Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Anyone else intimidated by the skinny's at the gym??



Recommended Posts

I joined 24hr last Monday. I've gone to the group classes every day last week, and now this morning.

Don't get me wrong, I love working out and have a great time...BUT the skinny's make me super jealous! I hate looking at myself in the mirrrors, but it's kind of hard not to when they're all around you in the class.

Some people seem unfriendly, which doesn't help. Others are pretty nice. (This is a note to myself to be nice to new people when they start.)

How do you deal with it? Workout and ignore everyone else? It doesn't help either when I'm taking Zumba and don't know the moves yet like everyone else!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That's why I don't do classes. To much like high school. Some people; thin and fat are just mean spirited jerks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I love my gym there is such a mixture of all body types, I never feel weird!!!!! Maybe that isn't the right gym for you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My gym is a good mixture too. Maybe say something to them first, like ask a question before class starts - "Have you done this class before?"

I usually do that when I first start a class so that it breaks the ice with my neighbors, then after you go a few times you end up knowing a lot of the regulars.

Some of my biggest supporters at the gym are some of the skinnies! I joined a 4 week boot camp program at the gym and made some GREAT friends. They are super supportive (but yet all super fit).

Sometimes it just takes opening up first. Remember you are there to get fit and be a skinny too!

You can do it :unsure:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have made SOOO many new friends by going to Zumba. I started out in March. There are all kinds of bodies in our class. I stayed in the back and slowly my confidence brought me to the front of the room. Now, I go all the time. One of the places I used to go has a teacher that weighs close to 300lbs and she lost 200 doing Zumba. I love it, sometimes twice a day. It took me a while to get the hang of it. It tool a long time to not feel like I was going to die! I just laughed at myself alot. Still do.

Last week I was asked if I wanted to get certified and teach.

Not anytime soon... :unsure:

Thankfully, there are no mirrors in our dance gym. It would take me a while to get over that.

Keep going and keep smiling and keep laughing. It does get better and easier.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have issues with going to a regular gym. I am not envious of anyone but I do feel like everyone is looking at me. When I was almost 400lbs I had two women rush over to me while working out and asked me was I okay! LMBO! I must have looked like I was about to pass out or die or something. I wasn't grabbing my chest or anything but they must have felt sorry for this poor Super Obese person and just had to come to my rescue! I am now going to a rehabilitaion gym at the hospital. Everyone is either old, injured, or doing some type of rehab. There are very few people from the community that come. They are very friendly and I don't feel like they are all staring at me or watching my big butt bouncing up and down on the elliptical!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You girls are so funny! Especially you Shurmeka! I can just imagine them rushing up on you!

I enjoy going to the gym and have made a few friends there already. I guess I was just down on Monday and didn't realize. I went back to the gym yesterday and today. There is one girl there who always says good you here again, but in a nice way. She's been helpful.

I bought some new workout clothes too, since mine were so baggy. I'm sure that will make me feel better too, to at least look a little less frumpy in my 40 lbs ago clothes! :thumbdown:

Thanks again for the pep talk!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

cute workout clothes always make it more enjoyable....i buy it almost whenever I buy lingerie (i know its weird...must be the "sexy" thing. i've lost 60 lbs since may and am actually loving working out. I feel so much better about myself. the more you go, the more comfortable you will get. my hubby and I workout together (he is very fit and toned) and he informed me he saw a guy checking me out!!! what?! me?! hahaha I about died...and my hubby was proud. hope to lose another 50 lbs or so! :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

No they are an example of what I want to be. One note however is that many of the guys who look good in the gym dont look as great in the locker room. That is helpful too, they are not perfect.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You know what, I don't care what people think of what I look like when I go to the gym or ride my bike. Yes I wear the spandex when I ride my bike and I still weigh over 300, but you know what, it's flipping comfortable and makes my 60+ mile rides that much more enjoyable so I will want to do it again. I also wear the bike bibs to the gym cause...., it's comfortable and I don't end up in 12 lbs of sweaty cotton after a good workout. I know people look at me and think, fatso in bike shorts, but fatso in bike shorts just completed a 65 mile ride in 90 degree heat while you were sitting on your couch watching a movie.

Edited by jaxgtr
spelling

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think you need to be more open to people and not assume that people are looking at you and judging you. People in general arent mean spirited, well not once they grow up out of adolescence, anyway. If you can shed the embarrassment, working out is so much more fun.

I used to only run at night when I was a teenager, under the cover of darkness. I simply dont care now, I go any time, anywhere, and I dont worry about what people think.

Classes and groups are so much fun, I have a great bootcamp group, its so friendly and yet there's me on the skinny end of the scale, another lady who is around 300lb but still plugs away at it every week and one lone guy, a really nice guy who comes with his wife. We all have our lumps and bumps, we all sweat like pigs and some even puke, lol and we are all of differeng ability. We've all bonded.

If you're open to it, it can make the whole experience so enjoyable. But being self conscious and shy makes you appear stand offish and people wont talk, and you wont realise that if they ARE looking at you, its probably to admire your courage and deternmination.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Some larger gyms have ladies only sections (not sure if you are M/F). You may feel more comfortable if appropriate in the ladies section. At one gym I worked out in there because the TVs where closer and I could read the Close Captions better (my eyesite is'nt what it used to be.) At my current gym the ladies section is usually empty.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This thread reminds me of a story. I have told myself a NSV would be the first time I got hit on at the gym. Well I got to tell everyone (including my wife) that my day had come. I finally got hit on at the gym. Good thing right? NOT!!!!

I should be excited, but it turned out to be a late 40's dude dressed like Richard Simmons while I was in the locker room. NOT COOL!!!!

Lol.. at least it makes for a good story.

I personally like the skinny/sexy people at the gym. Nothing motivates me more than seeing these hot bodies and thinking if I push harder, work longer... one day people will look at me that way.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Awwww {hugs} to you, my friend!!! When I was going, I would just hang out in the back and do my thing. I KNOW there were people staring, but really, who REALLY needs to be there??? That's right, US!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, shake what your mama gave you, have fun and who cares what the Iddy-biddy-boobie-Barbies think!!!!!!!!! Just focus on the big picture!!!!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×