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?

when i see a larger lady running i think she's pretty damn awesome

fat runner here - although even when I was a size 10 I got hassled by the kind of people who find the idea of a woman occupying public space without the primary concern of looking attractive a bit too much for their wee brains to cope with

I love running and I'll be fucked if some lazy idiot in a van or a bunch of spotty youths are going to make me feel bad.

Run OP run!

I'm always envious and wish I could run as well as they can.

It makes me feel happy. also a bit guilty, but mostly happy.
AS a result of reading about it on here, i started the couch to 5k thing today. For now I'm just using my treadmill, because I feel too hideous to be running outside, but in a couple of weeks I'm hoping to be outside in the fresh air.

I think 'you go girl '

I'm a size 20. 3 weeks I couldn't run for a bus but decided to do c25k. Today I ran-ds1 assures me I was running even though it felt slow- for a total of 9 minutes. I amazed myself.
The first day I wore white leggings All I had in the house. Now I own a pair of joggers.

My dc have been cheering me on and running with me. As today was the first day of week 3 and ds1 had finished his exam he ran with me, giving me advice etc. I said I must look ridiculous and my 15yr old boy reassured me I was doing well.

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 had three good sports bras but today I broke one. The material ripped the strap off the back and left me looking very odd.
As an H cup I think there must have been some bounce.

I really admire people who are perhaps slightly bigger than average and love seeing them doing their run/jog. Good on them for wanting to improve their health. It's great to see.

Who gives a fuck what they think, ignorant bastards. At the end of the day you are doing something healthy and good for you and trying to lose weight and the more you do it the slimmer you will get and the less people will stare.

I genuinely think good for you when I see people running! Then feel guilty because I don't.

I always give large people more credit for going running. So be proud of yourself! Good for you!

I think "good for you! shit, I should do more exercise shouldn't I?" ... and then I forget about it instantly.

What you have to remember, OP, is that women have abuse shouted at them for doing anything outside - walking, standing, talking to their friends and all women are targeted, no matter what their size.

Yes, this! And not just women either / DH has had random slurs shouted out of car windows as he walks by, so has my brother. Some people are just fecking arseholes who seem to exist to make life more miserable for the rest of us.

Headphones to block them out but not traffic noises are ideal.

So go you, and stuff what anyone thinks or seems to think - honestly, life's too short!

I think FairPlay to you. I nod at fellow runners when we cross & size wouldn't come in to my thinking at all

I always want to shout out the car "you're doing fantastic! Keep going!" But don't know whether they'd think I was being sarcastic which I definitely am not. I honestly admire you for running 8k 3-4 times a week. I am 9.5 stone and a healthy weight for my size and you lady are a lot fitter than me. I take my hat off to you!

Size 14/16 and taken up running a month or so ago, I'm quite wobbly as have a 7 month old baby and I am slow!

Luckily not had any negative comments so far, well, not that I know of. I can't hear them over Beyonce!

Well done OP, it's really hard to do but you're doing well to keep at it.

I usually think ' shit, I'm really lazy. I should do some running. ' and then I don't.

I hope one day I can do 8k like you, OP. Threads like yours inspire me to keep going, despite the embarrassment.

Finished Week 3 of C25K today as a size 18, very wobbly fat thighs in bright blue leggings. It was the first day I've had somebody look at me in a Katie Hopkins way. Three weeks ago I would have been gutted, today I just thought 'Fuck you'. So even if I'm not getting fitter, my self esteem seems to be doing alright!

Re: the smile/nod. Runners are like sailors at sea but on land. Obviously. Runners nod and smile at other runners. I do anyway. Especially if they're good looking men. No, that last bit is not true.

When I see a larger person running I feel embarrassed.
Because they are running and I'm not.

I always think fair play, they're doing really well to want to change and get healthy.

However, I'm a size 16-18 and went out today for the first time in a LONG time for a walk. I ended up jogging in places, but I'm very cautious not to jog if there are any people around. I feel extremely self conscious and I always stop and walk to pass people. I wish had the confidence to think fuck it, but I really don't.

I ended up walking 10km. (With spurts of jogging here and there) I will ache tomorrow I think. But I know the more I do it, the better I will feel, physically and mentally.

OP, I think I need you to come and run with me. I need your confidence!
Well done on the weight loss btw.

Red, the next time you go out, think of this thread and jog by a person rather than walk. Go on, you can do it!!!

I definitely don't have any particular thought about it when I see someone in the street. Sorry about the comments you've had, but I really think it's not the norm- Katie Hopkins comes across as a very extreme, insecure and unhappy person for example. And your relative the personal trainer - ime people who do sports/health related jobs can get preoccupied with weight since they're thinking about related things all day. One of my best friends is a short size 16 and she is one of the sportiest people I know - I'm completely in awe of her.

Honestly, I don't pay much attention to runners. Except those old guys who wear lycra and it looks like they are in their speedos the shorts are so short and tight

If I was to think anything I would think 'good on her'. I am a size 16 also and I have absolutely no motivation right now to lose any weight.

Congrats on the large loss too

I would think "god I wish I could be arsed running" like I do when i see anyone exercising, it just reminds me I'm so lazy well done op, put headphones on and ignore rude people.

I wouldn't give a shit.

You're lapping everyone sat on their sofas!