I'm embarrassed to run...
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madxwolf
Posts: 1 Member
I'm 265lbs but I've always dreamed about being a runner. I need to get my weight significantly down for a surgery I'm having in about a year. I know running will be a huge help to weight loss but... I'm embarrassed to run while being over weight. I feel like people will laugh at me on the street for being "that fat guy running". Does anyone have advice on how I can get over my anxiety?
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Replies
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We all had to start somewhere. If you like running get out there. Put on your favorite music and tune out the world. Watch out for traffic though.16
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Hop in feet first and get moving. Don't care what "other people" are doing or thinking. The only feelings that count are yours. You want to run? Run.3
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What other people think of you is irrelevant! You are doing this for your health and your future. Focus on yourself. Start by walking and add in jogging intervals. Gradually increase the intervals but first and foremost make sure you have good, supportive, well-fitting shoes. You can derail yourself quickly if you injure a foot or ankle.
I hope your upcoming surgery goes well! Also, remember, if anyone laughs at you for being "that fat guy running" then they need to take a serious look at themselves and work on their own issues.17 -
When I started weight training I was the only girl in my gym. I got weird stares and had people try to judge everything i did. I don't know about your local ymca but all the ones around me usually have beginners and older people in them. Maybe get a membership to your local Y and start there. Everyone's a begginer there. Once you get over what people think ( including those close to you) beautiful things start to happen. Good luck with your surgery !5
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There are a lot of obese runners. I know many who have lost 100 or more pounds and who have gone from couch to marathon or more in a couple of years. You can do it. Just take it slow and easy. (Google "fat girl running" a blog from one runner who runs ultras (50-100 mile races) at 250 pounds for inspiration.)
When I started running, I wasn't overweight, but I was older (55) and I was embarrassed at having people laugh at the old lady out there waddle/jogging. (I'm slow.) The first three months I only ran indoors. A few things changed that: 1) I stopped caring what others thought, I knew what I wanted/needed to do (run outside) and to hell with anyone who thought I looked funny, 2) I realized that most people weren't even noticing me for more than a few seconds as they drove by, if they noticed me at all, and 3) I considered that when I did see a bigger person out running, walking or biking, my main thought was, "Way to go! You're doing great." So I started to assume that the few people who thought about me at all were most likely thinking, "Good job grandma." Now I never worry about it. I figure I'm setting a good example for those who choose to see it and for the rest, who cares?26 -
I found a somewhat remote and very pretty area and started off by walking for a few months. Then I did C25k. I'm still really slow, but I don't care.11
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Don't worry about it. I'm sure there's always going to be *that* person that judges, but most people won't. When I see an obese person running, I'm in awe of them and think "look at that, they are trying to get healthy." I'm in the suburbs and, to be honest, I see a LOT of obese people jogging so it's not unusual. I understand your worries though. I think we are all worried about being judged for something in our appearance if we don't think we measure up to the athletic body type. I was pretty worried about jogging for the first time in my 50s. I thought I'd look like some old woman just learning how to run. But I just did it.5
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People may well laugh. [impolite verb] them. The most important voice is the one in your head, and if that voice is telling you to get moving, then get moving. And who knows? You could well end up being the inspiration for somebody else who's hesitant to start ... to start.
Finally, be prepared for running to be unpleasant, at least at first. Just about every runner I know (including myself), has gone through some variation of these stages:- I HATE running!
- I don't really enjoy running, but it's a means to an end.
- I actually like running.
- I LOVE running!
- I ... I sort of need running.
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I think you need to lose weight before starting to run or you'll damage your joints. Try biking or rollerblading instead, until you drop a few pounds. If weight- loss is your primary objective, your diet is a big factor.5
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I feel the same way about running in public, and if you're like me you are probably not helped by all the confident folks telling you to stop worrying about it and just be confident. You don't just put on confidence ... you have to have some victory first. Here's what I learned.
The fact is, as you run you're body will begin to get stronger, and your form will start to develop. It won't get perfect without some intentional practice, but you'll notice a difference. A big difference. Believe me when I tell you that eventually ... you won't look like such an idiot when you do it, and that is a great victory. Confidence will come.
True story.
In the meantime, run outside if you can. I started running in the evenings under cover of darkness. Early mornings are the same way. If you're stuck running at the gym, try to find one of those 24 hour places and go when no one else is there ... at least until your confidence starts to build. It'll happen, you just have to go out and get some victory under your belt.19 -
I'm 265lbs but I've always dreamed about being a runner. I need to get my weight significantly down for a surgery I'm having in about a year. I know running will be a huge help to weight loss but... I'm embarrassed to run while being over weight. I feel like people will laugh at me on the street for being "that fat guy running". Does anyone have advice on how I can get over my anxiety?
I'm super self conscious when I am running, all the time. Never when I am biking or doing anything else. Always just with running whether I run inside or outside. Sometimes I wear a hat, sometimes I wear sunglasses even if it's not super sunny (it's a security blanket thing I think). It might look crazy, but it works for me. The key is that you are doing something for you, and you should be proud of the fact that you have taken that step. I'm always hella embarrassed when I start, and then once I get going I am trying not to die, so my mind tends to focus on staying alive rather than being embarrassed. Couch to 5k is a great way to start because it's walking and jogging, so it can kind of get you started even though you feel weird.
I can't help you feel less weird, but I can tell you that we all feel pretty weird running, especially at first.6 -
You might consider a treadmill at first while you get comfortable with being a runner.1
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I'm 265lbs but I've always dreamed about being a runner. I need to get my weight significantly down for a surgery I'm having in about a year. I know running will be a huge help to weight loss but... I'm embarrassed to run while being over weight. I feel like people will laugh at me on the street for being "that fat guy running". Does anyone have advice on how I can get over my anxiety?
Man I hear ya! I felt like a lumbering buffalo when I started, and it sucked. Bad. I felt like everyone was laughing at me. The thing that helped me was the thought that I knew running would improve my health and help reduce my weight and that was less embarrassing than to continue being overweight. So, I gutted it out. Good luck!!9 -
I was 260 lbs a year ago. Honestly, I wouldn't start with running for weight loss. If you haven't been working out, a 5 minute jog will wipe you out, but not accomplish much in the way of burning calories.
I started with the elliptical, at 12 minutes, and gradually added time, working my way up to 60 minute workouts. Since it's in the home/gym, there's no judging from strangers. Plus, it burns far more calories than a short run. I hit 199 in Sept, and started running, and my knees thanked me for not doing it earlier. I still had to start at 10 minute runs since it's a different kind of workout, but I did complete my first 5K this year.
TL;DR version: use a longer low impact activity to start, and run later.4 -
Is your surgery related to weight loss? Has a doctor cleared you to run? Honestly I think you'd be better served with a lower impact exercise given you have a surgery in the horizon. Running isn't exactly a "huge" help to weight loss. Calorie counting is. If you want to feel good and get the endorphins flowing, a simple power walk is a great choice and you'll burn more calories than if you ran because you can do it 7 days a week for longer sessions. Good luck man... I'm rooting for you in whatever you choose!
P.S. There's no need to be embarassed about bettering yourself. In the grand scheme we all have a pretty short shelf life on this planet. Why not make the most of today? Whether people laugh or don't laugh doesn't change a thing about what's gonna happen in the end.
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I don't know if this advice is practical for where you live/plan to go running, but I was also self-conscious when I started so I ran at night. You have to stay alert to traffic and be safe about it. But it helped me to get started knowing that people couldn't get a good look at me.1
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The people on the street are total strangers. Why worry about what total strangers think? Their opinions are completely meaningless. The people who love you will understand what you're trying to do, and they - and YOU - are the only ones who matter. Good luck on your journey, whether you run, walk, or whatever.4
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One of the things I learned very quickly when I started running is that we're invisible, we become part of the urban landscape (one of the reasons we need to be vigilant around traffic). I can't speak for non-runners but you'll find that most other runners are supportive and encouraging of your decision to lead a healthier life.7
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I started running when I was 40lbs more than I am now. It's a great way to lose weight and feel better. When I started I did more walking than running but now I can do 5 miles without walking. My motto is do it for yourself and don't give a damn about people who want to laugh at you. They are the insecure ones
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Stupid people will laugh on you.
Thoughtful people will see a person who has the courage to take charge of himself
Why consider stupid people ?
Note : I started to run and swim @ 341 lbs >> so I am the best here to talk
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