Way too self concious....

jax5103
jax5103 Posts: 19
edited September 24 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey all!

Any advice on building courage to go outside and jog in public? I always run on my treadmill and I love the privacy of doing it at home without worry. I am just afraid of people judging me while driving past.... I know, who cares right? But its kind of like stage fright for me and I really want to since its starting to get nice out again! I wanna enjoy the outdoors!!!


Jax

Replies

  • merzback
    merzback Posts: 453 Member
    When you drive down the street, do you look at everyone and judge them? Of course not. If anyone's dumb enough to judge you, it's THEIR problem. It's good to get out and enjoy the nice weather. People are too concerned about their own lives to worry about you running or walking outside. :)
  • valeriebpdx
    valeriebpdx Posts: 497 Member
    What I think when I run is that everyone in the world either feels a kinship with me or envies me. I don't look down on runners I am faster than and I hope faster runners don't look down on me--we're all out there doing what we love trying to stay healthy. And if you don't run, you probably wish you could. So get out there and enjoy the outdoors! (Not every runner smiles and/or waves at other runners--no reflection on you. Probably just people who are trying to hit a goal pace ... or take themselves a little too seriously.)
  • warmachinejt
    warmachinejt Posts: 2,162 Member
    I just stare at jogging people
    So if you go outside and jog I'll stare. That's all. That's all anyone can do. What else? Yell at you or something?
  • nanc94
    nanc94 Posts: 141 Member
    i work out at the gym and recently tried doing sprint intervals on the treadmill it took me a long time to get courage to do that but i see alot of others that are bigger or older than me that are running for long periods....it actually encouraged me to try. i may not look graceful or cant go longer than a minute at a time but im doing it....and same thing with walkers/runners outdoors...im proud of them
  • merzback
    merzback Posts: 453 Member
    Honestly what's sad is that people are afraid to go to the gym, but no matter how big I ever was, I always liked to go to the gym, and didn't really care what people thought. Don't spend time worrying about people you don't know and what they think of you. Worry about how you will feel inside.
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    While I understand the issue (and that it is real), people don't judge you as much as you think they do. 90% of those folks driving by haven't performed any sort of physical exercise since high school and are secretly envious that you are out there and jogging!

    But if you really are concerned, and I DO get that:

    -Try running at dawn or at dusk. Having done both of these, I can tell you that dawn is more dangerous because most people who are driving aren't really awake--they see you and drift towards you. I did a lot of curb-hopping when I was an early morning runner!

    On their way home from work (dusk) they just flat out aren't paying attention so you'd better be to not get run over. ;)

    -Drive to a quiet neighborhood and run there.

    -Drive to a park and run there-no traffic!
  • loriefolk
    loriefolk Posts: 352
    Tell yourself that you're worth it!
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    Umm... I'm an attention *kitten* so I don't know if I can help but I can say that if I was out dog dodging and you asked me if you could join me, I would be more than happy to oblige. Is that the rite word?

    What I'm trying to say is, find a runner and be straight up about your concerns. I'm sure you would feel way better with a partner. There is a trail near my house and I see people all decked out in running clothes sitting in their cars waiting for the crowd to go. I ask all the time if they want to join me. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.
  • Serafimangel
    Serafimangel Posts: 174 Member
    it took me ages, i had to get to a certain weight before i could step outside in joggers It doesn't help that in paris, people seem to like making fun of joggers as they jog past. but hey, i'm wearing trainers, and have streched, so I flip them off :D
  • kacarter1017
    kacarter1017 Posts: 651 Member
    Start by running at times when few people will be out and about- quite early or a bit later in the evening. If that won't work, then just go!! I was out running at close to my peak weight (I'm 5'7" and weighed probably 180+). I know that I had body parts in conflict with each other as I jogged- probably wasn't the cutest thing to see. But, I figured anybody who drove, walked, ran, biked, by me darn well better give me credit for being out there trying to be healthy and not pay attention to the rest.
  • Serafimangel
    Serafimangel Posts: 174 Member
    Start by running at times when few people will be out and about- quite early or a bit later in the evening. If that won't work, then just go!! I was out running at close to my peak weight (I'm 5'7" and weighed probably 180+). I know that I had body parts in conflict with each other as I jogged- probably wasn't the cutest thing to see. But, I figured anybody who drove, walked, ran, biked, by me darn well better give me credit for being out there trying to be healthy and not pay attention to the rest.

    Agreed, I have nothing for major respect for joggers, no matter their size (cos once you start joggin yourself, you relise how damn hard it is!)
  • TheReluctantDragon
    TheReluctantDragon Posts: 21
    I'm so not the most attractive jogger.

    Picture this:

    5'9, 160 pound girl dressed in brown,muddy tennis, bright blue fuzzy socks, a turquoise jacket, mismatched gloves (one moss green, one black), and all topped off with a bright neon reflective vest. Yeah, I've worn that before.

    I'm the queen of laughable joggers. But I just kind of tune people out if I'm not jogging at night or in the morning. The more blythe you look, the only thing people can think is, "I wish I could be that happy looking that bad." =D
  • jen0619
    jen0619 Posts: 414
    Just think of it as they are seeing you exercising and thinking..damn look at her go. Maybe I should be doing that too? I just try to stay positive when I run. I like to think people are happy I am doing something good for myself. It's not what people usually think but it has always helped me!
  • merzback
    merzback Posts: 453 Member
    Just think of it as they are seeing you exercising and thinking..damn look at her go. Maybe I should be doing that too? I just try to stay positive when I run. I like to think people are happy I am doing something good for myself. It's not what people usually think but it has always helped me!

    I agree 100 percent! If people stare it's because they are envious that you are actually DOING what they want to do! :)
  • jax5103
    jax5103 Posts: 19
    Thanks all! I am thinking I am gonna start out with the super early in the morning run because I want to get my metabolism up for the day....(and because it will still be kinda dark out and no one will see how haggard I look lol).... I really dont know why I worry about it but its just sort of frightening. I love attention too but not when I am a hot mess....haha!

    Jax
  • Flyntiggr
    Flyntiggr Posts: 898 Member
    Maybe reluctant has an idea... Find the brightest, gaudiest clothes you can find, and run in those. Then, they are looking at your clothes, and not your running form. ;). I look like a gangly nut when I run out doors, but I figure if people are looking at me, they are saying, 'man, I envy her. She is out there running and getting healthy while I'm sitting in my car eating my burger and fries.'
  • halphord
    halphord Posts: 379 Member
    I know that if I see someone out running/walking..no matter their shape or size, I always think to myself " I need to be out doing that!!!" so...it's always a motivation to me to get out.
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    Maybe reluctant has an idea... Find the brightest, gaudiest clothes you can find, and run in those. Then, they are looking at your clothes, and not your running form. ;). I look like a gangly nut when I run out doors, but I figure if people are looking at me, they are saying, 'man, I envy her. She is out there running and getting healthy while I'm sitting in my car eating my burger and fries.'


    I like it!

    Ya' know... you could expand on this. Get some combat boots and big rusty chain, tell everybody your training for a cage fight! Oh, and spit a lot.
  • Hinto
    Hinto Posts: 52
    I agree with everyone here. If you already run on the treadmill, you know just what awesome exercise it is. I used to run faithfully, but I developed very bad tendonitis in my achilles heels, so now I'm limited to cycling and elliptical.

    One of the reasons I'm hoping to lose weight is to lighten the load, so to speak, to help my legs/feet heal so I can run again.

    Just go for it, you won't regret it!

    Good luck!
  • WarmDontBurn
    WarmDontBurn Posts: 1,253 Member
    Your post made me think of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_0Ta_DIWuU

    I stare but only because I am seriously jealous.
  • SunnyJiggy
    SunnyJiggy Posts: 7
    I always look at people who is running and think in my head GOSH they are so healthy and get jealous also push the laziness in my head to do something about me.
  • Elzecat
    Elzecat Posts: 2,916 Member
    I can definitely relate to this...right now I am only running on a treadmill inside and am self conscious about that! (I work out at the little fitness center at my apartment complex or at Ballys) But honestly, when I am driving around and see people running outside, what comes to mind is "Wow, look at them go! That's cool! I really should be doing that!" :) I have admired all sizes and shapes and ages of people, simply because I'm impressed that they are running in public...and I hope to get there too within the next couple of months.
  • fbmandy55
    fbmandy55 Posts: 5,263 Member
    My problem is that I am afraid of people seeing me AT ALL. I am so bored with walking all the little side streets in my neighborhood and would love to branch out to the sidewalks on the busier streets that are longer but I am terrified of people seeing me at all, even walking. I would love to be 5'9" and 180lbs but right now I'm 5'9" and 250lbs after my 15 lb weight loss so far. I'm very active, I walk (fast paced) 4+ nights a week and I play on an adult volleyball league once a week int he fall and winter. I really want to try running but can't afford a treadmill and can't afford the Y or a gym and am worried that people will look at me as a fool if I do it outside.

    I wouldn't judge an overweight person out running but then I think about myself being OBESE and can't help but think people would look at that differently, even if health-wise, I am capable.
  • LilLolo22
    LilLolo22 Posts: 229 Member
    I'm actually the opposite. I feel eyes on my MORE when I'm running at the gym. Probably b/c I'm surrounded by other people running/walking and it's hard not to notice what the people around you are doing. I had a treadmill at home for a short while, but it was even MORE boring staring at nothing. I enjoy running outside, I'm super self concious but when you're out there you get into a zone and you don't even notice if and when someone stares at you. Remember, if they are staring, they are probably just thinking to themselves how they should probably be out running too. Haha. Plus, it's nice when you pass other walkers/runners on the street.
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