Too fat for yoga?

[Pompelly]

I'm very overweight - have just started to follow a structured exercise routine and decided to try yoga in addition to help improve my strength and balance.

Went to my first class tonight - it was advertised as beginner friendly and suitable for all abilities. I had to pretend I needed the loo about 3/4s of the way through just so I could have a quick rest because my feet were cramping, knees killing me and I was sweating buckets.

Everyone else in the class was "normal" sized - most were slim and petite, some taller stronger builds but nobody visibly fat like me.

I really thought this would be something enjoyable and a more gentle way to be active on a rest day but I just felt embarrassed and gross like I do after my intense cardio classes.

Is it worth perservering?

I don't want to go down the route of chair based etc - I'm young and whilst this was tough I do feel physically better afterwards even if my dignity has taken a beating. Online just isn't for me.

I already know that I need a thicker mat, any other tips for a fatty?

I'm only a bit overweight and first times at classes are just like that! I think it's just how it is unless you know what you are doing.

Tai Chi and Qi Gong are gentle but good for you, if you wanted to try something else.

Yeah this isn’t a fat thing it’s a first time at class thing.

you might also want to note that there are different types of yoga - some move very quickly from one position to another which is more challenging than holding the position (as best you can).

might be worth looking into what sort of yoga it was meant to be.

Oh do keep going. Its amazing how quickly your mobility improves with yoga. Maybe explain to the yogi that you're very new so she could adapt postures to help ease you in. But defo keep it up; it really will be worth it

Please don't worry about it. My first yoga teacher fifteen years ago was a size 18-20 which reassured me as a petite but larger girl just learning, and she was so flexible!

I've been doing pilates for my back for ten years now and am still one one of the largest in the class. Just chatted the other night to one of the other bigger women, she's also doing it for her back. If I didn't do it, I'd be off work having put my back out for maybe three times a year, a week at a time. Not everyone is doing it to show off their slim lithe body 😊

I love yoga, I think it’s wonderful and really beneficial. If a class gets too much for me, I just lie on my mat and take a break. Your yoga teacher is unlikely to mind if you do that, but they might come and check you’re ok. Teachers have checked that I’m ok when I’ve done that in the past. You could let your teacher know before the class starts that you might lie down and take a break.

Im not thin and i do yoga. My strength and flexability have improved.
You dont need to hide in the loo if you need a break you can take a break in the class.

I'm a size 16, so don't normally consider myself fat, but am always the fattest person in a yoga class, sometimes by some way.
Honestly to have got 3/4 through a first class is pretty impressive, I'd say anyone who doesn't exercise regularly would find it the same, regardless of size. The last 10-15 minutes is normally the easiest as well!

If you got something out of it and didn't hate it definitely persevere! Now that you know that it happens just pace yourself through the class - take the easy options, take rests (doing child pose rather than downward dog), honestly I sometimes just sit out poses I can't or don't want to do!

Don't worry about your dignity - no one cares what other people are doing! If you think a thicker mat would help then just use two.

Try different classes, even ones labelled beginner can vary massively.

Sod it, go ! It’ll make you lean and strong. I was absolutely rubbish at sport at school and got great joy from finding out that I was flexible and could do yoga really well.! Sure everyone in yoga is so worried about not farting inappropriately they can’t be bothered about what you’re doing.😂… I didn’t enjoy the Sanskrit chanting though..

Yoga is hard, no matter your size. The benefits are enormous but it’s not easy. Downward dog is a complex pose & takes practice and strength, plank is hard, lunges are hard, stretches are hard too.
Well done for turning up, the hardest step.
I have been the weakest, stiffest person in the room by far, but you will gain strength very quickly, you’re young. Best of luck Op

People will be focusing on what they are doing. Classes are hard at first but it gets easier. Focus on your own progress. If I need a rest I'll take one. If you arrive early you could mention to the teacher that you will take a break if you are in pain or need a rest.

I agree, the first time at any class is a challenge because you don’t know the movements or the teacher’s style.

I’m quite fit and I sweat like crazy. I also quite often get cramp in my feet at Pilates 🤷‍♀️

Sounds like you are doing a really good thing for yourself. The best advice I can give is to keep going at your own pace and in yoga, never push your joints if they are telling you not to.

I'm also overweight and have been attending the same small yoga class for 4 years now. I still struggle in some poses and get sweaty! It's ok to rest at any point during the class, you can just rest on your hands and knees or in child's pose. Get a thicker mat if your knees hurt in some poses and make sure you have blocks, a bolster and a belt to support you when you need it. Is your yoga instructor approachable? If so, I would speak to him/her about what you're finding difficult and ask for them to support you by giving adjustments for you as a beginner.

Keep going, it's so good for mind and body and please don't compare yourself to others! We are all different and yoga is about moving with the body you have and your own personal journey.

@BackToLurk love love Jonelle ❤️

Im overweight and gave been going yoga on and off gor 10 years. It will be new to you if you haven't done it before and over time it will get easier. Stick at it!

Yoga is really hard. I sweat buckets sometimes and I've been going on and off for a decade.

I know it's got a reputation for being soothing and relaxing, which it can be, but my god you'll work to get there.

Keep going! Once you get the hang of a few of the poses you'll be able to follow along much easier.

There are also lots of different types of yoga. I do yin which is stretching and a hatha flow which is more dynamic. A good yoga teacher will always offer options to suit all abilities in the class. As someone said above, yoga is great for mind and body. I also do pilates which is similar but more core based. Lots of different sizes of men and women in my pilates class.

Yoga classes are super variable. I have been to some that were so hideously hard I thought I might be sick. If I'm getting back into it I usually book into a "stretch and mobility," type class for a few weeks first instead to get back into the swing of things. It's also worth talking to the teacher before hand, they can often make adaptations, which you'll learn you can do yourself over time.

I’ve just started and find it difficult too. I’ve started doing Park Yoga. A free outdoor sunday morning session in parks all round the country. It’s charity run to improve people’s wellbeing and mental health so worth checking out if you have a local one. ☝️

Yoga teacher here.
Firstly, there are many different types of classes. A Hatha class might be the most suitable for you. A good Hatha yoga teacher will offer options for every yoga pose so that you can pick one that suits your body. Every yoga pose looks and feels different in every body. Maybe try a different class and / or teacher. If you try a few, you will get a feel for what suits you best.
Secondly, as others have mentioned, what feels tricky on week 1 will feel a lot simpler by week 6 or maybe even sooner.
Well done for taking the first step and good luck finding your ideal yoga.

Sounds to me as not the most supportive yoga teacher.

My teacher shows rest positions, and explains it is ok (and still valuable) to use them any time you feel like that, and rejoin at the next step.
During the session, she presents alternatives, so everyone can decide a combination which fits their body today.

Well done for surviving 3/4. Next try will be easier.

Of course it's worth persevering!

Really, there's no downside. It will support your plan to exercise. Presumably the overall exercise/activity will help with your weight. And you'll meet new people, and maybe even make a friend.

Congratulations for exploring something new!

Hi OP. I'm an ED consultant here in Ireland.

Get a full check by your gp. Sweating is normal when you haven't moved in so long. Fair play going !!

I would suggest just walking for now. The weight will fall off you. Try yoga on YouTube and then work you way up to the class. Well done !

It will get easier each time but how about doing a few online classes to get fo know the poses a bit more?

Not yoga, but I started doing reformer Pilates in January as a complete beginner. I’m a UK size 12 so not particularly big, and I lift weights and walk 15k steps daily, but bloody hell, my first class truly humbled me! But I kept going, week on week, and now I can do standing moves on the reformer which I honestly never thought I would be able to. I have fallen off that thing on occasion and felt like a right arse, but you just get up and get back on. I am not a fan of structured exercise generally but am loving my classes.

I really like my instructor, and the studio is small so classes are small - I struggle to get my left leg into certain positions and she will always adapt for me, put the foot bar up or whatever. Please speak to your teacher, and keep going!