Legs want to run but mind won't allow it

You know the old saying, "walk before you run"? Holds true here too. I walked for three months before I considered doing anything else. I lost a good deal of weight during that time and gradually built up my pace to 3.5 and 4.0 mph. Does wonders for your confidence with respect to self improvement, not to mention reaching your goal weight. Start with a 20 minute easy pace, ten minutes out and ten back. Get an App like RunKeeper or MapMyRun to help track your progress. Also, get a pediometer. They're inexpensive, (though for about $100 you can buy the fitbit Ultra that has more bells and whistles) and help provide incentive. Shoot for 10,000 steps a day. Once you feel confortable with 20 minutes, add 5 minutes out and 5 minutes back. Before you know it you'll be walking an hour, mapping your walks, looking for hills to climb, etc.

BTW, I believe most people these days would look at someone who is trying to take charge of their life to become healthier and applaud, not laugh.

I actually had a Doctor that wouldn't let me play anykind of sports. I did tend to be accident prone so he made me take a summer PE course before my 9th grade year because it wasn't as strenous. Then when I mentioned trying out for any kind of team he told me I wouldn't be able to pass the phyicals so not to bother. Now I have a hard time getting activie at all. I am trying though. Just started do WII fit and get up and move at least.

When I do actually do something my mind is constantly telling me “You’re no good at this. People are looking and laughing. Just quit and go home.”
Chris

I used to be like this (well, sometimes I still do feel that ppl are looking at me). But you know what? Instead of hearing the voice inside telling me that I'm no good at this, I started telling myself "I can do this. It may take me longer than I want it to, but so what? I CAN do this." And sometimes when I feel like ppl are looking (or staring, or laughing at me), I will look directly at them, and see that they actually are not even looking my way. Sure, you'll get the occasional tool who will yell crap at you, or point and laugh, but...who the hell are they, anyway? Just keep on keepin' on!

The issues with your mother while you were growing up....uhm. I'm sorry that happened to you. I understand that she didn't want you to get hurt, but she went about it all wrong. Forgive her for that. I believe she meant no harm. I'm pretty sure she had no idea of the psychological harm she was causing to you. It's a hurdle you'll have to jump over. Maybe you'll need professional help with that, maybe not. But as far as your running and cycling, get out there, do it, get strong (physically AND mentally), and DO NOT "just quit and go home!" You can do it!!!

Great job! Biking is a wonderful way to get the exercise in. I also feel less awkward on a bike and don't feel like people are looking at me. The more you do it, the more confidence you will get, both from learning that you can do it and from looking more fit. You can do this!

I was inspired by the Olympics when I was a kid. I remember clearly my Mom looking at me and saying "pride is painful" when I tried to mimic those athletes. Maybe she only said it once. But, it stuck. (Mom, by the way, is 300+ pounds. She's great in other ways, but a healthy role model for food and exercise she is not.)

Sometimes I hear those words in my head STILL. (I'm 42). I took up team sports at 28 and have played twice a week almost every week since. I'm still surprise that I'm pretty good at it.

It's not a matter of being boastful or proud in the way my Mom meant. But, I'll spin it and be proud. Proud that I can get a hat-trick. Proud that I can run 10km. Proud that I can bikram yoga.

Think of the all geniuses who were sent home from school for being a dunce. Or those who were incredibly sucessful in business - late in life.

We get to make who want to be. We are NOT who are told we are.

:O)

I don't know if this is helpful or not, but I've been an athlete since I was a freshman in high school...I was pretty good at the whole running thing. When I see others at the gym, or outside doing anything physical, my mind immediately thinks, "Good for them! They're working towards a healthy lifestyle." And I think that no matter their size or shape. The last thing that would ever go through my mind is anything judgmental in a negative way.

I hate to hear that people actually tell others that they shouldn't try something because they wouldn't be good at it. Who are they to tell you what you are capable of? You are capable of doing anything you put your mind to! Those nay-sayers will be eating their own words when you come around and show off your accomplishments. You go for it! Go run, or walk, or bike, or play football, or whatever your heart desires for activity. There is no specific type of person that should be doing exercise. It should be a part of everyone's lifestyle. It's not only meant for athletic people or people who would be prone towards success in sports. How do you know what you'll be successful at if you don't at least try it? And success should never be based on comparison to Olympic caliber athletes. You should measure it against yourself. None of those atheletes started out breaking world records right off the bat. They had to train and work hard for those records. And I don't know if you watched the Olympics, but I saw several athletes who got personal records, didn't medal at all, and were completely happy with their performance because they bettered their own record. Compete with yourself to get better at whatever activity you enjoy.

And an example of what can happen...my daughter is pretty clumsy. She trips over her own two feet. But she wanted to play soccer. Who was I to stand in the way of her desires? So we enrolled her in soccer and she has ended up having great ball control and she's fast and agile. So to anyone who's been told they weren't good enough to do something, go out and do it anyway! Even if you're one way in your day to day life (ie clumsy), you could end up being great at something else, even something sports/exercise related.