I have joined many fitness clubs in my life. I am a fairly confident person and their have been times where I have felt eyes burning on me when I have walked into a weight room or felt people looking over onto my treadmill to see how I am doing, etc or felt self-conscious while working out. Going to the gym is half the battle and I have felt good after wards but I am more conscious of not “fitting in” there than anywhere else.

having Balance- Connecting Your Mind and Body

I have started doing Yoga. I have been doing for several weeks. I can honestly say it has been life changing for me.
I have been doing a type of yoga, Hatha Yoga- the encourages the concept of “Yoga is For Everyone”. It is about accepting and respecting yourself. And understanding that everything has a balance. With strength their is flexibility and with tension is relaxation and there must be a balance.

If there is too much relaxation- you end up out of shape and not in tune with your body. Living in your head is what most fat people do. I think they literally separate their mind from their body . It may be for all kinds of reasons Woman and men you have been physically violated often end up overweight and obese and living “outside of the body” yoga is one way of getting back in sync.

I have done yoga many times- lots of stops and starts- and never once have I felt out of place or like I didn’t belong. The beginner class I was at last night had an eighty-year old BLIND woman coming for the first time.
Many times while I have been trying a pose and listening to the words of the intruder i have felt tears in my eyes- finally feeling connected to myself and like my body was worth caring for and respecting. Loving yourself- your whole self is not something only skinny and fit people do.

Yoga For Beginners

If you are intimidated by the thought of going to a gym try a yoga studio or community center/Y for classes. You need very little to start, A Yoga mat, belt and pillow are pretty much all you need, yoga blocks are also good to have. If you have to buy you can buy everything for under $20.00. You can often get for free in Freecycle groups.

Gyms Are Scary for Fat People

I am 285 pounds and have seen others heavier than me in classes and there is nothing to be worried about. Please give your self this gift of taking care and loving yourself!