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’?

This time last year I was that fat runner. I did c25k and now run HMs. Running helped me lose 4 stone. I think ‘good for them!’ and nothing else at all.

Everyone time I see runners I feel ill at the thought of the effort they are expending.

That’s not a judgement on them; more a reflection on me being a size 8 smoker who can’t run to a bus stop.

I think "Good for them" that's all. I admire them.

Guilty that I am neglecting my excercise and they are not. And inspired.

whenever I see someone overweight taking part in any form of exercise I always think that they are fantastic and inspirational

I don't notice.

people here say that they don’t judge, but that doesn’t reflect my real world experiences, which is that people very much do notice and judge, and a fair few comment as well. There’s a lot of abuse, or even just disdainful comments, when you are overweight and running. “Run fatty run” is pretty common, from teenagers especially but other people too. Or oinking, from groups of males. Or various other muttered insults. You learn to ignore it, but it can be relentless and I don’t blame people for being put off. You also get comments for eating anything in public!

And when you lose weight, you realise even people who don’t make public comments that fat people can hear, do still make the judgements - they just say them in private/around others who are less overweight. And once you start hearing them, you realise they have likely been thinking the same about you all along, just wouldn’t have said it to your face. But now you’re thinner, they will say things in front of you about other people. It makes it really hard to keep exercising in public knowing that.

I tended to run at night, which was much riskier in terms of safety, but much more peaceful in terms of the comments. Only lately have I felt more able to go out in the daytime. I don’t think a lot of people realise the effects their judgments can have.

I admire them!

I think good for them , I used to be a runner but never got the bug for it although I love many other forms of exercise

I think ‘good for them’ when I see anyone running. When I see someone who is struggling to run I feel additional admiration and wish them well.

I think "you go girl" if I SEE them. I generally am not looking though. It's all wallpaper.

I was that size 16 who did c25k a while back. I know the "everyone is looking at me and judging" feeling.

They really aren't.

Honestly, I think good for you! I wish I had the guts myself.

I have been every size
I just think lucky them to be able to run (am disabled) and well done to them for looking after their bodies

Unanimously think 'good on you' here (3 of us)
I hear the point about overweight people being abused whilst running but that's by the sort of person who would abuse an obese person doing anything - I've known them abused just going about their normal business.

I’m fat myself but even when I wasn’t I always thought bloody well done you. It’s not just doing the exercise it’s braving the twats who might shout at you (which has happened to me).

Jealousy, the same as anyone I see running. I wish I could organise my day enough to fit in some exercise.

If I think anything at all, it’s definitely positive!!!
Honestly though: YOUR health, YOUR body, so big fat middle finger to anyone having a negative angle on YOU exercising. Why would you limit your health and fitness because anyone might think something bad about your body being exercised and becoming healthier and fitter? You’ll damage only yourself by NOT running - and other people will be none the wiser. Your health is none of their business!!! Nor does your body negatively impact their lives. Feck’m!

I’m a marathoner. My husband was 27 stone when we met and had loads of hangups about exercise. I’ve seen him work through them bit by bit over a number of years, starting with a healthier diet and then moving on to tackling his issues with exercise. When he took up running last year I was SO proud of him as I know what a journey he’s been on to get there.

He did his first 10km earlier this year and was one of the last finishers. He didn’t care- he was proud of himself for sticking to the training plan and showing up. And I was more proud of his race than I was mine- I set an overly ambitious goal, went out too fast in the heat and blew up. He made a sensible plan, stuck to it and had enough energy to zoom to the finish in a bit of a sprint a minute under his target time, with a smile on his face!

Every runner’s journey is different and it is so rarely about pace. Some runners might be tiny and fast but overcoming an injury. I’m slim but slow and can never seem to speed up no matter what I try so I go for longer distances for my sense of achievement. There are people who took it up in their 60s and even 70s wanting to make a point about being active later in life. My DH being a runner represents the journey he had before even starting. I have autism and sometimes I do a short slow run but the achievement was that I left the house that day. At the 10km there was a woman running with her DC in a buggy who had to stop and breastfeed half way round- what a hero! The faster runners hang around to cheer the slower ones on.

And every runner knows that everyone has their own story, so no, we’re not judging you, we’re thinking “good for you!” And hoping you get a lovely runners high afterwards.

I think good for you, hope you’re enjoying it! Anyone who runs is a runner and all runners are fabulous! Said as a runner. Anyone who thinks differently is an arse and should he ignored.

I always think good on them, especially if they are alone, because I think it’s so hard to motivate yourself to do exercise on your own.

I don't think much other than it might hurt their knees. I'm not fat but I have hyper mobility and avoid running all together

I don't really think anything. I certainly wouldn't be thinking anything negative though.

I recall when I used to do a lot of running but as a slightly larger woman and one who doesn't appear a natural runner, I used to get a lot of people I passed giving me "keep going", "well done you" type of comments and I hated it. I found it so patronising. I know they mean well but I'd rather they say nothing other than "morning"!.

I run, and no matter the size of any other runner I see I give a little nod and think go onnnn 👏🏻👏🏻
Helps me to keep going too!

I admire anyone, regardless of size, that is out running. Running is tough, and I used to be able to run until my knee/back/neck started giving me problems. So good on them for getting out there and being active, and doing a very physical activity.

I think good for them, and wish I enjoyed/could go running (can't start even if I wanted to due to knee issue).

I do always flinch if a woman of any size is not wearing a supportive sports bra though, I don't think it can be comfortable or good for them!