Just wondering if anyone goes through this... exercising at home isn't an option as my kids don't let me and I get up way to early and go to bed way to late and usually right with them. I do make it to the Gym though as they have a daycare.
But recently I signed up for a Yoga/Pilates Combo class and it was hard, and the instructor basically told me how bad i did... she did it encouraging way, and said keep comming back it'll get easier but it was still embaressing, I'm trying psych myself up to go back on Monday as I felt I got a lot out of the work out despite how hard it is.
Oh gosh sorry this happened ... the instructor probably felt she was helping you, in my experience many instructor are glad to see overweight people in their classes and want to give as much encouragement as they can.
Would you be able to have a quick word with her before the class? Maybe say that you do appreciate her telling you where you've gone wrong but it's a bit embarrasing in front of everyone, could she be a little more discreet?
I remember being the fattest one in an exercise class, and sometimes I still am. I just tell myself that as the biggest, I am getting the best workout, as I have to work harder to do the moves than the slimmer girls. Don't let this put you off - keep at it, think how good it will feel when you are doing it with more ease!
Don't take it personally. Ask yourself how many customers walk in looking gorgeous and at a perfect weight. The instructor is doing what you are paying her for. You deserve a lot of credit for going , keep it up.
Absolutely keep going back. I'll bet the instructor never intended to tell you that you were bad at it; what are the chances she gave you some friendly criticism and because we ALL are sensitive, you took it differently than she intended? She wouldn't have made the comment about how it would get easier if she didn't want you there.
In six months she'll be pointing you out to the newcomers as someone who's made huge improvements and using you to inspire others.
Good for you for signing up to begin with. I'd love to do classes but I've got no ability whatsoever to remember the steps and I hate looking like the moron at the back.
Another vote for definitely going back! Some people don't realize how hurtful comments can be. She might have meant it well and it just came out badly. You are there for you and you can only get better.
I say who cares what she thinks. This is about you getting to be a better you and you will come across people who will outright sabatoge you (food pushers for one) and others you persieve as sabatoging you (this instructor?). Either way find you thick skin and go for what you need to do. You have every right to be there.
Also i want to add that many people need to take a class several times to get the hang of it.
The best advice I can offer in this, is just to forget what others are saying/thinking. Remember you are doing this for yourself. When I weighed 510 and went to the gym no one stared at me (if they did, I didn't care I was focused on my goals).
Back to this topic. I think she offered constructive criticism. She was only watching out for your form. I workout with a trainer 4 days a week, and she is always correcting my form. If we were perfect at this, we wouldn't get to the way we were, right?
I am going to be joining a pilates class at my gym next week. I hope that if I am doing something wrong, someone will correct me at it!
I would say you are lucky to have an instructor who cares enough to speak to you specifically with corrections/feedback. There are many instructors who will never correct a specific person in a class. I think that means that in the long run you will get even more out of this class!
As for your question if you're the only one who's been embarassed I can absolutely say "NO - you're not!". I work out with a trainer 3 times a week and have many times when I've felt very uncomfortable & embarassed. But in a weird sort of way it makes my progress feel taht much better!
Here's what you are doing right: You are exercising!!!!! I have been dieting for four months and have justed started to exercise. For whatever reason, I just couldn't seem to get started. But now that I have lost some weight, I feel a lot more motivated. I think it is great that you have joined a class. I still feel a bit intimidated about taking a class. So I am working out by myself but at least I have started. I, too, have always wanted to try pilates. Keep us posted.
Exercising and the embaressment
