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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:
virabhadrasana · 24/05/2016 13:32

But, while we're here...... if you all saw a woman of say 45 ish in a nice bikini, and she was in good nic, would you think, oh look at your wan showing off, just cos she's slim doesn't mean she's not old, the rule still applies, she should be in a one-piece at her age, smug deluded mutton dressed as lamb.............
or are fashion 'crimes' always more forgiveable from the young be they fat or thin?
just askin' - for a friend 0_o

VoyageOfDad · 24/05/2016 13:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

virabhadrasana · 24/05/2016 13:44

that was meant for the similar thread 'what do yo think of a larger woman in a bikini' thread. was on them both. got confused.... Blush

MardAsSnails · 24/05/2016 13:46

I'll be honest. I look at fat people running and think that 'if someone THAT big can do that, I can do that sooooo much bettrr'.

Then I remember that I'm a size 16 that's bollocks, I'm an 18 on a good day and that the 'fat' person is probably lighter and smaller than me. I put my running gear on, realise I look/feel like a whale, and open a bottle of wine instead. and never make it out for the run. Ever.

MrsJayy · 24/05/2016 14:09

There is a woman who runs by my window every other day she has been doing it for 6ish months she was quite a big woman and at first was walking then ramped it up to whizzing past i keep thinking good for her and she has lost weight so must be a bonus for her

Loulou2kent · 24/05/2016 14:23

I am so glad I came across this post. I'm also a size 16 & have lost 20lbs. I feel exactly the same when I run. I've been running a couple of months now & I always think back to a woman I used to see running whilst I was sat in traffic on my way to work & over the year she got faster & fitter & slimmer. One day that will be us OP. You go girl xxx

derxa · 24/05/2016 14:24

My eyes would mist over a bit because I know the effort it takes to even get out of the house. I know because I've been there. I was so fat that my stomach would thwack against itself. I lost a lot of weight and running helped. You'll soon be running 10ks Well done!
Sadly surgery and stress from illness meant I've put weight back on so need to get the old running shoes back on.
Good Luck

hellsbellsmelons · 24/05/2016 15:13

I always think 'Oh FFS H, if they can then you can too, now get your arse motivated'

And more often than not it comes with a, 'You go girl' of course!

oliveoilandaubergine · 24/05/2016 16:02

i think good for you! i am also slightly jealous that i have no time (or inclination) to go running at the moment!

ClaretAndBlue30 · 24/05/2016 16:05

Only ever really really positive thoughts from me....you're up to a distance that's more than most people could run and you are lapping everyone on the couch Smile

Keep it up!

MintyChops · 24/05/2016 16:09

I would only ever think fair bloody play to you and my weight has ranged from a 14 to a current 20. If anyone pays attention to what Katie Hopkins says THAT is the real tragedy.

CarShare · 24/05/2016 16:11

Whenever I see anyone run of any size I always think bloody good effort and feel a bit guilty that I don't exercise enough.

SpoonintheBin · 24/05/2016 16:12

My completely honest answer is that when I see a woman with large boobs running I think 'she should buy a better bra' but apart from that, when I see whatever size person, I think well done you, I can't run to save my life, not even 2 k. Then I feel like poop for not trying harder. And I have no excuse, I live next to a park. I haven have the bleeding shoes and bra but I am too lazy. So jealous is how I feel!

Theydontknowweknowtheyknow · 24/05/2016 16:17

I do an internal "you go girl" style fistpump and then tell myself off for being so cheesy Blush

Parisbanana · 24/05/2016 16:28

I used to feel like you. Preferred huffing and puffing where I wouldn't be seen and hated it if people stared or shouted comments. And I know ignore ignore ignore but it isn't always easy.
Soooooo, what helped me was this. Put on a cap and sunglasses and stick earphones in. If I felt I was incognito, if I couldn't hear them and if they couldn't see my eyes, I felt more invisible. Definitely worked for me.

You are doing brilliantly. Just keep it up and don't let stupid rude people put you off.

Rachel0Greep · 24/05/2016 16:30

Anyone I see running, no matter what size or shape, I probably just think fair dues, and think no more about it.

springydaffs · 24/05/2016 23:43

Searing honesty: if I see someone 'perfect' running I feel pissed off.

I'm not perfect.

Iggi999 · 24/05/2016 23:50

Loads of runners pass me every day. I really don't see them at all, any more than I register other people's dogs.

Septbaby · 24/05/2016 23:50

I think more power to you and desperately try to garner inspiration from you to get up and do it myself!

Don't even think twice!!

EmmaWoodlouse · 25/05/2016 23:01

I am fatter than you and I like running. I don't care what people think I look like, running is one time when it's really not about how you look, it's about how good your body feels (and I don't mean how you feel your body looks, I mean the glow and the buzz that you get from a successful run). I bet people who actually run too are never uncomplimentary about you!

UsedToBeAPaxmanFan · 26/05/2016 05:57

I'd think "good on you" as I do when I see any runner, whatever their size. I can't run but wish I could.

I know what you mean about feeling self conscious though. I go to a number of exercise classes and am always aware of the fact that I'm the biggest person there. Except I'm probably not as I'm a size 12 and i know that some people in the classes are bigger, but I still think I'm the biggest person there if that makes sense?

Well done on the weightloss.

2ManySweets · 26/05/2016 06:01

Not RTFT but I always think "Yassss! Gwan!"

I know I run funny; it's been commented on and jeered at. The paramount thing in my head when that happens is "at least I'm losing weight. Alas you're stuck with that face forever..."

Then I turn my headphones up a bit 😉

daisychain01 · 26/05/2016 06:02

my sister who is a personal trainer says she always thinks fat people running looks a bit 'pathetic'

Really? does she have any clients.....

DoubtfireDear · 26/05/2016 06:16

I always admire people running- not matter what their size.

I'm a size 16 too OP, and I have taken up running in the past; it can be nerve wracking having to put up with thoughtless comments but you are doing something that not only will help you lose weight hut will inpact positively on lots of areas of your health.

Find some running gear that makes you feel bouncy and confident and keep it up Flowers

AyeAmarok · 26/05/2016 06:24

I always think "Yay! Good for you."

And then I start to think that I hope she sticks at it and has/gets the running bug, I wonder what she'll look and feel like in a month, or 3 months.

But I am a huge advocate for running completely changing your life (body and mind) if you stick at it, and I always like to see examples where that happens.