Honestly... what do you think when you see fat people running?

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I am overweight, really overweight! And I have huge issues about my body and health. I need to do something about this, more for my own health and confidence than anything else. I used to be very fit and run a lot, and I love running. So as well as eating healthly etc I have been trying to take up running (well walking and running in intervals) again. But even when I try to choose quiet times and quiet places I am always so embarrassed when someone sees me, I just think they are laughing as this overweight, almost 40 yr old puffing and panting away.... so that's my question really, in absolute honesty what do you think when you see larger/ overweight people running?

low impact exercise if you are built for comfort , walk , swim or cycle , otherwise you can damage the your knees.

I run with a very friendly running club. My small part of it is a group of mostly female mostly overweight and mostly over 40’s. We encourage each other and run together regularly (or we did)

Please don’t stop running x take pride in the fact that you started 💕 and when you are able to please look for a running group to join (can recommend ours if you are in the South West) and definitely turn up to parkrun when they restart.

Honestly anyone I see running it's 95% "Go on you girl you!" and about 5% of the time its that and "Must not stop people to explain about sports bras"

Not just me then! Honestly I think most people don't notice most others, too busy in our own little lives... But I do remember running a marathon when I was a bit overweight and blaming that for being so tired, and then being overtaken half way by a lady much larger than I was, and just being incredibly impressed by how strong she was!

I'm a serious club runner and I think wow, good for them, I know how hard it is to run when you have 1 or 2kgs more than usual, and the effort they are making carrying a lot of excess weight is huge.
I've seen some overweight people melt too, running can be a great way to lose weight as it gets easier when you a lighter.

Good for you. And a smile and a nod if we pass each other running.

Same as all of the posters above, 'good for them!'

I've noticed loads more people taking up running over the past couple of months and it's great to see people just getting started. Take care of your knees and ease into it, as PPs have said. Go for it, OP! ~shakes pom poms~

I genuinely don’t think anything when I see someone running, whatever size they are.

I think, ‘nice one, keep going.’

Sorry, posted too soon.

I think, ‘nice one, keep going.’

Same as when I see anyone running - I run myself and I feel a bit of solidarity.

What do you think of people with poor teeth going to the dentist? Or people with split ends going to the hairdressers? Or people with health conditions going to the doctor?

Exercise is not just for fit people, quite the opposite in fact.

Honestly? I enjoy running but mostly do it in order to lose weight or to keep it at bay. I am not overweight but love my cake so need to be careful. So if I see an overweight person running I think that "good for you, just make sure you don't eat your calories after, or you will not lose weight and get discouraged quickly". So basically the same thing as what I am saying to myself.

I think "Good for you", because if a runner is fat, I always wonder if it's a new thing that person has just taken up. I always hope that the person sticks to it and it causes some improvements in health and fitness.

I think 'good for you' and give a smile of encouragement and/or a hello. I've been the overweight almost 40yo just starting to run. I'm now the 44yo 3 stone lighter runner. Never had any negative comments from anyone.

Good for them - keep going.

Honestly OP, I know how hard it can be and I have total admiration for someone who finds the willpower to do it.

I admire them for getting out there and doing something about it.

I totally agree with pps saying don't think anything at all. I don't pay attention. I just try not to obstruct them by standing in the way. Don't even notice if the runner was someone I knew, until they say hi while passing.

I used to feel jealous because I was too lazy to do it.

Then I started running January when very obese, and now I'm about to hit the healthy BMI category!

Now I nod and smile and love to see anyone I think is doing couch to 5k because I now it can change your life!

I honestly don’t think much when I see anyone running.
I know what you mean though, when I run I feel like everyone is staring at me. They really aren’t!

I think "gosh I wish I had the stamina/enthusiasm/time/functional knees to be able to take up running."

Honestly ?
Good for you. And hope Shes got a decent sports bra on

Ignore the haters. ‘Men’ shout nasty things at the skinny fit runners too.

Don’t let the losers put you off

I honestly think "that's hard, good on you". I tried running. I was a 14/16 at the time. I found the sensation of my flabby parts jiggling up and down too uncomfortable, even though I was going slow I struggled to breath. It made me worry about stretch marks and my knees. I did fast walking instead as it's low impact and I never actually leave the ground. So yeah, I'm always impressed when I see an overweight person jogging.

I either don't notice or just think positive things

I'd see someone taking proactive steps to look after their health. In the first week of lockdown, a guy started jogging past my house. He was overweight and struggling to keep going. Now he bounds past four times a week looking so much slimmer and healthier. It's one of my favourite lockdown memories!

I think well done that person!

I think good for them!