Afraid to be seen working out..
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There are two magic words that can help you deal with this. They work not only for exercise but in most other areas of life too. Anytime you're nervous or worried about what others might think you need only say these two words to yourself and you can push forward.
**** 'em.
(hope y'all can figure it out)0 -
I think, as many other people have said, you need to tune out everything else, so do whatever helps you to do this. There are some idiots out there, this is true, but most people will either think "good for you!" or not think about you at all. Others will smile and wave/encourage you. Best of luck
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Don't worry about it. It is amazing how quickly you become part of the landscape & community. Neighbors cheer you on & before you know it you are inspiring others to join you. Start off slowly.0
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Drive to a park across town where you are less likely to run in to someone you know. I was this way in the beginning but when I started I was so worn out that I didn't think about anything else during the workout other than putting one foot in front of the other and just finishing the blasted workout! It's easy to say "don't worry what other people think" but I think it's just natural, to a point. I also think the more you just do it the less you will care about others and more about the small things that show your health is improving. Everyone has to start somewhere!0
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Ditto...Either that or good for them, I wish I had their determination depending on how hard they're going.Honestly, when I see someone outside jogging, I'm think to myself: Darnit! I need to get in my workout too! lol So it pretty much inspires me to work out.0 -
Think "f'em" its your body and at least your doing somthing about it instead of them staring! plus people do notice the difference, so after a couple of months of passing the same people you can be proud as you see them noticing the difference or if they say something!!!0
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I did my first outdoor run with my flat mate a few weeks ago while the weather was really nice. I had to keep stopping and starting and we ran past rush hour traffic. I felt more sorry for them sitting in their cars in the heat and me running along.
Did it hurt - Yep
Did I feel a bit like and Idiot - Yep
But i felt like this when I had finished
Honestly, give it ago, even if your first time is a short one. You can always increase you distance once you feel happier.0 -
I totally understand! I enjoy walking my dog at night - he loves it when I even try to jog a block!- that way I don't worry about people seeing me. Of course, you would need a safe neighborhood to do that... and maybe a big, scary looking dog. : )
Don't give up- some people are just jealous because they don't have the guts to even TRY to run!!0 -
start with something like bike riding - EVERYONE has to do that outside so its totally normal. Just so you know, when I see people jogging outside all I think is "way to go!" so I wouldnt worry about people seeing you.0
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:flowerforyou: true story... girl in my gym that started working out last Feb was close to 400 pounds, could only walk about 3 times around our inside track. she has NEVER given up. i beam from head to toe seeing her and her dedication. total buff guy next to me throwing weights around like pillows... not so much.0
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I can honestly say you won't care! I was in the same position when I decided to try jogging while on my lunch break. I was so afraid coworkers would see me and worried people driving by would think I looked stupid. And then I decided to just suck it up and do it, and the feeling of accomplishment completely takes over. You'll realize that even if they did see you or think you looked silly, you did it! It's a great feeling - don't be afraid!0
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When I'm worried or anxious about something (socially), I usually push myself to do it anyway. It's the only way to make yourself stronger.
I have two sides of me - a soft shy quiet side and a balls-to-the-wall, ferocious superhero rockstar monster. When the soft squishy side tries to protect me, the rockstar comes out and they come to terms with what is best for me.
Everyone looks silly at first. Go out there and own it.0 -
In my head I look sexy when I jazzercise, look hot when I run and look hardcore when I am at boot camp.
In the real world I look freaking awkward but it's part of my charm so I own that ship
and don't care who watches lol.
YES!!!!!!!!!0 -
Among my running friends when we see overweight, runners or beginners, we know how hard you are working. We have all been there. I've been running for years and don't lack the confidence anymore.
Visualization helps. See yourself as the runner you would like to be. If it's the long, lean body, good form you like about a runner. see yourself looking like that. I sometimes pretend I'm Paula Radcliffe, Kara Goucher etc.. It makes me feel powerful, athletic and confident.
Most people are rooting for you, some are jealous... get outside, run and enjoy...0 -
BUMP!!!0
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I'm still a closet runner/ walker myself. I go out early in the morning while it's still dark. I take my dog because I feel much safer...he's a pitbull but I think if I were ever chased by anything or anyone he'd be the first to run, but he's good for looks though... I too would stop running every time I'd see headlights approaching. I think I'm getting better though. I let a few cars pass by this morning and I just kept running. It felt good!!!0
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Keep this in mind about every person that sees you pass them by. "I am running, they are not". I don't care if you're slowest runner in history, you're lapping everybody sitting on the stoop watching. And I'd be willing to bet that if you could read the mind of 99.99999999% of actual people running that are passing you by, they would be thinking, "Great job, keep up the good work" and "Hope to see you on the trail tomorrow".0
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Honestly, when I see someone outside jogging, I'm think to myself: Darnit! I need to get in my workout too! lol So it pretty much inspires me to work out.
^^THIS!
I had this same hesitation to go out running, so I hit the track about and hr before closing since it wasn't as light outside. I avoided eye contact and ran/jogged on the outs of the track to avoid people. About a month into my running, a guy stopped me to tell me that he admires me for coming here everyday to run. Let me tell you, I look like a damn mess when I run. I sweat too much, I mean I am drenched everywhere, and for someone to tell me that they admire me for coming at the track day after day, and leave huffing and puffing, it felt good. I kinda stopped caring what people thought of me then, because I was out there running when plenty others would have just thrown the towel in.
Don't worry what others think of you, do your thing and you will be great!0 -
There are two magic words that can help you deal with this. They work not only for exercise but in most other areas of life too. Anytime you're nervous or worried about what others might think you need only say these two words to yourself and you can push forward.
**** 'em.
(hope y'all can figure it out)
^^^^ Oh yeah...THIS!!!!!!!!!!!0 -
All I want to do is attempt to go for a run outside. If it's not me worried about people I know seeing me, its me worrying about myself looking stupid trying to run and workout in public... I shouldn't worry about what people think but I do.. It gets me so nervous and anxious.
What do I do... >.<
Hey, are you me?? :P I feel exactly the same way! I'm afraid of looking dumb!0 -
Honestly, when I see someone outside jogging, I'm think to myself: Darnit! I need to get in my workout too! lol So it pretty much inspires me to work out.
YES!!!!!! get it gurrrrl! 0 -
Wear sunglasses and a shirt that says "Take a picture it last longer than staring @sshole!" and enjoy a nice run :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
You should never be afraid or intimidated by what others say or do or even by exercising in front of them. Your doing it for you and that's who you should be worried about now get out there and runnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn :explode: 0 -
Me too.
And sometimes I find myself foolishly running harder because I know someone is looking at me lol
You are beautiful. And I find it sexy hot for anyone -ANYONE- who is out there working out trying to better themselves.
I have had people point and laugh. It hurts. But, I'm out there busting my hiney and they are not. Who's laughing now?
Now get out there and get your run on!0 -
I'm 275 pounds (now). If I can do it, so can you. No one is judging you harder than yourself.0
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Remember: "the most difficult part is not that you finish but that you have the courage to start" You should not be afraid to run outside, you are an inspiration for many others. I have been running for many years and believe me at the beginning I was a little bit self conscious but now I could care less. I do it for myself, to feel good so go for it. Run...0
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You put on some comfortable clothes, sunglasses and/or hat and DO IT ANYWAY. Who cares what a passing stranger may think of you? You're TRYING and that is more most people can say. You don't achieve your goals by the would-a, could-a, should-as of life.0
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I have social anxiety disorder so I have dealt with this. I got on zoloft which helped me finally get into some classes. Once I found that its not so bad I have been able to continue even though I have dropped the zoloft going on 3 months due to weight issues.0
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Don't worry, put the headphones on and go for it. After all, there is always someone who looks worse than we do out there ... just laugh! Going out and doing something is better than sitting on the couch watching everyone else do it!0
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Truthfully I've been the big girl I started going early early in the mornings, then i was the skinny girl who went out all the time, now im the big girl again but I've found a nice friendly gym to work out in.... Honestly if i see people running the only thing I ever think is "Good on them! Hell I need to go to the gym, wish i was out running again" I never think they look stupid ..................... In fact the only thing I can ever remember thinking is that someone needed a decent sports bra because it just looked painful! Go for it stick some music on and just get lost inside your own head whilst you run (Except when your crossing roads of course)
Good luck0
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