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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be embarrassed by my tomato-like face?

31 replies

Secretlifeofme · 21/04/2018 08:25

Never having been to the gym in my life before Blush I recently began working with a personal trainer twice a week. I've been doing it 5 weeks now and I love it and have lost nearly a stone, which is awesome :)

However, every time I work out, I get a REALLY bright red face and I feel so embarrassed by it! I thought this was due to being unfit but it seems to be persisting even though I am getting fitter. Does anyone know why this happens and if it will stop happening eventually?

OP posts:
peachypetite · 21/04/2018 08:26

Honestly, who cares?!

Original poster
Secretlifeofme · 21/04/2018 08:28

Helpful, peachy, thanks Hmm

OP posts:
RadioDorothy · 21/04/2018 08:31

I'd like to think Peachy meant, nobody will notice that you have a red face!

I get this too. I just comfort myself that at least I'm trying, even if I do go puce...!

peachypetite · 21/04/2018 08:31

Some people go red (myself included) but you shouldn't give it a second thought. You should be proud of your hard work.

Comtesse · 21/04/2018 08:31

I look like a beetroot not a tomato - more purple than red. I go to the gym 2-3 times a week and run say 4km. I am not unfit just look like a beetroot when I am really working. Don’t worry about it!

Original poster
Secretlifeofme · 21/04/2018 08:32

Thanks both. I am proud but I wondered why I go so red when others don't and if it's anything to do with being unfit, or if it's just a thing that happens to some people?

OP posts:
LockedOutOfMN · 21/04/2018 08:33

I'm the same as Comtesse. Don't worry, OP, it is very normal and no one else will care.

peachypetite · 21/04/2018 08:34

I think it is just a thing yes. I don't think there is anything you can do.

DrinkReprehensibly · 21/04/2018 08:35

I get the same and so does my exceedingly fit friend who does 100 mile bike rides! I think it's quite normal for some people and so long as it doesn't persist whilst you're not working out, it might just be something you will have to learn to love about yourself like I've had to. I certainly don't think anything bad about others with red faces at the gym so I try to have faith that they don't care about my red face too.

Well done for losing a stone! I'm envious!

Original poster
Secretlifeofme · 21/04/2018 08:35

Thank you - so it's not a sign of being unfit? I guess it's because in books and films, someone who is portrayed with a red face when exercising is usually a figure of fun or very unfit Blush

OP posts:
araiwa · 21/04/2018 08:37

Its because you are hot due to working out.

Running blood to the skin is the body trying to cool down

Its entirely natural and im not sure why youre embarassed which surely just adds to redface Angry

Original poster
Secretlifeofme · 21/04/2018 08:39

Thank you @DrinkReprehensibly (great username by the way!) I am really pleased I've lost the weight. I've been following a low-carb diet and doing an hour with a personal trainer twice a week, plus the odd HIIT exercise video in between. I've still got another half a stone to go before I reach a healthy BMI, but I'd love to lose another stone if I can Smile

OP posts:
ConciseandNice · 21/04/2018 08:41

I be run dozens of marathons and so I’m fairly fit ....I am also tomato red when running and by the time I’m at the finish I’m beetroot. Don’t worry! It’s just one of those things. It’s not your fitness.

LoniceraJaponica · 21/04/2018 08:42

Well done on your weight loss and exercise regime. Honestly, no-one cares. I go to HIIT classes and one woman, who is far fitter then I will ever be goes bright red all over. I don't. I guess it is just the way we are made.

qazxc · 21/04/2018 08:43

Well done on loosing a stone. Red face isn't unusual and I doubt that anyone notices or thinks anything about it. Ime people just concentrate on themselves and their exercising at the gym.

OopsPardonMrsArden · 21/04/2018 08:45

Yeah I do the tomato face thing, more aubergine in summer though! I put it down to my celtic ancestors.

Timefortea99 · 21/04/2018 08:47

It has nothing to do with how fit you are. I get it too.

Do you workout without worrying about how you look. Wasn’t there a recent campaign trying to encourage girls to continue to do sport. Once they have an awareness of how they look (hot, sweaty) they drop out. I am not suggesting you will drop out but you are focusing on something that is not important. You should not feel at all embarrassed. You should feel proud of yourself.

Original poster
Secretlifeofme · 21/04/2018 08:47

Thanks everyone. You have made me feel a lot better knowing that it doesn't mean I'm incredibly unfit!

OP posts:
nellly · 21/04/2018 08:48

I think it's something people are pre disposes to it, i know some people who very fit and get flushed in the face very easily, I can work out really hard and although I sweat a lot my face doesn't really go pink at all. Agree with pp though, definitely nothing to be embarrassed about!

SaucyJane · 21/04/2018 08:49

Honestly - nobody will notice. They'll be too busy focussing on themselves. Would you notice if it were anyone else?

Congratulations, it sounds like a brilliant workout!

EmmaGrundyForPM · 21/04/2018 08:50

I get this too. I'm fairly fit (gym several times a week) but it doesn't make a difference. I've naturally got very pale skin so it's even more obvious. I have learned not to care.

Congratulations on your hard work to date

KirstenRaymonde · 21/04/2018 08:53

I go very red too. I also sweat about 5x more than everyone else. It’s just my physiology, I don’t worry what anyone else thinks Smile

Enko · 21/04/2018 09:06

Op I do this to when I work out. I have lost count of the amount of trainers who have stopped instructing to ask me if I am ok. Years ago I had a trainer who was the same so after the first ask of " are you ok?" and I confirmed I was she never asked again it was fantastic.

I have nothing to add that will help you never found any way to make it better. I do get why it bothers you too but hope it helps to know you are not alone..

well done on loosing a stone though thats amazing.

YippeeTipTap · 21/04/2018 09:15

Ughh I do this too. I’ve always done it even when I’ve been young and very fit. I always give things my all so I like to think it’s because I’m pushing myself hard too. I’m a bit suspicious of women who do spinning and don’t break a sweat. 👀

Banoffeematernity · 21/04/2018 09:16

I'm similar OP except only the top half of my face goes bright red. It looks like I'm wearing a mask! Lol

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