embarrassed to admit: I'm embarrassed to exercise!

I just moved to a new city/ new college. And I really want to get back in shape. I used to run in my old town, pretty regularly and I loved it! But I've always been self conscious about exercising in public, and in my old town I had alot of country space and privacy to enjoy exercising in. Now I feel like I cant find anywhere to run where I dont run into 5 people from my school along the way...and I'm ashamed to admit, I'm always fearing that I'll run into some hot guy from my new classes while I'm sweating in my work-out clothes. Has anyone ever had to shift from country to city exercise? I know that I need to suck it up and get out there...and I despise the treadmill. But I'm curious if anyone has tips or has over-come their exercise embarrassment! Maybe I should run early in the morning when I know the college kids are still sleeping haha. But its just hard to feel comfortable exercising in public when I'm so unhappy with my current body, yet I wont get there until I do it. how can I push myself out there?

Mon. Mar 26, 12:12pm

getting up in the morning would be good or call your local gym they may know some paths you can use that are not well known, but remember this is your life . you have to do this for you. who cares what others think. you working to feel healthy and look good and anyone that sees you sweating .. even a HOT guy will know that. besides hot guys like girls that take care of themselves. good luck! you can do this.. only you can

Monday, March 26, 2007, 12:25 PM

Everyone starts somewhere. I know exactly what you are going through. I used to skip workouts (never worked out) becasue I didn't want to be the slowest/weakest in the gym and boy was that a mistake. No matter where I've lived or what kind of workout I was doing there is one common thread that ties all people at the gym together- They're all trying to better themselves. Everyone started at the point your at (at some level). You can be self conscious now for a relatively short period of time or you can be self conscious for the rest of your life. I think its great you want to get back in shape- now you just have to do it.

Monday, March 26, 2007, 1:07 PM

Check out the video clip linked from the "I agree" thread - it covers shyness about exercise in general.

As for bumping into a guy while sweaty...they love the healthy glow, they love to see someone enjoy the outdoors as much as they do, they know it means we're more energetic in our daily lives. Most of them find it a turn-on, not a turn-off.

Monday, March 26, 2007, 1:13 PM

I used to be so scared to exercise at the gym or run in public-and there are some days when i still feel a little glimmer of self-consciousness. A couple of tips to help boost your confidence!

1) Other people really are so self-absorbed that they really aren't paying attention to you exercising.It's really true. No one is paying as much attention to you as you. If they are, what is there to criticize? that you are getting in better health and shape?
2) If a hot guy from one of your classes sees you, he's going to be so impressed that you are active and strong! It will up your chances of scoring!
3) Buy some workout clothes that are really comfortable and look really good on you. Sometimes this can get expensive, but if you feel confident in your clothes, you will exude that, and your form will be better too.
4) Zone out if necessary! Often I put on an ipod with my favorite music and just get lost in it. I forget there is anyone else around me at all because I am so concerned with increasing my performance.

Good luck! I know how hard it can be to get used to change but if you just keep getting out there and doing it, it will get easier! I'm sure in a few months time you will post again and tell us all how you don't even feel like the same person anymore!

Monday, March 26, 2007, 1:26 PM

I am the same way, but I turn it around on myself. I am also embarrased to be the size that I am. I would rather run into someone while I am exercising than just run into them while I am this size. We currently live in the community that I grew up in, so I know many, many, many of the people who live near us and who go to school with my kids. I am always embarrased when I see someone I grew up with - so I exercise to lose weight now, humiliation be damned!

Monday, March 26, 2007, 1:30 PM

I agreee, Guys do love that girls all sweaty and natural not all perfect all the time and unapproachable. Just remember you look a whole lot better if you smile no matter what your wearing.You are probably worried for nothing but if you feel that way find a place to work out like a gym or something or find someone to go with you to out of the way places just be careful not to go alone to those out of the way places because it can be dangerous.

Monday, March 26, 2007, 1:52 PM

I agree with the poster that said everyone is too self-absorbed. Seriously, everyone is thinking about themselves at almost all times of day (especially at the gym! How about those guys that strut in front of the mirror? lol)

Monday, March 26, 2007, 2:05 PM

Might it help you to find a running buddy? Having someone else along might distract you, and also motivate you to get out there.

Alternatively, have you considered working out to DVDs - cardio, toning, yoga, pilates, stretching - in the privacy of your dorm or apartment? You could do it for a while until you feel more confident going out to run.

If you're in a dorm and don't have enough space in your room, do you have a common space on your floor? You could do the workouts there, and you might even find some other people on your floor who would like to join you!

If cost is a factor, check out your local public library and see if they offer fitness DVDs that you can borrow. You can join Netflix or Blockbuster online - they each carry a large selection of fitness DVDs - for prices ranging from $5.99 to $17.99 per month.

You can also look online for free workouts - try the websites for Shape, Self, or Fitness magazines.

Monday, March 26, 2007, 2:45 PM

I feel your pain

I live in a small town where you see someone you know everywhere you go! So I went out to Target and bought myself a few cute workout outfits that I feel confident in. Now I can't wait to get home from work and put on my new, not to mention comfortable, workout gear! And I feel great when I'm working out!

Monday, March 26, 2007, 3:43 PM

i don't look cute in anything i wear to workout. i am in a state of constant embarassment when i go out in public to exercise, but as a previous poster mentioned, it's better than being out in public and NOT exercising. it's part of the mental exercises we all have to go through on this journey of weight-loss. the more i go out, the more comfortable i become (at least i keep telling myself that!!) and if people do not want to know me because of my weight and the fact that they've seen me in my workout clothes, sweating...then good riddens, i say!!

Monday, March 26, 2007, 3:53 PM

I used to go running in my college town and would workout in my college gym so I was always running into people that I knew. When I was jogging I'd just zone out - Put my headphones in and not pay attention to anything but not tripping, haha. When I was at the gym I'd do the same thing, put my headphones in and concentrate on my workout. When you have headphones in people leave you alone and half the time they're not paying attention to you anyway... whether you're jogging or in the gym - and if they are it's probably a good thing. I would get really annoyed when guys would hit on me at the gym or when I was jogging. I'd have to take out my headphones, stop what I was doing or lose my rhythm.. totally annoying. But hopefully you'll get past this. The only way to get over it though is to do it! Let us know how it turns out. And seriously give the jogging buddy that someone else suggested a try... maybe you'll meet one on one of your single jogs!

Monday, March 26, 2007, 3:59 PM

The thing about city living is, there are a lot of options! Women-only gyms are springing up, started by the Curves trend. Maybe you could find a student discount to one of them; you won't run into any hot guys, and you probably won't run into many girls from your classes either.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007, 12:52 PM

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