Running when you're overweight

[Floomph]

I am really keen to start running properly for lots of different reasons. I'm carrying about a stone and a half of weight and whilst that's not loads, it makes me feel really self-conscious. I know already that running is going to be psychologically really hard because it will draw my attention to the weight and I spend my life trying to convince myself I'm ok. I just feel so heavy. Does anyone else have any advice? Or does anyone struggle with the same issue? I've started Couch to 5k and it's absolutely brilliant, so I have a programme to follow, I'm just so stuck on how bad I feel internally for feeling heavy. I'm obviously really hoping that over time the running will make me lighter and even if it doesn't it will give me lots of other benefits.

I'm probably 4-5stone overweight and do a lot of exercise, including starting running a couple of months ago.
For sports bras - try sportsshoes website first. I got some shock absorber bras for £14 each recently there - they are a bit garish, colour wise but the keep the boobs in place when I run!.

Also, don't worry about what people think. I use zombie run 5k app and music, so I'm interested in the story and don't hear if people make fun of me (nor care!)

Does anyone have recommendations for running leggings/tights that have pockets that can fit your phone, keys and a credit card? Funnily enough, this is one of the big factors keeping me from running. All the running pants I saw end of last year seem to not have any pockets or very tiny ones. Where are the good ones, please?! I have about 30lbs I’d like to lose in the next year via running or the gym.

Honestly no-one cares

My advice would be to qatch what you are eating too. When i trained for a half marathon I lost absolutely no weight because i was hungrier. I wasnt really treying to lose weight but would have hoped to lose a few pounds! It did make me feel less wobbly though.

I think Sweaty Betty have pockets in their leggings

I can’t.

I’m carrying too much excess weight. Everything moves. Tits, belly, arse. I feel like I’m going to die then I want to die. Then I have to stop and then I hate myself for having to stop.

Even week one of couch to 5 k proved impossible

To the pp who said at a size 18 they need bigger than 40 back...you don’t - you just need to measure right! Booborbust in Facebook is your friend. I’m a generous 18-20 on top and I wear a 36 back - and some are on their middle hooks!

Matalan running tights have a nice pocket in the waist band. They have a sturdy band.... mine never fall down.... in fact they are very secure.... like control pants 🤣

I have tried so hard to enjoy running. I just can't 😵
I am very envious.
I do walk lots though and enjoy that

I have Sturdy by Design leggings which have a phone sized pocket on the back of the waistband, I manage to squeeze my house key in there too.

As for running when bigger, yes do it! Start with c25k and build up to avoid injury but being bigger isn’t a barrier. I’m still at least 3st overweight and people are generally oblivious.

Any exercise is better than none, and will improve your fitness, OP, but you can’t outrun a bad diet.
If you want to lose weight, you will have to address the eating habits that made you overweight in the first place.
Don’t let anything discourage you, and you will feel a lot better for the fresh air and exercise (and endorphin boost) that running gives you, but don’t just rush home starving for a Mars bar!

I was about a stone and a half overweight when I started running, didn't bother me and I didn't think it made a difference. That was until I lost that stone and a half (through diet not running) and my goodness running was so much easier, I had a better pace and didn't get so out of breath.
So obviously do not let that stop you, and like many others have said, no one cares, everyone is too busy concentrating on themselves.

Don’t kid yourself that running ever won’t feel like a physical pain especially the first ten minutes.

Sports bra upto 44.
I've never ordered from this company, but do run in an elomi bra.
They need to be tight round your back.

@clucky3 I think you might need a bra intervention before you go sphopping.

But for what it’s worth I got my sports bras from Rigby and Peller 46 H

Jings I find the problem is the more you load into your leggings, the more they slip down. I use an armband for my phone amd just slide a single house key into my leggings pocket.

Actually at the minute I'm running with a very fetching bum bag as I need to bring out an inhaler and tissues too(hay fever)

@AlbusPercival I didn't even know rigby and peller did sports bras. Will check them out, I have a couple of their normal bras and love them. Always sale purchases though so perhaps that's why I've never seen sports ones

I'm tall and I'd like to get back into running.I find it hurts my knees though during and after,us thus common in taller people?

Simply be have sports bras up to a 50 back.

Go for it well done you! No one cares / minds what others look like - when I see very overweight runners my only thought (If noticed at all) is Ooh another runner go them ! (I have been in your shoes :-). ) xxx

I've tried C25K twice but each time had to give up through injury to my feet (tendonitis). I had good trainers but am about 3 stone overweight. I think I just pound along too heavily. Not sure what I can do to prevent this unfortunately, other I'd definitely try again.

@ByeByeMissAmericanPie and @heartshapedknob thanks for the recommendations. There's a Sweaty Betty in my town and I'll have a look at Sturdy Design too.

@TheHeathenOfSuburbia I was thinking about that sag but I do need a couple of things with me when I go to the gym. Good idea about the fanny pack/bum bag. I may finally embrace them after 30 years!

@clucky3 I went in and asked and they pulled loads out of drawers

This is such a great thread, thank you everyone.

If you worry about what others think or say, you will never do anything

Absolutely this. I was actually agoraphobic for a good stretch of time and did hardly anything because of the damage done by an abusive family member when I was a young child. I literally stopped living in my early twenties because she had convinced me so completely that I should be ashamed of anything and everything I was. It was fairly intense abuse though. I've been in a much better place for years but I'm trying to shake off the last of that very crippling fear. It's taken me nearly 2 decades to get here. Having help for PTSD too which is working brilliantly.

I am very much addressing my diet too, don't worry. Have actually lost over 5 stones already. I had lost 6 but a stone crept back on. I eat really well, I just realised occasional comfort eating and generally eating too much was making it go up again which is extremely frustrating but that family member has been very toxic in the last 5 years. Very much getting my diet back under control and feel good for it though and I have officially cut my relative out of my life for good. So it's all going to be positive from here.

I will try Parkrun but I need to build some experience and confidence first then I can see myself loving it. Thank you everyone for your support.

I ran a half marathon on Sunday and you'd be amazed how many people managed to jog their way round those 13 miles while carrying quite a lot of spare timber. There were all ages, shapes and sizes, and plenty of the bigger ones beat me and I'm no slouch. the trick with running is start slow and easy, then build. You'll be surprised how quickly your running fitness comes.

With regard to people looking and judging you, they do that to all female runners. It's nothing to do with size. Meh.

Half marathons look really fun. I'd love to think of being able to do one next year.