When I see overweight people running...

I remember about 10 years ago (before I had a weight problem myself), there was a very large fellow who used to run by my apartment -- I noticed him because he passed by me on my way to classes at the same time each day. My thoughts always were, "good for him!!"

I didn't see him for about 6 months because of my timetable changing, but then ran into him after that...and I could not BELIEVE how fit he looked! He had great muscle definition in his legs and arms and looked like he probably had an average BMI. That was so inspiring to see, and it always stuck with me. Once I did develop a weight problem, I used the memory of that fellow to motivate myself.

Inspired!

I am always happy to see people up and moving, regardless of size or age. Whether it is walking, running, lifting, zumba, or anything else, they are taking the initiative to be healthier than the countless number of people who live completely sedentary lives.

I have to tell you, I WAS one of those overweight people running. I let off over the winter and know I will have to start again. But I weighed 243 pounds when I started running. I was doing Weight Watchers as well. But I lost 18 pounds in two months doing WW and interval running.

I started out doing the Couch Potato to 5k schedule, but couldn't keep moving to the next level at that pace. But I was amazed that I could run at all. The first time I ran for one minute, I thought I was going to die! After my two minute walk, I ran again, thinking I'd run as far as I could...even if it wasn't for a whole minute. But I did it! The first 'run', I ran five full minutes...though none of them in a row. by the time I stopped running, I was running 20 minutes, five minutes at a time.

I'm sure I never looked pretty. And maybe there were folks who pointed and laughed. but I never heard or saw them. I just kept telling myself that this was a good thing for me.

One advantage I had though was that I wasn't the only overweight person doing that workout. I mean, there were times when I was the only one on the track, but there were several people in my hometown that were taking up that workout...all of us in various places of fitness.

Good luck with your running! And don't get discouraged if it takes you more than 6wks to 5k. Just keep running. You'll be great!

I don't know if you will read this, since there's already seven pages and counting. I think mature people think positive things when seeing overweight people running. You're taking a proactive stance on your health. Keep it up! There is a concern I have after reading your post. You stated that you were possibly looking for a more secluded place to run versus the busy park you're currently using. Don't. Be very careful if you are running by yourself. It's better to endure an occasional insult than dying. After Sherry Arnold's death out in Montana, it really was an eye opener. If someone has already addressed this in the thread, I apologize in advance!

Honestly, I fear for how others may treat them. I have been mocked/made fun of more than once for speed-walking, and I was thinner then than I am now. I was so humiliated that eventually I quit walking along the lake that I live on. I love the trail along the lake. It is beautiful, and I miss it. I can't wait until I lose more weight so that I can feel confident enough to enjoy it again.

When I see a *person* exercising, no matter what size they are, I give them a smile and a mental "high five."

1) Jealous! Especially if it's on my lunch break and they get to be out their burnin it up in the warm weather
2)Super jealous if they are faster than me and I try to figure out why I'm so much slower (I often blame my short legs- pretty sure that's not it)
3) I worry about their joints, their endurance, I wonder how their diet is, where they are in their journey, what they did to work up to it
4) always proud and inspired!
I'll be honest- I'm critical of myself so it does translate to my thoughts about others- but mostly as a way to define myself. I'm having the issue of not knowing where I am, how the rest of the world perceives my body size, how I perceive my body size. So I think things like " I wonder if my *insert body part* look like that/used to look like that/are bigger/smaller."
I think about the shoes they are wearing (I'm slightly more into the minamalist thing). I think A LOT about form, are they hunched/am I hunched.
So NOT GOING TO LIE, I notice their jiggles, lumps and bumps. It's motivation for me to keep working toward my goal. and I send love to them for sometimes letting me beat them, and other times kicking my butt and giving me something to work toward.

Don't let your mind or subconscious control you!!!! I am well overweight, even with the 50 lbs that I've lost so far. It was such a big struggle for me to start running/ jogging on the treadmill in my gym.

Many times, I would try to work myself up to jogging but failed each and every time. I only started jogging as my trainer was standing beside me supporting me.

When i was done.... I wanted to kick myself in the rear for being such a chicken little. It really was an unnecessary mental block and turmoil that I was putting myself through.

Today, several weeks later, I still feel a bit self conscious as I'm on the treadmill jogging but tell myself to @#$& it as I'm there for me and not for others.

My mentality has always been if people don't like what they see..... DON:T LOOK!!!!!

Good luck on your journey and keep up the great work!!! Although be careful with those folks in their cars!!! LOL

As an overweight person who runs everyday, I can totally relate. I joined an all women's gym because I thought I would feel more comfortable but I still feel uncomfortable sometimes because I feel like people are looking at me.

However, there are lot of people that are 1. smaller than me and 2. bigger than me who are all doing less work than me. When I see someone my size walk on 2 miles per hour it pushes me to work really really hard because i WANT the change.

The biggest thing that discourages me is when I run (or do anything) I sweat...BAD...like the whole front of my shirt on my neckline is soaked...and women definitely look at me like i'm disgusting. o__O

I am about to start week 2 of Couch to 5k and I like to do my walk/jogs in a secluded area with not too many people looking at me. I mean, I know its something that I am going to get over with progress, but now I prefer not too many extra eyes. The park that I go to has a lot of people who park their cars without getting out. Awkward.

Anyway, these people dont keep me from doing my workout, never said anything. And I am down with the idea of ignoring them and working out just for myself, but to be real, this is what is on my mind, soooooooo I'm curious what YOU think (if anything) when you see somone overweight working out/running, and how you feel if you are the one working out/running???

Off to my run, but shall return!!

I am self conscious too. Especially when I first started running. I still go at dusk though :embarassed: and I don't feel as out of place anymore but now I am self conscious because I pant and gasp for air and people at the track probably think I am going to pass out any minute.

I am slightly overweight, but when I see someone more overweight than me, sigificantly overweight actually, I am happy for them! I think it is great.

I personally think its great to see somebody of a larger size jogging/running, but dont think i will go there again myself, not until alot lighter, this was due to nasty remarks made by 3 late teen/early 20's group of men, making rude comments as I went by whilst out jogging with a vastly slimmer friend, so unfortunately has put me right off and knocked my confidence.

Mean/stupid people SUCK. And there are plenty of them out there. I hate that happened to you. I am certainly one of those people who feel like people are looking at me. Maybe i will get up the confidence to participate in a 5K soon!

I would have a lot of respect for the bigger person exercising, yesterday in the gym there was this very large lady on the bike in front of me, and she was going at it like her life depended on it, sweat pouring and noises being made! I thought massive respect to her, I wanted to say great job, but dont that would be strange coming from a stranger. if everyone but effort in like that hey....

next time say something like that, great job, nice burn, man if we were in a race you would have left me in the dust!! coming from a young good lookin guy like you it will probably make her day!!