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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not go to my expensive gym?

133 replies

gaspingwaythroughlife · 05/02/2017 09:45

I got a bit carried away in January and joined an expensive gym.

I am at least 5 stone overweight.

I am useless. Rubbish, hopeless. I do around three minutes and am gasping for breath, in huge amounts of pain and hating it.

I now retrospectively realise that I should have shifted a couple of stone BEFORE joining but anyone got any suggestions in the interim?

OP posts:

Clairedebear101286 · 05/02/2017 09:48

Join slimming world - actually follow the plan - you will definitely lose weight - keep going to the gym - ask one of the instructors to give u a program to follow - u will find the more you go the easier it will become!
Stop making excuses! Your health is at stake!

SoupDragon · 05/02/2017 09:49

Are you trying to do the gym stuff alone? If so, I think you'd be better getting an instructor or personal trainer to guide you.

Previouslurker · 05/02/2017 09:50

As a bit of a slob whenever I see someone larger than me going to a gym or run etc my first thought is always. 'I wish I was as motivated and had the get up and go to do that.' So don't worry about being overweight and at the gym you are at least 5 steps ahead of anyone sat at home on the sofa. Keep at it, even small steps add up.
Chin up - you are doing it. Hth.

NapQueen · 05/02/2017 09:50

Can you just use one piece of equipment in smaller daily bursts until your stamina improves?

Flyingflit · 05/02/2017 09:50

You could see if they have personal trainer sessions. It will be more cost but having someone tailor it to you (and with you while you're there) might help?
Other than that, start small and build up gradually, you're more likely to continue.

languagelearner · 05/02/2017 09:50

No, keep at it, but set your targets a bit lower so you're not out of breath etc. It should be (sufficiently) fun to go to the gym so you have to set your targets accordingly. If it's three minutes on a bicycle, then that's good enough. Have you tried the rowing machines?

SparklyLeprechaun · 05/02/2017 09:51

There's more to fitness than being slim. Losing a couple of stone is not going to make you fit, exercising is. So keep going to the gym and do as much or as little as you can, your resistance will improve. And of course, ration your food at the same time if you want to lose weight.

TheMasterNotMargarita · 05/02/2017 09:51

Is there not someone there who can help you?
The gym staff are paid to do so.
Perhaps try different things? I hate exercise bikes with a passion but like rowing for example, maybe you need to find something you get on with. In fact I hate most cardio but like lifting.
And go easy on yourself, you have taken the first steps to getting moving which is to be applauded. You just need to find a way of making it stick.
Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Lalsy · 05/02/2017 09:51

Hi, OP. What do you do at the gym? Main thing is to find something you enjoy so that you want to go then you will see results and exercise will become a habit (just my opinion, not an expert). Have you tried classes (maybe aqua?) or done an induction? Lots of people find it hard when they start - don't despair. You can begin as gently as you like - don't be in pain!

Gardencentregroupie · 05/02/2017 09:51

Keep going. Speak to someone there and get a sensible exercise plan that builds you up slowly. People of every size should exercise, it is so important to maintain strength and mobility. Your bones will thank you in later life.

Gardencentregroupie · 05/02/2017 09:53

BTW I am several stone heavier than my best friend but am significantly fitter, faster, stronger and more flexible than her. Thin does not automatically equal fit. Overweight does not automatically equal unfit.

EveOnline2016 · 05/02/2017 09:55

The thing with exercise is you have to start very slowly. If you are going full on not only will you cause yourself an injury by pushing yourself to fast, you will lose motivation.

Keep at it.

arbrighton · 05/02/2017 09:55

You're probably doing whichever activity too hard. And need to stick with it abit. 3 minutes this time. Rest, do another three.

Then 4 minutes next week.

You will continue to be 'useless' unless you persist and apply some determination.

Original poster

gaspingwaythroughlife · 05/02/2017 09:56

I couldn't speak to anyone at the gym! There are super fit and motivated. I am useless.

I know losing weight doesn't make you fit but lumbering my bulk around is so much harder!

OP posts:

AntiHop · 05/02/2017 09:56

Is there a swimming pool? If so start with swimming or aqua aerobics.

girlelephant · 05/02/2017 09:57

Firstly well done on joining!

Ask how much a PT session would cost and ideally get two. They can help you create a training plan to help you out.

I'm also overweight and when I joined the gym I found it daunting has had no idea what machines etc I should be using or for how long. A couple of PT training sessions meant I could create realistic goals

Good luck

SorrelSoup · 05/02/2017 10:00

YABU! Your heart and lungs need it. You've gone in too hard, too fast. Can you try uphill walking to start off? Try and add 5 minutes on the crosstrainer on the first level. Your body will adapt very quickly. If you're into statistics, get a fit bit. It's very encouraging. I've just started running for the first time ever with a couch to 5k app. It takes everything I have to run for one minute, but it's great. Others in there run for 30 minutes etc. I don't care what they think, if indeed they think anything of me at all! Keep going!

InglouriousBasterd · 05/02/2017 10:00

I was more than five stone overweight when I started at my gym. I did just cardio - cross trainer, bike - where I couldn't look huge and clueless then built it up as my weight dropped and confidence grew...I'm starting my personal trainer diploma next week!

Please go and just build it up slowly. Listen to music, use it to escape a bit. If you manage 20 mins, fab. Before you know it you'll be looking at that weights and thinking 'I could give them a go...'

Go for it!!

formerbabe · 05/02/2017 10:01

I do around three minutes and am gasping for breath

3 minutes of what?

There's lots of things you can do at the gym... Sometimes I just go and have a walk on the treadmill, a gentle swim or do a pilates class.

MusterTheRohirim · 05/02/2017 10:01

Any exercise is better than none, so even if you only manage 5 minutes walking on the treadmill you're still winning! Give it a bit longer and be gentle on yourself, but if you really hate it there's lots of other ways to exercise.

Have you got decent music, audio books or an e reader? I like loud music but I have seen plenty of people with kindles resting on the cross trainer reading or watching films!

Gym staff tend to be very helpful too, and I find the male trainers at my gym rather pleasant to look at which is a bonus

KoalaDownUnder · 05/02/2017 10:01

I couldn't speak to anyone at the gym! There are super fit and motivated. I am useless.

No, no, no.

YABU.

If it's an expensive gym, it must have a (free?) one-to-one session with a trainer. Take advantage of it. They will help you ease into things.

Don't think about exercise as having anything to do with weight. At all. Exercise is something you do for mental and physical wellbeing. You need to do it NOW, not when you are slimmer. You need to exercise regularly even if you remain overweight for the rest of your life.

You can do it!!

Thefitfatty · 05/02/2017 10:04

Does your membership include a couple of sessions with a personal trainer? If so you should use them. They'll be able to slowly introduce you to a fitness routine.

I couldn't speak to anyone at the gym! There are super fit and motivated. I am useless.

Many of them will have once been in your shoes. Don't assume that just because they're fit and motivated that they aren't friendly and helpful. When I was starting out with weightlifting I was always shocked with how lovely and motivating the big muscular guys at my gym were.

LunaLoveg00d · 05/02/2017 10:04

Keep going. I am an overweight gym member and there are a lot of people much heavier than me. You can't go straight from 0 to 100 at the first session, as you've found it will kill you. I have not long had surgery which complicates matters further as there is lots I'm not allowed to do so saw a fitness coach last week - she gave me various things to do which included 10 minutes on the bike and 10 minutes on the cross trainer.

Walking is also really good, you can do that on the treadmill and walking at 4 miles an hour is going to get your heart going. Or swimming. Or a zumba class.

Mix it around, don't feel you have to be flogging yourself to death on a weights machine or at a spinning class. Good luck!

evensmilingmakesmyfacehurt · 05/02/2017 10:05

They should give you an induction as part of joining to show you how to use the equipment & settings etc...

Any exercise is better than none, why don't you download a couch to 5k app and do it on the treadmill or as others have said, aim to do 5 mins on the bike and gradually build that up. It's all baby steps with fitness.

Allthewaves · 05/02/2017 10:05

keep at the gym, honestly i know how you feel. Could you ring them (much easier than face to face imo) and have a chat, saying you are sellf conscoius because of your weight and would like plan worked out by personal trainer as you are struggling.

Iv just joined a gym and i'm 3 st overweight at least. My plan is very simple 5/10 mins of each cardio equipment on a low level so i'm nicely out of breath.

Please keep going, improving your fitness is just a beneficial to health as loosing weight

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