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| Wed, 01-05-2005 - 9:39am |
Thanks everyone for your sympathies for my grandpa. I really appreciate it.
Does anyone else feel self-conscious going to the gym? It's one thing to just go and jump on the treadmill for 30 mins or so, I can tune everyone else out then. But doing the weight training machines, I always feel like people are looking at me and laughing, like "who does she think she's kidding?" I've had personal trainers before and then I can do all the machines, because I have someone there to talk to and keep me focused, but I can't afford a trainer right now and I don't have anyone who would be able to be a "workout buddy" or anything like that. I just feel weird doing the machines or taking classes, but I really need to do those things. I think if I could just exercise more than what I'm doing now (walking on the treadmill a couple of times a week), then I could really get something accomplished. Plus, isn't it true that if you weight train and exercise a lot, then you won't have a lot of baggy skin left after you've lost the weight? That's what they told me at my gym. And what does everyone consider to be a safe amount of weight to lose each week?
Bye for now,
Aggie
276/254/135

Hi Aggie,
IMO weight training does help somewhat for skin. In my case I had gained and lost a lot of weight one other time in my life and my skin is not catching up with my weight loss even with lifting and doing free weights. It all depends on your skin.
Free weights at high reps and low weight are great for toning. They also help speed up your metabolisim. Changing up your workout every now and again is a great idea, just like food your body gets used to certain things. I hit plateaus when I don't vary my workout routine some.
I am very self conscious at the gym. When I started I was almost 300#s and I felt like I was being watched and probably was. The gym I work out at is in a really artsy fartsy part of town where a lot of wealthy, perfect people are. UMM! I don't fit in LOL. I don't care I keep going and to be honest I think most people do look but they don't laugh. I think the majority of people there admire someone coming in there and trying new things.
Keep your chin up, you know why you are there and so will other people. Everyone is there to improve what they feel are their flaws.
293.5/193.4/145
I agree with what all of you are saying...but also it's that "stinking thinking" that will stop you from doing what you know is right....YOU HAVE TO EXERCISE. That "Stinking Thinking" is a devil thing...bringing in self doubt into your life which will kill any joy in your life.
Thin people may look and not laugh, they may be applauding you; or saying I need to do my exercises or I will look like that! I know I use to do that. And to some extent I still do. If I see someone fatter then me (usually I am the fattest one) I tell my self...self you better get on the stick or you are gonna look like that and maybe just maybe you'll die looking like that... then I say a prayer for that person and myself.
I want to go to the gym so bad but I just can't afford it now, not even Curves and they're really cheap here in Texas.
Sussie_Q
I, too, go to Curves for that exact reason. I even feel slightly self conscious working out at the gym here in my apt complex even though there is rarely anyone else in there with me, and sometimes just going out and walking does it to me too. But I've never felt that at Curves, not even a little bit. I really think that is what keeps me going, its the only exercise I've EVER stuck to on a regular, long-term basis. And yes, weight training may help keep you from having baggy skin, but there are no guarantees. The best things are to drink lots of water and lose your weight slowly.
Amanda
Amanda
mom to Ethan (7), Ryen (6), and Katelyn (2)