Joining the gym tonight

[FunTimesAhead19]

I’m joining the gym tonight with my gym induction. I’ve had enough of being fat, lazy and massively unfit.

But I’m really nervous. Nervous people will be laughing at the gay girl, nervous I’ll hurt myself, nervous I’ll make an idiot of myself etc.

Anyone able to calm my fears a bit

Should say FAT girl not gay girl. Bloody fat fingers typing! Not that there’s anything wrong with gay, just not the right word in this situation x

Ok. Firstly, nobody will be laughing at the "fat" girl. Everyone will be getting on, doing their own thing, and paying no attention to what you're up to. I've been in the gym when I've been overweight, underweight, heavily pregnant and everything in between, and can honestly say the only time anyone ever paid me any attention was the time I dropped a bar in the squat rack, with an almighty bang.

Might be worth making notes in your induction of the weights you'll be using on each exercise, too. It's easy to forget, and then find yourself loading up the bar so much you can't lift it...!

Chubby 1 here, I went to a boot camp where I was the youngest and the fattest, one other looking to lose weight, the others all triathletes, fun run, cycling types. I got there early to be the first, introduced myself to the instructor and said I was there as part of my weight loss. Completely welcoming and supporting. Instructor was even 5st heavier 2 years ago and fitness instructing was a career change after losing weight. So instant support! Another Instant buddy with the other weight loss lady. Everyone else was lovely, joking around at how hard it was etc so I didn't feel like the only one struggling. 100% recommend group exercise as the instructor will correct your form and you don't feel like so much of an idiot doing your own thing in a gym, and mostly it's a laugh and supportive.

Enjoy and good luck!

Eek, I’m half an hour away from going and I’m really really nervous. Should I tell the personal trainer this or just get on with it

If you haven't already gone - yes, do tell the trainer you are nervous. I'm sure loads of people are. Good for you in taking this step.

How did it go?
I know I honestly don’t think twice about a fat person exercising, if anything I think good on them.
I know so many slim people who are ridiculously unfit, you won’t be the only one getting to grips with it!

I loved it going again on Wednesday. Never thought I’d be interested in fitness

Tell your personal trainer your fears and they will help and be reassuring

Well done! I joined a gym a few weeks ago and had similar fears about being the old fat person, but it's actually been fine.

Hope you carry on enjoying it.

I joined the gym about 2 months ago, weighing over 18 stone and I had all the same worries about people staring and judging.
Now I have no qualms about walking in and getting sweaty and red in the face as I've realised no one really pays me much attention. I still feel a bit self conscious on the weights in case I'm doing something wrong but I'm enjoying challenging myself.
It helps as well that my gym barely has any mirrors so I don't get distracted by my awful reflection 😁

Hope you enjoyed your first gym session!

Well done!

I thought everyone wouid laugh at me for being an imposter when I started out running. It's never happened, and getting an exercise habit is one of the best things I have ever done