what to wear when running, overweight and unfit

[MoriaRoseForever]

I want to start running. I am very overweight and self conscious.

I did get a good pair of running trainers .

I am trying to work out what to wear re leggings/tights etc .

They look very unflattering !

Wear with a long t shirt ?

And sports bras ? Am large and need something that will not bounce .

Bought one and it doesn't stop bounce . Any recommended ?

Thanks in advance.

[fruitpastille]

Shock absorber from Bravissimo is good. Any old sports leggings and top will be fine. Supermarkets often have stuff at this time of year. I really like the M&S good move range. Karrimor run from sports direct is ok as well and not too pricey.

[lastqueenofscotland]

Sports bras go for a brand called moving comfort. Much better value for money that shock absorber and much more comfy
Wear whatever feels comfy to run in. Don’t worry about what you look like no one else cares and most people will just think “god I wish I could run” have a look at sportsshoes.com for discount kit.
Download C25k
When they restart look to see if local running clubs have beginners groups. These are usually so supportive and good motivation to keep going.

[rbe78]

Sports leggings without a seam on the inside of the leg will help stop any inner thigh rubs.
Layered clothing so you can take the top layer off if you get too hot.
I prefer underwired sports bras myself, definitely helps with the bounce.
Don't worry about what you look like - only the chosen few look good when running, the rest of us look a hot mess! Download the Couch to 5k app, it is actually a miracle!

[LaBellina]

A good sports bra for sure.
Other then that, anything that makes you feel comfortable. I wouldn't judge anyone who isn't wearing 'flattering' sportsgear, regardless of their size, I would just admire you for working on your health.
Go for it OP

[TwentySixPointTwo]

My top recommends as someone who started running when she was 100lbs overweight:

• Panache wired sports bra (e.g. www.bravissimo.com/products/wired-sports-bra-pr100/#turquoise-pr100trq)

• straight legged joggers, such as www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-straight-leg-joggers/p/clp60376190?color=BLACK

• Loose fitting t-shirt, maybe with a thin jacket over it for warmth, e.g. www.marksandspencer.com/zip-through-run-top/p/clp60373788?color=BLACK

REALLY comfy shoes that are built for support and cushion, not for speed. e.g. BROOKS Dyad 11, though you will be able to find cheaper shoes if you don't want to spend this much up front.

Good socks.

I would also strongly recommend taking it very slow and easy. It is absolutely fine for your first few runs out to be 30-60 seconds of running very slowly and much more walking. Gradually increase your time running and don't give a hoot about speed for a long time yet. Go slow enough it doesn't hurt, you're not totally out of breath and you still have the energy to focus on your form.

Finally, running is great for you but it will not burn fat off you. You have a run a whole lot to burn calories, so look to your diet to achieve that (if that's what you're aiming for). Run for other mental and physical health reasons.

[MoriaRoseForever]

Thanks everyone, really helpful.

Seen this bra that gets good reviews, www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/elomi-energise-high-impact-wired-sport-bra/gu248/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=4014
Plus 20% off today. Gets good reviews.

Will check out the links from you all.

My main concern with leggings/running tights is that they are thick enough. I don't want them to go see through . I tend to wear leggings with short dresses that are mid thigh. I don't like to show bottom, top of legs in leggings . So would wear long t shirts .

[MoriaRoseForever]

And thanks for the encouragement .

[pickingdaisies]

Decathlon kalenji run warm leggings are nice and thick, and affordable.

[MsMartini]

I really rate Decathlon RunWarm leggings. Fleece-lined, warm, sturdy, zip pocket at back. You want to go slowly at first, as others have said, so keeping warm is harder. I've also got their trail waterproof running trousers and tho I don't run in them I do exercise and do strength work outdoors in them - they look quite like normal trousers and add a fair bit of warmth especially if it is windy.

[Crocky]

www.amazon.co.uk/Queenie-Ke-Leggings-Running-Pockets/dp/B07WK1JT6N/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&marketplaceID=A1F83G8C2ARO7P&s=merchant-items&th=1&m=AJZ17NPJDBN52&qid=1606729704&sr=1-3&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21
I have the grey marl ones of these and they aren’t see through at all. You want running leggings rather than every day ones but they don’t need to be expensive. You do need a decent pair of trainers though.
You will feel really self conscious the first few times you go out but that passes fairly quickly. Look at couch to 5k.

[MagpiePi]

Don't forget gloves if you generally get cold hands. When exercising outdoors, I can be nice and warm in my body but still can't feel my fingers.
Pockets in your leggings are useful, but I ended up buying one of these running belts from Decathlon www.decathlon.co.uk/p/smartphone-belt/_/R-p-2461
or you could be like my running mate who shoves everything down her bra.

[randomsabreuse]

Leggings are good for comfort, preferably high waisted with a drawstring to keep them up. Leggings coming down is annoying!

You can get skorts/shorts that go over leggings. A lot of blokes run with shorts over tights, loose shorts are apparently comfortable enough.

Elomi Energise is generally well recommended too. I tend to help my sports bra with a tight or compression top then have a looser layer over that in winter (summer is more of a balancing act between overheating and support and is the point at which I stopped caring if I looked 'good'!

[JustCallMeGriffin]

I wear an oversize T-shirt. The more 'shaped' ones just make me feel self conscious so I'm thinking more about my rolls of fat than not falling over. Oversized is much more comfortable for me at least.

I started out in jersey material trousers, shaped like joggers but much lighter material. Again I felt much less self conscious in those than leggings...but now I've dropped two dress sizes I'm wearing running leggings (still with oversized T-shirt though). The leggings are definitely better to run in, but the fake joggers worked really well for me in the beginning.

My favourite purchase though has been padded sports socks. They've made such a difference to how comfortable I am in my trainers.

Well done for making the change. I started C25K last summer with a BMI of over 41 and begging the app to tell me I could walk again.

My BMI is now 38.1 and I can run for 45 minutes non-stop. Don't get me wrong, I'm still overweight but I honestly feel so much better than I did. I feel in control of what I eat (because I don't want to waste the effort put into exercising) and I'm moving more. This is worth starting and persevering with. Best of luck.

[rookiemere]

M&S Good Move leggings are good quality, not expensive and have larger sizes. Most important- apart from bra - is decent trainers.

[BogRollBOGOF]

Not the cotton trousers, as soon as they touch water or mud, they'll absorb the water, stretch and sag and end up flapping around sodden halfway up the legs. There is a reason why leggings are popular, and any half decent make of sports leggings is thick enough for decency.

Those cotton ones are fine for light indoor exercise like yoga that don't involve water/ sweat.

[Jellington]

I usually wear leggings and an oversized t shirt (I'm not overweight but it's my preferred running/workout attire). I'd say at the end of the day, just wear something that you feel comfortable in.

I have relatively large boobs and rely heavily on shock absorber bras. Love them. They're the best I've tried and get me through boot camps, runs and horse riding (including jumping and sitting trot!). Very minimal bounce.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I started when old and overweight. Tight leggings/loose top. Then it doesn't matter what the leggings are doing!

[caringcarer]

I know I not supposed to but I wear my normal firm support bra then put sports bra on top. It is ok. If I don't my boobs bounce all over the place.

[MoriaRoseForever]

@MsMartini

I really rate Decathlon RunWarm leggings. Fleece-lined, warm, sturdy, zip pocket at back. You want to go slowly at first, as others have said, so keeping warm is harder. I've also got their trail waterproof running trousers and tho I don't run in them I do exercise and do strength work outdoors in them - they look quite like normal trousers and add a fair bit of warmth especially if it is windy.

They look good, but only up to 18 and i'm a 20. But fleece ones sound good.

[Blobby10]

MoriaRoseForever a good bra is essential (I rate Shock Absorber too!) , leggings or tracksuit bottoms (not shorts) to avoid chafing - long enough t shirt/top to go down to your hips and baggy enough that you aren't conscious of your wobbly bits errr wobbling, zip up top cos in the early days you won't be able to run enough to get sweaty and will get cold when you walk. Some lightweight gloves - I use a cheap pair £2 that I got from Aldi years ago - fluffy ones - just to keep the chill off at this time of year! A lightweight rain jacket is also useful at this time of year. Just get basic/cheap stuff to start with - no point in spending loads until you are regularly running 20 miles a week.

The main thing is - don't worry about how you look!! When we start running, many of us envisage looking like an elegant gazelle when we resemble more closely a lumbering hippo! That's why I prefer to run at 5am when no-one else is up

[Twinkie01]

One of my ladies stated running at a size 22 and wore power leggings by sweaty Betty, they're expensive but IMO worth it, she bought an XL to start with.

[bjjgirl]

Make sure you are comfortable, supported well and lubrucated, chub run on your inner thighs arms etc.

No one I promise you will bother about what you look like

Good trainers and gym stuff that washes well and dries quickly. I love gym shark

[MogHog]

Matalan do these pleated tops for £7 which are long enough to cover what needs covering and dont cling. They are great and do a few colours.

www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2703198_c101/souluxe-pleat-back-gym-t-shirt-black?channel=PLA&gclid=CjwKCAiAgJWABhArEiwAmNVTB2sMUlDrhq3GTx3htIAZjLKzkgSYZ72XwBDJKPsAtUXbaNmOd02A0xoCxPIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[randomsabreuse]

On the chafing front I find tight clothes are much better to prevent chafing, but keep an eye on the inner thigh regions of your leggings - replace at the first sign of weakness.

Also watch loose short sleeved tops without a tight under layer, I was most annoyed that my tricep jiggling against my sleeve had caused chafing!!

[IveSeenThings]

My running leggings are like a sports bra for my tummy- I wouldn't run without them!