Nervous when jogging outside

AsrarHussain

hello I don't know why I get nervous if I jog outside
I feel as if people are staring sounds strange I try to avoid jogging outside any advice

AmandaHugginkiss

If you are jogging by a main road, most people only have time for the quickest of glances, sometimes not even enough of a look to tell male runners from female runners, or they risk wrecking their cars. I live near a university and I see runners of all sizes, but rarely for more than a third of a second as I drive past.

Just get out there and do it.

hmontigney

Don't mind what other people think. I jog on a track field every single day, sometimes getting blown out of the water by the "extra fit" people who can run way faster than I ever could. You're doing something for yourself to make you happy. Not to mention, you don't know any of these people who look at you and they'll be gone in a few seconds anyway. Don't pay any mind and keep doing what you're doing.

JenAndSome

I used to feel that way. My only advice is to just get over it. I don't mean to be harsh, but looking at other people is something that people just do. I'm sure you also look at other people. At some point you have to just focus on what you are doing and let it go. I love being outside and running on a treadmill is not something I enjoy doing at all so if I'm going to run it will be outside. Once you start moving, you won't notice anyway.

smantha32

I would usually go at night for that reason and others.

strawberryromper

Jog outside until you realize that nobody is really paying attention. The only time I receive attention jogging outside, it's positive - people smiling and nodding (as in greeting), people saying good morning, or one time one guy said to another guy, "Man, that girl can run." Nobody is really taking the to... what? Make fun of you? Judge you? Does it really even matter?

365andstillalive

Any trails or other jogging friendly places near you? I personally am not a fan of street running (which has more to do with my previous knee injuries than anything) so I tend to seek out dirt/gravel trails in my area. I'm fortunate that there is a lot around here.

Otherwise, I really encourage you to not focus on others when you run. You're doing this for you, what anyone else thinks doesn't matter.

mimil55

I promise you that most people aren't staring at you. And if they are, try your best not to care what they think - you're doing your best to be fit and healthy, that can only be an admirable thing.

If it's making it difficult for you to exercise, try fast walking instead maybe? Are you less self-conscious when you walk? Of course it's a less intense activity than running but it's better than not doing anything because you're stressed. You could increase the time you walk for a similar result.

You could also try jogging during hours when there aren't too many people around outside.

Otherwise, maybe try investing in a piece of gym equipment for your home if that's possible for you, like a treadmill or exercise bike. There's some pretty good second hand equipment around, and that way you're in the safety and comfort of your home to do your exercise.

Good luck

breathless575

I feel this way too. I love my treadmill. I really recommend it. There are so many benefits. Like you can use it when it's too hot or cold, dark outside, or just when you don't want people looking at you.

Will_Run_for_Food

Even if people are staring, they are most likely at the very least thinking, "Good for you". I'm not fast and people are always passing me, but I am ahead of everyone who didn't get off their butts that day. Lose yourself in the run and you won't even be thinking about others in no time.

Beploveshomer

I'm nervous about that too. I feel like people are judging. Also there is a high population of black bears around here.

sarahharas5

I used to feel that way. I would purposely take back routes through neighborhoods and avoid any main roads. I did this until I encountered some very shady individuals who tried to get me to come over to their van (scary!). Anyway, I quickly realized I preferred busier places to help me feel a littler safer. I also realized that I didn't really care what people thought. I would put my music on, listen to the instruction from my C25K app and focus on me.

I don't think you really get over that feeling until you just start facing those fears.

kjauthier

Just do it, when I run I usually say Hi to people I pass, some ignore me, I don't care

Gska17

Will_Run_for_Food wrote: »

Even if people are staring, they are most likely at the very least thinking, "Good for you".

Yup.

I felt self conscious at first but it just went away pretty quickly. I can be pretty timid and it supposed me how quickly I turned to focusing on myself.

teachmama79

Will_Run_for_Food wrote: »

Even if people are staring, they are most likely at the very least thinking, "Good for you". I'm not fast and people are always passing me, but I am ahead of everyone who didn't get off their butts that day. Lose yourself in the run and you won't even be thinking about others in no time.

Exactly! Keep in mind that people who are looking at you are impressed that you are out there doing it! Seeing people jogging/walking motivates me!

So just think, you might be motivating someone to get fit!

Keep it up!

SimoneBee12

I use to be worried about it, but now I live in the city, so I have no choice, people have to see me running, or I can't do it. And I realised that when I see someone running, my only thoughts are "Good for them, I wish I could run like that, they look great." I never think negatively about someone running, no matter how slow they are.

So like the other poster said, you just have to get over it. These strangers don't care, but I'm sure you care about getting in shape.

AsrarHussain

I went for a jog outside felt good I did not pay attention and it felt ok no one was staring I think its a mental thing

jaga13

I'm only nervous because we have bears!

AsrarHussain

jaga13 wrote: »

I'm only nervous because we have bears!

lol I live in the UK no bears

MsJulesRenee

Try a trail instead of going on the main streets

ElizabethKalmbach

I see the same people every day when I walk/jog home from work. Usually I see them in the same parts of my run and I wonder where they went when I don't see them that day. I used to pass an elderly fellow with a backpack frame who always smelled of harsh cleansers and I wondered what he was working on. Then he stopped smelling of cleansers and I wondered if he was done with his project, and I still wondered what his project was. The guy with a toddler in a jogging stroller got a bigger stroller and now has a toddler and an infant. The guy with the SUPER FAT husky and the normal husky is just bringing the fat one out lately. I wonder if the thin one is injured, lonely, or just too hot. Or if they're going individually for training purposes.... The elderly speedwalking couple is still disgustingly cute and appears to have added about half a mile to their route.

People look, but they're not necessarily thinking unflattering things about you. You might be their unintentional training buddy and they may look for you on their route. They may miss you when you're gone. Do your thing for you, and give yourself credit for inspiring by your mere presence.

Verabrown94

I feel the same way and try to avoid it but now I try to jog at night around my apartments or just put some music on my phone and wear headphones and blast the music lol and that way people may look at me but I don't pay attention I focus on jogging and doing what I need to do and that's it

MonkeyMel21

I'm really good at ignoring others. Especially if I have my headphones in, listening to good music. I thought maybe you were worried about getting mugged so I was going to suggest a little hand held pepper spray made specifically for jogging, but I see that's not the case, lol.

SoulSisterSoulBrother

I used to feel that but after a while you just don't care. Jogging is distracting you from your mind and makes you concentrate on what you are doing not what others are thinking.. If I see a jogger I am mostly jealous!

Gska17

ElizabethKalmbach wrote: »

I see the same people every day when I walk/jog home from work. Usually I see them in the same parts of my run and I wonder where they went when I don't see them that day. I used to pass an elderly fellow with a backpack frame who always smelled of harsh cleansers and I wondered what he was working on. Then he stopped smelling of cleansers and I wondered if he was done with his project, and I still wondered what his project was. The guy with a toddler in a jogging stroller got a bigger stroller and now has a toddler and an infant. The guy with the SUPER FAT husky and the normal husky is just bringing the fat one out lately. I wonder if the thin one is injured, lonely, or just too hot. Or if they're going individually for training purposes.... The elderly speedwalking couple is still disgustingly cute and appears to have added about half a mile to their route.

I like you. It reminds me of a guy a few blocks over who is renovating a home. He's making really good progress. Maybe one day I'll say something.

Now that it's finally warm enough for porch-sitting I might have some interesting stories to share!

Joshacham

AsrarHussain wrote: »

hello I don't know why I get nervous if I jog outside
I feel as if people are staring sounds strange I try to avoid jogging outside any advice

When I first started my jaunt to losing weight, I didn't want people to see me out there walking in fear that they would look at me and judge me. So I got up early in the morning before daylight and walked. Funny thing was, after a year of walking and eventually started to run my entire path, a guy honked at me and we had a conversation. He said that he saw me when I first started, from being really big and walking to now running and being really thin. He said that he was impressed and that I was an inspiration.

So don't think that when you're out there that people are sitting back in their cars looking at you, mocking you as I once thought. Even now, when I'm cruising around and I see someone who is big that is out walking to lose weight, I get the strong notion to actually stick my head out the car and say something encouraging. Something like "Keep up the good work." I mean every time they step foot out the door to walk is a step in the right direction.

raisealittlehell

It's all in your head. I go jogging on main roads and save for the very rare horn beep- I can look at passing cars (I run against traffic) and no one is looking at me. If running outside makes you feel good, than go with that feeling and do it. Most of the time when I see someone running I want to yell at them and tell them to keep it up!

Gska17

Oh and can I offer some unsolicited advice? Never assume a driver sees you. I don't want to scare you off road running but I've had some close calls! I'm sure every runner has. One time I swore someone was aiming for me. Before I cross busy streets I'm sure to look behind me.

plumsparkle

Beploveshomer wrote: »

I'm nervous about that too. I feel like people are judging. Also there is a high population of black bears around here.

jaga13 wrote: »

I'm only nervous because we have bears!

Yes, I think I would think twice about it if there were bears!

I used to feel that way too, but I just had to get over it really! I realised that when I see someone jogging, I don't think bad thoughts about them whatever their size or shape, so why would I automatically assume that everyone was thinking that about me?? I used to think that I didn't 'look like a runner' till someone pointed out to me that I was running - therefore a runner, which really made me think.

Two things that really helped though, were finding a running buddy for at least one of my runs, and signing up for a fun run - now I know I have to train, so I just have to get out there, whether I feel silly or not - and I am not going to improve sitting at home wishing I didn't feel too embarrassed to get out there. Plus, I run round the local horseracing track, which is less public, it tends to be mostly other runners and dog walkers, so I know that only the first part is on the road - but in the winter, it all has to be on the road, as the race track isn't lit

rugbyphreak

I stopped jogging and biking outside because the local high schoolers would drive past me, yell obscenely rude comments, and try to run me off the road. Now I have a treadmill and a stationary bike in the basement.

woznube7

I always think that too. But I know if I see someone out running/jogging/walking.. I usually go "Yep, I need to get out there and do that too." or I think "I wish I could walk in the morning like they are..." as I am driving to work. So although many people probably do see you, they probably are not thinking what you think they are thinking! Just do it. In no time, you'll just go w/o thinking about anyone seeing you. Easier said than done, I realize.

Some people really are mean and cruel, but they are just insecure of themselves. You're bettering yourself, so keep it up!