I look like a dick and care too much what people think

[TerracottaTortoise]

Started a new exercise regime on Monday just walking at first to try and build up a bit. I'm quite overweight and have neglected myself completely for years (I'm 35 now) as both my kids have disabilities and I just forgot about myself really.

I really want to get fit but can't help feeling like a total dick in my leggings and work out strappy top with all my wobbly bits jiggling away. I just feel like people look at me and think I'm completely ridiculous!
I'm sure in reality they give a toss but it's really holding me back!

So do you look at bigger people trying to exercise and think they're ridiculous or AIBU?

I'm a member of an online fitness group. Yesterday a large lady posted a video of herself exercising. More likes and positive comments than I have seen before. Honestly people will have nothing but admiration for you.
Good luck x

I was in the car with my husband today and noticed a woman jogging at the side of the road. In hindsight, she probably was a little bit overweight but the comment I made to my husband was
“God, I wish I could run”

I have dyspraxia and the hypermobility makes running really difficult and quickly painful.

So go for it! Anyone who thinks anything negative is not the type of person you need to be worrying about anyway.

If anyone thinks anything it will be good on her for exercising or I wish I had the motivation she has.

Pretty good things to be thought of if you care what people think.

Also I'm fairly fit and still worry I look like a dick in my running gear. But I don't. Or maybe I do - much more likely I look like someone exercising.

It's great you are doing something for yourself. Keep doing it!.

I started running 2 years ago. I would wear black, black, black.

Then I discovered a particular brand of activewear last year, I started wearing the leggings with a dark top.

Now I've progressed into matching crop tops and wear a loose top which shows them off. Although on hotter days, I've been known to just wear the crop top.

I have a far from perfect body and people probably wonder what the heck I'm wearing but I love it and if they don't like it, that's not my problem it's theirs.

Once you're out there, you'll be too busy remembering to breathe to care what others are thinking!!

Good luck with your journey!

@TerracottaTortoise

Started a new exercise regime on Monday just walking at first to try and build up a bit. I'm quite overweight and have neglected myself completely for years (I'm 35 now) as both my kids have disabilities and I just forgot about myself really.

I really want to get fit but can't help feeling like a total dick in my leggings and work out strappy top with all my wobbly bits jiggling away. I just feel like people look at me and think I'm completely ridiculous!
I'm sure in reality they give a toss but it's really holding me back!

So do you look at bigger people trying to exercise and think they're ridiculous or AIBU?

OP I know exactly what you mean. I was exactly the same and I also started with walking but I just wore my normal comfortable clothes rather than 'work out' gear and a pair of good trainers. Having said that, I always think 'bloody good on you' if I see someone running but I felt uncomfortable at first.

I think everyone feels like you when they first start exercising.

If you keep at it and watch what you eat, your body shape will change quickly. You ll find your confidence will improve massively by the day.

I'm not going to lie, you might get a couple of idiots smirking or whatever. Don't let it put you off x

If they noticed you in a class and I asked them afterwards what you were wearing I guarantee you they couldn't tell me

It's true. I did an outside class this morning with a group of people and I couldn't tell you who was wearing what. I was there for me. Honestly try to push it out of your mind. Nobody is arsed.

If I see anyone running, I never take their size into consideration at all. I just feel guilty about being a lazy arse myself.

I do run, but I'm desperately unmotivated at the moment. I find the best top is a man's cycle shirt because its long, plus the hem dips at the back for more bum coverage.

I think 'good for them, that's what I should be doing' when I see someone overweight or not out excersing. My friend was 8 stone over weight and lost a lot of it through walking and built up to light jogging. As many have said most people are too wrapped up in themselves to care about what your wearing. I personally feel unsure when wearing different type of clothes so hopefully you'll feel more comfortable soon and not give it a second thought.
Well done for starting and keep going!

When you start exercising outside you feel so self conscious. I used to plan my routes so I wouldn't run past friends houses 🤣. After a couple of months and doing park run I realised absolutely nobody is interested in what you are doing or wearing. Give it a few weeks, treat yourself to clothes that fit and wear headphones if you feel really self concious. You won't give a stuff in a couple of months.

Anyone out doing exercise gets a mental hat tip from me and also a wistful look, because I wish I had the space in our schedule right now, hadn't got so heavy that my joints now suffer when I run, etc. I used to really enjoy a podcast while running, took it super steady (I'd repeat weeks of c25k and just make sure I wasn't flogging myself, which I did in past out of stupidity) and just stayed with the breath and the physical feedback from the bod. Really try and keep those things in mind. Nobody is looking at you. I mean, some people are shits but they're shits to anyone running/walking/driving/existing because they're people with issues, but vast majority will just think, 'ugh I should exercise more' when they see you, or 'yehhh a runner like me'.

Completely opposite. I have loads of respect for overweight folks working out as I am a lazy, overweight slob!!
Keep up the awesome work!

Honestly? Every time I've seen an over weight person exercising I've just thought they're amazing. No one knows why someone got to a weight they're unhappy with but the fact they have the strength and mind to do something not only about the weight, but for themselves, it takes a lot of courage. Carry on and don't let intrusive thoughts hold you back.

If I see anyone very overweight walking/jogging/cycling I always think 'Kudos to them'. I never think badly of them, if anything, the opposite.

Carry on and don't feel self-conscious. You are doing something about getting fit while others are couch potatoes.

I remember well before I started the couch to 5k that all I honestly felt when I saw anyone running and especially anyone taking part in the London marathon was envy and the wish that I could do that no matter what they looked like. I was very self conscious when I started running I was overweight too and I hid in baggy clothes and went out after dark.

I’ve taken part in a few ‘races’ now and did parkrun regularly and there are genuinely people of all shapes and sizes and fitness levels, but when we are all doing the same run and the same distance it’s a great leveller and people genuinely just want people to do well and have fun.

At the end of the day it’s what you feel most comfortable wearing but 99% of people really won’t notice.

atm I'm looking for new gym clothes so I might think 'oh I wonder where they got their gym clothes' but usually I don't even really notice people exercising. I must be quite self-obsessed but if I'm out, I'm usually thinking about where I'm going, what I'm doing or who I'm with.

Yep, I always think "good for you" when I see overweight people out exercising.

I'm very much an introvert and would always rather disappear in the background than be out on show if that makes sense

Me too, but I promise you, people you will see when you are out and about are wrapped up in their own worlds and not noticing yours. In some cases they may even be wondering where their next breath might be coming from.

Wear what makes you feel comfortable. Make sure you have good support (bra, shoes, socks) and let yourself start moving again. It can have a terrific positive effect on mood and then your body.

When you get more confidence you might even be brave enough to smile at other people - and a sense of camaraderie can build up if you start seeing faces regularly. It's happened in my area with a few people, both large and small!

Good luck, bloody well done and enjoy it

I must look pretty grim when I go out for a run. I’m 5’2 and size 12, I get a very red, sweaty face, my straight hair becomes straggly, my eyes stream, my wobbly bits shake and I huff & puff like a heffalump.

On the other hand, it’s time for me. I get to see ducks and geese and other water birds, there are cows, canal barges, wild plants, huge weeping willows and tall trees I can’t name. The only people I see are dog walkers and barge owners, and they are generally dressed in practical garb themselves. No one looks remotely glamourous and frankly no one cares.

Enjoy your exercise. That’s what matters.

Someone on my Facebook is larger size. I know she does parkrun and I think may be signed up to the TheFatGirlsGuidetoRunning facebook page - some sort of support group anyway. She also raves about one company so much I think she must get commission. It's www.tikiboo.co.uk/ - they must do larger sizes.

I pause her from time to time because the endless virtue signalling is irritating. Just go and do it but dont bore everyone to tears posting about it.

No way, if i see overweight people exercising i think fair play to them for getting out and making the effort.

I’m self conscious like you. I tend to avoid busy roads as much as possible. As you get fitter you’ll grow in self confidence

Would recommend joe wicks on YouTube as something to do at home on rainy days, just do as much as you can and build up

Amazing - go for it and good for you. You know, I honestly don't think anyone cares - you look after you! Good luck! xx

@TerracottaTortoise

Well done you for getting out there and doing it! Takes a lot of gumption to lace up those trainers and persevere when you're feeling self-conscious. I wouldn't judge you, would want to give you a high five and cheer you on Anyone that might think a mean thought reflects badly on them, not on you who is making the effort to get healthier.

If you're feeling a bit 'wobbly', do you have a good sports bra and maybe treat yourself to some higher waisted leggings to help 'hold things in'? Then put some earphones in and you're off.

DH and I are starting a 6 week boot camp on Monday to try and lose some weight (I'm 2stone over what I should be ) so going to be a sweaty mess, but treated myself to some nice gym stuff to feel a bit more confident, and hopefully disguise my love handles!

No way would I think anything negative if I saw a bigger person exercising, quite the opposite. Wear what you're comfortable in and don't give a stuff what anyone else thinks.