I am taunted by neighbours when I run up the street

I would smile, wave at them, and tell them God Bless You. That will get them thinking....*kitten* lol

This is EXCELLENT advice. They will feel terrible if you say this. If they are not completely worthless, they will probably make amends.

I'm fat and I run.

I run for my health and because I enjoy it.

I am over 13 stone and a size 16 (down from 18 stone and size 24).

I now can run continuously for 2 hours covering 8.5 miles and I am proud of this and enjoy running

But I get a lot of negative comments from strangers, normally from young males who wind their windows down to shout comments at me as they drive past. Luckily I am hard of hearing so I miss the actual words screamed at me but it is clear from facial expressions and tones that the comments are negative...I ignore and keep on running.

A few weeks ago, new neighbours have taken on a house which needs a lot of building work done on it and hence are frequently outside the building and their young son has taken to pointing laughing and making various remarks about running and my weight, to and at me, which I ignore as he is a young child (around 8yo) and knows no better.

Then I 'met' his father, who joined in with his son and shouted so loudly across the road that I heard him clearly, despite my deafness/hard of hearing issues. He pretended to speak in the affections of a person with special needs and screamed 'Run Forest, Run' at me.

I crossed the road and asked him not to call me names in the street. He sneered and said he was only singing as I ran past and didn't get 'my ****ing problem'. When I explained that I received enough comments from strangers and expected my new neighbours to be more courteous. His wife screamed from an upper store window, that I was '****ing over reacting' and that I should '*expect* comments when I run outside'.

Am I being unreasonable to expect neighbours to be polite to each other, not to mock them ?

I accept strangers might be nasty but is it acceptable to be pointed at, laughed at and name called on my door step....as I am *fat* and I run outside.

I may be old fashioned but I operate on the 'if you can't say anything nice, say nothing' policy and would never shout at strangers on the street.

Sigh, this won't stop me running but it just makes it harder for me to get out there. Why be nasty for no reason ?

Wow what a bunch of *kitten* holes I would call her nasty names and teach her son some swears as I ran by. But if you are not that mean friend me and I will come for a run with you and we can throw rocks at her house, I am rude and crude I will piss on her porch if you want me too....hehehe. Pay back is a B!t@# and so am I.

Ah when anyone make a comment just remember inside that they are jealous because you can run! and not only can but do! It is because they feel ugly about themselves that they say anything at all. If they felt good about themselves then they could feel good about you too.

So when you hear something smile - and realize that you are doing something beautiful for yourself and for those around you. Who knows you might just inspire of these lazy *kitten* people to put on some shoes and run along with you. Take those comments and feel their power. Run Forest, Run inspired many followers to fun with him, not because he was handicap but because he was loving to run. He never said a word while running he just ran.

It is unfortunate more people lack compassion and love for themselves and have to share their ugly with the world but it sounds like you just maybe the light they need. Always keep that in mind and smile!

good for you for "keep on keeping on"!!!! People can be mean and that is horrible that they are teaching their child that kind of behavior. You are braver than I. I would like to start running outdoors but worry about this exact thing happening.

I didn't read all 18 pages.

That is horrible.

I think you should video tape it next time and post it on you tube and then send it to the local media. Name names. And post addresses.

Bullies need to know that this type of behaviour is no longer going to be tolerated.

If they think you are over reacting and you should expect comments like that. Put it out there in the court of public opinion.

Will they really stand behind their words or will they cower in the corner like they expect you to.

First off, I'm sorry you are being taunted. Weight bullying or teasing happens to a lot of people in many different places – in work, in school, at home, and even between friends. Just because it happens often does not mean it’s right. In fact, weight-related bullying is wrong regardless of the circumstances. Being teased or bullied because of your weight is just as wrong as being made fun of because of your race, gender, or religion.

People sometimes make mean comments about weight if they believe that being overweight is a person’s fault. In reality, being overweight is caused by a lot of factors that you can’t always control. The foods you eat and the activities you do are only a part of what makes up your weight. No matter why people bully about weight, remember that it’s not your fault and you don’t deserve to be treated that way!

When people are bullied and teased about their weight, they sometimes feel down and ashamed. This can lead to feelings of depression, low self-esteem, and poor body image. It can make people want to avoid being around others, or stop doing their usual activities. You however, noted your strength to keep going with your exercise program...that is SUPER!!

I might note that confronting a bully or someone taunting you may not always be the right decision. While I do understand your desire to get your new neighbors to be more kind, it seems this may not be in their personality (at least at present).

What can you do?

- It’s better not to fight back. Bullies want to get a reaction out of you. If you stay calm, ignore them, and walk away, it will become boring for them and they will be more likely to leave you alone in the future.

- Be confident! If you look unsure of yourself, bullies are more likely to pick on you. Hold your head up high and stand (or run) tall.

- Don’t go somewhere where a bully can find you alone. You are safer when your friends or other people are around.

- If possible, run with a partner. Having someone there to support you, (perhaps a big bloke friend) will put a stop to these immature taunts.

- If the taunts get to a point of threatening, report it to the police.

size is not a measure of health, clearly if you can run that long you are very healthy! Screw them! "The only thing you can tell from looking at an overweight person are your own prejudices against overweight people"

Walk up to them and say "if you think Im so huge, why dont you race me? 5 miles!" Because you know for SURE you could outrun them anyday!

Shut them right up....

Awesome response!
And keep in mind how you will look when you run past them at your goal weight. Then YOU'll be the one snickering.

I am in shock that people you don't even know and are new to your neighborhood would treat you this way.

As others have said, hold your head up high, listen to your tunes and keep on running!

Do you have an option of going a different way so you don't have to pass thier house? I'd avoid at all costs.

You are fabulous - keep up the good work!

u are doing fab...here is what I will tell u- it doesnt matter if u are a size 4 or size 20- people will make comments.. do it for you. the hell with them. me and my gf get yelled at all the time and I say yup the crazies are out...I never focus on traffic and continue as I am doing this for me not them and I dont need to answer to them

wow their A-holes. I might be inclined to train my dog to crap in their yard on walks. I have a tendency to overreact but this is uncalled for & I'd fear I'd do something in retaliation.

I get comments while biking especially cutting up through traffic at a light. I've even had items tossed at me out of vehicles but I'm usually moving so fast that I don't hear or bother w/ comments.

Toooo many pages to read... Ummmm...people are a-holes and NO you shouldn't "Expect" comments when you run by...what morons these people are...I would have asked her if she "Expects" the comments about how UGLY she is..when she goes outside....I know that responding this way doesn't make things right but this kind of stuff makes me friggin angry...

Stay away from these people but if you clearly hear them say something about you then stand up for yourself, bullies generally go away after you show them you aren't a pushover..

Don't pay any attention to ignorant people. I know it hurts, but all of your hard work will soon pay off. Just put your headphones in, turn your music up, and look straight ahead. Anyone that cannot appreciate you for trying to better yourself is not worth any of your time. All of these trials will make you a better person in the end ... on the inside and out. I am a size 30W and I have had several comments said to me as well. I always think of this motto when I hear ugly remarks, "I am losing the weight, but they'll always be ignorant." Stay strong and KEEP ON MOVING!

-Lisa

Keep on doing what you're doing! People can be so inconsiderate and horrible. Just remember that what they are saying is a reflection of themselves. They just wish they could be as proactive as you!!!

You're definitely the bigger person and I'm so proud of you and your hard work thus far! I agree with everyone else about putting on headphones and maybe running a different time of day so that it will be easier for you to get out there and go. Childhood bullies are bad enough, but adults are so much worse. Too bad this child has been taught by his parents own actions that it's okay to be a bully! Keep on runnin' girl! It wont be long before they'll be eating their own words! Keep up the good work!

I just experienced this for the first time this weekend. I have been running over a year and have never had anyone say something nasty to me, looks yes...but never vocal. This past weekend I was running and there were these two boys, 8 and 16 on bikes. They had just stopped at what looked like there house, and as I was running by the older boy yelled "YOU'RE FAT!" I wasn't completely sure he was talking to me because it was in the middle of me pulling out my earphone (which I always do when I pass someone)...so I turned around and they were looking at me...I left it alone but I am determined if they harrass me again in the future I will be stopping by their house to let their family know and if they don't care...I will have the cops make a quick stop at the house and scare the crap out of them.
Don't stop...keep going!!! You have come too far for some idiots to tell you about yourself. Go a different path. Believe me...it has nothing to do with your size...I was a 16 and now a 6 and even at a 6 I'm getting told I'm fat!
They don't know what you have accomplished...they are idiots!