Fat girl running????

JUST DO IT!!

Ok since this site seems to be ok with the whole boobage thing...what do you women do with the at "mommy tummy" I too love to run but that tummy seems to go the wrong way and it makes me very self conscious. I've tried tighter yoga pants...is duct tape my answer too;)??

I say go for it. I am about the same weight and age and run 25-30 miles per week. Just start slowly and get good shoes. Be sure to listen to your body. I started running again at about 260 lbs and ran a half marathon at 227 lbs. I second the core exercises. They will really help keep injuries down.

I don't run but if you want to do...do it. Get supportive shoes and start slow. Good bra is glamorsize. Good support and no uniboob.

I can't speak to potential injuries and the likes, but I will say, that when I see larger people running on the treadmill, I think, "now that person is flippin' awesome!". I have a hard time myself and I only need to lose 15ish lbs. There is a lady at my gym that is there every single day, and she is likely 300lbs +, but she is lifting weights and I just want to say to her, "you are such an inspiration!" - but I don't want to come across as patronizing, so I don't, and just smile and nod. My point in this, is, if you felt good doing it, and you want to lose weight, GO FOR IT!

I started with Couch to 5K @ 225 (5'5"). I really liked it because every workout I met a goal. It's very empowering and motivating. The key is to take a rest day when you need it. Listen to your body. Take it one workout at a time.

I just ran my third timed 5K with my best time ever - 32:46! Let me tell you that felt awesome!

Go for it. I may be slow, but I still run! You can do it!

I weigh b/n 207-210 @ 5'2, age 42. Yep im putting it all out there. Something people dont know about me is I would love to be a runner. But im scared. Scared that I couldnt do it at this weight, so I've always been like, "I'll try when I lose some weight". But I want to run to help me lose weight. I remember about 6 yrs ago, I jogged on the treadmill for 11 minutes at a slow rate. It was like around 4.2 mph. Please don't laugh. I have short legs . Anyway, it felt amazing (after) I ran that! Felt like a major accomplishment. I'm watching a tv show where a girl started running at 374 lbs!! It just looks so darn painful at that weight. But she turned into quite the runner while she lost weight. I worry about injury at this heavy a weight. I would need a really good bra too. I've never been able to find a supportive exercise bra that didnt give me a uni-boob, lol! Sorry to any guys reading this lol. But I've got boobage :0). So what are your thoughts on this? If I do this, where do I start?

Ok, so...I TOTALLY know where you're coming from. Here's my advice. Just start. I started MFP last year at 270, and started running not shortly after. I got down to 229, but after falling off the wagon for a while I"m back to 240. I've run on and off since the beginning of Jan '12. I still have a hard time most days, and I still rarely can run for more than 5-10 mins straight. I'm RIDICULOUSLY slow. I've been within the last 10 runners at a race. But you know what? I LOVE it! ESPECIALLY races. I signed up for my first 5k last march on a whim, about 3 weeks into Couch to 5k (Which In my opinion is the absolute best place to start. You can google it for online/printable versions or download any of several different free or cheap apps on your smart phone). I still havent completed a race where I ran the entire thing, but the atmosphere on race day is incredibly infectious. I've ran 9 5ks, 1 mud run, and 2 4 mile runs in the time since, and I'll be running (well most people call it shuffling along at my pace haha) my first 10K on saturday. I'm terrified, I hate that most people will still look at me and think I'm the fat girl running. But you knwo what? I am. And you know what? I Still love it! Most people don't care. And the ones who do? Well, they've got their own issues and who gives a *kitten* about them, right? If people are that condescending that they cant approve of you trying to improve yourself? Then they're the ones with issues, not you. You're out there, you're doing something about your "fat". Let them stew in their own misery and go run and have fun!

The best best best place to start (in my opinion) is with Couch to 5k. Do it according to plan, don't try to rush it. It's planned for 3 days a week over the course of 8-9 weeks (It varies from plan to plan, but they're mostly about the same). Just do 3 days a week and most importantly get your rest days. You definitely should go to a proper running store (you can google ones in your area) and get someone to fit you for a shoe that fits your foot. That's a HUGELY important thing for running. I had AWFUL knee pains prior to getting my shoes, and they pretty much have disappeared since I got properly fitted. You definitely need to stretch a lot. But the great thing about C25K is that it takes you through run/walk intervals to slowly build your legs. It takes time but it's SO worth it. As for the bra sitch...I have really big boobs (40DDD) and the best one I've been able to find is Moving COmfort Fiona. Not too much uniboobage, but a lot of support. I've gotten all of mine on amazon.

Oh, and my advice...sign up for a 5k when you're ready (or slightly before you THINK you're ready!) They're SO much fun and race day atmosphere can SO hook you!

GOOD LUCK!!!! I hope you get to running!!


Edited to add: I'm 5'5''. Also...it's important to cross train...do some weights, yoga, etc. Make sure you stretch well, before AND after. I also loooove swimming as it takes pressure off my joints but gives me a heck of a work out.

Sandy just get out there. I will never forget reading an article in runners world that said try for you mailbox. If you don't make maybe you will tomorrow. I started running again at 240lbs. Now I am 155-160 and I live for my "runners high". I am training for my second half marathon and hope to get up the courage to sign up for the full thing next year.

First: you can do it! You have the desire - the next step is finding the right program for you!

Like other have said (and I'll paraphrase) - take it slow and at a pace that feels comfortable to you. Couch to 5k is a great program. I've used it many years ago. (Been an off and on runner for the last 25 years, till 3 years ago when it became my way to lose weight!)

When I started 3 years ago, I was simply walking (so I could listen to my audio books!) I won't go through the whole transformation here, but I eventually started using Jeff Galloway's run/walk method - he uses it as a way of running injury free - something that appeals to me as a middle-aged runner!

A story I love passing on is that he has several interval training plans (2 mins run, 1 min walk; 3:1, 4:1, 4:45, etc.) but the story of when he was recovering from a hip fracture gets me every time. He was only 7 or 8 weeks out from surgery, and having gotten rid of the crutches decided to run a bit. He started with a 5 second run followed by 55 seconds walking. Being a life-long runner, he could do several miles that way, but I thought - what a great idea for anyone wanting to start running. Choose a really small interval, and build on that to where you are comfortable. A friend recently said she was using light poles as her goals (run to the next one, walk for a block). I did something similar to that 3 years ago. (I am now running half marathons pretty regularly, and just finished my first official marathon in March.)

However you choose to proceed, listen to your body. It will tell you when you're ready to make the next step, and it will tell you when to keep the pace/time/distance you've chosen.

But I suspect that you'll get the bug quickly and will challenge yourself. :happy:

Good luck!!

P.S. It is National Running Day tomorrow. Just sayin'.... :happy:

P.P.S: Speed doesn't matter one bit. Getting out there does. If you're in the race, crossing the finish line actually is icing - getting to the start (and everything that led up to that) is the most important part.

Also..YAY National running day...OP...you should SO go for a run!

Heehee --- what she said!

What they all said! Just start :-)

I'm around the same weight and age as you, and I started running using c25k. I'm not sure if I love it yet, but I certainly enjoy it and as a "old fart" I can happily say I don't give a fat rat's bum what anyone who's watching me thinks of my graceful hippo-like style!

I don't run fast - probably most people walk as fast, if not faster. But I firmly believe that the effort is what's important right now, and that speed will come with experience and weight reduction.

Good bra is important - don't worry too much about the uniboob thing as long as it keeps the girls as firmly anchored as possible!
I found I needed to change the shoes I was wearing too. Who'd have thought my 5 year old, stinky sneakers would be too clapped out to deal with the extra punishment?!

All the best! Go run the good run :-)