If someone stares or laughs while you're working out ....

[maltaguy]

you can either give them the middle finger or else just think how worse it would be if someone was laughing at you because you're walking in a donut shop or a fast food outlet. If you're working out and someone is laughing at you .. they are obviously too stupid to realize that you're doing something good ... so just ignore them and let that fuel you to work out even harder. They won't be laughing for long.

Just felt the need to share this with you guys, because I know how hard it is for big people to find the courage to start exercising. We all feel embarrassed when we are heavy and we work out, especially if it's outdoors. It's normal. Don't let that discourage you. Some argue that the benefits of exercise take a long time to manifest themselves .. I can tell you that it only takes 6-7 days to start feeling the changes.

Have you ever felt like crap when waking up in the morning? No energy and a strong desire to just stay in bed dozing off? I used to feel like that when I wasn't active and eating crap. Now today, after only 7 days on phase one, I woke up and jumped from bed feeling very energetic. And I haven't been working out like crazy. I just challenged myself to walk 15 miles per week (2.5m each time, which is 6 days a week).

[bec]

When I started running, I was about 30-40 pounds heavier (much less than my starting weight, though). I did most of the Couch to 5k on my tread mill at home. I was really concerned when I finally ventured outside, that people were going to laugh, point their fingers, crash their cars at the site. I was so self conscious about everything. As it turns out, nobody really cares what I look like when I run! Eventually, I just got used to it. Nobody's really watching you (unless you have a personal trainer, or something).

[maltaguy]

True. I also believe that if you know other people are staring at you, then you're staring at them in the first place. It's a Maltese saying, I hope the translation makes sense.

However, yes, it is a common occurrence that big people are stared at and made fun of. I just thought I'd write the original post to motivate those few who feel embarrassed to work out in public.

Another trick is to take your dog with you .. I love to take mine .. she's like a mini personal trainer .. she pulls when I'm slowing down lol!

[bec]

Oh, it's definitely a damned if you do, damned if you don't sort of thing. It sucks, but there it is. I have found, though, that far more people are supportive and encouraging. Sometimes, though, the negative comments are the ones that are really heard. It takes some time to reprogram the brain to only listen to the positive.

[maltaguy]

Well I hated it today. I went with Prue for my walk/jog at around 6pm .. and there was everyone and their brother walking. Maltese people tend to be nosy and tend to stare as well so you can imagine how I felt. I felt like being rude by telling them .. What? you never saw a big guy running? Thank god I had my earphones and Prue pulling me ahead.

Oh well, the important thing is that I exercised. I opened up a new thread viewtopic.php?f=13&t=94074&p=1092387#p1092387 with a google map pic of where I go

[bec]

Maybe that's a cultural thing. You would never have that here in the midwest of the US! Maybe a one liner like, "What? At least I'm out here!" or, "I'd like to see you do better!"

[Magna]

It always encourages and inspires me to see noticeably overweight people exercising at the gym. With the fit, slim people I can't be really sure whether they just have a fast metabolism or whether they've worked hard to be slim, but the heavier people obviously don't have the benefit of fast metabolisms. And of course, exercising is exactly what they should be doing, so why should anyone criticize? Would it be better if they stayed at home and watched TV or ate pizza? If it were someone I loved and cared about, I'd be thrilled to know they were working out. So if anyone feels self-conscious or uncomfortable, just know you are inspiring to some people.

[Nims99]

Magna-I feel exactly the same way as you. I am always encouraged to see overweight people exercising. I think it is motivating to me too. I used to be very nervous about people seeing me exercising. Specifically people seeing me STOP, like if I am running and then I stop and walk, all red and panting. For some reason that is very embarrassing to me. But then I thought what do I think when I see other people exercising? And I always think "Good for him/her - I should get out there too". And that made me feel a little better. Who knows - maybe you can inspire someone else!
--Emily--

[heatherbee]

Go over and tell them that staring costs money, or the option is you can punchify their face for free!

I used to worry about what people thought of me at the gym (heck, i still do, and always did, even when I was eating disorder skinny) but one day, a friend of mine said "Heather, when you see someone who is big at the gym, what do you think about them?" And I realized that-If I thought anything at all, usually I'm too busy trying to keep from dying on the treadmill-Good for anyone trying to make a positive life change!

I dunno. Also, a lot of times, I really am too busy WORKING MY PECS, YAH, to notice other people.

[tikikat]

I have always worried what people thought about me let's say if they were running behind me in the gym. Since joining the gym in August of 08 I have lost 40 lbs and I no longer worry about what others think.

I agree it takes courage to begin working out but let me tell you when I see someone who may be heavier than me working out I think good for them! The fact is we are all there for the same goal and that is to be healthy and live a long fulfilling life. Anyways I am glad you posted this because it is reality and I think people are a little apprehensive to discuss it.

[jostein.adams]

I think it's just an extension of being self-conscious about our weight in general. I've felt that same thing being at a party with lots of fit people, assuming that everyone must be looking at me in disgust like "what is *she* doing here? doesn't she get that she doesn't belong?". and of course nobody really cares, they're just there to enjoy themselves too

I totally agree with Manga though--probably most people who see overweight people exercising feel some sort of mix of being really impressed, maybe with a touch of self-reproach, as in: well if *they* can push themselves to do that, why can't *i*..."

one of the coolest things in the world to me is watching someone go from out-of-shape to great shape. their entire body transforms! and they look like a whole new person! it's like watching a sculpteur attack a ball of clay--except the artistry is in self-discipline and perseverence. it's just amazing to me. it's worth it.

[calluna]

Who would do that?? It makes me want to come over there and give them the middle finger myself!

Really, though, I think most people are much more concerned with what everyone else thinks of *them* to spend much time thinking about others!

[Sazza K]

I'm currently 271lbs, so not a particularly pretty sight when I'm exercising in public.... but I'd much rather someone stared and/or laughed at me whilst I am out jogging or walking at the weight I am now, than have them staring and laughing at me waddling along the road at 344lbs... which is how much I weighed before I discovered the South Beach Diet 4 months ago.

If people want to laugh and stare, I can't change that... but what I can change is my future - and a few stares won't put me off doing that!

[tf0526]

I am one of those people that always admires larger people working out. The people I look at are the people that just wander around the gym to socialize and look cute without ever actually working out, or the ones that look like they are about to throw out their backs by swinging huge weights around instead of working their muscles with controlled exercises.

[lauralee40]

I know you'all are talking about bigger people being embarrassed or self conscious but I think it's lots of people...I'm on sb to get back to the size I feel in my mind I should be-(41 and getting bigger in the waist, gained 17 pounds in the last 2+ years) I'm 5'2 125-127 pounds, it flucuates constantly from retaining water all the time...but I don't want to have even more weight to fight off later so I'm trying to take control of the weight now (obiesity runs in my moms side of the family)...anyhow, back to the subject..lol..I am not a big girl but I just can not get myself to go the gym alone, when I do go its with my husband at 430 am cause I know there will be nobody there...I am so self conscious it is just ridiculus...I feel like people are staring and watching me sweat and struggle to make myself go that 25 minutes on the eliptical....and I know nobody is paying attn but I can't stop from feeling like they are....I would love to be like my best friend and go to the gym alone for 1-2 hours and not be worried about feeling I'm being watched or made fun of....I just saw this post and thought I'd reply to you'all that its something we all struggle with-or some of us anyhow.....thats one of my goals when the kids start school-to make it a daily routine to go to the gym when I drop them off....we'll see if I can force myself to go all by myself...crazy, I know