Too embarrassed to run....?
heathergarland2013
Posts: 11 Member
I feel so silly when I try to get out and run down my road. First off, im overweight so I know that anyone who sees me running is thinking "she needs to be running!" And when I try to jog or run, I feel like i run like a hippopotamus! Lol i just dont have super great coordination when it comes to running and I can't run for long distances so I feel embarrassed when I only run for 30 seconds and then stop because the people I see running are those who run for ever and never walk. All in all, im embarrassed to run. Is there anyone else who has been through or going through the same thing? I would love to know how you dealt or are dealing with it (: Please no negative comments! Thanks!! (:
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You don't know what everyone is thinking. Frankly, when I see people out running - no matter their weight - I think either a) hey, good for you or b) ignore them completely. IF anyone thinks poorly of you for trying to improve yourself, they must live a sad, sad life. Can you try running somewhere else with more crossroads? Sometimes I'll run at the big local cemetery (everyone does it, don't hate) where there are tons of little roads so if I see people ahead, I can just turn to avoid them.
Also, don't worry about only running for 30 seconds. Look up a C25K (couch 2 5K) program and follow it so you can increase your endurance. Again, don't worry about what other people think. If you pass them during your walk breaks and feel bad, just think...they don't know if you just ran 30 seconds or 30 minutes. They shouldn't judge.0 -
I have found that people who are runners, really any people who actively exercise themselves in any form, are encouraging and will not say anything negative. My biggest cheerleaders are my fit friends because they sincerely like seeing people trying to make positive changes.
Will you get comments? Maybe. But you can't let that effect or stop you. Regardless of what you think you look like - what you TRULY look like is someone taking charge of her health. Go for it, for 30 seconds, for a minute, for however long you can. You can do this!!0 -
pteryndactyl wrote: »You don't know what everyone is thinking. Frankly, when I see people out running - no matter their weight - I think either a) hey, good for you or b) ignore them completely. IF anyone thinks poorly of you for trying to improve yourself, they must live a sad, sad life. Can you try running somewhere else with more crossroads? Sometimes I'll run at the big local cemetery (everyone does it, don't hate) where there are tons of little roads so if I see people ahead, I can just turn to avoid them.
Also, don't worry about only running for 30 seconds. Look up a C25K (couch 2 5K) program and follow it so you can increase your endurance. Again, don't worry about what other people think. If you pass them during your walk breaks and feel bad, just think...they don't know if you just ran 30 seconds or 30 minutes. They shouldn't judge.
Thank you! I know I shouldn't worry what others think but my weight has always been what I'm self conscience about! Thank you, though! This really helped! (:0 -
I wrote a blog about this once. While it would be nice to be the trim blonde with the flippy ponytail and the $65.00 skintight Nike tank top, making it look easy, I'm just not.
But I've noticed that, in general, no one cares what I'm doing. If anyone notices me, at least they have thusfar kept their traps shut.0 -
Everyone starts somewhere! You are running more than someone sitting on the couch! Just keep trying and you will be able to run longer and faster. I use Mapmyrun to show me I am getting faster/ able to run longer. Don't worry what other people think, if you keep it up you will be passing people! Good job!0
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I have found that people who are runners, really any people who actively exercise themselves in any form, are encouraging and will not say anything negative. My biggest cheerleaders are my fit friends because they sincerely like seeing people trying to make positive changes.
Will you get comments? Maybe. But you can't let that effect or stop you. Regardless of what you think you look like - what you TRULY look like is someone taking charge of her health. Go for it, for 30 seconds, for a minute, for however long you can. You can do this!!
Thank you!! I really appreciate it! (:0 -
jennifer_417 wrote: »I wrote a blog about this once. While it would be nice to be the trim blonde with the flippy ponytail and the $65.00 skintight Nike tank top, making it look easy, I'm just not.
But I've noticed that, in general, no one cares what I'm doing. If anyone notices me, at least they have thusfar kept their traps shut.
Lol! I guess i have been comparing myself to that "perfect runner girl" a lot which may be the reason im so reluctant to run... lol thank you!0 -
jakbreckon wrote: »Everyone starts somewhere! You are running more than someone sitting on the couch! Just keep trying and you will be able to run longer and faster. I use Mapmyrun to show me I am getting faster/ able to run longer. Don't worry what other people think, if you keep it up you will be passing people! Good job!
Thank you! You've really helped to motivate me !!! (:0 -
I have found that people who are runners, really any people who actively exercise themselves in any form, are encouraging and will not say anything negative. My biggest cheerleaders are my fit friends because they sincerely like seeing people trying to make positive changes.
Will you get comments? Maybe. But you can't let that effect or stop you. Regardless of what you think you look like - what you TRULY look like is someone taking charge of her health. Go for it, for 30 seconds, for a minute, for however long you can. You can do this!!
Co-sign the bolded. I can't promise you no one is going to honk or yell things (it's happened to me all over the BMI chart), but you're not being judged like you think you will be. And I could barely run at the beginning of the year, when I decided to start running (about 2 minutes). Now I go 45 minutes 3-4 days a week.0 -
Just walk at this point in time vs risking your health by running.0
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Trust me, the only people who would judge you for turning your life around are people who don't matter! Do it for yourself, it's your body and your quality of life and Keep at it.. as time goes by people will look at you, think to themselves "damn I wish I could do that"
Get a skipping rope that counts how many skips you have done, start off doing 50 skips x 10 .. If you can't finish, don't worry keep at it and eventually you'll be able to do it for longer! (A little cardio you can do in your own home)0 -
Thank y'all so much! You've all really encouraged me! I shouldn't care what others think at all! You guys are awesome!! (:
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I am 52 years old and just lost 130 lbs over the last 2 years and began running last year. The weight loss benefits are great if you stick with it. I LOVE it! Getting ready to train for my first 5K in October. Stay strong and #nevergiveup!!0
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Whenever someone is self-conscious about running, I suggest they watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HuqNdQJSTY
If someone makes comments, about whatever, that's THEIR problem, don't make it yours. Any decent human being is going to admire you for getting out there. And if they're not a decent person, who the heck cares what they think! You're doing something good for your body, your health and your future. You should be proud!
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Have you looked at the "Couch to 5K" program? It is just a method of starting slow -- mostly walking with short bursts of running -- and then moving up to running a bit more and a bit more until you are running a 5K. I mention it because you might find that doing something that is part of a planned program will make it feel more "legitimate" when you have to stop to walk. I am doing it and I find it helps. If I happen to see someone when I am shifting from running to walking I think "I'm supposed to do this. If they knew they would know it is not just because I am slacking off." And I feel less self conscious. Google C25K. You can download an app to your phone (that is what I did) or you can just print out the instructions and follow it on your own.0
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When I was in college I was 125 pounds and I ran 5 miles a day and I never stopped for a break until I was done. But when I did see a larger person running I actually remember thinking to myself how awesome it was that they were out there running. I remember thinking to myself if I had 100 pounds extra to carry how far could I get. So now here I am 25 years later carrying that extra 100 pounds. So NO I don't think anyone's looking down on you they're just trying to imagine if they could do that. True runners understand the commitment it takes to build up endurance to run long distances and none of them got there in a day. Even when I was 125 pounds it took a very long time before I got to a quick 5 mile pace. Trust me the true runners aren't judging you one bit.0
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The only way too get better at running is... To run!
It feels so foreign and silly at first but it gets more natural and you find your rhythm. Don't worry
don't waste time caring about who sees. Not worth the time! 0 -
For the same reason...my wife and I started doing our walking/running (with the C25K app) at night:-) it worked great for us.0
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I live in a small neighborhood where the entire walk is a little over a mile. When I first moved here nearly ten years ago, I walked but felt stupid, and it didn't last long. Nearly a year ago I got a dog. While walking the dog, I found out that nearly half my neighbors have indoor dogs, as they bark every time I and my dog walk past their house. I love my dog, but sheesh! he costs a LOT of money! Although I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world, I wish I had offered to walk the neighbors' dogs instead. When walking a dog, it's like you have a purpose.0
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I have three dog and do 2hr walking with them each day. I'd love to be able to run with them, they are greyhounds so they would enjoy it too! But like you I lack the confidence an worry what people would say! I think I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and get on with it! In sure after a few times I won't bother me what people think!0
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All new runners start by doing intervals of walking and running, no one just gets up and runs for 10 miles. Try following a program for beginners, like c25k. You will have specific intervals to focus at and not think about what you cannot do, but focus on what progress you are making.0
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It used to embarrass me to go to a bicycle shop. You don't see many fat people in a bicycle shop. Turns out, there's a reason for that. The people who are motivated enough about cycling to pay for the higher quality at a bicycle shop, are motivated to get their weight under control, because their weight has a direct impact on their sport. If you enjoy running, then keep on running. It may be embarrassing for a while, but shaving seconds off your time may be the motivation you need to lose weight.0
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heathergarland2013 wrote: »jennifer_417 wrote: »I wrote a blog about this once. While it would be nice to be the trim blonde with the flippy ponytail and the $65.00 skintight Nike tank top, making it look easy, I'm just not.
But I've noticed that, in general, no one cares what I'm doing. If anyone notices me, at least they have thusfar kept their traps shut.
Lol! I guess i have been comparing myself to that "perfect runner girl" a lot which may be the reason im so reluctant to run... lol thank you!
That "perfect runner girl" had to go for a first run at some point, and probably felt awkward and nervous too. These people you see running may very well stop for walking breaks, but you only see them on a short stretch of their run so you aren't aware of it. People will 'notice' you, as obviously they will want to not get in your way or run you over with their car, but it is very unlikely they will think anything negative about you at all - and if they do say anything, it means they're being unpleasant more than it means you should be ashamed of the way you run. Alternating periods of walking and running is a great way to build it up, so actually you'd be training smart by doing that. I'm sure after you've been out a few times you'll feel much less self conscious, and eventually it won't bother you at all.0 -
I had to face this and the truth is that nobody really cares You see all sorts of people in all sorts of clothing and in all kinds of states around here.
I used to be completely shot after 200 metres - I ran seven miles last week and I have never regretted getting over that 'embarrassment' hurdle. When I am trying to knock a few seconds off a PB I don't even think about it any more, even if everyone going past can see me and hear my rather laboured breathing.
I found that wearing a baseball cap helped - once I put that on I looked totally different and felt weirdly more anonymous.
This is my favourite take on this kind of situation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoAC-2yJ2fQ 0 -
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This is my favourite take on this kind of situation:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoAC-2yJ2fQ
That video is awesome!
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If there is a soccer field complex that is a good place to run,jog,walk.
Every form of body is out there!
I jogged and walked at 115 lbs more than I am now. I would be panting at 20 seconds of jogging.
I'm sure I looked the wreck that I was.
Looking back, I never ever want to go thru that again. It is motivation to keep on track.
You are doing great to work at it and try!
Hang in there. Remember these days 6 months from now. You may look back and laugh
I laugh now. But I did cry a little when I had to throw away every single piece of clothes I had and buy new!
3X to L
It was expensive but I kept one shirt as a reminder. Just like those days I felt embarrassed to jog and bounce like a jelly bowl.
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Cryptonomnomicon wrote: »
I know this guy thought he was being helpful, but he's a class A jerk. This person didn't need the shaming wrapped up in trying to be motivating.
There is also a response out there on the internet from the person who this is about and they basically said...who do you think you are assuming all that about me? It's people like this that can keep people from going out there in the first place.
Sorry are you calling me a Jerk? I was unaware of the response from the Runner mentioned (Tony Posnanski) till now. Yes I can see Tony's reasons for being upset after reading his response (http://theantijared.com/2014/03/man-judged-westview-track.html) but I was ignorant of the fact that he felt this way and this is the first I have heard of it or had a negative response from posting the FB status but I will refrain from doing so from now on.
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