The gym is not a place for feeling self-conscious and even embarrassed of your body, but that seems to be exactly what many overweight women use it for.

Some of women get so distracted by it that they spend more time worried about who’s looking at them than in actually getting the work done that they came there to do.

This may be hard to hear, but such thinking at the gym is just totally uncalled for.

The main reason it’s so detrimental is that if overweight women weren’t focused on what people think about their body, then they’d be much further along in their progress.

Making or bringing friends can help overweight women feel less self-conscious at the gym setting.

It’s great to have a workout buddy. Not only can they uplift and encourage, but they can serve as a distraction that keeps the mind off what other people around might be thinking — or shall I say, what the self-conscious woman only thinks they might be thinking.

Who cares what they think anyway? That’s none of your business now, is it?

Enjoying the company of someone you’re compatible with can block all the negative thinkers out of your mind, if there are any.

If you can’t make friends at the gym, then convince some of your other friends to come along.

Be proud of accomplishments instead of feeling self-conscious.

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What’s behind the feelings of self-consciousness some overweight women experience while at the gym?

It represents their belief that there’s something wrong with the way they look.

It’s really a projection of their own dissatisfaction with their weight.

It would be so much better to celebrate your small accomplishments and feel good about every pound and inch lost.

Focus on how much weight you’re pushing, pulling or hoisting.

Think about how much stronger you’re making your bones and heart.

Overweight women need to remember why they are at a gym.

You’re there to do your body good, not to win a popularity contest or try out for a modeling show.

Keeping a clear focus can stop you from feeling self-conscious.

Lorra Garrick is a former personal trainer certified through the American Council on Exercise. At Bally Total Fitness she trained women and men of all ages for fat loss, muscle building, fitness and improved health. 

 

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Top image:  Freepik.com/katemangostar