Are you very overweight and go to the gym? Please come talk to me.

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Am really considering joining.

Am 16st and so scared of looking like an idiot, having negative comments or just feeling awful.

What can I expect?
I'm just So nervous.

I'm somewhat overweight and see people a fair bit larger than me running faster, pushing heavy stuff that I couldn't lift, clearly with more stamina than me! The gym is part of my life, and I love seeing all shapes and sizes there. No reason to feel self conscious, everyone is getting on with their own stuff. Hope you enjoy it!

Can I just say I am not particularly overweight but I often see a lady in my gym who is. I think she's bloody brilliant. I really do.

Echo pp in saying that when I see anyone in the gym who looks new/terrified/self-conscious, whatever size or shape, I thin, well done for doing it. Absolutely no one else seems to bat an eyelid. It’s most definitely the case that everyone is just looking at themselves in the mirrors. I’m not tiny and I really don’t care what people think - I’m there to do my thing with my headphones on then just leave. Perfect for me - don’t have to speak to anyone!

I used to be a real gym bunny and if I saw anyone new or a bit heavier I just used to think "well done for starting your journey". Or I didn't notice them at all because there was sweat in my eyeballs honestly no one cares, we're all there to improve our physique so all on the same journey, just at different stages

@Jellyshoeshurtmyfeet that sounds like a bargain really! You're paying that for a standard gym around here

@Gooseygoosey12345 it is a bargain, it's a brilliant gym! And because it's so great I think it'll help me sustain the routine 😁

If you can be good with regards to food that will make a huge difference, doesn't have to be expensive, porridge or eggs for breakfast, a soup maybe for lunch with chicken and veg and a handful of rice in it, or some rice with veg and chicken and herbs & spices, lots of salt and pepper and then a decent, non processed dinner at night. Drink water too, a pint before every meal and an extra one for luck.

Good Luck keep us updated with your progress. Xx

@Jellyshoeshurtmyfeet definitely! All the extra bits make all the difference!

There used to be an extremely obese lady at my gym, she tended to go very early in the morning.

I was absolutely in awe that she had the balls to go in the first place (she was clearly uncomfortable) and that she stuck at it so determinately. Her progress was slow but steady and it was amazing to see her confidence grow.

The only people I ever saw sneer were a couple of grotty teenage "bodybuilders" and that was only on one occasion.

I've gone to the gym as a size 6, a size 10 now as a very wobbly size 14* and never experienced any difference in treatment. When I do see someone larger at the gym I have never at any size thought anything over than "good for them". Almost everyone is there because they want to be fitter. Headphones on and get into your own little world. Take pride in every baby step towards better health.

I know all the advice about headphones is kindly and genuinely well-meant, but sometimes it is useful to take them off and be in the real world too.

Where you can hear people encouraging and supporting you and praising your achievements and proving to yourself you are making obvious and noticeable progress.

no one will bat an eye. I'm fat and have never had any issues at the gym. go for it!!

I work out at home at present, but when I was 3 stone heavier (and was definitely in the morbidly obese category) I was going regularly and nobody batted an eyelid. Like you, OP, I don’t like classes so I just did my own weights and cardio programme. There were people there of all shapes and sizes, getting on with their training.

I'm in the gym five times a week and I see all sorts of ages, shapes, sizes and abilities. There are young people, old people, very slim people, very large people, disabled people, people recovering from serious injuries.

No one looks at anyone else. Everyone is just doing their own thing. There's a tendency to think that guns are very intimidating but they can actually be really welcoming and supportive places.

As others have said, when I see larger people working out, I think 'fucking fair play mate'. Because if you aren't feeling too confident, or suffering from anxieties, then it does take balls to walk through the door for the first time. But it will only be your first time once. That's it, then it's done. And you're on your way.

Clearly I meant GYMS are very intimidating. Not guns for fucks sake autocorrect

I'm officially obese and go to the gym.

Nobody gives a shit, honestly. We are all there to do the same job.

I was a little bit worried before I went for the first time, but I really needn't have been.

I found it helped to kit myself out with a nice outfit to wear (Next do up to size 22 and I'm sure there are other good ones as well).

I wasn't huge when I joined the gym...but when I was doing my induction I came over all faint on one of the machines and had to have a sit down

The instructor was really kind. I think nearly everyone is, no matter what.

I started at my gym at age 50 and 15.5 stone (middle of obese range). Everyone was lovely and cheered me on. I wore old joggers, rigid walking shoes and hiking socks and any old tee shirt. That was two and a half years ago; after six or so months of walking and biking and elliptical (all at quite gentle rates) I decided perhaps losing a bit of weight might help. Then I bought trainers. Then exercise leggings...then...

Minus several stones later... am just about to go to gym as training for half marathon. Beware! It can get very addictive!!! (And expensive.)

Good luck, you'll be fine and folk will help. Even if you can't manage a PT, often the gym staff have some training qualifications and can suggest things to do.

Just get a decent sports bra first even if you're just walking!!!! Can recommend shock absorbers.

eBay is great for cheap shock absorber and similar brands, don't pay full price!

(Get decent bra is you have big knockers, the high street ones just don't stop the jiggling)

Yy to a decent sports bra. I actually have an excellent one from Next which didn't break the bank but does an amazing job.

I recommend black workout gear. Not for the purpose of disguising body shape, but it's the colour that shows up sweat the least. I'm not overweight but I sweat like you wouldn't believe (especially around the crotch for some reason ) so anything other than black is a no go for me.

The Better gyms I’ve been to have been relaxed and friendly!

I find on the whole that people into fitness have nothing but admiration for each other regardless of shape and size.
I’m not the slimmest but am a member of a gym and also a bootcamp club, I don’t really speak to many people but have given and received some supportive advice - everyone is on some kind of journey as cliched as that sounds - mostly though people just focus on themselves. Go for it

Check out this inspirational lady!

https://instagram.com/asap.yogi?igshid=da48gta0leif

Absolute legend

I have to say though the only time I look at people like 🙄 is at men (mainly) who are lifting weights far too big for them so they have to use most of their body to move the weight rather than just the muscle the exercise they are doing is designed to work.

I was watching one pair Sunday doing this and holding their breath on the exertion part of the exercise whilst encouraging each other as only men do v v loudly with lots of slapping. I knew if I'd said anything they would have told me to get stuffed. Was almost funny when they had to stop because one nearly passed out with a barbell above their head.