Is it normal i'm super insecure about working out

I'm 18 years old and a female, I'm about 20-30 pounds overweight and I really want to get in shape. I've wanted to join a gym for a while but have been too embarrassed about being out of shape and making a fool of myself in front of people.

I know people can work out at home but I know I won't stick to it if I'm distracted by other things at home. I also want to go jogging in my neighborhood but I'm too nervous of being judged because I haven't ran in years and it definitely won't be pretty. I'm also very busty and curvy, and my mom has drilled into my head forever to hide myself and not "excessively move around in public" because she thinks I'll look like a whore. Yeah.

I'm embarrassed and insecure about my weight and shape, but also embarrassed and insecure about people knowing I know I'm overweight and trying (failing) at exercising.

Voting Results
85% Normal
Based on 13 votes (11 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 9 )
  • e51pegasi

    Try jogging early in the morning or evening at twilight, avoiding a lot of people.

    If you don't feel ready for the gym try going for long walks ( lots of fresh air & it costs you nothing) . Try persuading a friend or relative to join you for a little moral support & a chat.

    Once you feel more confident hit a gym you feel comfortable in. Again see if you can find a gym buddy, moral support & motivation.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Smithers

    This step will be the biggest step for your success. Start enjoying working out, improve yourself, start a diet that you will like. After maybe 1 year your shape/curves should be way better.

    Also, no more booze, this is toxic, poison for your shape

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • bob7

    You will be judged for being fat more than for working out

    Now that im thinking of it , wtf ? No one judges another for working out

    Just do it

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Anonymous_Slave

    Don't be embarrassed, it is worse to ignore your weight. People will just be happy that you are making a change.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • Au4771

    I was super insecure when I started going to the gym. Now I don't even think twice about what others opinions are. Remember they're all there for the same reason (loose weight, gain muscle ect.) as far as you know they may be insecure as well.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • _Mehhhh_

    20-30 pounds overweight isn't like you're horrifically obese, it's barely even "fat". I doubt people would really look at you in a gym like "omg look at this FAT girl" and you more than likely won't be the biggest there.

    That said, even when I do see VERY fat people in the gym, I respect seeing that. That's a person recognising that they need a change for the better and acting on it, and that's very commendable to me. If I saw people sneering at that in a gym I'd be personally disgusted by it. So you think being fat is so bad but then you're going to bully someone making change out of the place they need to be? Fuck you.

    In my experience of gyms (and I've been to a fair few), it really depends on the gym. You just have to find the right type of gym for you, which you can often tell just by walking past or visiting to look around.

    Some gyms have an atmosphere which is a lot more mixed and friendly to newcomers, these sometimes have older people and more women (there are even some gyms that do "ladies nights" if it's men you're worried about seeing you). That can be a great place to start. Some others are more "serious" gyms with better and more weight lifting equipment, but still pretty open with all kinds of people. There are some you want to avoid. I've been to one which was like a hardcore weight-lifters gym, with loads of alpha males who just really loved themselves, and that one had a bit more off-putting and felt judgy. I'm a relatively fit guy (not fat at all) and even I'd avoid some of those.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • KatherineSnowHeart

    i am the same and the way. infact my grandma would say similar things to me when i younger and she would make me exercise for a long time before bed. my mom eventroly told her to knock it off. anyway the way i avoid exercising in public is my sister comes to my house and we do a 30 day exercise challenge but we extend the days. if your with someone else you trust like a friend or sister it makes it easier.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
  • rayb12

    A part of me finds it very difficult to help a curvy girl lose weight. Actually if you aren't medically unhealthy then there truly is no need. But exercise has psychological benefits so my 2 cents is the people who go to the gym don't give a damn about you, they are there for the same reasons as you. And omg the fitness people are likely MORE insecure, so don't sweat it. If anything the people being judged are other body builders or people that don't wipe up equipment. Just freaking go, no ones gonna give a damn, it could even be empty lol. Or just some old dude, just try it and if its deeply traumatizing you can leave at any point and prolly never see those people or go there again. Its up to you but you gotta at least try it

    Comment Hidden ( show )
      -
    • rayb12

      Same goes for jogging. Screw anyone that judges you in life, but you know how many memories though I have of seeing a person jog or workout and even thinking twice about what u saw to form a negative thought? 0. And screw ur mom by the way what a terrible thing to tell your daughter that is really obscene.

      Comment Hidden ( show )