scared to join gym

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2006
scared to join gym
10
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 12:50pm

My hubby had a great idea lastnight. He says lets join a gym together!! After giving him hundreds of reasons why I can't and he can... he says well I'll just sign u up myself.

Now I have no problem joining a gym when I have the body of oh lets say angelina jolie but i'm currently worse than rosie o'donnell"s body type. You see I belonged to a gym almost a year ago and I quit going because I was being made fun of because of my weight. I was even told that I had no reason for being there because I was so fat and that I would never change. Never mind the fact I know I am um.....pleasently plump....I did't need people to inform me of that. I was there because I was trying to become healthy not to be made fun of.

How can I get past my prior experiences and move on to join this gym. I would really like to go the gym with hubby and tone up my body and hopefully some of this extra skin........sorry to much info.

url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/w449lLl/

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 1:47pm
Hey Angie,
Did you ever think that maybe you were at the wrong gym? If I were you I'd be sure to really check the place out--you and DH together--to make sure it's a place where you both would be comfortable. I don't belong to a gym now, but used to go to a place that was welcoming to the whole spectrum of size and fitness levels. I also visited a place with a friend where I was treated like pond scum back when I was a size 12. A lot of gyms offer a two-week free trial membership. Maybe you and your sweetie can get a feel for a place that you'd both like. Good luck! Annie
P.S. How cool of your hubby to think of this!
A
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2006
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 1:59pm
Thanks for ur quick reply. I guess thats true that I was at the wrong gym at the time but one would think that people would realize that when a person of any size belongs to a gym rather it be myself or a size 0 its to better their health. We are going to check out the gym tonite when dh gets off work. I'm a bundle of nerves just thinking about it!!

url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/w449lLl/

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2007
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 2:00pm

Honey...the gym that you joined was CRAP!!!! I can't believe that they said those things to you!!! That's HORRIBLE!!!

I'm sorry that you had to go through that. But, not all gyms are that way. I've actually never had anyone at the gym treat me badly....I have had some trainers that were a bit blunt, but it was more their personality and setting realistic goals as opposed to them thinking that I was not going to be able to make progress!!!

I think that you should at least try it out!! Talk with the people that work there...interview their trainers...take a tour. And then if you feel comfortable there you can sign up. BUT if at ANY point you feel uncomfortable because of something that someone said or an attitude that you got I would let the gym personnel know and DEMAND my money back.

(O.k....So maybe I'm a bit mean...but I just don't allow people to treat me like crap!!)

So...I'll get off my soap box now...Sorry :)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2006
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 2:08pm
Thanks for the advice I will do that when I go tonite and even ask for a trial membership to see how it goes depending on what I find out. I guess i just figure if I keep my mouth shut in public that people wont even notice I'm there. I am now just starting to have some pretty bad anxiety issues where I am afraid of going out in public I get short of breath and panic. For example just this past Friday I wouldn't set foot in Meijer to get my groceries I stayed in the car and had husband go in and get them. I was afraid to get out of the car. So an hour later and 200.00 husband was done shopping. Bad thing for husband to spend 200.00 and to top it off he wanted to go for ice cream!!!!! But thats another story.......lol

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Avatar for susan970002
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2003
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 10:18pm
Angie,
Sorry I didn't get to this till now, but I didn't see it right away when I logged on. So, did you join the gym? If so, you'll have to let me know which one. Maybe about two years ago, I joined the gym out at our local mall, I think it's called Lifestyles for Women and I enjoyed it. I know you and hubby can't go there together but I just wanted to tell you. There was all sorts of different women there, all shapes and sizes and the times that I went I was never made fun of. I only stayed for 3 months because that's all I paid for but like I said I enjoyed it. I think you'll be fine because you'll be there with your hubby. If me and James joined a gym together, I know I would feel more confident because he would be there with me, but that's just me. You know, I have low self esteem issues. I hope you enjoy it at the gym and I am proud of you! I know you can do well. -Susan
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2006
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 11:31pm

Angie,
The gym has been the basis for my program, so I hope you find one that you like. There are a few couples who work out together, and I kind of envy them...

If you can afford it, you might want to try a couple sessions with a trainer. Even every other week can be helpful, and if you find a good match, the trainer can be kind of your 'entree' to the inner circle at the gym - introducing you to both new equipment and the people there.

When I started, my brother, who has worked out all his adult life, told me that it takes three-six months to feel at home in a gym, and I figured if that was true for him, then I would just tolerate the feeling that everyone was looking at me for awhile- and I've realized that mostly, no one is looking at me because they're so busy worrying that everyone is looking at them...it was hard for me to realize, but some of the young girls with what look to me to be flawless bodies actually have more body image issues than I do.

No one has ever been unkind to me there- the opposite - some of the people who have encouraged me the most are the people I met at the gym.

Best wishes on this next step on your journey.

SJ
225-170-135

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-09-2007
Fri, 01-19-2007 - 1:30am
Geeez, what in the world kind of gym did you go to???!!! Were the actual patrons making fun of you? I am more than pleasantly plump and have been to gyms. Most people are so self involved that I've never received more than a passing glance much less ridicule. What a horrible experience. I hope that you don't let some idiots behaviors stop you from working out. You know what they say about people who have to belittle others to make themselves feel better.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-16-2007
Fri, 01-19-2007 - 6:19am
I currently feel the same way you do about joining the gym, i thought about joining curves because its only women and only 30minute workouts and alot of the women are older. I just haven't done it i am afraid of not using it enough to get my moneys worth. You could always make your own gym at home just buy a peice of equipment at a time used i am thinking seriously about doing that but i have to find a place to put them. good luck
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-08-2004
Fri, 01-19-2007 - 8:20am
I haven't read all of the replies, so I hope this isn't redundent. Have you checked out your local hospital? The hospitals in my area all have a health center and most of them focus on health, not weight! I can relate to how you are feeling, no one wants to go to a gym with a bunch of egos! And I am so sorry that people were so rude to you before.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-20-2004
Fri, 01-19-2007 - 11:31am
Wow!
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