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’?

I always feel envious, I've tried running and I can't get to grips with it at all
Not just fat people, any people I wish I could run

There's quite a bit of research to debunk this myth :)

Today at the swimming pool there was a lady who’s be classed as obese. She was in the communal showers naked speaking with a friend. She handled herself with utter confidence and all I could think was “ good on you”. I think it’s so sad that many overweight people are stopped from exercising by shame.

I think - Well done, keep going. If only more overweight people tried to improve their fitness.

I notice and think good on them.
It inspires me to do more exercise myself to be honest.

If I notice an overweight runner, I mentally give them extra kudos. I also feel the vicarious excitement of the gains ahead of them if they keep it up.

I am a regular runner, including marathon distance, but will never forget the thrill of running my first 5k, slowly but without stopping.

I’m doing it because I enjoy it, not to lose weight, i have been losing weight for ages, the running is for health reasons, not necessarily weight loss. I eat really well and have no interest in lifting.

I worry about their knees. I'm also obese and it would kill mine. But nothing beyond that. Some men will probably comment but from previous threads that happens regardless of what the woman looks like. 🤷🏼‍♀️So just ignore them. If the only people that can exercise are already fit, well it doesn't really work that way does it.

I think good for you and that I should really get back out there myself!

Good for them? I guess.

But as a runner, I feel the same when I see runners generally

I usually think, if i think anything at all, good for them I couldn't be arsed with that. I hate running and admire anyone with the dedication

The research is around running and effects on knees, not running when obese.

A lot of comments about knees and joints on the thread. My knees have never felt so good since I lost 6 stone, they are certainly better after a bit of running then they ever used to be after a small walk. I wonder if i should be speaking to my GP though? It never crossed my mind I might be causing myself damage

I'm a runner so always happy to see other runners around.

Any female is at risk of dumbshit heckles (even elites cop it) but it is an increased risk when fragile male egos, misogyny and fatphobia combine (especially in a van; what is it about vans???). I tend to think "good for you" because running is a great positive

I often run/ walk and most comments I get are when I'm on a walk break and someone "helpfully" encourages me not to give up. Dude, I've done a marathon and lost count of my half marathons, I'm allowed a walk break whether it's spontaneous or strategic.

I don't know the motivations or experience of any other runners out there. Maybe they're "slow" because it's week 7 of C25k... or maybe they're at mile 17 of a 20 mile "easy" run. All that matters is that they're out doing something mentally and physically positive.

My knees give me far less bother in my 40s than they did 25 years ago at 2st lighter because I regularly use and strengthen the muscles around them. The impact of running is good for my bone and muscle density, and the weightless intervals between landing are good for the cartilage. Runners do not have proportionately more "bad knees" compared to the general population.

I'd be interested to read it if you have links. It was my physio who told me how hard running was on the body and how the hip pain I gained after it was probably an injury I gained whilst pregnant many years ago - which had healed enough to deal with walking but not running. She said running is hard on your body as you are shifting all your weight repeatedly from one side to the other and landing on impact.

Exactly! Running is about a whole lot more than burning calories. Running saved my sanity during lockdown.

no I think if you’re overweight your only possible motivation for running could be to lose weight. You’re not allowed other reasons, you have to be visibly striving for thinness and accept their approval

Envy because I can't even walk without using a frame, never mind run.
Admiration at them doing something to get fitter and more healthy. For all I know they may be attempting to lose weight too. Seeing an overweight person doing any form of exercise just makes me think, good on them; they're moving about, not sitting on their backside moaning about their weight. Only an ignorant dick would criticise them.

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.

I see all ages, shapes and sizes at my health club and I don’t judge any of them, I’m really not in a position to.

Honestly?

Jealous as fuck, my shit lungs have stopped me running and I miss it.

@countdowntonap can you recommend any good people to look up on YouTube for running specific strength training? I am very consistent with my running (3x weekly including a speed/endurance session with my club) because I enjoy it, but I struggle to do the strength training I know I need to do to avoid injury (and tbh to lose a bit of weight, but I’d never give up running outdoors in favour of only lifting indoors). I have 2 young girls, a busy jobs and an unwell DM and MIL so time is very short, but I could do some 20-30 min videos once or twice a week. I can’t get to the gym as I have to tagteam with DH who also does running/cycling/football so it’d have to be stuff I could do while kids are in bed.

Theres a lady from the club who is a PT and was running sessions that I was meaning to get to, but she had surgery a couple of months ago so isn’t back to doing it yet. If there is anything I could do at home with a selection of dumbbells I’d be very interested. I really like Caroline Girvan but she’s not really running specific e.g no single leg stuff.

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!

Strength training is super important, especially for women as we get older. Doesn’t have to be lifting in a gym but some dumbbell workouts at home would be very beneficial. It can make a huge difference to quality of life as you age. I do cardio most days but also do strength training 3-4 times a week alongside.

I don’t really think anything when I see an overweight person running, I have friends who are runners and are all shapes and sizes. I hate running (I do a lot of exercise but I really don’t enjoy running) so sometimes I think ‘God that looks grim’ but I don’t really think anything about the physique of someone.

I really don't think speaking to the gp about is a bad idea. Your previous weight loss will obviously make you feel better in the knees but you've probably already damaged them a bit from being overweight. Mine are awful 😞 I've lost a lot but the damage is done already and I walk as it's significantly less of an impact on knees than running. But you might be younger/fewer issues.