How did you overcome anxiety of running in public?

The hilly park where I walk for exercise is populated by other old fat people walking for their health like me.

Is there someplace you can run where there are other people of similar demographics to yours so you don't stand out?

If you are young and fit enough to worry about catcalls from cave-men, carry pepper spray.

If anyone does actually register you, as opposed to thinking about paying the mortgage/the boss at work/what to wear, then they'll register that you're doing somehing.theadvantage if they're regulars is that they'll see you changing shape and increasing speed over the coming months

I don't know if this will help but I started running with someone else and part of my fear with running was people looking at me like i was an idiot who didn't know what I was doing. When I was with someone else that didn't matter. After a while running felt more natural and I didn't need someone else to go run with me, because I learned to love it so much I didn't care what other people thought.

Best way to get over your fears is to face them.

The hilly park where I walk for exercise is populated by other old fat people walking for their health like me.

Is there someplace you can run where there are other people of similar demographics to yours so you don't stand out?

If you are young and fit enough to worry about catcalls from cave-men, carry pepper spray.

LOL I'm sorry, but I was going to say something like this but more in a mean way (cause I'm an awful person). I only like to run in public places where I know someone is going to look much worse than me. Other than that, just focus on your running. I know it's hard, but let it fuel you and keep you pumping your legs forward. That's what I do when I start to get nervous and a white van is rolling slowly next to me....

Stop doing it for other people and start doing it for yourself...

AH! I like this answer!

1. Can you go somewhere like a park/recreation/football oval where there wouldn't be many people? I train on an oval sometimes and often there are people, but too far away to even see me. It feels less nerve wracking than on a road where people will be close by and undoubtedly look. But, over time I gradually cared a bit less about that as well-because I got fitter.

2. If it's that you feel nervous of people seeing you running, you could try to start walking first, as someone walking is less likely to draw any notice of people, right? everybody walks, not everyone runs.

-Then, work up to either brisk walking, or running, and try to go for longer each time or once a week. You don't HAVE to be able to run out there for more than 10 minutes, even if that is your fitness goal.

-Sometimes we need to work up to things and just accept that for us it's going to take a little bit of patience. There's nothing wrong with that. Everyone has their barriers. I have anxiety issues as well, and sometimes I hate that I cant just go do what is normal for everyone else, like have a damn conversation and look at them for more than 3 seconds. But I've got to practice and work at it, expose myself to it gradually and work towards small goals, because it is important.

-So, what I'm saying is that right now, 10 minutes is fine, 10 minutes is just your benchmark. Just try to go for 12 or 15 next time or something and work your way up gradually. Over time you might find you've been many times and it is less scary also over time your breathing will improve, as will your weight and fitness, so you'll just look like you're a natural and probably feel it, too. Sticking with it, even if it is slow progress, improves the chances that people wont even notice you there or judge. More so than going home and giving up ever will.

3.Also, would headphone/music help? try to concentrate on the words and not your thoughts might help. Just make sure it's safe to do that, and maybe have it so you can still hear things around you. If not music, perhaps just your breathing, continuously count your breaths in and out from 1 to 10. e.g inhale, 1, exhale 2, inhale 3, exhale 4 and so on and then start back at 1 when you get to 10. The idea of that is to focus mindfully on something other than any negative thoughts or on feeling anxious. Or, perhaps you could run with a friend a few times?

Based on your picture, I am significantly older than you so let me offer the wisdom of age. I hope it is helpful.

The big question you have to ask yourself is, "Who really gives a rat's rosy rear what anyone thinks of you as you are running?" If anyone actually notices you, they are likely to think one of several things. The first may be (and this is the one you fear), "Wow, look at that chunk trying to run." Those are the people who wish they had the gumption to get off their dead butts and get out on the road with you. You know, losers.

Others may think, "Wow, I wish I could get myself motivated to get out and exercise." These folks really want to join you for your run but are sitting at home worried about what others think of them. Don't be those people.

The biggest group are those who pass you and think, "Gee, I wonder what kind of crap I'm going to have to put up with at work today?" Almost no one is even paying attention to you. Sorry, but runners are simply not that interesting.

Enough of my silliness. Get off your couch, head out when you darn well please, and run until you are happy with it. Every step you take is one closer to where you want to be.

headphones.. that way i dont need to hear anyone remind me that i have tig ole bitties if i decide to run on a hot day in a tank top

Try to get into the zone! then you wont notice other people.

It's always the same thing: I get ready to go for a run, I get out there, I start running...and then the anxiety hits me. I am scared people are looking at me or that I look stupid. Today I only made it ten minutes before I had to go home, as I usually run at night when it's less busy.

Any ideas on how to overcome this fear? I know no one is ACTUALLY paying attention to me, it's just hard to get over...

The people who count respect what you are doing - the rest are ambivalent or don't get it. Who cares about the latter two groups? A lot of people wish they could run but don't have the motivation or physically are unable - you can and do, so appreciate your capabilities and run!

I usually run early in the day or later in the evening. Headphones definitely help me tune everything out and I wear a hat with a long brim so if I suddenly start feeling shy while I'm running I can just lower my head a little and block everyone else. I just recently worked up the nerve to start running on the busier main road by my house instead of sticking to the side streets. Honestly, in the 8 months I've been running outside I've only ever had one person really notice me: a fellow runner who gave me a big grin and a thumbs up as she passed me. I started out about 230 lbs and was so nervous, but now I'm realizing that I really didn't need to be! (And honestly: when you're driving, how much attention do you pay to joggers besides making sure you don't hit them? Everyone has their mind on their own lives, not what some random stranger is doing when they pass by for three seconds )

You made it 10 minutes today!!! Congratulations! Now, just try for 11 tomorrow! Keep trying, and I promise that eventually you will lose that self-consciousness. Oh - and buy yourself some really cute running clothes that make you feel good (well, that helps me anyway!):)
also - absolutely no one can tell how fast you are going or how hard you are breathing if you are just running past them or they are driving past. And, honestly, breathing hard means you are working hard - and who would criticize that? There are often times that I am breathing very hard even though I am running VERY slow because I just finished a fartlek or speed repeat. Other runners know this, and non runners think all runner must breath hard