Be honest, when you see fat people running?

[22O725]

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’?

In my experience no, I wouldn’t personally go to a GP. You’ll just get opinions and outdated advice probably.
I have osteoarthritis in both knees and have rehabilitated myself by doing some deep reading. GPs are generalists, sports medicine is a really specialist and rapidly changing area. I was told there is nothing I could do apart from having steroid injections, absolutely wasn’t true, but it broke my heart at the time when I was told.
if you want medical advice about it, at least speak to a specialist, maybe a podiatrist or physiotherapist. And don’t forget the NHS is not there to help you reach optimal fitness for something like this, they’ll patch you up if you hurt yourself but if you really want to get the most out of your knees and want medical advice from a person I would go private, , a couple of sessions shouldn’t be crazy money

I actually didn’t want medical advice until so many people told me I should be lifting weights not running because running is bad for the joints.

What do I think when I see anyone out running?
You’re ahead of those that aren’t running!

It has been a slow progression for me and it’s changed how I think of running, the what’s and why’s. I love that I can turn up as I am, accepting that each run brings something different. There are slow days where, despite the feeling of difficulty, I complete the run and feel accomplishment. There are the faster days where I take joy in my sense of freedom. And there are the days in between where I am grateful for the continued progress and seeing my strength evolve.

Enjoy your run times!

Lifting is amazing. You will find that you can run faster and have more stamina if you lift.

WTF is this shit?

I am "fattist" but that doesn't extend to exercise.
When I see them out there, putting in the effort, I think "good on you".

Yeah that’s why I’d start with reading about it. Suspect if you’re not having issues your body loves it. In my experience though, running can cause knock-on problems, for example, tightness in muscles and forgetting to stretch can mean that your knees can get inflamed as the patella gets pulled out of alignment and causes irritation … personally I think it’s worth having a bit of understanding so that when things come up you understand what is happening.
It was perceived wisdom that running fucks the cartilage in your knee and people will still say that (including GPs), but I believe there is now evidence that running will actually help rebuild it l- good news for people like me with OA. No idea about running with additional weight but I bet there’s a load of cool evidence on this available so you can make informed choices l. I’d be sceptical of what people say unless they really are specialists as there’s a lot of misinformation
Good for you for getting into it, running is such a joy.

I started lifting at 50 because everyone told me it would be great for bone density & muscle mass coming up to menopause. And it’s great.

On a practical level, carrying things is now much easier.

Aw lucky fat people, gaining your approval for once. Go you!

Thank you. I think I have taken away from the thread that actually I should try to learn more about what I’m doing. I’m just so elated I can do it, it’s not even so much about the impact of the running but the confidence to do this outside at all. There was a time in my life I was riddled with anxiety leaving the house, I could never imagine being able to run in front of others! I shall do some reading though because I guess the more I know the better?

Right…

I was fat when I first took up running. If I saw another fat person running I was usually just delighted that I wasn't the only one in existence, to be honest. I'm no longer fat but I still run and these days I don't really think anything at all about other runners' bodies or their running techniques or whatever. I can't stand people who judge and gatekeep about exercise. Other people's exercise is none of their business.

Tbh I think anyone taking any form of exercise is to be applauded in isolation regardless of starting weight or age but it makes me anxious that motivation is not best applied whether the aim is increased fitness or weight reduction. A person may be better with a different form of exercise that can bring the same health benefits or weight reduction without risk that can be performed regularly and safely over the long term and may include social benefit. Of course running is free when gym membership costs but this does not mean that running is appropriate for all.

I would like to see ‘prescriptions’ to enable access to gym membership to improve physical and mental health for those with health conditions that may benefit from that intervention and for those on low incomes at risk of developing health conditions ameliorated by exercise. I have been a carer for my now adult son with ASD for decades. I would love the respite and opportunity of self care if my gp gave me a prescription for the local LA gym.

It’s not about money. I don’t want to go to a gym, I enjoy running.

I've only read OP's posts, which appear to have evolved into a running/weight debate.

Lifting weights and strength training is good, but it's also OK to talk about other sports!

OP, I am a keen and competitive runner. I take it seriously. I notice if a fat person looks uncomfortable in what they are wearing, particular women whose breasts are bouncing a lot - that's got to be really uncomfortable. Also if the clothes are really baggy (not just loose fitting but blowing around) it's not so easy to get into a good stride.

I do sometimes think if someone is really large that they would probably get more out of a really brisk walk. Having one foot in contact with the ground takes a great deal of pressure off everything, meaning they can go further still keeping the heart rate high (to get the benefit in physical health and wellbeing). That said, if they want to run then go for it - I'm just telling you want I think.

I’m always impressed and want to shout encouraging nice things out of the window!!

I used to run and iits difficult to start. Im am size 8-10, fit, ran fells and marathons.

our club had women of all shapes and sizes and i had more admiration for fatter women than the thin ones

now I don’t run (weight lifting instead as i fell out of love with running) and when i see a fat lady in awe of her! Bloody great going! At least she gets off her arse and moves and does cardio which is more than i do!

I think good for you as running is hard and thinner you are easier it is so it’s a double whammy if you are heavier.

I have sort of evolved into running from slow - moderate - brisk walking over the past year. I do have a decent bra and have braced my way into gym type leggings from just walking in my usual clothes more recently. I do wear a baggy t shirt rather than tight fitted though, there is no way I would leave my house in tight clothing in incredibly concious.

I always think, I admire them getting out and running and getting themselves fitter and leaner. I would never think badly of someone trying to better themselves, so it’s a ‘well done’ here!

I admire and respect it because I know how hard it can be. Both my husband and I have been runners all our lives, during which time our bodies and our fitness have changed numerous times due to illness or life events. It’s tough and often demoralising running when you’re overweight or out of shape. Respect.

I think good for them / I should start running again. Then my mind drifts elsewhere.

I was a fat runner. I never used to feel self conscious running but if I was taking a walking break I’d definitely feel fat and self conscious. Then I trained for a marathon and frequently looked absolutely wrecked on the last mile or two back home, as most people would running 15+ miles. Now I don’t worry. Nobody knows how far I’ve run today.

😀You didn't need to report back with what you're wearing (though I am happy you have a good bra!).
I wear fully fitted tights and (sometimes) shorts, but rarely a tight fitting vest. I know I should feel perfectly comfortable running in just a crop top, but I feel it attracts attention and a proper running vest is barely much extra fabric. In fact I can use it to wipe sweat.

It sounds like you've made steady progression. That's the thing with running, you notice really small improvements (slightly easier up a hill, a little more bouncy that last week, arrive home not quite as wrecked as last time!).

Well done.

Hello, fellow size 16-er!!!! I run. Well I jog, slowly, doing the couch to 5k. People either ignore me, nod hello/good morning or sometimes shout general encouragement/ lovely things. Generally “you can do it”, “good for you”. Every time it’s happened I’ve just thought how lovely it was and it’s warmed my heart (yes, even though good for you is a bit patronising, it was meant well).
I’ve never had any mean comments. I don’t know if people were thinking things but if they are who cares