What's your idea on overweight runners?

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Replies

  • Chagama
    Chagama Posts: 543 Member
    I admire them for getting out and doing something. And hope they feel the same about me.
  • JodieElijah
    JodieElijah Posts: 136 Member
    I can't wait until i'm able to jog properly. I don't plan on doing any further jogging until i'm at least 15kgs lighter than I am now, as my knees are bad enough so i don't want to put them under any additional strain.

    Good on those who can run tho! Am always jealous of those who can :)
  • bedinky1207
    bedinky1207 Posts: 53 Member
    Since I was an overweight runner at one time I cheer on overweight runners. Running is such a great way to burn fat and to condition your lungs and heart.
  • andreanicole686
    andreanicole686 Posts: 406 Member
    I think if they can run so can I! Maybe some people are taken back in a good way? Or surprised. Everyone has to start somewhere, I think it's great! Keep on going!
  • kayleesays
    kayleesays Posts: 564 Member
    When I see an obese person running, the first thing I think is "Ouch! That must hurt their joints."

    The second thing I think is how excited I am for them that they're getting active, and that I really hope it works for them.
  • summertime_girl
    summertime_girl Posts: 3,945 Member
    I think they are going to be less obese in the very near future.
  • 1546mel
    1546mel Posts: 191
    I say ignore the haters!!!!!!! I love it when overweight people are running or walking or doing anything for exercise :) Makes me smile and feel proud for them! If you are on the beach in a bikini and eating doritos, i may frown, but if you are working hard, go for it and give it all ya got!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • AmberJslimsAWAY
    AmberJslimsAWAY Posts: 2,339 Member
    Anytime I see an overweight person running, biking, walking, whatever I think "good for them!"
  • Alarista
    Alarista Posts: 77 Member
    I see someone who is doing what they want to do and damn all the judgment. You should be proud.
  • Nikkei24
    Nikkei24 Posts: 282 Member
    If I cared what everyone else was thinking I would probably never do anything. When I'm laying on my death bed I don't want to look back and think I didn't run because I thought people would think eww look at that fat girl running. F em. The only opionons I care about are mine and Gods.
  • chipvb
    chipvb Posts: 19 Member
    I think good for them!
    I love to run, and I think if more people tried it (more than once or twice) they would too, not to mentione what a great way to get in shape.
    Also, just because someone is overwieght doesn't mean they are any worse of a runner than someone who appears to be skinny.
    If you enjoy it, more power to you and keep it up!
  • bilzprincess
    bilzprincess Posts: 107 Member
    I see them pass me and say, "go, neighbor, go!" I think about them trying to decide to put on the running shoes and get out there JUST LIKE ME! We aren't Nike ads of beauty. We aren't lovin the runners high. We are doing WORK! And I'm not alone. One person at my gym gets on the treadmill for an hour or so at 430 am I see him. He's well over 300 lb. and I'm just so honored by his commitment, cuz I imagine he's there even on the days I blow off the alarm clock and stay in bed. His work is longer and harder than mine! No excuses! Go, neighbor, go!
  • killinme
    killinme Posts: 73 Member
    My opinion is YAY YOU!!!

    Woo Hoo!!
  • sarahkatara
    sarahkatara Posts: 826 Member
    My thoughts: YOU GO!
    It doesn't matter the size of the person. My theory is that if you are actively trying to make your life healthier, then you deserve major props. It's not necessarily easy, especially for people with so much work to do to lose weight. I think if you are confident enough to get out there and open yourself up to many new experiences, you are WINNING. I always smile when i see a fellow runner just starting out. My favorite is to make friends at the gym. I've noticed one girl who comes in consistently now and works hard every time, even though she's huffing and puffing through it, and she has lost weight and is doing better. I don't talkto her all that much but I do encourage her and tell her if i admire her workout- which i often do!
    So it doesn't matter- WORK IT, whatever you have. That's why we're here! :drinker:
  • SnazzyTraveller
    SnazzyTraveller Posts: 457 Member
    Sometimes I would feel really self conscious when I used to get weird looks by people I was running by... now I just imagine who will be laughing in a couple months time when I'm rockin a killer bod and have great endurance ;)
  • Bmontgomery613
    Bmontgomery613 Posts: 200 Member
    I strongly disagree with the crying about knees and injuries - be careful, don't overdo it and make sure you have good shoes....My knees were complete crap when i started running at 227lbs - and they are now stronger than ever....

    Also, please don't patronise overweight runners by telling them "good job" or something...if you say that to every runner you see, fat or thin - fine....
    BUT do not make an exception of the bigger runners!!:angry: That's almost as bad as saying something nasty to them....

    I have crap knees now but in some strange way i feel like I HOPE they are getting stronger. The lighter I get..hopefully the less achy they will get along the way. :)

    I run. Sure, I'm not as fast as those who have been running longer, but I still do it.

    As for the crap knees comment. I have them. I've been to physical therapists since I was in college b/c of them. I had knee surgery at 3 years old. Yeah, crap knees, check. Yet, I still run. Definitely listen to your body and if it's uncomfortable, keep going. If it hurts, STOP. It's as simple as that.

    And YES on the complimenting the bigger runners. I take a strength and tone class 2 days a week where I'm the biggest person in the class. I get so sick and tired of them 'congratulating' me for making it through. I know they're trying to be supportive, but all it does is make me feel self conscious and that's just not cool. It drives me nuts!
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    When I see an overweight runner I shake my fist at them and then go back to eating my cheeseburger

    Really though I admire anyone who has the drive to run, regardless of their weight. I have never negatively judged an overweight person for working out.
  • ladyraven68
    ladyraven68 Posts: 2,003 Member
    I am an overweight runner.

    I just put my music on and out I go. Other runners always smile at me, and that makes me feel so good.

    And when I get to junctions, cars even stop to let me proceed rather than make me stop on the pavement and interrupt my run.

    I used to run years ago, and I find the way passers-by, cyclists, runners etc behave is no different, to them I am just another runner, size is irrelevant.

    :)
  • Sophieliaa
    Sophieliaa Posts: 22
    I definitely think it's brave. There is an automatic mental jarring there when you see someone running whose really quite overweight, but only because it's not something your mind is used to seeing. Usually when we imagine runners we visualise people who are very fit/ in shape, so when there's something that doesn't fit that subconscious stereotype in our minds it can be quite 'weird' to see. I'm in no way saying it's right that we do that, but it's just true. It's like seeing people who have chosen to have lots of surgery to change themselves, they don't look how we think people should look, thus we think it's weird and unattractive.

    I think the difference is how people choose to process that initial thought of 'oh, that's a bit odd'. For some people, they make comments or give bad looks. For others, they take motivation from it and see that it is possible to make lifestyle changes that are really good for you. I'm definitely one of the latter - there's an over 40 jogging group near where I live and everyone makes fun of them because they're not the common definition of a runner - but I'm so proud of them getting out, making friends, lapping up the fresh air and just getting active. It's a really nice sight to see, and people who disagree obviously think they're too perfect.
  • atrjohnson
    atrjohnson Posts: 77 Member
    At EricNCU, That is inspirational. If you started running at 340 there is hope for me.

    I did have one bad experience. I was out walking and group of guys passed by and yet "walked faster fattie". That was not a good moment. I kept walking but inside I was devastated. I was publicly humiliated and it didn't feel good.

    It takes strength to live in your own body. It takes strength to change. I only hope that next time, if there is a next time, I will not let it get to me.
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    I think they should be more worried about what people think of them in the grocery store than when they are running.
  • superfox12082
    superfox12082 Posts: 512 Member
    Keep at it! Who cares what anyone else thinks!! You're doing it for you, to be healthy. Way to go! :)
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    I think they should be more worried about what people think of them in the grocery store than when they are running.

    Such charm...

    Nothing like a bit of fat-bashing in the morning, eh?
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    I think they should be more worried about what people think of them in the grocery store than when they are running.

    Such charm...

    Nothing like a bit of fat-bashing in the morning, eh?

    I'm not fat-bashing. I'm pointing out how absurd it is that people who are trying to better their health are worried others will judge them, but not aren't concerned with the appearance of buying junk food at a grocery store.

    I'm one of the few on this forum who actually doesn't blame the individual for weight problems.
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    Your assumption being that fat people are, of course, all buying junk food, and that they 'should' be concerned about what people think of them as they do so?

    The 'should' is the regulative element, surely? And does, indeed, individualise weight issues quite powerfully....
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    Your assumption being that fat people are, of course, all buying junk food, and that they 'should' be concerned about what people think of them as they do so?

    The 'should' is the regulative element, surely? And does, indeed, individualise weight issues quite powerfully....

    I'm not saying they should be concerned about it, but it makes more logical sense than being concerned about what others think about exercising in public.
  • WhittRak
    WhittRak Posts: 567 Member
    Your assumption being that fat people are, of course, all buying junk food, and that they 'should' be concerned about what people think of them as they do so?

    The 'should' is the regulative element, surely? And does, indeed, individualise weight issues quite powerfully....

    I'm not saying they should be concerned about it, but it makes more logical sense than being concerned about what others think about exercising in public.

    I get what you are saying. Could have been said a bit better I think.

    But to the OP, GOOD FOR YOU! Screw what others think. You are in this for you! And congrats on running, I know right now I could not run to save my life :) But no worries...I am working on it.
  • gdunn55
    gdunn55 Posts: 363
    Your assumption being that fat people are, of course, all buying junk food, and that they 'should' be concerned about what people think of them as they do so?

    The 'should' is the regulative element, surely? And does, indeed, individualise weight issues quite powerfully....

    I'm not saying they should be concerned about it, but it makes more logical sense than being concerned about what others think about exercising in public.
    I get what you're saying, but she didn't ask what people thought about her in the grocery store, she was concerned what people would think if they saw her out on a run.

    I'll admit you'll see junk food in my buggy from time to time, but it's usually because we have guests or we've been invited somewhere and we have to bring stuff.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    I think "Good for them!"

    I applaud anyone that gets out there and tries to work toward a healthy lifestyle.
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    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?

    Anyone who is out there working toward fitness automatically gains +100 beauty points. People who care enough about themselves to try and improve themselves are SEXY.

    If running is what works for you, though, why do you care what people think about you? You gotta do what works for you, and ignore the ignorant idiots who like to make themselves feel better by belitting everyone else. Just ignore them and keep on doing what you gotta do. Eventually they'll stare at you as you go by, the picture of health at your perfect weight.

    Half of life is overcoming obstacles, and the other half is ignoring all the people who tell you the obstacle can't be overcome because they are too lazy, stupid, or ignorant to do it.

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