What's your idea on overweight runners?

When I see someone over weight running I think "Good for them! Getting healthy is the best thing they can do for themselves!"

I am a runner that is overweight. This winter I have done all my running at the gym, -15C+ and running is not fun so I made the point to run at the gym. One day on my run, about 4km in, the person on the treadmill beside me says "um shouldn't you be like done now? Your fat and have been running long and faster then me!". I was mad! Yes I am over weight, but I am I with in my limits and know my body. I told her "Just because I am over weight does not mean I can't do something and do it well. And dear maybe I have something medical wrong with me that is making me this way." Needless to say she shut up. I saw her last week on one of my outside runs, she was struggling up a hill...I slowed down and waited for her....she said she was sorry for judging me and asked if she could run with me. Made me feel pretty good

I was almost 300# when I started running...or attempting to run...and I still weigh around 220...so I say more power to 'em! err...us! :drinker:

But honestly, maybe it's the community I'm from, I've never encountered a single runner that scoffed at me for running. I had one random jack-*kitten* on the street make fun of me one time, but never another runner. They've all been very supportive and cheer me on across the finish line as if I were first place. And anyone that DOES make fun of you isn't worth your time. Keep up the good work!

It might not be pretty, and I'm still in that category, but at least you aren't sitting on your butt eating chips.

Back when I was 230lbs, I did feel "weird" running. People would pass me up like I was walking. Guess what. 45lbs later, only a small amount of people pass me up on runs. (not much people run)

You have to remember that, the skinnier,fit person was not born that way. Who knows where they came from.

I see someone running - I think good on ya! I admire anyone who gets off their butt and does the right thing. I am the slowest runner out there I reckon, and when I run I've had both negative and positive things yelled at me from passing cars. Negative people can bugger off as far as I'm concerned. I know people half my size who couldn't run anywhere near as far or as long as I can!

Besides, you never know, you might just inspire someone else to give it a go!

Keep it up!

I was 247 pounds when I began the C25K program in January.
I am running my first 5k race this weekend:)

When I began I had a few moments where I was wondering what people in their cars were thinking as the drove past, or people I would run across on my route, but after a few days, I realized I dont care what others think. Ill probably never see them again..

I love it:)

Hi Ive been obese my whole life but I always had a thing for running my fav runner is Flo Jo. Every since I joined this site Ive gained back my love for running even though I'm 268lbs I can ya know...run with a good pace. Well...my pace but I'm still learning and training. When I run by thinner or "fit" people I tend to get stares or scoffs like "What this fat b**** think she's doing?" type of look. I just want to know if you see an obese beginner runner what do you think?

If I saw someone overweight running I would honestly think to myself, "How awesome! That person is on the road to becoming healthier and changing their lives". I would not think something mean at all. There will always be the jerks out there but do not let them get you down!

When I run by thinner or "fit" people I tend to get stares or scoffs like "What this fat b**** think she's doing?" type of look. I just want to know if you see an obese beginner runner what do you think?

I think, "This person is awesome for getting out there and running!". I was over 200 lbs when I started running and I sure felt self conscious. But, I did it anyway and tried not to think about other people - running is for ME. You'll always lap people that are sitting on the couch! Just do it, no worries! Good for you for getting out there!

When I'm out running and I see an obese person running, I congratulate them by saying... "good going". I love running too but I've never analysed the looks I got. I just got my head down and focussed on myself.
I think we're so hard on ourselves and assume other runners think of us what we think of ourselves!

Don't be distracted by what you "think" other runners may or may not think. You're making a vast improvement to your own health and soon, you'll be right in front of them at a marathon!

Well done! I salute you in true RUNNER style! :flowerforyou:

I'm a fat runner. When I see other fat runners, I think 'more power to you, mate'.
I know how much effort goes into building distance, speed, carrying a heavier body. And I also know how much pleasure there is in it.

I get a lot of 'encouraging' comments when I'm out. Only one mean one. Part of me wishes people wouldn't comment at all, that I could just be invisible. But I've learned to accept them with good grace. I do like it when people ask how far I've gone, or how long I've been out (usually because I've seen them twice while out). I like being able to say 'oh, just six miles' and have them go 'wow', knowing full well that this fat chick can run further than the vast majority of the population can manage.

I love being a fat runner. But I guess I'll love it even more when I'm a slim runner.

I have a hell of a lot more respect for a person with some weight issues tackling them with physical fitness than I do some skinny punk that has the mental aptitude to scoff at them for doing so.

Also, to reiterate an earlier comment made in this thread, I believe at least some of it may be psychological on your part (and I am speaking from experience) as having a weight issue can make one sensitive to other people's glances. Walking up to the starting line with a positive attitude and a small dose of "I-don't-care-what-you-think" tucked safely in your back pocket can help.

Ok, thinner or "fit" people seeing you running should be thinking "hello, fellow runner, here we are, both of us out enjoying our sport". Anyone giving you snarky looks deserves a kick in the pants. I would be happy to oblige them.

Honestly, being a smallish person at 5'2" and at a normal weight, and having been a runner since highschool (finally got sick of being made fun of in gym class for sucking at the Cooper Run every year, so I took matters into my own hands), I know how hard it was for me to start, even given that I wasn't too overweight when I started. So for me to see someone significantly heavier than me out there pounding the pavement... I am actually in awe and have much respect. Because that's true love of the sport. It's tough running with extra weight, much tougher than running at a normal weight, and even a normal weight is hard if you want to compete (which is why elites train themselves thin. Less weight = faster pace). So what heavier runners do takes a LOT more work than what "thin or fit people" do. You are, therefore, a badass.

So just think about that the next time you get a snotty look. Work it, girl. Own it!

I think, "Wow, I wish I could run like that!" I have horrible endurance. I'm building it up, though! Maybe next time I'm at the park I can match the pace of some of those runners, overweight or not.

I am always inspired by people that might be a little larger out running and I think that's true for the majority of runners that I have met and talked with. It seems that the only ones who make comments or the ones that are not doing anything.

You're doing great, just keep focused on yourself and ignore those that would try to bring you down.

I am 240 pounds and i have ran two full marathons and three half marathons. One thing i have learned with running is that running is a self motivating sport. With that said, you have many egotistical runners out there, because once you tell yourself that you cant do it anymore, you are done. I also get stares when my wife and I are out running. I try to use those stares as motivation. The best thing about running is that you set your own pace, and every accomplishment is earned by no one other than yourself! Keep running because at least you are trying to be active! You can do it!