Judge me.

Amen. Congrats to you and your decision to press on. Your commitment and change is inspiring. God bless and thank Him for a nice chain of gyms that let us do our thing when we want and how we want, with no judgment

Let me tell you, after reading this I wanted to punch those two girls. And I don't find myself to be a violent person!

I hope that everyone who reads your blog understands the other side of the story and trys to stop judging other people in the gym.

I have never felt that way in a gym, and I can't imagine that. Way to push through!

Hi Tony,

My name is Grant. I operate Anytime Fitness in Paragould, AR, and I have been a personal trainer for 7 years. As far as I'm concerned, you are a hero. The people who nearly turned you away from pursuing a healthy lifestyle are self-righteous and immature. Your ability to hurdle the roadblocks of humiliation and defeat is so inspiring. I'm very happy to see that you're taking your success to the next level by seeking to inspire other people.

Keep up the great work, brother.

Grant Pickney
Anytime Fitness Paragould, AR

I dropped my gym and my personal trainer. My trainer because it was his style to make fun of everyone in a belittling manner, which my husband says is just joking and just his way. Whatever. I find it rude and it interrupts my workout to hear him cut people down.

I stopped working out at the no judgment zone place because I was judged. Every single time. What woman does the workouts I do?

Now I do crossfit and gym jones stuff in the mornings with some of my boxing teachers. And I train Muay Thai five days a week.

When I'm not sick. Like I have been forever and ever.

I just went to the gym on Saturday for this first time in months. I kept telling myself "No one cares that I am here" and "No one is looking at me" so when I tried that new machine I did not care if I was fumbling and did not know exactly what I was doing.

Thanks for this post Tony!

Somewhat or a lurker here -- but What. On. EARTH.

Is judgmental about a hat?

your writing & stories are beautiful & moving, Tony. thank you.

I loved your post. I cried when I read it for the strength that you found to continue. But especially for all of those people out there who have gone through the same kind of experience, but didn't have your strength.
It is a sad world when people are so judgmental and self-involved that they can't reach out and give another human being a hand up.

I feel your pain - that is the exact reason why I typically stay away from gyms. Which is sad, really, since supposedly that is why they are there. I'm so glad that you made it through your journey in spite of the experience that you had!

Bravo!!! Not very many people are as determined as you are! I can't say that I could have done what you did. What is it that keep that fire going when all the odds were against you? I need some of that! Thanks again for your inspirational story.

God Bless You, Tony! I just signed up at my local Anytime Fitness gym, and, being a very tiny, older woman, I'm intimidated by the size of the machines and the people who already look 'fit'! But, if Anytime helped you feel like you 'belonged' and helped you achieve your goals, then I should be okay. I'm a loner, and used to running long distances on the road, by myself. Now, hundreds of races later (even marathons), I feel old and weak and chronically injured and overweight. I hope I can recapture some of what I've lost over the years...I know it'll take some time...but, now I've got ANYTIME!!!!!

Thank you for sharing your story! Congratulations on your weight loss!

Good for you, Tony!! See, I joined my gym when it was "The Judgment Free Zone" and I guess I was the lucky one. I was never judged there. But if I was, I would have given them a piece of my mind. Aren't we all there for the same reason? To get healthy? No matter what size or shape we are? Even if we are 120 pounds or 400 pounds? My gym has since been bought out by someone else and the name has changed and they don't have that slogan anymore. I've never had any issues with anyone there. But if I did, I would not have a problem telling them where to go. And I would make sure to complain to the manager and corporate about it. Because that is how I roll!!

Tony, my man, I loved the article!

Read it a few times to make sure I fully understood it & grasped the idea that people are out there with such hateful intentions. Keep in mind, as many people that say negative things, give you a funny look, laugh & point, there are good people, being 100% optimistic, that are more positive & happy for your growth than those who judge.

Pity them, you took the high road; congrats!!!
Tony

I'm always astounded how judgmental people are esp regarding overweight folks or people who are different such as my little brother who is Downs Syndrome. Long time ago I worked with a woman who weighed about 350 lbs. I could not believe the belittling comments and means stares she got from professional, educated type people working in our building and elsewhere too. I grew up with a brother who is Downs Syndrome - My brother might be Downs but he knows when people are doing that judgmental thing to him and he doesn't like it. He understands a lot more than people give him credit for.

I say, Good for you, Tony!! I am glad you did not let those people win! And thank you for sharing with us. :-)
MK

And they wonder why people don't want to join gyms!
Beautifully stated. You had your "Pretty Woman" moment when she went back to the shop on Rodeo Drive!

Keep up the great work!
Becky
http://www.beckysbigbytes.blogspot.com

Great article very inspiring

Non-Fats (Morbidly Obese) cannot imagine the courage and determination it takes to carry 100-200 pounds of potatoes everywhere you go with a BMI over 40. Your hurdle is many times more demanding than it is for an individual weighing 40-50 pounds over their "ideal" weight.

Great story...wish I had been there to witness those eyes roooolling. I would have gone Southern on them.

Keep Healthy, you’re worth it!

Tony you are an inspiration! I am a personal trainer and ALWAYS encourage members to track me down and ask questions or ask for help. I want anyone and everyone to feel at home at our club! There is not one person who doesn't need to be at a gym-400 lbs or 104 lbs!! I started at our club as a member who was obese and afraid of what others thought of the fat girl on the treadmill. Today I am a healthy weight and don't think twice about who's looking. Kudos to you for not using this as an excuse to give up and for looking for a club where there was no judgement!!

i know how you feel to be judged at a gym. I am about 245lbs right now. My goal is to get down to 160. I dont like my body and have been made fun of all my life because of it. Since i am not able to go to my local anytime fitness gym i go for walks, but as it gets colder and my bones are hurting more and more it is hard. I may be only 27 years old but got my share of health issues. After reading your story i was mad at cat on mouse hunt not being able to catch the mouse. The people at the other Gym dont deserve a great person like you and if they want to judge you in a judge free zone, then you did the right thing by coming to anytime fitness where people dont judge. and give great support. Keep up your great workouts and God Bless

Tony,
I congratulate you on your success! They we're fools not to want to help you..We are so glad to have you as a part of our Anytime Fitness Family! Your story is truly an inspiration, I have posted it in my club for my members to know they are not alone and we all can work together to achieve this kind of success! Again, you have done a great job and I do encourage you to stay strong and finish strong! CONGRATS!

Tony! You are awesome! Your story will inspire so many others. I only wish the judgers would look inside themselves first. No one is perfect and the fact that you did what you needed to do, although I am sure it was not easy and you probably wanted to give up sometimes, is inspiring. If you are ever in Columbia, SC, I welcome you to bring some of that positive, inspirational attitude to my Anytime Fitness. I can't wait to post your story inside the club!

I operate an Anytime Fitness in Springfield Il. Tony, you are a remarkable man, who not only has overcome your own obstacles, but those set unfortunantly by some health clubs. Way to go!! We are proud of you and your success. Creating relationships with our members is what makes our job so much fun. Knowing each day when we go home, that we made a difference in someone's life in a positive way is what it is all about.

Tony,
I too almost cried when I read your article. I love to hear my members success stories, hearing the trials they have overcome inspires me to work harder each day to make our ATF a better enviornment. It hurts to know that out there people are trying to prevent someone from achieving their dream. I applaude you and I hope many others are inspired to keep pushing no matter what.

THANKS!!

Good job Tony. Your inspiration and can do attitude makes me want to hit the gym even harder than what I am already doing. Keep up the good work my friend.

Chris

I loved reading this...it was short and to the point, but explained very well the emotions that someone starting off can go through. Thanks for helping me stay motivated to help others!

You have a very inspirational story Tony, and I'm glad that you were willing to share it with us. Most of us have been the "fat guy", or the "skinny kid" at one time in our life or another. A major reason why many people HATE going to the gym at first is because of the inadequacies they feel. Part of it's feeling like you're out of your element as nonathletic person, and the other part is feeling judged by the muscle heads all around you.

For the longest time I wouldn't even bench because all the other guys warmed up with 45s on each side, and I could barely do 25s as a max. Now I laugh to myself when I see muscle heads jerking all over the place with WAY more weight than they can do with proper form. To think I was once demoralized by such fools!

My advice for anyone starting out is to remember that you're there for YOU, not for anybody else. Your sweat, your tears, your SUCCESS. Go get it!

I have kept my membership at Anytime Fitness 2 years (St. Paul) because no one there judges me or anyone else. It is like a "come as you are!" party every day. There is an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding; whether you're a fit and trim fitness fanatic or a plodding over-40 BMI, there is mutual respect among the clients and staff. I never have to think about what I might look like at A.F. The staff all make me feel like a winner whenever I show up!

Big Ups to you for ignoring the people who try to hold you down.. Fight the workout, don't let the workout fight you!

I would have left that gym too. Who are these people to judge someone trying to get fit. I joined a gym in 1981 as it was near home and I had joined the army reserve at the age of 32 and needed to get fit fast. Bodybuilder and athletes gym and cost me $1 each time I trained. I wore tracksuits and was fat and unhealthy. I was scared, but my neighbour said everyone was friendly. The manager checked out what I could do and gave me an easy plan and said come as often as you can afford. He watched me and changed my plan when needed. Different bodybuilders and athletes came over to gently encourage me and make sure my form was correct. I was part of them they said, and I was. In 12 months I was lifting free weights and wearing T-shirt and shorts. Who cared about wobbly thighs, they were going. That was the start of me loving exercise and feeling worthwhile, I am 62 now. Good on you for sticking at it.

tony thank you for your inspiration and strength, I am surely influenced by your struggle and success. xoxo

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