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’?

A lone runner isn't going to hog the pavement /path anymore than someone who is walking. Unless you're like the runner I literally bump into because they refuse to keep to theor side!

Back to op. Runners come in all shapes and sizes. I am in a local women's running group as well as a competitive running club, and both are welcoming to runners of all paces, shapes and sizes. Absolutely no judgement from me.

As the Spencer David Group says, Keep on running!

I always think good on them.

I do wonder if I'm actually going faster than someone sat on the couch when dog walkers sometimes overtake me 😅

Hand on heart I think to myself “better struggling with a jog than staying sat on the sofa”

I’ve never heard of it. And I read quite a lot. It’s rubbish.

100% always think “well done” to that person. Running is hard. Plus if I were close enough I’d say it directly to them. People used to say that to me.

Interesting that you think we are stuggling

My default reaction is respect. For all people getting out there and doing healthy stuff.

I usually think they look strong and must be working hard. Hats off to them.

I'm always very impressed and inspired when I see somebody very overweight of very old exercising. I always used to hope I would be that old person one day (but sadly that is unlikely because I now have a chronic illness).

Probably seeing it from my own perspective as I know I would struggle

Out of interest do people think these sofa things about thinner people? Feels like a bit of an extension of the 'fat people lazy' narrative, as if the sofa is their natural home. I mean it's probably mine but still.

It’s not uncommon for this to be trotted out on our club FB when someone’s unhappy with their performance (race or training), regardless of size.

Makes me jealous and guilty at the same time.

It is interesting the assumptions people have, well-meaning or otherwise
that a fat person running must be struggling, not enjoying it, trying to lose weight, doesn’t know enough about the benefits of other types of exercise, can’t afford the gym, needs other people for motivation or company so should join a class instead

yes, and also some of the language of well at least they are trying so good for them, as if the trying then makes us at least a tiny bit acceptable. I'm sure people don't mean it like that intentionally, but it does just show the sort of ingrained view they have. And I know I have similar unconscious biases myself, despite my weight - it's kind of absorbed as you grow up fat, and it's hard not to sometimes take on the biases yourself in some ways, even as you fight against them at the same time and want people to know they're not true.

I’m a 62 year old overweight runner and I don’t give a flying f**k what anyone thinks! I do it for me. No one else.

Don't forget we are wearing the wrong bras too!!

I’m fit, slim and run 3-4 times a week. I have nothing but admiration for runners of all shapes and sizes, it’s bloody hard work and takes commitment, even more so if the person is overweight.

I made a comment about ill-fitting bras. I don't know if anyone else has either.
I did indeed say I notice if a fat person's breasts are not well supported. I didn't say that I notice if any woman's breasts are not well supported because you were specifically asking about fat people.
I didn't say all larger people are wearing the wrong bra.

We hear a lot about the struggles women have in finding good, functional sports wear.

I don’t give them a single thought.

I always think ‘good for you’ as I am aware of how many barriers they might face to getting out there.

"Obesity – the heavier you are, the more the impact forces on the knees. This causes more friction and abrasion of the lining of the knee joint. If your aim is to lose weight with your running program, maybe initially start with a combination of walking/running and other non-weight bearing activities. These could include bike riding for cardio-vascular training. At least until you develop good strength in the knees to manage the load and keep your knee protected."

Does running effect your knees? | MD Health

Well my aim isn't to lose weight, I’m already well into that process. Also, I did start with walking before I progressed to running, it’s taken me about a year to reach this stage. Did you even read my posts before a quick copy paste?

I was responding to this remark:

I wonder if i should be speaking to my GP though? It never crossed my mind I might be causing myself damage

The answer is, yes, you should be speaking to your GP. I expect the damage is done now, in any case. Instead of asking questions you don't want to know the answer to, you could google them yourself.