I'm embarrassed to run...

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

madxwolf wrote: »

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.

madxwolf wrote: »

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!!

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.

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

I'm a big guy runner, and never have received any negativity while running, even when I was doing it around 300lbs. Actually I think I have received a little too much positive attention, where I've had people giving me thumbs up while driving by, or yelling good job big guy. It's really weird the only time I ever get crap is when I wear this nike shirt while walking around that says "We run in Mass" on it, and I have had people comment saying "you run" and before I can say anything my wife is usually throwing them some shade.

I started running when I was at 280pounds just walk and jog at first. I have to admit I preferred cycling as it was more comfortable. But if you enjoy it, do it. You'll be running laps round the guy sat on the sofa

I started running when I weighed 215 lb. I was self conscious too. But here's the thing: there are three types of people who are watching you:

1) Runners who are currently out for a run. They are most likely thinking something like, "hey, another runner! Good job!"
2) Runners who are not currently out for a run. They are most likely thinking something like, "wow, I'd like to go for a run right now! I'm jealous of you!"
3) Non-runners. They might be thinking, "maybe I ought to run too," or else they're probably thinking, "oh, there's a runner." It's possible they're thinking something mean, but if they are, screw 'em. You're faster than everyone on the couch.

Let me tell you a story to illustrate this. Three miles is my usual run, three times a week, and I add mileage to that if I'm training for something. I run the same route on most days. Back in the warmest days of July, coming out of the third of five miles, my body just did not want to move anymore. It was like swimming in molasses. I was running my usual route and distance, but maybe it was the heat or humidity. Whatever the cause, I was barely moving.
A car pulled over next to me, which made me nervous. It was in broad daylight in a populated area with lots of foot traffic, but I am a very small person (both short and near my goal weight) and physically exhausted. You never know what might happen. The passenger side window rolled down and the driver waved. "I always see you out here," she said, "and I just wanted to tell you what a good job you're doing."
It turns out that she works in the neighborhood where I run, so she's usually on her way to work while I'm running. She said that for several months, she had noticed how much more I used to struggle and how much weight I had lost. We chatted for a minute, and I told her how much her words meant to me.
So yes, people might be looking at you. But you might be surprised by what they're actually thinking.

I was about 230 lbs. and started walking around my apartment complex. Just walking at a slow pace I was huffing and puffing and sweating. People would watch me and I could imagine what they were thinking. I became known as the old walker guy.

Now I can jog up to 5 miles and power walk up to 10 miles. Some of the same people who used to watch me back then now cheer me on, and I even see them walking from time to time.

Oh, and I've lost over 50 lbs. so far.

Don't worry about what other people think. just do it for you.

Most all of the people I know who exercise regularly think, "Good on you!" when they see an overweight person working out because it shows that they've made the decision to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle.

Also, it's better to be "that fat guy running" than "that fat guy eating a donut".