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Gym regulars, do you take the piss out of the newbies?

104 replies

HarryB · 27/05/2009 11:51

Ok, so enough is enough, I'm finally going to bite the bullet and get my size 16 butt to the gym or I won't fit back in my work clothes . Am a bit scared, however, of looking like a plonker in front of the regulars. Do you fit young things laugh at the newbies and judge their big bums or take no notice?

OP posts:

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HarryB · 27/05/2009 12:38

I planned on doing the gym twice per week and then play tennis with DH once a week too. With any luck, I'll be fit as a fiddle again soon.

WHat would be the best thing to do for the back fat, is that just a point of burning it off. It is the thing I hate most post-pregnancy.

OP posts:

Ceebee74 · 27/05/2009 12:39

Cornsilk you can buy arm straps that you put your ipod in but I am not keen - I just tuck it in the waistband of my trousers (you need to make sure you have tight lycra trousers on for this ). The other reason that I like to keep my ipod handy is that I have an ipod shuffle which is great - but I have loads of nursery rhymes etc for DS1 on there so I have to keep pressing fast forward every time one of those comes on - I do not want to work out to the sounds of Humpty Dumpty

cornsilk · 27/05/2009 12:39

Will no-one help me with my i-pod query?

cornsilk · 27/05/2009 12:40

Thank-you ceebee! I will have to get rid of bloody Barney before I go.

OrmIrian · 27/05/2009 12:44

I always put in the pocket of my jacket when I'm running. Even when I take it off and wrap it wound my waist it's OK. Or get a bumbag thing, or an armband. Neither of those are entirely comfortable I find but they do OK.

WhiteFish · 27/05/2009 12:45

buy a little tiny ipod

cornsilk · 27/05/2009 12:47

Where would I put the tiny i-pod though?

WhiteFish · 27/05/2009 12:48

it has a tiny poddy clip corny.

ah you are sweet
its like talking ipod to you GRanny

elsiepiddock · 27/05/2009 12:50

I would never take the piss out of a newbie! I try and help with the machines or chat to them in classes too!

Mind you, in January when it's heaving I do survey them and think 'you won't last 2 months'!

WhiteFish · 27/05/2009 12:50

the back is a clip its a miracle ! its modern!

LibrasBiscuitsOfFortune · 27/05/2009 12:55

The only people I take the piss out of in the gym is the men with the HUGE shoulders and chests and little ickle legs.

Someone has already said it but most gyms will throw in a couple of 30minute PT sessions and they should be able to advise you. Not many people do enough exercise to significantly lose weight but you can change your body shape. You should do a mixture of cardio and weights. Don't let anyone tell you that you will bulk up if you do weights, and if they do feel free to mutter idiot under your breath.

Remember to try and have fun, you are more likely to continue exercising.

cornsilk · 27/05/2009 15:41

LOL whitefish. I will investigate this new fangled tiny i-pod.I quite like that pink one. Mine is too big to stuff down my pants.
The only people that I take the piss out of (in my head) are the couples who periodically stroke each other in the manner of Brad and Angelina. I want to slap them quite hard.

skihorse · 27/05/2009 15:54

I have an ipod arm-band thing but it really gets on my nerves when I'm running and I end up with wires wrapped around me, so when I'm doing weights I just tuck it down my bra and when I'm running I pop it in the "box" on the front of the treadmill.

I'd never laught at a newbie, I did however snigger at the woman on sunday who's hotpants were about the size of a pack of cards. In white. I think I saw her clitoris!

I go about 5 times a week:

2 x body pump
1 x free weights
2/3 x HIIT (intervals) on treadmill

I can't stand the x-trainer, it makes me bleed from boredom.

I sometimes go on the rower if I fancy something different.

There's one girl there who's lost about 5 stone over the last year and I did actually go up to her and tell her that she was looking great and she beamed.

cornsilk · 27/05/2009 16:06

ewww at white pants woman.

Queenoftheharpies · 27/05/2009 16:47

Weights, weights weights! They're really important and will make a huge difference to your fat loss efforts.

Skihorse's workouts sound good, especially the high intensity interval training.

The thing about the 'fat burning zone' has been discredited - you will get better results from short, intense workouts than from long walks on the treadmill. And you are less likely to die of boredom.

bloss · 27/05/2009 17:06

Message withdrawn

FairMidden · 27/05/2009 17:09

[retch] at "mumblers"

This thread is really encouraging. I might not use the fact that the exercise classes in which I can hide at the back are on at stupid times as an excuse any more, I could go to the gym instead. [voice in head says "yeah, right"]

Really nice to know that the sneering is in my imagination though.

What do you pros suggest we fatties wear for our early, pre-toning up visits? I am a 'normous size 18 on a good day, with a wibbling belly and thighs and calves like Jonah Lomu.

peapodlovescuddles · 27/05/2009 17:17

Nope, not at all, I sometimes ask if I can help if one is looking particularly lost on the machine next to me!
Its a really good thing, going to the gym, it makes me feel so happy afterwards!

Grattage · 27/05/2009 17:41

get quality gym clothes not an old ts hirt
get ones that wick mositure away not absorb it.

I dont normally do sleeveless but do in the gym

FairMidden · 27/05/2009 17:44

"quality gym clothes"

Does that entail going to a special shop for fat-but-optimistic people and buying something in stretchy Airtex, or what?

[feels enthusiasm fading]

Grattage · 27/05/2009 17:46

I mean cheapo new look leggings wont be thick enought to hold in wobblaaaaaaaaaaaaarge.

If you dont like your legs get some knee length or full lenght trews.

FairMidden · 27/05/2009 17:47

OK. I looked at Sweaty Betty there and was horrified at the cling factor of the clothes. Maybe I just need to grin and bear it. [undulates]

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LibrasBiscuitsOfFortune · 27/05/2009 17:51

Actually to start with I would settle with an old t-shirt and some tracksuit bottoms. As you get more confident and know you are going to keep going then splash out on fancy gym clothes. (I have been exercising regularly for 8 years and whilst I do have proper running leggings i still used old t-shirts on top)

I promise you you will not be the only one in tracksuit bottoms and a baggy t-shirt.

squeaver · 27/05/2009 17:52

I do look around at people but rarely remember them from one time to the next.

Most people keep their heads down and get on with it.

It is unbelievably boring - iPod essential and use it to download R4 podcasts.

Avoid the cross trainer. Time never passes so slowly as it does on there.

Grattage · 27/05/2009 17:52

old t shirts look so dire though and dont perform as they should.
they ABSORB sweat then leave it for the next gym person

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