How do you overcome being embarrassed to workout outside?

All these posts are inspirational. The blog is fantastic! I dont run but I feel the same way even when I go out walking, and especially if I attempt a hike in public I feel like everyone I meet on the trail is looking at me with some sort of pitiful look like they dont really believe I'll finish. I used to really let it bother me but I realize that I am so much more important than what any of them might think. Plus it sort of makes me push to prove them wrong. And who knows, maybe someone struggling to get themselves off the couch will see you out there and it will be just the right motivation to get them going!

It's just one of those things you have to do...gets easier each time you do it.
I live by "Dance like no-one is watching."

....the same goes for working out.

Focus on you and not on others. If they say anything snarky they'll regret it when you get to your goal and look better than they ever thought about looking! They'll be jealous. Don't be embarrassed.

I run primarily at night. A lot of it has to do with my schedule but I definitely like the anonymity of running in darkness. So I totally get where you are coming from.

Having said that, I think that I have an over-inflated view of myself. I think that when I am in public that I am like an actor on a big stage and the whole audience is watching me. It really isn't that way though. Most people are too caught up in their own lives and certainly aren't sitting around thinking about me and how slow I'm running. Being embarrassed about running outside is certainly a normal way to feel. But it is also ego-driven. I mean what makes me so important that I think that the world revolves around me and my running? It's all in my head. The world doesn't revolve around me. I'm not that important.

Punching rude people in the face always works.

When I first started running I felt really self conscious about running outside. I did most of my runs on a treadmill for a long time, but eventually I got over it and now I love running outdoors and get out there every chance I get. It's hard to push past the feeling that everyone is staring at you, but after a few times out there it will be no big deal. Just keep at it and eventually it will feel very natural. Good luck!

I've only recently started adding in intervals of jogging and very very short bits of running...it helps that my neighborhood is 90% seniors and everyone stays in their homes most of the time ;-)

But yeah, 5 years ago when I was at my heaviest and first started walking for health/fitness I was pretty self conscious even about being out there walking. I went after sundown, and within a few months I was comfortable enough to in daylight on main roads. It comes, the confidence.

You cant worrying about rude comments and/or people, just play your music loud and get in the zone. If that doesn't work, buy a treadmill. Either way, do what you feel is best for you.

I think of it this way. When I see someone outside exercising what are my first thoughts? They aren't "OMG look at that fatty run!" or "haha look at how silly that person looks running" My thoughts are "I wish I could run uphill like that" or " Look at them go, getting healthy" etc. I think good things, because I see someone making an effort to be or get healthy. And I think most people think the same thing, or don't even care to give it a thought because so many people are so busy and in their own head space most of the time. You just have to not even think about it and go for what is best for you.

Like what has been said, you just have to get started and go. People are usually so busy paying attention to their own issues they aren't really paying attention to anyone else. I used to jog by friends and when I mentioned it later, they'd tell me they didn't even remember seeing a runner.

Trust me when I say that most people are far too mired in their own heads to pay that much attention to other people. Unless you get in their way or do something outrageous to draw attention to yourself they'll barely notice. It's a big deal to you and feels like you're the center of attention because you ARE... in your head. The only people who would think something nasty are the same ones who would be rude in other ways anyway. Other runners are just going to be cheering you on. So many of them have been where you are and know how you feel. Running buddies are great for taking your mind off other people, even if they have fur and 4 feet. When I started running again after my 2nd child was born I took our Golden Retreiver with me almost every time. He was so poorly trained that I spend most of my mental energy trying to think ahead of what he was going to get into so I could keep him under control that I didn't have enough left to worry about what others were thinking. I don't know if time and experience make it easier, but it does become more familiar and you start to care less.

You just have to do it. Don't worry about what people think of you, they probably feel the same. Did you ever see the episode of Friends when Pheobe and Rachel went running? Phoebe ran like a mad person, arms and legs in all directions, made it fun and was just carefree, and think how likely are you to see the same people again?!

Bump