to think my knees are none of your concern..

[Runningonempty84]

Lighthearted (a bit), but...
Staying with my family this Christmas. Every time I nip out for a run, it's "why are you running, it's meant to be a holiday." Or "you'll have no knees by the time you're 50." Or "you don't need to lose any more weight." It drives me INSANE.

Running has made me much happier and healthier (mentally and physically) which they're well aware of. And the only time I've had knee trouble is back when I was fat.

AIBU to think they should lay off the anti-running sniping, and just let me crack on with it?!

I know someone who is addicted to exercise. Their whole life revolves around exercise. It’s quite sad as they are just too extreme

Staying with my family this Christmas. Every time I nip out for a run, it's "why are you running, it's meant to be a holiday."

How many times a day are you ‘nipping out’ to warrant this comment?

I get this from my family. I was actually dangerously overweight a few years back, and managed to get to a healthy BMI. The habit of exercise has stuck, and I still go to the gym three times a week.

I get accused of having an exercise addiction, and of being anorexic just because I no longer eat when I'm not actually hungry.

I am a very healthy weight, a stable weight, and they are not.

So I don't know why they feel the need to criticise my habits - that allow a healthy, stable weight - rather than looking at their own!

There's every reason for humans to run long distances regularly. We evolved to out run our prey and catch them when they were exhausted. That's why a) running is pretty ineffective at burning calories (ie. once you're fit you can run endurance races and not even burn off a McDonald's) and b) Literally as soon as you can walk, you can walk fast, then run. We are born to run. The only reason humans have difficulty with it is because we don't do it from the moment we walk, we go back as overweight adults and try to 'take it up' as a hobby.

Cherryplum, running is exactly what the human body is built for! It's how we were meant to live.

Why do you think the gluteus maximus is the size it is? It's to power our legs to jog across the plains while we look for food, and for occasional sprints to chase prey or escape predators. Women especially are built to travel miles every day at a steady pace.

We aren't designed to sit on our gm for long. Now I know we don't live like that any more, but a stone age exercise routine is the healthiest thing around.

I've been running for 10yrs and I've never had trouble with my knees. My family are very supportive and never say anything negative so I am lucky.

However, a few months back I was running when I said hello to a guy who I see about but don't really know, as I was passing him he said "walking is much better for you you know" I told him it may be but it ain't as much fun! Then ran off.
My stepsister told me I was sad for running in winter, she does talk out of her arse a lot though, pure jealousy. And, guess who decided to give running a try last winter?!

@Allmyfavouritepeople I am completely addicted to running! There are worse things to be addicted to.

Surely being overweight is worse for your knees?

All our family run at Christmas, it’s like a relay with looking after each other’s kids 😀

Go for your run. Ignore those who can't..

This thread has some very bizarre comments

The first thing I’ll do on Christmas Day is go for a run. Allows me to eat guilt free and stops me killing family members. Everyone is a winner!

Pack your trainers with pride people!

51Milquetoaster

I'd like to point out that you can in fact be a healthy weight without running... grin

Not me, not for long anyway unless I want to train myself to have a miserable bird-like appetite. I've struggled to get out even a handful of times in the last month due to life and mild, lingering winter lurgy and I can feel it on my waist and hips already, and it's not been a particularly extravagent December yet. Those few hundred calories here and there, and maintainence of muscle mass make a significant difference to me (have a small, unforgiving build).

Other exercise exists, but running is so time efficient. Plus easy for nipping out when visiting relatives with antiquated opinions about knees

OK, Milquetoaster, by 'designed' I guess you understand I mean our bodies have evolved for this purpose.

My point stands though; our 'glutes' enable us to run long and slow over extended periods. We can use them or lose them, but there's no justification for telling someone they are wrong to run or will surely damage their joints by persisting!

Of course YANBU to want to do your exercise - 5 days without some exercies and I would be a jittery wreck (for me it is about keeping GAD at bay)

But it depends on how long you go for and when - and how much your absence inconveniences other people.

But it depends on how long you go for and when - and how much your absence inconveniences other people

I do one run a day, usually first thing in the morning. Doesn't inconvenience anyone else (eg) I don't ask family to help with kids while I'm out). And of course if there are family arrangements or activities, those would come first and I'd reschedule or cancel my run.

How long I go for varies. Most this holiday has been an hour and a half. Usually more like 40-50 mins.