I Am Scared To Run.....

spinqueen72

Hi there!!

I am most known for my hula hoop and spin bike exercise routines (hence the name: spinqueen!)

Recently, however, I have had the "itch" to go out and run! I don't know where it came from...it just popped into my head one night, as I was relaxing before bed! This even being after a REALLY long, hard day of house remodeling (my husband & I "flip" houses for a living). I had shoveled rock all day, for 3 days straight.

Anyways...I am 242lbs. I am not HUGE, by any means...in fact...I am pretty small for the number on the scale.
However, I feel slightly self-conscious about running outdoors.
Biggest fear: animals. I was chased and almost attacked by a dog when I was 13. Scared the hell out of me!
Second fear: looking like a bouncing "blob".
I know I shouldn't care what others think of me....but I know from experience how people look at you differently, and how they treat you differently when you are not thin.

I want to do the C25K...I have the app on my phone...just afraid to take that next step.

Any suggestions?

Have any of you been in my position? If so...how did you get over your fears and worries? Did you have success?

I have heard people say that running is an excellent form of weight loss, as well as conditioning. I just need it for weight loss. I'm actually pretty well-conditioned! I am strong, and can outlast most "skinny" people I know!

Got any ideas?
I need the push!! Help me out?

Thanks......Cindy

AndiPandi687

I do not run because I just can't afford good running shoes ( I'm very flat footed and my ankles turn in so running hurts) Cnut no matter the size I don't think anyone judges the way a person looks when they are running. Ive seen people of all shapes and sizes out for a run and I just want to cheer them on when I see them! I have the most respect for runners. Take my sister for example. 6 years ago she weighed around 275. She started running around 5 years ago and now she weighs 150 and is an accomplished marathon runner. She does the Chicago marathon every year now

reneeileen

Generally speaking, don't let fear keep you from doing something you want to do. If you want to run, RUN!

I have been overweight most of my life. When I was 17 I had a traumatic accident that required reconstructive surgery on my ankle and about a year of rehab. Out of nowhere during this time period I started having dreams about running. In my dreams I was running so fast and my strides were so long I felt like I was flying. At that moment I decided that I was going to run one day but I was very scared.

It took me about six years before I tried running. I was afraid I would re-injure myself or that people would make fun of the "fat girl" running in the park. Finally I asked my doctor and he gave be the go ahead. As long as I wasn't feeling any sharp ankle pain I was cleared to run.

I started using a podcast, recruiting some of my friends at different fitness levels, and taking my dog on walk/jogs with me. In my group I was the last to finish, my ankle would get sore, and I would get side cramps if my dog got excited and forced me to either speed up or give a little tug to slow him down. I didn't re-injure myself, I can run 4 miles straight, and no one made fun of the fat girl. In fact, I found other runners very encouraging. One man asked to run with me one day and told me his story, he lost 200 lbs running and he encouraged me to continue on.

What is the most likely thing that will happen if you start? It will me hard? You'll get sore? You'll improve? And what if someone tries to make you feel bad? So what! The athletes around you are too concerned with their performance to think about yours and the a-holes are probably jealous because you are doing something they are not.

If you want it, do it.

cpldjski

I completely understand your fears. I started out at 258 pounds and was ashamed to go out to exercise. I thought that everyone would be looking and laughing at the "fat girl" trying to exercise. So the way I started, I got up at 5 in the morning to do it. It's dark then so not too many people outside. I started by just walking. This January I started the C25K program and the thing that always got me was, "well, when I start the walking stretches people are going to think I stopped because I couldn't run anymore." (Oh yeah, I was thinking all kinds of things. LOL) Anyways, the longer I thought about it, I decided I just didn't care. People can stare all they want. At least I am out there doing something! I am by far not the best looking runner out there, but I am out there running. So my advice to you is to not worry about what you think you may look like or what others may think of you. What matters is that you are doing something to make your life more healthy.

Good luck.

Lissakaye81

Get ya a little can of mace, some good shoes, tight sports bra, and your music. You will love it. You'll feel better. Start small intervals, mabey where your are comforatable and do just a little to start, see how ya feel. I'm the fat girl huffin and puffin on the hiking trails, red faced, sweaty, hair all frizzed out from sweat, but I love it. I carry mace on the side of my pack, cause I have seen 2 cougar on property and many bear tracks, thats just at home.

lacroyx

I started @400+ lbs. 6'3 guy I am not hard to miss. People can stare, make snide remarks but I just think

this also applies to Zumba. I even stick out more since I am a guy in a class filled with women.

Jo2926

I know I shouldn't care what others think of me....but I know from experience how people look at you differently, and how they treat you differently when you are not thin.

When you are out running 95% of the people that see you are either sat in a car or walking without putting in much effort. They will be impressed at your running regardless of what you look like! And you'll will see other people who are overweight too, and you might just inspire them to start.

I can't help you with dogs - I dislike them too!

Good luck
x

spinqueen72

I do not run because I just can't afford good running shoes ( I'm very flat footed and my ankles turn in so running hurts) Cnut no matter the size I don't think anyone judges the way a person looks when they are running. Ive seen people of all shapes and sizes out for a run and I just want to cheer them on when I see them! I have the most respect for runners. Take my sister for example. 6 years ago she weighed around 275. She started running around 5 years ago and now she weighs 150 and is an accomplished marathon runner. She does the Chicago marathon every year now

That's just awesome!!!
Tell her I said congrats!!!
I hope I can accomplish that one day!

spinqueen72

I started @400+ lbs. 6'3 guy I am not hard to miss. People can stare, make snide remarks but I just think

this also applies to Zumba. I even stick out more since I am a guy in a class filled with women.

LOVE THIS!!!
Thank you!
Very inspirational!!

spinqueen72

I completely understand your fears. I started out at 258 pounds and was ashamed to go out to exercise. I thought that everyone would be looking and laughing at the "fat girl" trying to exercise. So the way I started, I got up at 5 in the morning to do it. It's dark then so not too many people outside. I started by just walking. This January I started the C25K program and the thing that always got me was, "well, when I start the walking stretches people are going to think I stopped because I couldn't run anymore." (Oh yeah, I was thinking all kinds of things. LOL) Anyways, the longer I thought about it, I decided I just didn't care. People can stare all they want. At least I am out there doing something! I am by far not the best looking runner out there, but I am out there running. So my advice to you is to not worry about what you think you may look like or what others may think of you. What matters is that you are doing something to make your life more healthy.

Good luck.

Thank you so very much!
It's words like these that are giving me the motivation I needed!!
You are just plain awesome!!

spinqueen72

Generally speaking, don't let fear keep you from doing something you want to do. If you want to run, RUN!

I have been overweight most of my life. When I was 17 I had a traumatic accident that required reconstructive surgery on my ankle and about a year of rehab. Out of nowhere during this time period I started having dreams about running. In my dreams I was running so fast and my strides were so long I felt like I was flying. At that moment I decided that I was going to run one day but I was very scared.

It took me about six years before I tried running. I was afraid I would re-injure myself or that people would make fun of the "fat girl" running in the park. Finally I asked my doctor and he gave be the go ahead. As long as I wasn't feeling any sharp ankle pain I was cleared to run.

I started using a podcast, recruiting some of my friends at different fitness levels, and taking my dog on walk/jogs with me. In my group I was the last to finish, my ankle would get sore, and I would get side cramps if my dog got excited and forced me to either speed up or give a little tug to slow him down. I didn't re-injure myself, I can run 4 miles straight, and no one made fun of the fat girl. In fact, I found other runners very encouraging. One man asked to run with me one day and told me his story, he lost 200 lbs running and he encouraged me to continue on.

What is the most likely thing that will happen if you start? It will me hard? You'll get sore? You'll improve? And what if someone tries to make you feel bad? So what! The athletes around you are too concerned with their performance to think about yours and the a-holes are probably jealous because you are doing something they are not.

If you want it, do it.

Thank you!
I am so glad I posted this topic!
So many encouraging people!!!

thelovelyLIZ

I worked myself up to running outdoors. I started on the treadmill inside, and then ran small, low traffic residential streets. As my runs are getting longer, I'm having to run along more major streets now. After a while you don't even think about the people looking at you, you're just focused on your run.

Also, the only time I've ever been chased by a dog it was a chihuahua... I basically turned around and lunged at it like I was coming to get it and it went running back home. Not scary at all!

spinqueen72

If any of you amazing people would like to add me as a friend...I'd love it!

spinqueen72

I worked myself up to running outdoors. I started on the treadmill inside, and then ran small, low traffic residential streets. As my runs are getting longer, I'm having to run along more major streets now. After a while you don't even think about the people looking at you, you're just focused on your run.

Also, the only time I've ever been chased by a dog it was a chihuahua... I basically turned around and lunged at it like I was coming to get it and it went running back home. Not scary at all!

Lol!!!!
Yes...I AM a chicken!

Angelabec

If you want to, just do it! I started C25K about 2 months ago, at around 230lbs. I kinda feel sorry for the people that have to see me run, but they can always look away. The first time I thought I was gonna die before the 30 seconds was up. Friday I ran 25 mins straight! It's a brilliant program, You can do whatever you set your mind to, don't let fear hold you back. Good luck :flowerforyou:

Nikiki

DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm in week 3 of c25k and I LOVE it. I did a 5k already and while I walked a good portion of it I felt AMAZING after (literally my husband asked if I had stopped for a drink on the way home from the race cause I was so giddy/happy he thought I was tipsy!) I was 187 when I did that first race.
my advice: compression tights. They seriously changed my workouts I bought 2 pair that should have been 30 &34 at old navy and paid 26 for both and they are the best thing ever for holding in the jiggle while running!

delikium

Ok first...get a good sport bra!

Then go speedwalking to start off with.
Insert a few hops...run for 100 steps somewhere where you feel 'safe'... speedwalk again...
...at some point your gonna get tired of being so conscious, right?

jogglesngoggles

K, in all honesty...every time I see someone out running, big, small, man, woman, fit, unfit...I think..."they freaking rock". I too have the itch to run, run and run some more. I wish you the best. Don't care what anyone thinks, you are doing something amazing, that not a lot of people dare do...YOU ROCK!!

sprinkies

seriously just do it!!! no one will be looking at you and judging you if they're worth any consideration from you. if someone IS judging you then shame on them.

i ran a half marathon this morning and there were WAY bigger people WAY ahead of me!! i'm 125 pounds, and you'd think i'd totally beat these "bigger" individuals but i had NOTHING on them. that could be you!!!! i had nothing but admiration for all the runners, big and small! even the ones who were several miles behind me (it was out and back) i couldn't help but smile at them as they were walking and think good for you!

suzqfreetibet

Thanks to everyone for this post!! I too, have been wanting to run. I had a doctor tell me that he runs and said that it is much easier to replace a knee than a heart. This totally motivated me. I'm so glad I read all the comments.

maddymama

Haven't read the responses. If you are scared of dogs, jog with Dog Mace. I do it. I feel much better, especially bc of all the loose dogs in my neighborhood. Please don't let dogs scare you away from an awesome activity.

phresh21

I hated running absolutly hated it. I always said I was never a runner because I'd go like 30 seconds and be so worn out it was crazy and on top of it I'd get shin splints. Needless to say at roughly 200lbs I have started the C25K and have one last day of week 2 left. I am not far along in it but since I swore I would never run because that was just my body. I am sure I look like a total idiot running but I don't really care because I know there are a lot of people out there who cannot or will not run. Every time I finish a day I feel very accomplished because I have done more than I use to be able to. BTW I am still one of those people who sit in the car and talk smack about those who run just cause I can and I know one day I'll be able to run tell my little heart is content. Let people talk your doing more than them.

NaurielR

I agree with what people are saying here

If you want to run, then go for a frickin' run. Its what you want, you shouldn't deny yourself this healthy habit because of what people might think

To be honest vast majority of people aren't going to judge you. But you probably know that. You've probably heard that a hundred times. But I know from experience that insecurity is hard to defeat. It only takes one judgmental stare to make you feel like crap.

And trust me, when I first started running, and could barely put-put through the first half mile at a measly pace, I was worried what people thought of me (seriously, when I first started running, towards the end there were people walking faster than I was jogging).

For added support, see if you can find a friend to run with. First off, running with a friend gives you motivation, and you're less likely to skip a running session if you've made plans to meet someone there. But secondly, and what I think would be the best benefit for you, is that it'll give you confidence.

But please give it a try. I started out as a horrible runner. I could barely run a half mile when I started. But now, I'm running six mile runs, three times a week.

Yes, I'm tooting my own horn. But do you want to know why? Because I love running now. I feel powerful, strong, and accomplished. If I had let my discouragement or embarrassment stop me, I wouldn't be where I am today.

So, find a friend and a can of mace, and go for it.

kiku76

I always wanted to run, but my self-consciousness got in the way. I was always afraid people would look at me like I'm an idiot who doesnt know what she's doing.
I just started c25k, finished week 2 yesterday, and I'm slowly getting over it. I still feel weird passing people, and wonder what they think. but I tell myself that they probably dont give a rat's *kitten* what I look like. and I also tell myself that the ones on the path who are walking, well they are looking at ME how I used to look at the people I saw running.

fillvv

My friend wants me to run the Susan G. Komen 5k with her. I embarked on my weight loss journey a few months ago and I have lost weight/inches and gained lots of endurance, but running not on my radar. Doing it on the treadmill scares the crap out of me!! I always think what if I fall and how embarrassing that would be not to mention I probaly would really hurt myself. I sucked up all that agnst and I down loaded the a 5k training app and away I went. I go to my local high school and run on thier track. That coushioning material much nicer to your knees. I am only in the 1st week, but I am going to run that race and I am going to finish it in 30 mins. I would like to say I am not thin and I do go in the evening, but I don't care who sees or what they think because this journey has to be about how I feel and at the moment I feel great. Besides those people are never going to see you again and if the do they will just see you getting smaller. Good Luck with your run.

delikium

Why don't you run early in the morning when the rest of the world is still asleep

dolldreams

Whenever I see a larger person running, I think good for them. They are taking control of their lives. It's pretty inspiring to see young, old, large, small, just about anyone running.

Your health is more important than what other people think so don't let anything hold you back from doing what you want to do!

localatte

I'm not a runner. My best friend started running when she was overweight. Well, she loves it and is addicted, and yet she's still not thin. Sometimes she still talks about the awkwardness of not being as thin as other runners. She says there is a name for runners like her, "clydesdales" like those strong horses, a little thicker, but just as strong runners as everyone else.

Now, that running 8 miles on Saturday morning is no big deal, she laughs at how some people OVER congratulate her, because they're so shocked that someone a little thicker can run "omg, you ran a mile, wow, you must be soooo proud . . ." She loves running so much it doesn't bother her, and now she's addicted to triathlons which she does every summer, sometimes, up to 3 or 4 in one month.

When one is overweight, one can get stares, and made of fun of just buying groceries, so if someone is going to stare, might as well be as you're leaving them in your dust!

spinqueen72

Why don't you run early in the morning when the rest of the world is still asleep

I really should do that!
I work so hard during the day...that it seems impossible to get up at the butt-crack of dawn..lol
I think I will try that tomorrow morning.
It'll also be much cooler, I think.

spinqueen72

Thank you..ALL of you...for your awesome advice, and encouragement!! I really need that kick in the rear!
Add me if you'd like. I need all the encouragement I can get

myogibbs

I say ditto to most of what you are seeing on your replies. I like the idea of getting up early...or even late, especially right now depending on where you live. I found an excellent running trail that has lots of shade & it is partially asphalt and partially trail, which I love. First of all...please please please spend the money on good shoes. If you have the resources, go to a running store & get your gait analyzed & let them help you find the right shoes. You will hurt yourself if you don't & then you won't be able to do anything. Try not to run on cement if you can help it. I have knee problems now b/c I was young when I was so big into running & I didn't protect my knees properly. (Youth is wasted on the young....)
As far as dogs go, I understand why you have the fear you have, but as an avid dog lover & veterinarian, dogs want to play more than they want to "catch" you & the large majority of dogs are not bad. You had a bad experience & yes, there are irresponsible people out there that don't honor leash laws, but please don't let that fear stop you. If you would feel better, there is a product you can buy at Premier pet called "sprayshield" that is citronella (dogs hate citronella) & you can even buy a clip to go with it for less than $20.
I say go for it...I recommend the Couch to 5k or similar program (I got a book called "Run your butt off" from the editors of Runner's Magazine). I "trained" for about 3 weeks and then did a 5k...I ran most of it & came in 11th in my age group. You CAN do this...you will be sore, you will be tired but you will also be so proud of yourself that you can't be contained. We all believe in you !!! GO RUN LIKE THE WIND