Hi Deanna. I have just joined here too! I felt very self conscious when I joined the gym last November - 30lbs overweight, very red in the face whenever I did anything, and sweating all over the machines. I just kept thinking that at least I was doing *something* - plus Biggest Loser had started on telly, and suddenly its trendy for overweight people to be in the gym!

I have a couple of good friends who are very keen road cyclists, but are kind enought to take me out every Saturday and slow their pace for me, as well as give me advice on my riding.

I have about 15lbs to go, but now its all about how I feel, not how I look. A friend yesterday said I looked "scary" which I took as a huge compliment.

Bushranger