Coward...

The beauty of spin bikes is that they can't actually tell. You turn the dial as much as works for you and you may be working twice as hard as the person next to you or half as hard but no one can tell because there is no visible indicator of how much resistance you are working with.

I really appreciate everyone's imput. I just need to put my big girl pants on (no pun intended) and just go. I guess when I said the instructor yelling I was thinking about a boot camp class which I have no desire to step foot in.

I think I may try Pilates tomorrow. If I can get up early enough!

The bootcamp classes I have been to are nothing like what you see on T.V.
The instructors try to motivate not tear  you down.  Yes the workouts are hard, but the generally have several different options for skill level.  If you can't do pushups, then they modify them and have you do them on your knees, or on a bench etc.  Can't do a squat, o.k. we will find something you can do, or we will limit your range of motion.

Poke your head in and watch one some time.
The worst part of the one we do is that the instructor will have us race against each other.  Run to the other side of the room, do some pushups, grab a rope and jump rope back across the room, do some more pushups, do lunges across the gym, do some situps something like that.
It sucks getting beat, but everyone is clapping and cheering for you too.  If you can get past how badly you just got squashed by 95 pound girl or a 80 year old grandpa, there is a lot of positive support.

Scott

I love love love my spin class!!!  and yes, everyone on the class is struggling, the good thing about spinning is that you are in control of your bike, your speed, etc....just go in and do what you can...your coochie will be dog meat for the first few times, but after a few times it didn't bruise and I didn't walk like I'd just got off a horse.....

Pilates and Yoga are hard for me to do...I can't mentally let go, and all the deep breathing and grunting, really makes my inner fifth grade boy show his face...I just start laughing and then feel like I am just a dork....

Boot Camp is great...I've had some really good boot camp "leaders" that are tough but in tune and considerate...know when to push you because you are flaking and when to back off.....

go spin...I think you will find you really enjoy it!

 Imagine how I felt at 460 lbs and I could barely walk on the treadmill.  I would show up 30 minutes before closing at the Y, just to try to avoid the people.  But after a while that feeling goes away, and you will no longer care.

Check out my website....www.roytyson.com.  You can do it, I did!

I was 306 less than a year ago and now I'm 220.  I totally understand!  I know what it's like to be afraid of people's faces, opinion and perception. 

The one thing I can say is screw them.  No one stands in your skin, in the mirror or in your plus size pants with you, but you.  You do what you have to for you.  A-Holes are a fact of life.  They just show up in the greenways of life.  Find your place of focus and get your work out on.

Sometimes you have to muster the courage and just hold your head up anyway-through fear and the tears.  The more you do it, the more you will improve.  I promise you will inspire and gain the respect of many.

Don't give in or give up!  Press forward and Spin on!

Well I slept in too late to make it to Pilates but on my break I am calling the Y to reserve my bike for tomorrows class. If i call and reserve then I will feel obligated to go.

I will have to get there a little early so someone can show me how to adjust the bike to my height because I have NO idea.

Thanks for the uplifting thoughts everyone. I will report back tomorrow on how it went.

So I called the Y and reserved a spot in their noon class tomorrow. It is 45 minutes and I am hoping I will do well. Wish me luck everyone.

God grant me the strength to get my a$$ out of bed and not chicken out!

Have you considered joining the Borgess Fitness Center?

Bariatric Patients get a discounted membership rate and they have some special programs designed for us too. I joined in August - when I was about 300lbs, it was hard to go and not be worried about what people think, but as I started meeting more people I realized they are not laughing at me, they are all shocked and amazed that I am there trying so hard - its like getting a new group of cheerleaders in your corner!

I started the group rowing classes and I love them, I have tried a few aerobics classes and am just not ready for those yet - so I will keep walking on the treadmill and now doing my rowing...maybe I will try the aerobics in a couple months!

Let me know if you decide to join - I am looking for a workout buddy!

~ Heather :)

My mom is Healinstar on here and she went through Borgess for her surgery and is thinking about joining their fitness center.

I am not going through Borgess so I dont know if the discount would apply to me.