Milo F. Bryant, a certified fitness professional, gives some great advice this month, for plus size folks who would like to start attending the gym, in an article for The Eagle. Milo rightly comments that many over-sized people never manage to get themselves to exercise at a local gym or fitness center because they fear being “gawked at”. He also goes on to give some tips on what to think about to try and overcome putting to much weight to these “gawks” and not letting them get in your way.
I must admit I have felt this sensation many times, and even when I did get myself to the gym getting over those stares from skinny people take a little bit of getting used to. But don’t let these stares and people get in the way of your exercise. Let them look. Who cares?
He’s got some friendly, well-meaning advice, but the “everybody gets gawked at” doesn’t really address the problem for most plus sizers trying to work out. Plussies avoid it because sooner or later, someone feels entitled to add a little meanness to their day – something “normal” sizers encounter much more rarely. I can guess the number of trauma flashbacks just walking into a gym can induce.