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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

207 replies

Scicilly · 23/05/2016 20:10

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?

OP posts:
NewtoCornland · 23/05/2016 20:27

I know how you feel OP. I'm a size 18 and took up running a few weeks back. At the moment I only occasionally bring my eyes off the floor as I'm so ashamed and I feel the smiles I get are more sympathy smiles. I know it'll get better in time, just can't wait until I can hold my head up high!

Bumpsadaisie · 23/05/2016 20:28

I think bloody good on you.

So does my OH.

Pigeonpost · 23/05/2016 20:28

I think "well done that person, I'm fat and I'm shit at running".

Eeeek686 · 23/05/2016 20:29

Haven't read the whole thread but just wanted to add I am relatively slim and quite fit (exercise-wise, I mean!) but without exception always think "Good for You!" when I see an obviously slightly less slim and fit person out going for it! But then I'm not generally bitchy by nature anyway.... Hmm

Also second the runners "disguise" someone suggested above - I always run with a baseball style cap pulled low as I get a v.unattractive flushed face and always look half dead when i run so definitely don't want to be recognised! Grin

TheoriginalLEM · 23/05/2016 20:29

im a size 22 andvrun! fuck em

bingisthebest · 23/05/2016 20:30

I'm naturally slim and go running and find it hard so if I see bigger people I just think bloody hell they're doing so well as its hard work!

HelenaDove · 23/05/2016 20:30

I started power walking when i wanted to lose weight again three years ago. I was 38K then and couldnt find a sports bra my size. a. unless i paid over the odds or b. internet shopped for one which i dont do for anything.

Used to go by the same blokes house every time and he always said "Good on you" and told me a year later i was looking great. I was a size 22 when i started 3 years ago and am a 14 now.

WonderMomma · 23/05/2016 20:30

Seriously though, don't waste your time running, do hiit (search for hiit videos on YouTube) the mist effective way to lose weight

Original poster
Scicilly · 23/05/2016 20:30

NewtoCornland you got it in one! Though I do try and smile to everyone who passes me or visa versa but other than that keep head down, but after the first few weeks I started finding it so much easier and the grin on my face when I get in after a good run is great - I can feel my body changing - keep going!

OP posts:
Runningupthathill82 · 23/05/2016 20:31

I think "bloody well done", followed by "that must be hard work."

When I started running again after having DD I still had 3 stone to lose, and running was so much harder.

It took me much longer to do my usual routes as well and - as I said on another thread earlier this week - it's much tougher to take 45 mins to run 5k, and be working hard all that time, than it is to whip round in 20 mins.

So yes, I think if I even noticed you -and wasn't instead too busy obsessing over my Garmin or worrying about what the children were up to - I'd just be impressed.

ZigZagIntoTheBlue · 23/05/2016 20:32

I think 'well done that person, I really should dust off my trainers'. Honestly, if you're out and about have you ever thought about any passerby after they've passed by? I have never given a seconds thought to anyone, couldn't describe them for love nor money (hopefully never a witness as I'd suck at descriptions) I'm normally too preoccupied with the internal monologue of what I need to buy/cook/who I need to collect/what day is it tomo, what reading book goes in school bag etc etc

CantThink5 · 23/05/2016 20:32

I'm a size 10 but incredibly unfit. I live next to a park & see lots of runners. I think you're all amazing! Size means nothing. I couldn't do what you're doing!! I wish I had your mental strength, stamina & the motivation to try.
Keep going Star

bertsdinner · 23/05/2016 20:32

I probably wouldn't think anything. If I did, I suppose I'd think they were just trying to get fit and going the right way about it.
A lot of people run in the city where I work and no one seems to give them a second glance.

OooLookShoes · 23/05/2016 20:35

I think 'good on you' followed shortly by ' bugger, I need to get out for my run'

I do think Fat Lad/ Lass at the Back have the ethos nailed

fatladattheback.com/womens
fatladattheback.com/about

You are still doing better than anyone on the sofa.

the reason you don't see that many larger runners (and cyclists) is because they don't always STAY large if they keep it up!

I agree with the pp who said The twats that shout 'run Fatty' are the same ones who would shout nice tits at a slimmer woman. They just want to be cunts. It's not about you at all. I get 'run shorty' and let's face it at 43 I ain't gonna grow. :)

OooLookShoes · 23/05/2016 20:37

Oh, and cornland I can assure you mine is NOT a sympathy smile it's a 'hi fellow runner' smile.

modelthroughit · 23/05/2016 20:38

I'm a size 20 runner. I'm slow, and ploddy... But I don't care. I do parkrun every week, and at least one or two other runs per week.

I joined toofattorun.co.uk a few years ago now, and it's helped my confidence enormously!

So if I saw you out and running, I'd probably give you a nod and keep going myself :)

Spartak · 23/05/2016 20:39

I'm a size 16/18 and I run. I used to go under the cover of darkness but I'm less bothered these days. I put in headphones so I can't hear anything shouted out at me.

I used to get a few comments about my E Cups bouncing around - I got a decent sports bra that controls them well and that's now stopped!

Rdoo · 23/05/2016 20:39

I wouldn't think anything or give you a second glance.

If I did think something it would be "look at her go, I should take up running and shift this fat, maybe monday, oh who am I kidding, I won't do that".

This would be the same if you were a size six.

Gabilan · 23/05/2016 20:40

If I think anything, it's "good on you". You're getting fitter and maybe inspiring other people in a similar situation to do the same.

MyBreadIsEggy · 23/05/2016 20:40

I'm naturally a small person....very lucky really considering my abysmal diet and laziness when it comes to exercise.....
A few months ago, I went to a free fitness class run for wives/daughters of service personnel at the gym on my husband's RAF station. The instructor was a larger lady - my guess would be around a size 16/18. I pig-headedly thought to myself "well this can't be that hard if she's the instructor" Blush Oh how wrong was I Blush She may have been bigger than me, but she was as fit as a race horse!!
Now, when I see a larger woman running or in the gym etc, I think "Good on her! She is probably fitter than me!"
Congratulations on your weight loss OP! And keep up the good work!! Remember, skinny people can be thin on the outside and fat on the inside....I know I probably am Blush

Gide · 23/05/2016 20:41

Honestly? My immediate thought is 'Good on you doing that, you go girl, wish I could do it, bugger, that would fuck my knees'.

All respect to you, PS, size 16 is the average in the UK, I gather?

Ilovewillow · 23/05/2016 20:42

Well done the loss so far, amazing! If I see anyone running whatever their shape I always think we'll done! Keep it up!

deutschland83 · 23/05/2016 20:42

There is a girl who runs near me. She's very overweight, goes at a snails pace and looks knackered.

Every time I see her I give her a pretend fist bump.

She's awesome, I'm not out there running I hide on my couch.

If you're in a set of trainers and moving you're doing it right Smile

museumum · 23/05/2016 20:44

I'm a size 14 and don't think of myself as "fat" when out for a run.
In any race I'm clearly one of the larger people there but even still I've seen a lot larger and I've seen bigger and older runners finish a long way ahead of me.
We're all runners. If I saw you I'd give you a smile and nod as a kindred spirit.

lastqueenofscotland · 23/05/2016 20:46

As a runner, if I'm running I'm probably not concentrating on anything else enough to think about them, if I'm not... I'm probably just jealous they are running and I'm not Grin