We didn’t all start out as gym rats. You may have been active before WLS, but you may have among those of us who feared going to the gym. A lot of us worry about showing up at a gym for the first time while being overweight and not in the best shape.

Will people laugh? Will you figure out how to use the equipment? Will you make a fool out of yourself in group exercise class?

Luckily, the worst rarely happens, and often the experience is quite positive. You might make a few friends, find the other gym members encouraging and inspirational, and discover that yes – you can do this!

What was your experience exercising in public for the first time? Were you nervous at first? How did it turn out?

Very nervous!! Luckily my gym has a cinema room that's dark, so I would go right in there and go on the elliptical then leave after 30 minutes. That lasted awhile till the weight started to fall off me then I just ventured out of the cinema room one day and started using weights. Now I spend 2 hours at the gym a day and joined some great classes, everyone was always nice to me

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I was the only person judging me harshly at the gym.

Tour gyms in your area to find what feels comfortable. Have the staff show you the machines and how to use them. My gym is family friendly. All ages and fitness levels.

First, I was intimidated. I thought their would only be these amazing in shape people at the gym. It was a relief to find people starting out just like me. I stayed in the cardio area for months before I ventured to the weight lifting area.

I feel very much at home in the gym. After two years, I'm one of the regulars. No more intimidation.

I stuck to the pool. Believe it or not, for the most part, if you are swimming laps, no one is going to care on your size.

PS Speedos keep everything in and your skin, should it sag, well they compress. Wear them like a competition swimmer does and it helps.

I swim and have done so at my highest weight. I really don't care what other people think about the way I look in a bathing suit. I am there for my benefit, not theirs.

I have to confess the most embarrassing experience was the second yoga class I attended where I lost my balance spectacularly and hit the floor with an almighty thud - funnily enough everyone looked in my direction to my surprise I git back up shrugged it off and started back (maybe concentrating on my balance a little more)