Too embarrassed to run....?

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.

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.

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.

heathergarland2013 wrote: »

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!! (:

When I first started running (less than a year ago) I felt the same. I could only jog for 30 seconds before needing 1 minute and 30 seconds walking to recover. I was so big that I had to wear men's tops (they didn't do women's running tops big enough). I know exactly how you are feeling. I felt such relief when the park was empty and genuine fear that I'd be mocked if there were lots of people there.

I'd run (and still do) in a park where there are trees both sides of the path so I didn't feel so exposed.
Little by little 5 seconds would be added to my running time and 5 seconds would be taken off the walking time until one day I ran for 14 minutes solid without walking. Now the only way is up - 10 months after my first attempt at running I signed up for my first 10km charity run. The run was on Tuesday and I did it, raising lots of money for a children's charity along the way.

I've turned into one of those people you see who runs forever and doesn't walk and I'd like to assure you that whenever I see someone else running regardless of size, shape, how much they're sweating, how red they've turned, the only thing I'm ever thinking is "Great job!" (or occasional kit envy if they have great clothes/running shoes!).

There is a possibility that there are unkind people out there who will judge us and/or mock us but if they have nothing better to do with their lives, they deserve our pity. You're doing great, it will take time but you'll get to the point where you're running without stopping and you'll genuinely enjoy your running - stick with it!

I was like this, exactly like this. Until one day I just thought *kitten* it, why should I care what anybody thinks of me this is my body, my health and my life not theirs. At first I began running at night when it was dark just to get into the swing on things and help with my anxiety, I was struggling to complete even half a mile. Now I've reached 3, and I have fallen in love with running! It has so many benefits, I'm so much happier, more confident, I look better and I actually enjoy it. Just hold your head high, put on your running trainers, headphones in, music on and RUN.

I started walk/running in my neighborhood at well over 200 pounds. At night so fewer people would see me.
That was two years, four half marathons and a marathon ago. Now when I'm in my gear in the mornings I have neighbors I've never talked to before pulling over to tell me how amazing my transformation is and how I have inspired them. It take some guts to start, but I promise it's worth it!

(PS Compression pants are your friend. They make running more comfortable and make me a little more confident.)

heathergarland2013 wrote: »

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!! (:

Why do you want to run? Do you have a goal in mind like a race? Think about that.
If you don't have a particular reason to run right now then maybe start with just fast walking or explore other exercises.

I've always felt stupid running so I do other exercises.

I see by your profile that you are 19, so I understand that you worry about what people think. My daughter is 18 and she is the same way. As you get older, you'll realize it doesn't matter that much. Once I hit 40, I decided I didn't give a crap what people thought. And besides that, as others have said, you really don't know what they're thinking.

I am 50 now and still have some weight to go til goal. Last summer I was running through my neighborhood and some guys driving buy called me a MILF. Some women might've been offended, but I'll take it.