Love your fat *kitten*? Stop running on the treadmill!

I don't get it. Some of the outdoor runners make it sound like running on a treadmill is a character flaw. It's a choice and, for some people, it's the only viable choice. The choice to run on a treadmill doesn't mean someone is weak, afraid or self-loathing. Just like the choice to run outdoors doesn't mean you're tough, brave or self-confident.

This thread has finally helped me understand that my running on the treadmill is a sign of gross moral turpitude. If you are gonna run on the treadmill, why run at all? Just sit your *kitten* back on the couch. Right? Did I miss some logic along the way?

Nice try, but I enjoy my varied-incline runs on a treadmill, reading a good book and listening to music in my nice, sunny gym.

Okay, I am typically quite tactful, Please forvgive me.

If you are running on your treadmill and reading a book at the same time, you are doing it wrong. End of story.
I can't think straight when I am running, the only thing I am reading are street signs and the sweat pouring in my eyes. I hope your running on the treadmill and reading isn't in effort to lose weight or strength train for heath..but more to say you're doing it? I mean, good for you, it's better than nothing, but please do yourself a favor and sweat!

Translation: I like to blah blah blah and you are doing something else so you are wrong.

Wow how nice it must be to live in a place where it doesn't rain or snow! Or drop below freezing. You must also be childless. And clueless.

Respectfully....you can run outside with rain and snow with the proper clothing. I run outside in the rain all the time, and some of my best runs have been in bad weather. So please don't use weather as an excuse for running inside. Same goes to Brunette....you can drive to a good area (such as a park or something) and you can carry OC or something, and you can take the kids with you in running strollers. So all those -excuses- are just that...excuses.

However....I do understand that for some the harder impact of the ground can cause knee problems where the treadmill doesn't, and some people just generally like a treadmill.

I somehow think that my 9 year old would be difficult to fit into our stroller. LOL Treadmills obviously have their place. Running outside is better for a whole host of reasons, but treadmills aren't the devil.

Enough! I thought that MFP was here to encourage not to bash other's choices. I prefer my treadmill because 1) the only time I can work out is at 10:00 pm, 2) I live where we still have snow 3) I have asthma and allergies and can control the environment in my home. 4) I also do other exercises to augment the treadmill.

Let's try to be respectful and encourage each other!

If you love yourself at all it's best to avoid the treadmill altogether and take a run outside.

Not to hijack the thread, but... um... what? I don't think we can or should infer that only the self-loathing run on treadmills. Would you actually look at someone on a treadmill and think, "That person obviously doesn't love him-/herself at all"? Sure, it's great to get fresh air. 100% agree. But running outside isn't always a good option for a number of reasons (weather, safety, etc.).

If I'm not mistaken, the discussion is about how to get the best workout/body with a treadmill routine. Running on a treadmill. Not 'whether to run on a treadmill or outside.'

I respectfully disagree.

People running on treadmills are clearly there for some sort of punishment and the only guess I can possibly venture as to why somewhat might do that is that they clearly don't love or respect themselves enough to go for a nice run outside.

All you have to do is strrap your shoes on and go outside. Chances are you already did that to get to your treadmill in the first place.

I neither agree nor disagree... I did however see a neighbor running on a treadmill yesterday with her garage door open for air. It was sunny out, but not hot, and we live RIGHT next to a regional trail that is VERY flat, VERY smooth and PERFECT for running. I know she has a thousand kids (at least that's what it looks like when you drive past) but I think that they are all in school. I can't think of any reason not to run outside in those circumstances...

that said, I'm made of sugar, and will melt in the rain... My nose runs even walking outside so my shirt running sleeves get gross... I almost always have to pee once I get going (or worse)... I can't carry my water (ok, I don't have any apparatus for carrying my water... i'm that chubby pink sweaty girl that looks like she is about to vomit, so I don't like an audience. lol

Nice try, but I enjoy my varied-incline runs on a treadmill, reading a good book and listening to music in my nice, sunny gym.

Okay, I am typically quite tactful, Please forvgive me.

If you are running on your treadmill and reading a book at the same time, you are doing it wrong. End of story.
I can't think straight when I am running, the only thing I am reading are street signs and the sweat pouring in my eyes. I hope your running on the treadmill and reading isn't in effort to lose weight or strength train for heath..but more to say you're doing it? I mean, good for you, it's better than nothing, but please do yourself a favor and sweat!

As I already stated, I get my heart rate up to about 168 when I run. I'm working hard. I guess I'm just not a sweaty person, because I've never in my life had sweat pouring in my eyes, nor have I been unable to read, unless I'm on the verge of blacking out. Not everyone's body reacts the same. I work very hard and I get a great workout. I just happen to be able to set my iPad on the treadmill ledge and tap the screen to flip a page now and then too. It seriously requires zero extra effort and gives me something to think about besides how tired I am. I don't get why this is so hard to believe. But I've always been a reader. As a kid, my mother once caught me riding my bike home from school and reading a book.

As for the rest of you people who seem to think that you're somehow superior because you think it's okay to run when the wind will freeze your skin to frostbite in under two minutes (a frequent weather guy warning in my area)....well, good for you, I guess. I'm not tough enough to want my nose to turn black. And I guess I'm not tough enough to want to run past the drug dealers and angry drunks who frequent the inner-city area where i live. I must be a terrible person, huh? I put my personal security ahead of my workouts, so I must really suck and hate myself! Except...it kind of sounds like maybe I run indoors because I care about myself enough to not put myself in danger when another option exists.

Get over yourselves. Run where you want to- I'm certainly not judging you for it. I'll stay in my warm, safe apartment, though and save my outdoor running for seasonable temperatures and daylight hours.

What a bunch of judgemental people. Ya'll want to tie me to a stake and get the fire started? Or maybe just make me a scarlet 'T' to stitch to my bodice?

bump

here ya go:



In case any treadmill hater needs some help getting down from their incredibly high horse

You do understand that kids aren't little soldiers that so what they're suppose to, right? They run all over. They stop when the see a bottle cap. They whine. They have to pee. So rofl @ bringing the kids along for a run.

Preach. It.

I continue to be amused by these reactions. Pushing your kids to get a little exercise = treating them like little soldiers. Yes, my 3 yo picks up shells on the beach during runs. She also stops and helps build sand castles, says hi to pretty much everyone who passes, and jumps through the waves. Then, when she's finished doing that for 2 miles or so down the beach, I pick her up, put her in my kiddo backpack and proceed. I wouldn't trade those moments for the world. My 7 yo is better at it and truly runs with me. She's pretty upset with me right now because I'm only hiking due to a knee injury and not taking her running. Instilling kids with the joy of exercise and the joy of life is an honor, and I'm having a hell of a lot of fun as a dad. I'm terribly sorry if people actually think raising kids is that difficult.

As for the whole treadmill debate, I really don't care if anyone uses a treadmill, I just don't see why you would give up the opportunity to get outside and enjoy it. I've run for several years and even while living in one of the largest and densely populated cities on the planet, I enjoyed it. It was a great way to explore neighborhoods and sites. Even running in cold weather is pleasant if you dress properly.