Anyone started using a gym when several stone overweight and majorly unfit.

[suiledonne]

I am about 3 stone overweight and very unfit.

I have been carrying the weight since a teenager and was never been particularly bothered by it looks-wise but these days I feel the lack of fitness.

I have a toddler and a 4 year old and do struggle a bit running etc.

My appetite is not a huge problem - a bit of silly snacking but I can get control of that. My main problem is lack of exercise.

I was one of those girls who avoided sports at achool and never developed a love for, or even a habit of exercising.

I know I am not motivated enough to lose it through walking by myself so I was thinking of joining a gym.

I have no experience what so ever and am likely to collapse in a heap after 2 minutes.

I need someone to show me how to use the equipment and maybe give me an exercise plan. Is there usually someone there who helps with that?

What do you wear to the gym?

How often should I aim to go in the early weeks (providing I don't die of exertion or emmbarrassment the first time {grin]? )

Forgive the foolish questions I am clueless.

oh god there are LOADS of overweight people at ours and i always think YAY
so dont think anyone will think badly of you.

Yes, I did. At the time I was about 5 stone overweight. I did go with a personal trainer though as I was worried that I either wouldn't go unless there was someone waiting for me to turn up or I would injure myself.

If you can get a trainer I would recommend it, once a week for the first couple of weeks and then perhaps once a month after that. Most gyms have personal trainers available, ask to see cvs and look up their qualifications (or ask on here).

I bloody hate exercising, fortunately my trainer has a very thick skin for whinging and insults.

Well done Bran. Did you manage to lose weight?

I worry about injuring myself too.

I am so unused to exercising that I panic a bit when I get out of breath so I back off instead of pushing myself.

I'm slightly overweight - BMI of 26 down from 32. I go to the gym and absolutely love it. I get such a high from the endorphins exercise gives me. I do feel a bit intimidated by the pert bottomed swishy ponytail brigade but not enough to stop me from going.

There's a woman who goes to my gym who was extremely obese. I only ever saw her in the gym late at night and she would just walk on the treadmill for a long time. She's still very overweight but has lost a lot of weight. I have so much respect for her for getting to the gym.

When I joined I had an induction so was shown how to use everything and given a programme. Whenever I had to ask other gym users for help they were always very friendly - even one of the huge weightlifters. When I had my induction, I was told that you should go at least 3 times a week to see a difference.

I have lost quite a bit of weight, although I haven't lost any for a while now. I still see my trainer twice a week, but he comes to my home while DD is having a nap rather than going to the gym. Using the equipment at the gym is much more effective but DD is a velcro toddler and won't be left with anyone.

A trainer is useful for knowing what will injure you if you keep pushing, and what will make you stronger even if you think it will injure you. I've had plenty of sore muscles but the only injury I've had since I started training has been when I hurt my back picking up a wriggling DD.

Suiledonne, dh is very big. but he is not unfit. he went to the gym and they were so nice. to novices. simpletons who didn't even know what a cross-trianer was. ( count me in that then !!). They should be able to sort you out a simple programme of 10 mins on this, that. having tols them that you haven't done any exercise since skipping cross country. probably in the trees for a fag. they see plenty of similar people. don't worry.

i think people generally are pleased to be helpful at a gym
i always try and say hi etc or smile at people

Thanks for starting this thread. I'm a couple of stone overweight, but very unfit (drive to desk job, drive home...) and I also hated PE. I'm now 40 and I've never really exercised, partly because I worry that I'd have a heart attack as soon as I start, and partly because I thought I'd be the unfittest person at the gym.

This thread has almost motivated me to get to the gym, so thank you.

Me to Su. Am usless myself but always found the atmosphere extremely accomodating and helpful. and I liked the fact that every long term 'gymy' helped the newbie. saw it lots of times.
good agent. glad you are inspired.
i don't gym myself. only go to kick-boxing once a week class. but i like it.

yes and ask for help from gym people.
but DO get a blunt friend? to check your arse in your clothes!
dont think a HUGE t shirt is the best to wear. id get a moisure wickign plain t to start with in a plain colour say like this - it will make you feel the part
also try and find time to shove your head ina steam room - maybe as reward for doing 45 mins or so. your skin wil be fantastic
do coem back and tell us hwo you get on - everyone will be wiling you on!

yes and dont think you have to run - even walking briskly on an incline ( NOT HODLING ON!) is good - so you find it hard to talk at the same time

get a teeny ipod and you can listen to podcasts or tunes - bliss

I joined Curves Gym (specifically for women), there are women there of all shapes and sizes and fitness levels and no one judges its like having a chat with your friends while you workout. Look it up on the web. Its very good.

Thanks for the advice and positive vibes everyone.

I am going to go in tomorrow evening and check out my local place. (DH working tonight - not just putting it off)

Su I will acquire nice, plain, sporty t-shirt but what about bottom half?? Not anything stretchy at this stage. How about some loose crop track pants? I am 5'2 so struggle to get full length ones that are a good length in the leg.

I think looking the part will help so I won't feel like I stand out too much.

bargainhunt There was a Curves in my town but it closed down recently

Ohhh I miss the gym I got quite fit before being a mum, as we lived near one (had a swimming pool too), but currently it's not really possible for me to go, due to baby/finance/transport issues.

Hope you get a good induction. IMHO it could be unrealistic to push yourself to go 3x a week from the start, if you do too much too soon you'll hurt/exhaust yourself and will lose motivation.

Don't worry about what you look like either. IME, the buff muscly blokes and skinny girls at the gym won't notice you, they are all too wrapped up in themselves!

I joined the gym at our local sports centre. They run a passport to health scheme there so in the day there are more people on the unfit than the fit side. They also have the free weights in a different room to the machines so all the muscley blokes tend to be there. Well when I say all I mean the 4 or 5 I have ever seen! The beauty of the sports centre gym is that I am not tied into a contract so can leave at any time. My membership also gets me free exercise classes so I often do core strength (bit like pilates so great for pelvic floor, abdominals etc) and aqua aerobics (cos I like playing in water!)

Good luck with it. Turns out it's true what they say and exercise really does give your mood a boost!