To worry what people think when they see a larger women running?

[Scicilly]

I am a size 16 and been working hard at losing weight (20lbs down thus far!). I love running (well puffy jogging really) and am working up in distance, now 8k, 3 to 4 times per week. I have had real confidence issues recently and feeling quite conscious now I've extended the route that I run in some more populated areas and feel like people really stare at me. In reality I know most people probably really don't care but I remember a Katie Hopkins show (really not someone to listen too I know!!) in which she said she always thought what a state fat people were in when they run, and my sister who is a personal trainer says she always thinks fat people running looks a bit 'pathetic' - and yes she said this to my face when I told her I had taken up running! I've also had school kids laugh at me and a builder van pass and they shouted 'run fatty run' (though that was ages ago). What do you honestly think when you see larger people running? - I get I may not be the finest sight compared to some of the people who pass me but getting to me now. Dh thinks I'm being silly and as he points out I'm 20lbs on what I was when I started so I should be feeling more confident not less... but I still feel some people see me as something to laugh at... am I imagining things maybe?

I think "bless, she must feel like everyone's watching her and I wish I could go up and tell her it gets easier cause I was there too"
And it does so keep it up :)

There are a lot of idiots out there. Ignore them. Know inside that you are running to be fit and healthy and thats all that matters, but i know its hard.

Firstly size 16 is not fat. possibly overweight depending on height but def not in the standards that you would stand out from the crowd. secondly I honestly have a lot of admiration for overweight people exercising as it shows such motivation and devotion to Turing your life around. When I spot someone I think wow go you, but then in all honesty the next thing catches my eye and I've forgotten. It is not something that stands out to me enough that I need to remember it for the rest of the day. Just remember no matter how big someone is who is running they are still lapping those on the couch. Keep running and be proud of what you have achieved. If anyone does have a comment to make it say more about their insecurities than anything else. PS you can run much further than me, I wish I had your motivation

I always think 'bloody well done' while lamenting the fact I can't motivate myself to get off my own arse!

It makes me think 'Wow, that looks like hard work. Man, I'm lazy.' Actually there was a size 18 woman on the street opposite mine who took up running, I was a bit startled when I first saw her, just cos it does stand out compared to other runners. She kept at it and a year later she is approx size 12 and looks flipping amazing.

and just to add...when you're fit and trim, that rude van driver will be the same fool honking at you.

Honestly? I always think 'go on girl'

I run, and I think 'you go girl' when I see people out who look like running is harder for them for whatever reason. And I silently cheer them .

I think 'good for you missus!!'

Honestly you are great. If you think you can bear it, next time you see a starer, give them a little wave and a smile. I bet you get a grin back, a good one.

What upsets me quite profoundly though is any woman running who clearly doesn't have a sports bra. Buy a sports bra lady runners! Your bouncing boobs will thank you.

I've been heckled on runs at many different times in my life. Mostly when I lived in south London. The thing driving the heckles wasn't anything about me, it was all about the twats doing the heckling. They'd heckle anyone for any reason they could find. I got the most abuse when in fine shape and living in Streatham Hill before it got posh

When they heckle I like to channel my inner BA Baracus and think "Pity The Fool"

I think bloody well done. And then I get jealous that I'm not well enough to run myself. I admit when seeing larger women run I do sometimes think "I wish she'd get a shock absorber" as I do worry about the effect on their boobs of being juggled up and down so much (speaking as someone with big boobs who did use to run).

I think ' someone running, good for them, their knees must be in better shape than mine'

That's it!

Thank you all for the lovely words. REally genuinely wasn't the reason for posting - kind of wanted to see if it maybe mainly in my head?
I want to be the one no one notices. I think I look large and wobbly but as I'm tall it also looks a bit bulky maybe... Boiing I want to be that women!

You're still lapping the person on the sofa! Good for you and keep at it.

I'd think well done, good for you.
Ignore stupid comments and dont let them put you off, you're the one out getting fit.

I wish I had your courage

Don't worry sp10ink - one thing I did invest in was a very supportive bra!!!

Ignore your sister!
I usually don't think about anything other than "best move buggy out the way of that jogger" or yelling at DS to slow down on his scooter so he doesn't run them over.
Sometimes I'll think "good on ya" because as much as I think I should take up jogging I've just not got off my bum to start.

I passed a woman who looked overweight and very unfit the other day. She wasn't running she was doing burpee type exercises with what looked like a personal trainer.

Her face was very red and she was all sweaty but she was smiling and in the privacy of my own mind I thought: you keep at it, woman. You're showing grit and courage. You're having to work so so hard. Harder than the skinny ones doing the same thing but look at you! You're doing it!

I used to be really really unfit. Then I met an active bloke who I'd follow to the ends of the earth. And follow him I did and it got me fit. Persevere and wear that beetroot complexion with pride (I still turn very pink when exercising. I now care less).
And when you run, think less about how you must look to others and more about how it feels for you. The breath going in and out, the makes in your legs doing what leg muscles like to do. That power in your body is amazing. The body fat is just a suit on the outside. The runner is all of you.

8k! Wow, well done.
Whenever I see someone running, regardless of size, I always think - yep, they're running faster and further than me!
Good for you

I wish I had your courage

I would think fair play to you and it would inspire me to get my own wobbly bum down the park. Have a look at the #thisgirlcan campaign, I found the messages really reassuring and I often say them to myself as I'm exercising (I wobble therefore I am ).

www.thisgirlcan.co.uk

Even when I was a size 8/10 I could never run. Could do about 2 mins then collapse and die! You are fab! I am bigger than you now and if I could run I would!!!

DD and I always cheer people on as we're driving past them running.
Frequent shouts of "go on girl" or "come on dude you can do it" are a common thing