Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Be honest, when you see fat people running?

352 replies

22O725 · 01/08/2025 13:27

When you see an overweight person out running what do you think? As a morbidly obese person I always used to admire their confidence and ability. I am now an overweight person (size 16) and I still feel like the size 24 I once was. I feel like everyone is looking at me and thinking ‘look at the state of her’.

Do you judge fat runners badly or do you think ‘well done’?

OP posts:
Driftingawaynow · 01/08/2025 15:04

22O725 · 01/08/2025 14:57

Also what’s with so many people recommending the gym, lifting weights? Is that the holy grail? It didn’t interest me in the slightest and there is not a chance in hell I want to join a gym, I’m just enjoying being outdoors and doing a bit more exercise than I thought I was able to do.

Yeah it’s so important and you can do it at home!
I got a basic routine from the moving through cancer website, really good for beginners

OMGitsnotgood · 01/08/2025 15:04

My honest thought: good on them for doing something about their weigh.

Sus808 · 01/08/2025 15:04

22O725 · 01/08/2025 13:27

When you see an overweight person out running what do you think? As a morbidly obese person I always used to admire their confidence and ability. I am now an overweight person (size 16) and I still feel like the size 24 I once was. I feel like everyone is looking at me and thinking ‘look at the state of her’.

Do you judge fat runners badly or do you think ‘well done’?

I don’t think anything when I see most people running (apart from when people have run past my doorbell camera at 6am and I think “mad bastard”), but when I see overweight people running I do think something to myself, I think “Good for them!”

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Exercise & fitness Fitness
OneLoudBird · 01/08/2025 15:05

22O725 · 01/08/2025 14:57

Also what’s with so many people recommending the gym, lifting weights? Is that the holy grail? It didn’t interest me in the slightest and there is not a chance in hell I want to join a gym, I’m just enjoying being outdoors and doing a bit more exercise than I thought I was able to do.

Any exercise is good! A lot of women on MN are Peri or menopausal and we're constantly warned about muscle loss so that's probably where the comments are coming from.

Original poster
22O725 · 01/08/2025 15:05

Driftingawaynow · 01/08/2025 15:02

Gp unlikely to have up to date info on this, do some reading tho, a good old evidence deep dive.

I have to confess, I judge people when I see them running with horrible alignment, nothing to do with weight whatsoever. Usually it’s forward head posture with stooped upper back and a flat lower back, i just think mate, you’re working so hard and will fuck your self doing that.

run as if suspended by your ears from golden threads, keep core engaged and if you can’t manage that due to tiredness it’s time to take a break. That’s my unsolicited advice!

Show quote history

A GP won’t be able to advise on whether or not I should run with my knees, knowing my history?

OP posts:
BogRollBOGOF · 01/08/2025 15:06

22O725 · 01/08/2025 14:57

Also what’s with so many people recommending the gym, lifting weights? Is that the holy grail? It didn’t interest me in the slightest and there is not a chance in hell I want to join a gym, I’m just enjoying being outdoors and doing a bit more exercise than I thought I was able to do.

There's a lot of information and research at the moment about the benefits of strength weight training, especially for mature women who traditionally didn't and were steered more towards cardio classes and yoga/ pilates.

It's very trendy and is genuinely a positive trend. It's good for delaying wastage and aging of the muscular and skeleto systems to keep us functioning for longer into old age.

But it also means that some people who are quite heavily into that trend are also "anti-cardio" including running.

It's telling that people who are seriously into running for performance include strength/ weights work in their routines, and it makes sense to get the benefits of both types of fitness practice.

It doesn't have to be one or the other (assuming you're not an aesthetic body builder)

SemperIdem · 01/08/2025 15:10

Same as I think about any runner “they can run further than I can”.

babyproblems · 01/08/2025 15:10

LuckysDadsHat · 01/08/2025 13:29

I am always full of admiration and respect. That's literally all I think.

I have been fat, then thin and now plump again! And when I see these people it makes me feel guilty it's not me doing it!

Same for me!!

StripyShirt · 01/08/2025 15:11

22O725 · 01/08/2025 13:27

When you see an overweight person out running what do you think? As a morbidly obese person I always used to admire their confidence and ability. I am now an overweight person (size 16) and I still feel like the size 24 I once was. I feel like everyone is looking at me and thinking ‘look at the state of her’.

Do you judge fat runners badly or do you think ‘well done’?

It's a big (no pun intended!) 'Well Done' from me.

I used to go to a fairly hard core back street gym a few years ago. Nobody there ever made disparaging remarks about or to overweight people training, and if anything were actively supportive. We were all doing the same thing - working hard to improve ourselves, and that's all that mattered.

If you are ever made to feel uncomfortable by people in a gym, find a better one and forget them.

godmum56 · 01/08/2025 15:13

when i see anybody running, I think i wish i had their knees

Spendthrifting · 01/08/2025 15:13

countdowntonap · 01/08/2025 14:22

Then that’s great. I just know a lot of people think it helps to achieve a desirable body, and so spend hours doing something they don’t enjoy.
I have ran competitively (very well) and know that my weight training helped with my speed - just if you ever wanted to look into it as part of your development as a runner. Sprint training is also useful. I do wonder what people think when they see me doing that - maybe they think I’ve knackered myself sprinting up the hill 🤣

Show quote history

I’m a lifter and a (slow) runner - lifting is great for injury prevention. I love doing both but the runners high is probably the best thing about running for me. I could never understand why people loved running until I tried it (in my 50s) - now I hope new runners experience this and get the bug. So do both is my recommendation!

BogRollBOGOF · 01/08/2025 15:14

I don't go near my GP for general running/ physical niggles; physios are much better informed and give much more specific, practical advice.

Plus much easier to book in with them if you have £50 for a private appointment!

My issues are a combination of the way I'm built (hip issues since birth) and pregnancy/ childbirth.
I tend to hurt less from being active than being sedentary.

runningonberocca · 01/08/2025 15:16

Nothing but respect. I think it shows courage, determination and a commitment to improving their health and wellbeing. And I’d wish I had the same amount of drive

Notmyreality · 01/08/2025 15:16

Fentyfan · 01/08/2025 13:34

Yeah either i don’t notice as lost in my thoughts, or a combination of guilt about my lack of exercise and wondering where they find the time and energy to do it.

Same

OhNoMyChocMelted · 01/08/2025 15:17

I think fair play to them and I wish I had the same courage

Ontheedgeofit · 01/08/2025 15:18

I always think ‘at least she is running, it’s a lot more than most people do to look after their health’

BogRollBOGOF · 01/08/2025 15:19

I live at the crest of a hill... I see a lot of knackered runners going past my house... often repeatedly if they're doing hill reps or laps.

I know when my 12yo has pushed hard at parkrun because even though he's had 5-10 mins recovery by the time I plough in, he's still an interesting shade of puce.

Anyone can look like a soggy beetroot
I certainly do very easily. I like to think of it as a youthful glow and boosting circulation to my skin Grin

WhatdoesitmeanKeith · 01/08/2025 15:20

EmpressaurusKitty · 01/08/2025 13:30

‘Well done’, every time. And I’d smile at her as she passed me.

Can I ask why? What is the smiling at the runner for?

squashyhat · 01/08/2025 15:21

The same thing I think when I see anyone running. Because of a chronic illness I can't run. So anyone who can has my admiration.

NoTouch · 01/08/2025 15:21

Generally in awe of them. A bit jealous of their motivation and knees that let them run!

Very occasionally think sports bras need research/improvement as that looks uncomfortable! (but that is for big boobed slim runners too!)

greglet · 01/08/2025 15:22

I’ll be honest, I would notice the person’s size, and I would think “good for them”. This is probably a bit patronising of me, but I wouldn’t judge them or think critically of them for their size, so I suppose/hope it’s a positive response!

thepariscrimefiles · 01/08/2025 15:22

I'd think 'good for them'.

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 01/08/2025 15:23

Genuinely, I think 'bloody good on you', understanding that they may be self conscious about it but are still doing it any way.

Camaleon777 · 01/08/2025 15:26

I do not think anything. I am a runner (not overweight) but I always think whoever can walk can also run. I believe it is one of the most 'natural' sports in the sense that we all learn to walk and run as normal development. I have run with many people who were pretty big and run much faster than me

mamaduckbone · 01/08/2025 15:26

I think 'good on you!'
When I first started couch to 5k I wasn't massively overweight but was very unfit. I bumped into a super fit marathon runner old school friend who was so encouraging and made me realise that no one is judging. And if they are sod 'em - you know you're doing something good for you.

Swipe left for the next trending thread