Hi from New Zealand :-)

Hi Tammy, I suffer from the same worries and fears. My solution is to exercise by using the exercise videos on SparkPeople (sometimes if my knee is bothering me, I do one of the chair exercises), and I also do the Leslie Sansone walking DVD. It's a great workout and I can do it in the privacy of my home - don't have to worry about what I look like or what I'm wearing - it's such a relief!

Miller

Pounds lost: 43.4

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Hey Tammy. I know what you are going through. I was literally in the same boat that you are now. I was terrified to go outside and work out because I was absolutely SURE that every person that I passed and staring out of every window was someone who was noticing every jiggle and lump (on me). I was positive that they were mentally picking me apart and ridiculing me.
Then I realized that nobody cares what I look like. Nobody is tracking my every movement because I am a fatty. Not to mention when I actually LOOKED at the people around me exercising... well lets just say the majority would not be winning any fitness competitions any time soon.. but they were out there! I had just as much right to work out as they did. I saw chunky thighs, flabby arms, pudgy cheeks, thick ankles, spare tires and beer guts. It as all there and it did not seem to bother them. So why should it bother me?

Also even if I did run into a "perfect" person and I was sure they were snickering behind my back. Literally I heard them. I just shrugged and said to myself, "Well I am out here making a healthy choice for myself. THEY are not going to pay my medical bills when my weight starts to effect my health! So THEY can SHOVE IT!"

THEY were gone the next day and never came back.

Just last night I was jogging at 8pm. I was wearing some spandex jogging pants, that I look awful in, but they were free & they are comfortable sooooo.... I was wearing them. I jiggled past two walking girls that were maybe 110lbs each. I felt pretty embarrassed at first. Then I thought, "I'm jogging and challenging my body. They are at a different place than I am."
Because really I don't know what another person is dealing with or thinking about. Maybe some one important to them just died or they are struggling with suicidal thoughts and my jiggly thighs are not even on their radar! It is ego-centric of me to feel like my cellulite is the foremost thought on every one else(s) mind. Or maybe they have lost 200lbs and are cheering me on! I don't know but to assume that every one is mentally ridiculing me because I am fat and working out.... It is just not possible. That would mean that everyone even complete strangers were obsessed with my fat... If they are they have a very sad existence. Especially since I am working out now and my fat is going away. :-)

Hi!

current weight: 115.0

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Hi Tammy! to our team! Pleased to meet you and have you with us. Believe me none of your worries sound silly or whatnot. They are how you feel. The 1st thing to do is work on conquering one fear at a time. Sounds overwhelming now, but believe me !! Focus on the one thing you would like to do most. I too don't enjoy public exercise. I worry about what people will think. I have found workout Dvd;s to be helpful. One of my fave series is Leslie Sansone's Walk at Home series. They really helped me to lose weight and they are fun; especially when you add your own music to them once you get the hang of the workouts.

Hopefully together we can help you manage your anxiety.
Be sure to post often and ask any questions that you have,


Cynthia

April SparkPoints: 1,797

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Hi Tammy. Glad to have you with us. Start small at home and soon your confidence will grow.

April Minutes: 2,380

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Hey all, I'm Tammy. Really pleased to have found this group. I have always struggled with anxiety, and have gotten extremely bad over the last few years. I am at the point where even the thought of exercise makes me shaky etc (especially public exercise). I am afraid of being ridiculed, I am afraid of hurting myself, I am afraid of super ridiculous stuff like what if I don't have any clothes to wear to exercise, or just one outfit and then I wear it but I can't wash it in time for next time... seriously silly sounding things, but they really do my head in.

So yep... hi!

Pounds lost: 7.0

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