Coward...

Yeah that's me. I flaked out on going to the spinning class today because I am insecure and ashamed at my fitness level.

I think I may try the group cycling class the the Y has to offer that I go to but I am still scared. I am at 246lbs right now and I am worried that I am too big.

Any advice?

Honestly you should have seen me when I weighted in at 400 pounds I was in that gym at the local Y daily. I knew I had to lose 50 pounds just in order to even be allowed to have the surgery. I just threw on my earphones and did it and didn't care who stared. I have since lost a lil over a hundred and still go in listening to my music and not to bother who stares at me...I just tell myself its because they think I am stunning...lol. (I have to make a joke out of it...hahaha).

One of my coworkers went when she was 275 and says the spinning has helped her lose most of her weight... I am totally cool doing cardio and the circuit weigh training but a group setting is completely different to me. I just dont want anyone to laugh...

 trust me, no one will laugh.  Everyone is so focused on making sure they don't make a fool of themselves to worry about others :)  and the ones that are in great shape - look at it this way - they understand more than anyone how hard this is to do.  I am in pretty good shape these days, and I can tell you when I see someone making the effort, my respect goes out to them.  Most folks feel the same way I am sure. 

I heard this from the spin instructor today: "This is your workout, you got up early to be here, whatever you are doing is good, because it's your workout and you are doing it for you"

Nobody is going to laugh. 
Most people are going to be too busy sweating and trying to catch their own breath to notice what you are doing. 
If you are still self conscious, go sit in the back of the class.  You don't have to be up on stage or in the front row.  I still do this, at first it was insecurity, but now I like to sneak a peek at what everyone else is doing to see if I am really working hard or slacking.
When the instructor says to grab another gear, I look to see who does, I'll find someone who is putting in the kind of workout I would like to put in and I try to match them.  Most if not all of the time I'm not successful, but I turn it into a little 1 person race.

i can honestly say, when i'm in a group class, i'm more focused on what i have to do that i don't really take notice of those around me.  and generally speaking (a few a-holes aside), most people in those classes are very supportive.... when you are just starting out, just go and try your hardest, when it is too tough, you back off, simple as that.

And the instructor wont yell at me for backing off?

Who the heck would take a class from someone who might yell at you, mock you, or shame you?  No one! No instructor will do that, if they want to keep their job.

Instructors motivate and push you, but if they see you struggling, they might give you tips on form, on technique, etc, but they want you to feel good, not bad.

Give it a shot, I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised.

what she said :)  they are there to motivate, no instructor would yell at you unless you were obviously not putting forth your best effort.  give it a whirl, the worst case scenario is that you'll hate it and you don't do it again :)

They try to push and motivate you, but I have never seen an instructor pick out one student and bring attention to what they were or weren't going unless it was a positive comment.

Don't touch that gear, give it all you got, you can do anything for 45 seconds, if you back off the gear to catch your breath, make sure you put it back on because we are getting ready to climb, and those things are said to the class, they are instructional not derogatory.

Give it a try.

Scott