How to get over fear of jogging in front of people?
Replies
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I totally understand you. but the only thing you can do is Just Do It. people will be rude or supportive - ain't nothing you can do about that. the important thing is to get out and do.Hi! I kind of have the fear of jogging in front of people in public. I walk all the way to the woods to do my running LOL
Id rather just do it locally instead of going ALLL the way to the woods(its time consuming)
Im chubby (obviously) so I fear being mocked or laughed at by passer-byers
I also live in an area where a majority of my old classmates live (Im kind of already over this though)
And my mother is rather... rude? She mocks me from time to time (which im also over this)
Im just overall shy and somewhat insecure
Id join a gym but im poor (wahhhh)
Im thinking of just jogging before the sun comes up, so no one can see me, ahaha.
Anyone have any wise words?
Or tell me if you've gotten over this fear or how you do it?
Thanks!
and - hugs. your mom should treat you nicer! I'm sorry she is being mean to you - that is very damaging.0 -
First off, I DID NOT write this. Kudos to the writer but I don't know who it is. Found it on MFP and it needs to be kept alive. Changed my whole outlook.
=============================
Hey, Fat Girl.
Yes, you. The one feigning to not see me when we cross paths on
the running track. The one not even wearing sports gear, breathing heavy. You’re
slow, you breathe hard and your efforts at moving forward make you
cringe.
You cling shyly to the furthest corridor, sometimes making larger
loops on the gravel ring by the track just so you’re not on it. You sweat
so much that your hair is all wet. You rarely stay for more than 20 minutes at a
time, and you look exhausted when you leave to go back home. You never talk to
anyone. I’ve got something I’d like to say to you.
You are awesome.
If you’d look me in the eye only for an instant, you would notice
the reverence and respect I have for you. The adventure you have started
is tremendous; it leads to a better health, to renewed confidence and to a brand
new kind of freedom. The gifts you will receive from running will far exceed the
gigantic effort it takes you to show up here, to face your fears and to bravely
set yourself in motion, in front of others.
You have already begun your transformation. You no longer accept
this physical state of numbness and passivity. You have taken a
difficult decision, but one that holds so much promise. Every hard breath you
take is actually a tad easier than the one before, and every step is ever
so slightly lighter. Each push forward leaves the former person you were in your
wake, creating room for an improved version, one that is stronger, healthier and
forward-looking, one who knows that anything is possible.
You’re a hero to me. And, if you’d take off the blaring headphones
and put your head up for more than a second or two, you would notice that the
other runners you cross, the ones that probably make you feel so inadequate,
stare in awe at your determination. They, of all people, know best where you are
coming from. They heard the resolutions of so many others, who vowed to pick up
running and improve their health, “starting next week”. Yet, it is YOU who runs
alongside, who digs from deep inside to find the strength to come here, and to
come back again.
You are a runner, and no one can take that away from you. You
are relentlessly moving forward. You are stronger than even you think, and you
are about to be amazed by what you can do. One day, very soon, maybe tomorrow,
you’ll step outside and marvel at your capabilities. You will not believe your
own body, you will realize that you can do this. And a new horizon will open up
for you. You are a true inspiration.
I bow to you.
This is amazing! it is exactly how i felt when i started. i am not in the position of the person overlooking. I have so much respect for those that run when larger. It is Hard, You do just want to quite and give up! but you are amazing for pushing through! i say this because i have done it! i have been there, huffing, panting, not perfect form and i raise my hat to anyone undertaking it.
It does get easier with time and you just dont care what people think anymore. let people look, who cares what they think! at the end of the day you are doing something positive for you! to hell with everyone else! hold your head high and jogg hunny!
Smile at people you pass, thank them if they move aside for you, more people then not can respect what your doing rather then to mock you (and those that do mock or normally insure themselves anyway)0 -
I can relate to OP. I was like someone who posted before me. On Saturdays, I began by walking to the nearby high school track. For a few Saturdays, I did the walk/run interval thing to build up my endurance. Then, I found myself bored going in the same circle. So, I began getting out in my neighborhood as soon as is was just light enough outside. I found that most people are still indoors. Those that are outside are exercising as well. I found it to be a great time for running. You get to see the sunrise and the neighborhood is typically still peaceful. Like others have said before, work on letting go of what others think. Mean people are going to be mean, we can't change that. You're doing this for you - to hell with anyone who is negative toward you for trying to self-improve. :flowerforyou:0
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Hi! I kind of have the fear of jogging in front of people in public. I walk all the way to the woods to do my running LOL
Id rather just do it locally instead of going ALLL the way to the woods(its time consuming)
Im chubby (obviously) so I fear being mocked or laughed at by passer-byers
I also live in an area where a majority of my old classmates live (Im kind of already over this though)
And my mother is rather... rude? She mocks me from time to time (which im also over this)
Im just overall shy and somewhat insecure
Id join a gym but im poor (wahhhh)
Im thinking of just jogging before the sun comes up, so no one can see me, ahaha.
Anyone have any wise words?
Or tell me if you've gotten over this fear or how you do it?
Thanks!
I get it! I put off going running for that reason alone! until one day I had finished a run! 30 mins non stop - red faced and sweaty - but I did it! I DID it! on the road - in public. no one shouted or looked! Now I run 3/4 times a week and have started to enter races. Do you know what I do? Instead of worrying what other people think of me - rightly or wrongly... when I am running along the road and see people strolling with their dog, or driving past me - I get an overwhelming sense of smug superiority! I know that 9/10 of those people will never have been running let alone be able to run the same distance in the time. I keep it to myself and smile all the way home feeling amazing that I can do it!! If I see anyone running who looks like a beginner/tired/struggling/slow (I am very slow) I give them a big grin and say good morning/afternoon. they are amazing! I know and you know how hard it is to get out there and run - seek out your fellow runners and give them a big grin - they will be as impressed with you as you are with them! As for those in the cars, who you feel might be looking and judging I say 'judge right back' you are the one running! They are just sat watching you! Who is the winner??0 -
Great post, great replies. I am inspired.0
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I struggle with the same insecurities.. however, I've gotten to the point where this is what I think:
1.. WHY do you care what the person on the street thinks? So WHAT if they laugh?.. Know why? - If they are that rude, shallow and IGNORANT.. they're not someone who should matter to you anyway. You don't know them.. they don't know you.. and obviously, if you're out there huffing and puffing, picking them up and putting them down, pounding the pavement.. you're doing something THEY'RE NOT.
2.. You're working on your chubby, and if someone is standing their in anything other than awe and respect of you.. they should be working on their ignorance.
3.. At the end of the day.. ignoring them, and battling through - huffing and puffing, and running through that first lactic acid burn when you think .. no.. you SWEAR that your legs are going to fall off starting at your shins.. and your lungs are going to burst right along with your heart as it pounds out of your chest.. the sense of victory and accomplishment FAR OUTWEIGH the possible ill mannered ignorance of others.
4.. Like many of the PP's have said.. all of that snickering, laughing, jesting.. is imagined or feared.. it's not taking place anywhere except for in our insecure subconscious. And if it is.. see 1-3.
When I first started my journey (or adventure) in January of this year.. I weighed just shy of 250 lbs.. with every pound that came off, I gained a little more confidence.. but still, in the dark corners of my mind, I'm still the incredibly overweight girl who was running down the street barely a block at a time without stopping and hacking up a lung and grasping my chest because I thought I would surely have a heart attack.. there are days that I STILL do that.. admittedly, I have gotten lazy over the last 3 weeks.. and I'm searching so hard to get back in the swing of things.. I have to stop making excuses and just do it.. so... you keep on keeping on.. and ignore your insecurities.. and the rudeness, unsupportive comments from others (even Mom!)... You have already taken the first steps, and made huge advancements.. We're cheering you on!!!:drinker: :flowerforyou: 0 -
I totally suck at running...I've never enjoyed it and I doubted that there would ever be a day that I would consider myself a runner. I started C25K a few weeks ago (started week 3 today) and I wanted to run outside cause the treadmill does half the work for you...and it just feels different in the fresh air. So I started and at first I thought oh what will people think, etc but then I got over it and just walked out the door and started. And you know what? I found people encouraging! I would run past other people who were running the other way and they would give a big smile and say good morning/evening and keep going. No one was judging me, but me. And if they were, then they were not the kind of people that I would value the opinion of anyway. I don't know them and I might never see them again so who cares. What I do care about is the people that were running and running well and it was so encouraging to see them smiling and knowing that one day I WILL be there.
I actually went in the rain on Saturday and really enjoyed it! Yep...I enjoyed a run and in the rain at that. It was me and the birds and the rain. It was so refreshing and the neighbours that saw me and my hubby were impressed that I was that dedicated to me to go out in the downpour. And I am proud of me too! That's the big thing. Now I know I might be slow but I will get there. I will be a runner. Today I start the 3 minute run intervals (which I can't seem to wrap my head around being able to run that long but I am going to try my hardest). I haven't given up on it yet so I'm mentally preparing today
It's funny I used the same principle for putting a bathing suit on and going lane swimming...Nike has it right...just do it. Then you realize it's not near as bad as you were making it in your head. We can change our mindsets. Take that negative thought and turn it into a positive one and next thing you know you are running or public swimming...who knows maybe one day I'll be that person running down the street in short shorts and a bra top LOL.0 -
Just brace yourself and go out and run. Pretty soon you'll self-identify as a runner and you won't be self-conscious about it anymore because you're a runner, it's what you do. The fear/embarrassment just kind of melts away once you start doing it.0
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don't be afraid! I jog on main street in my neighborhood and I've never had anyone make fun of me as I jiggle on past... instead I've had more people wave, and be encouraging... the older residents in the neighborhood are the biggest supporters usually... I even got a high five once from a couple of teenage girls... just put your headphones in and get to it... you'd be suprised at how supportive the walking/running community is and those who want to drive by and gawk well who cares, what are the odds you'd ever see them and know who they were...0
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Really great replies! So true that you need to work on your perspective and self confidence, but that can take a long time to get past, and can be an ongoing struggle. Battling all of the internal stuff is the work of a lifetime.
It may sound silly, but if you can find a way to invest in some really good, supportive running clothes that make you feel like a superhero, it can go a long way to get you started. I swear, when I used to be very self-conscious, a good sports bra and compression running tights made a world of difference.0 -
You just go. No one is looking at you.
^^^^^^^^ THIS!! I had the same fear and it's so true..no one is looking at you.0 -
If it's any consolation, I was like this too when I first started running. Bits jiggling everywhere and trying to escape my workout gear. I'd try to run where there weren't any spectators. Once I progressed further into the C25K program, I discovered that jogging speeds up my digestion. Great, so now I'm jiggling AND farting as I (slowly) jog along. Sorry, that's probably not much help to you...but it really put it into perspective for me: I didn't think my fear of public humiliation could get worse, and then it did, and it's gone from being scary to being so ridiculous it's now comedy. Good luck and keep running!0
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What everyone else here has said... just do it. Put your headphones in and tune out the world. Focus on your breathing, your stride, your thoughts, anything but the people around you because I promise they aren't judging you the way you think.
I used to be scared, especially when I passed a "real runner" while I was barely getting through my 1 minute running interval at the beginning of C25K, but then I realized that they don't care. Most people won't even remember having seen you, and if they do think anything about you, it's usually "good for her!" or "I wish I had the energy/motivation/desire/whatever to run like her!" Your imagination of what people are thinking is way worse than what they're really thinking. If you think of yourself as fat or embarrassing when you run, just think to yourself, "Hey, at least I'm out here doing something about it and making myself healthier."0 -
Ahahaha
You all were much help! Ive taken your words into consideration.
Thanks so much
Im gonna do it!
Best of luck on your journey! :happy:0 -
Seeing overweight people running is what inspired me to get off my *kitten*. Just do it; pretty soon you won't care what anyone thinks, and you will inspire people you didn't even know you were in contact with.0
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Hi! I kind of have the fear of jogging in front of people in public. I walk all the way to the woods to do my running LOL
Id rather just do it locally instead of going ALLL the way to the woods(its time consuming)
Im chubby (obviously) so I fear being mocked or laughed at by passer-byers
I also live in an area where a majority of my old classmates live (Im kind of already over this though)
And my mother is rather... rude? She mocks me from time to time (which im also over this)
Im just overall shy and somewhat insecure
Id join a gym but im poor (wahhhh)
Im thinking of just jogging before the sun comes up, so no one can see me, ahaha.
Anyone have any wise words?
Or tell me if you've gotten over this fear or how you do it?
Thanks!
yep, I just don't care. I either get people waving at me or just plain staring (mostly guys, uck) but I figure I am doing this for myself and nobody else. I always think in the back of my mind, that I am setting a good example. I just put on some good music and look ahead. IF anything, the same people that may be looking at you will either join in or be amazed by the transformation of you. Who needs a gym? I don't use one and don't plan on it either. There is so much out there for free. IN the words of nike: Just do it!!0 -
It does get easier with time and you just dont care what people think anymore. let people look, who cares what they think! at the end of the day you are doing something positive for you! to hell with everyone else! hold your head high and jogg hunny!
Smile at people you pass, thank them if they move aside for you, more people then not can respect what your doing rather then to mock you (and those that do mock or normally insure themselves anyway)
This a million times. If ever I see anyone running in the street (more especially before I started running myself) I would absolutely tip my hat to them. Never even crossed my mind to say anything demeaning or rude because at the end of the day, they're doing something positive to change the way they live. In fact, I was more inclined to be slightly jealous of their ability to get out and go running while looking like they didn't care what people thought! When I started running I was really sure that people were looking thinking what a goon I looked (I think I run funny.....) I still went out and eventually stopped caring about how sweaty or how red faced I was, I focussed on how far or how fast I ran. Once you get over the idea of people looking at you, running can be an awesome thing for escaping for even a few minutes from real life! Just a few minutes on your own, in your own head, without a care in the world......bliss!0 -
You just go. No one is looking at you.
This. I kept telling myself "I won't let somebody's petty judgement stand in the way of what I want to do." Honestly, if somebody sees an overweight person jogging and judges them, it reflects poorly on their personality, IMO.0 -
I remember this feeling well. It took a while to get over the fear. When I first started running I used to walk a kilometer to my run start point which was a trail outside of town. My advice would be to go out there and focus on you. Concentrate of your form, your breathing; you may find that by focusing on this you mind doesn't go into that "fear" mode.
You should also keep your safety in mind. A injury, medical incident ( or worse) in a isolated area could turn into a terrible situation if help if far away.0 -
You just do it.
If people are laughing at you, who cares? At least you're being active.
I hope people think this about me "man... Look at that big girl running. Props to her for not being a lazy fat fluck."0 -
I'm not even going to apologize for saying this. Your mom is horrible and has clearly scarred you. You said that you're over what she has said to you. This is probably easier said than done, but just try to think of other people as your mom. Don't pay any attention to what you THINK they're saying about you. I don't think that anyone who is out running for the sake of their health will mock a chubby (you said it) person for trying to get in shape. They will probably be proud of you. I know that I am whenever I see an overweight person running, even just walking. I wouldn't jog in the woods anyway. That just sounds too scary. Please stop doing that and don't run in the early morning or late at night just to avoid people. Being out on the streets at night by yourself is dangerous. You're putting your life in danger jogging through the woods and possibly in odd hours of the day just because you're afraid of what people MIGHT think of you. Is it worth it? Good luck you to.
ETA this link that I couldn't find before: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/956718-hey-fat-girl
Werd.0 -
Noone is looking at you or cares what you look like except you. Just go! 0
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If somebody says something to you, tell them, "I can lose weight. You will always be an *kitten*."0
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I live in the same boat as you. I only run under the cover of darkness. lol0
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No one is looking at you. No one will give you a second thought. Other runners will nod or say hi, then go on with their workout.
I've been running for most of my life. I can count the number of times someone has yelled something at me on one hand.0 -
No one is looking at you. No one will give you a second thought. Other runners will nod or say hi, then go on with their workout.
Yep! I worried about being judged when I started running. What I have found is that most runners LOVE seeing new runners. Lets face it, it's a crazy thing to love to do. It's hard, you get hot and sweaty, sometimes it rains, and yet there we are, running. The more people we can get in our club, the less crazy we'll seem.
Just get out there, crank up your music, and after a few runs the world will disappear.0 -
Except for your mother, who obviously needs a verbal smackdown, no one ever sees a jogger of any size or shape without thinking guiltily, "Now that is what I should be doing!" So just go and enjoy.0
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If you get heckled, well that's why we have middle fingers.
:laugh:0
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6S3rz-CYh_o&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D6S3rz-CYh_o
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