To worry about looking ridiculous when I start running?

[Molehillmountain]

I have done no very little exercise since I had the dc-a few periods where I've swum once a week but generally not. I am not huge, but a size 16 and not exactly small breasted.
I've decided that I'm going to start the couch to 5k thing I saw on Nhs choices and I was all fired up and ready to get on with it until I started thinking of getting running shoes and sports bra. Then it hit me that I would look just ridiculous and awful running and that the folks in the sports shop would think I was too.
I'm still going to do it, i would look sillier staying big and more importantly unfit andI want to set an example to the dc, but Aibu to think I will look silly for a while, and how long that while will be?

[HolidayArmadillo]

I look like a complete twat when I run, I'm a size 16-18 with massive boobs, I'm pretty sure I breathe like I'm about to pass out whilst running and my feet sound like great sacks of spuds galumphing in the floor with every step. However, I have headphones in and I concentrate on the ground in front of me. I can't hear me, I can't see me, I never look in passing windows and I stick to non urban areas if possible and I think 'at least I'm doing something about it'. Good luck!

[jeansdoneupwitharubberband]

i never think people jogging look silly whatever size they are, my first thought is good on you, go faster! whenever i exercise my face goes bright red and i look like a strawberry, however we look when we exercise we are still lapping the folks sat on their sofas!

[Molehillmountain]

Ooh, thanks already! Holiday armadillo-pl can I ask where you got a sports bra? I fear ending up in a and e having knocked myself out...

[squeakytoy]

M & S do the best sports bras. Wear a baggy sweatshirt too, you will sweat more and burn the pounds off quicker as well. :)

[Heinz55]

You'll get over it - I used only run at night (even though I was terrified - it was better than having anyone witness my ridiculousness!) I'm still a wee bit self conscious but not so much. All people think is: good for her getting out there. DH runs with a group and they are ALL self conscious and won't run through town!
PS best sports bra is a Shock Absorber - I got mine in Debenhams.

[HolidayArmadillo]

Yep mine is a Marksies one too. Very good and I have no pain whilst or after running. (Size 38G)

[Molehillmountain]

Off to m and s today! Sorry about the questions-but what can I get away with spending on trainers? Don't want to do myself in but equally want to be a bit careful not to overspend on something I haven't actually done yet.

[rottentomatoes]

I am also a size 16 and this is the best ever sports bra. Well worth every penny

Best ever

[Impatientwino]

If you have big knockers I highly recommend a shockabsorber bra - bravissimo sell them online. I am a 38f and it is brilliant.

I find running totally comfortable in it.

I'm a similar size as you and thought the same when I started running but now I can honestly say I don't give a shite about what anyone thinks if I run past them.

You can't control what other people think unfortunately and I spent too much of my life feeling insecure because of that.

[Impatientwino]

The one I was talking about is the one that rottentomatoes has linked to!

[dementedmom]

I'm also a 16 (was an 18), and run at night in the dark because I think I look like a prat! I like the idea of a cap, might get one myself.

I got my sports bra from Marks and Spencers too and it is really good. I have huge knockers, but I haven't once knocked myself out as yet. No pain either whilst running or afterwards. I would definitely recommend them.

Good luck!

[PhoebeC]

I think it's normal to worry about how you'll look, but please don't let it put you off.
I went from a beginners walk-run programme to a decent half-marathon in under two years and loved it. I wasn't overweight to start with, but was very unfit and could honestly only just complete the one minute running the programme required, so felt very self conscious in the park alongside the 'proper' runners.
I can only second what everyone else has said - by running at all you're way ahead of many people.
A hat can help, as someone has already said, and also I find sunglasses make me feel more confident in the same way. Remember too that no-one who sees you knows how long you've been running or what you're doing. If you're slow, it might be because you're warming up for all they know. Or if you're puffed it might be because you're doing intervals. Even if they can tell you're a beginner, if people think anything it'll be 'I should really do that'
Bra-wise, I'm a 30E (or at least I was before pregnancy and feeding, my current nursing bra is a 32I!) and got my running bras from Bravissimo. I think they're Fantasie. I don't like the shock absorber because racer backs make my narrow shoulders ache.
I found I couldn't run while pregnant, although I know lots of people do, but now that my baby is 7 weeks I'm starting to think about getting back to it and can't wait. After 9 months off I'll be back to square one, though, and with a bit of extra weight this time, so I'll be walk-running and not worrying what I look like again!

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

Disagree re marks and spencer - get a shock absorber - try debenhams.
I'm 18 months on from C25K an it change my life. Don't worry about looking silly - you won't. With a decent bra you won't have to worry about jiggle - mine were a 38F when I started and didn't have a problem.
Wear headphones and sunglasses and you won't care!

[PhoebeC]

Oh, just saw you're trainers question. You don't need to spend loads, but you do need to get properly fitted the first time. If you're in London go to Run and Become near Victoria. If not, do go to a proper running shop where they can look at your gait and advise.

[Molehillmountain]

Good to know that a running shop might not break the bank. Might go today-my trainers are 20 years quite old.

[WorraLiberty]

I'm a size 10 with smallish boobs and I look like an utter dick when running

I don't let it stop me though, I've just accepted the fact I'll always look like I'm being chased by a swarm of bees....

[cece]

Honestly no one will think you look silly.

I started January 2012. At the time I was a size 20 and HH norks. Initially I too felt silly (I did the C25K) and only went out in the dark with a hoody/beanie on but within 4 weeks I felt brave enough to go out in daylight hours.

I now wear tight lycra running tights and top and have gone down to a size 16. My norks are now only a G cup. You will feel so much better and once you start you really do miss it if you can't go for one reason or another.

[AssamAndDarjeeling]

I feel exactly the same. And people stare at you!

I find headphones help.

[LookAtHerGo]

I used to go out running at 20 stone and a size 24 so don't worry about what size you are. In fact I did a triathlon at a size 22! I wore an enell sports bra, it basically pins everything down including my JJ boobs.

Good luck. I'm hoping to start again soon once my pelvis is sorted as it went kapput in pregnancy

[HeySoulSister]

Get proper trainers!! And well done

I did the NHS one but then downloaded the c25k by bluefinapps as you can have your own music playing

I'm a c25k graduate and have just joined a running club. Don't worry what others think, I agree with everyone else. No negative thoughts!

[PhoebeC]

Oh, and get a copy of Running Made Easy for motivation, tips and training programmes.

This thread, and the slight improvement in the weather, has really made me want to get back out there.

[LessMissAbs]

Who cares OP?! I mean, seriously. who cares what other people think? What is important is you when you're running, not what anyone else thinks. That said, I doubt anyone will notice you anyway.

I'm a runner, and in the unlikely event I look at someone else out running, I don't make judgements on their running style. I must admit I might briefly think about whether they're faster or slower than me, but that's the extent of it! If I see someone really large out running, and I mean by that perhaps over a size 20 or so, I would think nothing but really admiring thoughts about them.

You will probably find that running makes you more self confident and more likely to feel like twatting someone that gives you any negativism.

That said, you might get abuse shouted at you, but ignore it, develop a thick skin. I'm a size 8 - 10, and I get it. We live in a country where abuse gets shouted at women on their own. I was on holiday in Turkey recently, and thought I would get hassled while I was running alone, but actually it was fine, and so refreshing not to be shouted at by groups of children when you passed them.

btw when I was larger boobed, by far the most effective thing for keeping them from bouncing was wearing a tight fit racer style swimsuit underneath instead of a bra.

I spend £70 - £80 on trainers and they last me about 6 months.

[PhoebeC]

Ok, one more thing and then I'll stop evangelising, I promise.

Last summer I was shouted at by a group of young men sprawled on the beach as I ran by. I was at the end of a really hard speed training run and cooling down, so running very slowly (although, to be honest, I always run quite slowly, it doesn't matter). They shouted stuff about how slowly I was going, plus a few sarcastic "looking good" type things. I finished the run then went back and calmly challenged them on what they'd said, pointing out how unpleasant it is to shout at a woman like that. They didn't really know how to respond and I felt absolutely great. It was running that gave me that confidence.

[TidyDancer]

I had a thread a while ago in Sport & Exercise. It is titled 'fat people in the gym'. It's not a piss take, it was about taking a friend to the gym with me, and her being scared people wouldn't look favourably on her because she was big. It might help you to have a read through wrt worrying about how you will look to others.

Sorry, would link but not on computer!