, me collapsing in a sweaty lump on the floor.

I can't think of what to pack in my gym bag. I want to hide, but i can't sit on the sofa and continue the way I am, as much as I'd like to.

The staff seem lovely buuuuttttt feck I'm panicking.

I have to be there at 10.30

Please feed me your positive gym stories

If you come to the same gym as me and I noticed you I would give you a smile and a silent cheer for turning up and hope that you get as much fun from it as I do.

I was 16.5st 4 years ago. I started running, mfp and gym. I was very conscious about my weight, but my fitness trainer was amazing. He showed me a picture of him before he started going and the transformation was amazing.

I lost 7 st, have put 2 back on, but I am only running now due to time and money.

Initially it is hard, and if like me you can feel self conscious, but you can do this x

Nobody cares what you look like.
Well done for joining..I took this step in January after 4 years of laziness and procrastination. I have got a personal trainer who motivates me...my first time with her I almost threw up half way through.
But I love going. I have dropped a dress size and feel stronger.
Have fun x

I'm back and still alive. So happy i went. My reflection in the mirror while doing the arm weights was nothing short of horrific but I kept telling myself I'm here to change that.

The instructor who worked me through the plan was lovely. Everything he gave me is doable, or just about.

Avoided the showers, but can grab one now I'm home.

So glad I went and I'm freling weirdly excited about going back on Thursday.

We're heading to centreparc in june and really looking forward to being fit to do everything with the kids without passing out.

Thanks everyone for the motivation this morning. It really helped

1moreRep hope you got on ok

Well done! Did you enjoy it? Did you feel amazing when you came out?

I exercise a lot and there are still days when I can't be bothered or I don't want to but I know these 2 things to be true- getting out the door is the hardest part, and you never ever regret exercising once it's done.

Even if you're running outdoors in the foulest of weather or going to the gym when you really want to be on the sofa watching tv you will always feel better when you're finished. And that feeling when you're finished gets ever so slightly addictive, it really does.

Well done!
I never shower at the gym either...much nicer at home.
I am waiting to start a PT session.

I prefer to shower at the gym because I can't be bothered when I get home and end up sitting round in sweaty kit! I take a big towel, strip to underwear then go in like that and hang it all over the top of the door. I take my fresh underwear in with me too so when I come out I can quickly shove on a top and leggings and no one sees much flesh

I also like using their water and electric - keeps the bills down!

Well done, OP.

I have some set-the-bar-low advice for the tougher times, which we all have:

You don’t have to enjoy it, but you do have to go.

Going and getting on with it is an achievement, every time. Enjoyment is the cherry on the cake.

Well done! That first step is the hardest, and you've ended it with a smile on your face!

And when looking around the gym at all of those with their toned bodies, and figures you'd like, just remember..... they have those figures BECAUSE they go to the gym! Everyone starts somewhere.

Boom. I'm so glad you did it. I was a size 20 when I first started. Now a size 16. I'm now stronger and fitter than most people on my classes, including the men. Never judge a book by its cover.

I'm so glad you went and are feeling good about it. Hold on to that feeling and think about how much better you will feel once your fitness level starts improving 💪 I loved going to the gym and doing classes even though I was bigger than most, it made me feel really energised and I felt I ate better because of the effort I was putting in.

Well done for making the hardest step! It's all easier from here.

I've started at the gym with the treadmill and rowing machine, I've used a weight machine once. I'm currently building up the courage to try more weight machines and the stair climber.

I've also started Pilates to ease me into classes and it's great.

Good luck Thursday. You'll smash it 💪🏻

Well done! You have already done the hardest thing in going and it will get easier with time. I am size 16 to 18 and nobody bats an eyelid at my gym. I go to body combat and a dance fit class so all shapes , ages , levels of fitness go and no one judges at all. In fact in my dance fit class am one if the youngest that goes and I'm nearly 40. The older ladies are fab, again all shapes and sizes. Hope you can find something you enjoy doing there.

Good for you!!

No one cares about anyone else's size at the gym. Everyone is there to improve their own health and fitness, so you'll fit right in.

Book in a session with a trainer, usually the first one is free at many gyms. They can show you how to use the weight machines and things that you aren't familiar with, so that you can do it safely. If you have questions feel free to ask them even after as it is better to ask than to get hurt.

Do the cardio you can and build up; if you can't run at the moment try walking, eventually increasing the incline and/or speed. This will improve your stamina!

The fit, lycra clad brigade are too busy admiring themselves in the mirrors to notice anyone else.

I'm sure this poster was joking, but I think it’s worth busting this myth because most of the time, the fit, Lycra-clads will be using the mirrors to check their form, just like everyone should.

Good form maximises results and, most importantly, reduces risk of injury.

(Yeah, maybe some of them are vain AF )

Well done, you’ve made that first step!
I’m very active, and train with some serious athletic types (although I’m not up to their level!). The thing about fit people is they tend to support anyone who tries to improve their health with exercise. If anyone notices your weight, they are likely to be admiring you for doing something to take control your health.
Keep at it, the benefits to your self esteem kick in before any big physical changes, and it feels great! 😀

A decent aqua aerobics class is good for getting into aerobics/cardio classes if it doesn’t feel like your thing. If you really go for it, it’s surprisingly hard work.

And you don’t feel quite so self-concious with most of you in the water (source: personal experience).

Well done on going

and delighted you have realied that 99% of us at the gym do not look like the ex instructors they use for their promo pictures

even more delighted that you have realised that the only way to get fit is to start with the first bicep curl

and do not worry about the showers - most of us have our glasses off so everybody else is a blur

Yay, go you!

I'm 20 stone and flipping love the gym. Expected my induction chat to be heavily geared towards weight loss (I'm off the diets carousel, and am focused on eating intuitively and looking after my body in a more generic way), but they totally respected my goals to get stronger and built an awesome plan around that.

Only one person ever, a client not staff, made a comment to me about my size, and he was trying to chat me up unsuccessfully

This is what I love about MN, so much support.

OP, it's terrifying joining a gym even as a fit person. Everyone looks at you because you're new, not because they care how you look. Once they've glanced at you, they just get on with their own workout.

Good luck on Thursday and keep us posted on your progress!

What a great thread! It's inspired me to give the gym a go. How long should the first session be if you are the unfittest person in the world UK. Do you not worry about passing out?

We have people of all shapes and sizes in our gym classes, people are concentrating too hard on what they are supposed to be doing to worry about other people. Are you doing classes? If not I would recommend trying some, the time goes much quicker and you'll get more variety. Good luck 😉

Great to hear you've joined a gym. Huge pat on the back! I am a gym goer and love it and am very interested in health and fitness. Was listening to a podcast recently and the guy said the hardest part about going to the gym was going through the front door! He also said not to set your bar too high, in fact just commit to going and doing a warm up at first. I would suggest getting one of the gym trainers to make up a programme for you, makes all the difference. Hope you got on ok!

Just RTFT and wanted to say congratulations! I've ridden the diet roller-coaster for years and I'm basically back where I started weight wise, although I've always been a gym regular. I echo what everyone else has said: the only thing I think when I see someone a bit bigger, or a newbie, is "Good on you".

I hope you enjoy tomorrow's session.

Enlightenment
Go for it.
Walk in and talk to one of the staff.
Warm up with a bit of gentle treadmill walking. If you start to feel faint, stop and drink some water
and then restart
go until you feel shattered
and the next time do 5 minutes longer