advice?

Just do it! No one will expect you to be at the same level of fitness as people who have been doing something for ages.
Give it a try and if you really don't like it, then you can quit - but at least you have given it a good go.
I used to be pretty self concious about running and felt that everyone was watching me - but you know, most people are much more focussed on themselves and if they notice you at all, it will be for a millisecond before they go back to their own slef-absorbtion!

Doooo iit! I do track and I am ALWAYS the last one but you know what? I put in more work than half the girls there and that is all that i need to know. It doesn't matter if you are first or last it just matters how hard you work.

Give it a try!!!!!!! I remember the day I first started to walk on the treadmill and then the day I tried to actually jog. I am eternally gratefull for the support I got from the others at the gym who encouraged me every step of the way. I thought I looked so silly trying to run next to a lady who was training for the Boston and New York marathons. She turned out to be my best supporter and gave me some tips on shoes and interval training, but most of all she encouraged me to keep going and was thrilled at my progress. My first day at jogging was for thirty seconds every 5 minutes. That was in January of this year. I now run seven miles a day 5 days a week. You never will know unless you try!!!!!!!

So i just started this today and surprisingly I don't eat enough calories so I've had to have a few snacks. Anyway my problem seems to be motivation. I have a few friends in cross country and they said I should join. The only problem is that they meet every morning at 8 to run and all the girls there have been in it for a while. I'm afraid I'll be way behind everyone and will justslow people down. I'm pretty self conscious about working out in font of other people. I know joining would give me the motivation I need and would be excellent, but I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up at all. Any advice?

Ok, here's the deal about running...and running long distances. (1) if you are over-weight there is a chance you will damage your feet; (2) Running is good exercise BUT runners are one of the high level groups that are "ripe" for joint replacements as they age(around 40+ if they are avid), (3) so the Focus should be "Whether the Activity is HEALTHY?" Many people choose high risk activities (Running, Excessive High Poundage Wt Lifting, Excessive Tennis...) especially when young because of the "Rush" and the "Burn" but they do not know when to Stop or reduce the activity. They end up with severe arthritis, limitations, pain and joint replacements. The Activity ends up doing the Opposite of what it was intended to do...keep you healthy, especially as you age. The weird thing is that some (Idiots) who have had joint replacements are so addicted to these activities that AFTER the Replacements they STILL don't get it, they go right back to the same stuff, instead of MODIFYING their activity!

So use YOUR BEST judgement, running cross country is NO joke...I did it in college and I will be having hip replacement in August (and I modified My activity after college) but that wear and tear and pounding can't be reversed. My advice: Walk, Walk Fast, Use an Elliptical, Cycle (stationary or Bike,) Swim, LOW impact aerobics, Pilates, Stretching, Toning Wt Lifting...You get the Idea, Do yourself/Body a favor NOW. REMEMBER: 90% of Wt loss and Maintenance is What You Eat, 10% is Exercise/Activity (Including your everyday movements!) Don't stress over the exercise...Focus on the 90% and do enough exercise to stay/get toned...Fitness level - If You can walk a mile without stopping or huffing and puffing, you're fit!

check out this blog, has some good stuff

killingfatty.blogspot.com