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?

That's awful :-( my gym has a no camera phones policy (though I sneak the odd exasperated Selfie to laugh at myself) but I hate her being watched. I'm only a 12-14 but had the gossip and laughing as I was running on a treadmill too (and I can run 5-6miles solid!)

I'm actually really angry at the gym on your behalf. That's awful behaviour.

Horrendous behaviour - please, please don't let them put you off, it's really brilliant you are going to the gym - and I know it's easier said than done but just ignore them.

Just to reiterate what others have said - find out what the policy is on filming in the gym and definitely complain - put it in writing if you have to. And if management don't do anything and the bitches come back, take your phone and film them see how they like it.

dudsville I want that slogan on a t-shirt: 'Go on, take your bitch pic.' Love it and they might think twice.
I used to go to the gym; although I'm slim I'm incredibly unfit, however I stopped going after I heard sniggers and realised it was two girls chortling about my red face and sweat. They were of course in full make-up with not a hair out of place. I stopped going.
Don't be like me, OP, keep going and do yourself proud

Oh Op, that is pure nastiness on their behalf. Can you complain bout them to the manager. They'll have CCTV and you could point them out.

Well done on your weight loss so far, keep it up. I've lost 6 stone since April last year and was morbidly obese, now just overweight and still losing. The gym does wonders for you both health and mental wise. I always feel proud of myself after a session at the gym. When I started I could barely do 5 minutes walking on the treadmill, now a 30 minute jog/fast walk is easy.

Wait did I read the post wrong? Your DP thought that them calling you a fat bitch was funny?

you HAVE to lift big weights when you're this size, your body is so used to carrying the weight naturally that I find I can press double that of my PT with my legs! we have a PT session once a month so I'll mention to her next time what happened and see what she says. She doesn't tolerate any shit usually so she'all probably get angry on our behalf! We're her favourite clients and a bit of a pet project I think

Running with this amount of weight is tough on your shins and knees! I've had shin splints twice but I've found running on a steep incline (4 setting in the TM) stops that. I'm doing the zombie run C25k program which tells you a story while you run. Nothing motivates you to run like a hourde of zoms! Pretty proud of my progress actually, I can now run for 2 minutes straight on a 6 speed during the free run sections, and can get though half an hour of walk run drills no problem before that. In contrast, when I started in January I could only run for 30 seconds on the flat at a 4 speed! I find it pretty freeing and all I want in life is to be able to run 5k. When I can do that i'll be happy.

anxious2017 no no he thought my kettle bell comment was funny! Sorry!

So sorry this happened. You're doing a cracking job by the sounds of it.
I agree with what everyone else has said - those girls sound awful so don't let their bullying force you out of the gym. Definitely raise it with management though, there is no way anyone should be treating someone like that and they should do something about it.

I'm so happy to hear your comment about big weights

MrsHandles oh god, both DP and I look completely trashed by the time we've finished, especially if I've made him do squats on the TRX and he's made me do core. Neither of us can walk properly! I always think if you can leave the gym without wilting flowers with your stench on the way passed, you've had a wasted trip!

We tend to push each other, so we have planking competitions, sit ups involve one person standing on the others feet and throwing a medicine ball between us etc etc. If he moves up a weight on a machine, I try and match him or at least move up one too. We're horribly competitive so it works well!

Can I bring this up with the management after the fact? We're going this evening but I doubt management will be in on a Sunday? Next gym session is Wednesday after that, will that be too late?

No don't find another Gym, I wod have reported them to the manager, they are bullying, and should not be allowed. Well done you, for taking such a big and positive step.

You're doing so well! I'm obese and go to the gym. No one gives a fuck however a couple of years ago a wee runt, who had spent an hour taking pictures of himself on various weight machines, took a picture of me on the treadmill. He's posted it online with a 'run fat bitch run' comment on it, just me from behind. I only knew because my nephew had liked it on Facebook not realising it was me (still a dick for liking it though )

Anyway I went to report it to the gym and they took it wet seriously and cancelled his membership. This was a local authority gym so he lost use of the facilities right through the county. They also wrote it into terms and conditions explicitly about no photography and also about being respectful and courteus to other gym user. I got 3 months free as as well. I was really upset at the time but most people were tearing him down for posting it and I realised in all.My time at the gym most people are fine.

It sounds like you're doing amazingly well. :) As someone overweight and demotivated, I'm in awe of you. Please don't let the nasty twats grind you down nor drive you away from your gym, why should you find somewhere else?! It's absolutely fine to speak to management at a later date.

first of all a gay person running is not funny
You've never seen me run!!

Phew haha!

I would send an email to management about the phones - surely there's a policy about this as it's likely to lose them custom

I'm not overweight but when I went to the gym I was intimidated by the gym bunnies in their fashionable gear and perfect makeup etcwho never really did anything but talked If they'd had their phones out etc I'd have needed to leave so you did well to keep going/challenge them. LOVED your kettle bell comment

Don't let the bitches get you down - they would never be able to achieve what you are doing

Sorry Katy

What nasty women.
They sound unbearable.
Good on you OP. I'm also very fat and have the same weight as you to lose! I go to the gym, wobbly bits in all and I get nothing like this. It's them, not you.
Better to see a fat person at the gym improving their healthy then hiding away from the problem. People should be judge you at all, you're doing great.
If you see them with their phones again filming you I'd approach them immediately and tell them you don't wish to be filmed/photograph and to put their phones away.
I'd also remind them you can lose weight but they're stuck with such shitty personalities and you're not there to do anything but focus on yourself.
What twats they are.

WayfaringStranger do you want to start losing weight? Slightly derailing my own thread a bit but it's so true that the biggest and hardest step is the first one. You need your 'click!' moment. Mine was my mum laughing when I told her my New Years resolution was to run 5k by December. I felt like an angry teenager again and it took me right back there. Something in my brain snapped and I got angry with her initially, but later with myself for getting myself into this state. In the photo I'm 19st 1lb.

I was so angry I didn't sleep that night and did lots of thinking. I started eating better the next day (2nd Jan).

Picture attachment fail!

Good on you, you can do it. Keep going to that gym, you enjoy it, don't let a few vacuous cows put you off. Next time if they are there, go straight to the desk and get a manager, start filming evidence. This behaviour can get them banned, like that model and her selfiex with a woman behind her.

Absolutely make a complaint to management. I'm not sure I'd have been able to stop myself slapping the phone right out of her hand if I'd known I was being filmed. Who the fuck does she think she is?? You sound like you're doing brilliantly. Even when I was very slim, I was never brave enough to go to the gym. I feel so intimidated by it. I'm always in awe of people who are brave enough to go for the first time and then continue with it. Are people allowed to take photos or videos in the gym? Could be worth looking up their policy. I'm not sure on the rules in the gym at my local leisure centre, but the swimming areas are covered in notices saying that no phones are even allowed to be used there.

I probably wouldn't be able to do this myself but could you get someone to check the geolocation for your gym on twitter for the last few days? If they have posted the video or photo online then you have proof (don't comment on it as they will delete - take screen shots), if not they may have posted several one of their selfies and if you recognise them you can show it to the manager. I would 100% report it everytime you go in. So report to the person on the desk today and ask to see the manager and if they aren't in do it again on Wednesday and if the manager isn't on site ask for them to be available next time you are there or for them to phone the manager immediately as you and your husband are thinking of terminating your contact due to the behaviour of their clients and the lack of appropriate response from staff. Escalate is as far as possible, if it is a chain of above the branch mangers head or reach out on Twitter.

Stick with it, don't give up because of these vacuous little bitches. You are strong and you are changing your life. I have so much respect for you. Good luck.

Also regarding the model who did this in LA, I think she was banned and facing privacy charges

www.google.co.uk/amp/www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/news/amp39410/dani-mathers-body-shaming-gym-photo/?client=safari

That was the first thing I thought of EatSpam after reading the OPs first post, that horrible model who body-shamed a 70 year old woman in the gym changing room. She's potentially facing a prison term now.

You are fab, Hesdeadjim. I need to change my lifestyle and you are an inspiration. Hold your head up high. Imagine living in those girls worlds, how shallow, vacuous and unhappy they must be to be so concerned about the way they and strangers look. They are pathetic.

Oh, and definitely complain .