Embarrassed, scared to start.....

[Greenmum2019]

This is lame, I'm just so scared and nervous to start exercising. I'm craving it so much, and I know my mental health needs it. I'm depressed I'm sure.

I have a fit bit and would love the confidence to go out and start doing couch to 5k.

Need a push.... Support advice..

I'm getting over-enthusiastic on your behalf but you should know as a Fitbit wearer that my resting heart rate has dropped ten beats since I started. That alone is incentive to get out and just do it😁.

6.30am! Go you!

The first time will be so rewarding! You will have broken the seal and entered to world of exercise

And all the goodness it will bring you! Enjoy x

OP, if there was ever a good time to be a beginner runner, this is it. I think lots of people are using this time to start exercising more, and WFH/being furloughed means fewer people are commuting in the mornings so typical commuter times at actually very quiet for running - few pedestrians and even fewer cars to notice you! I run a lot and anytime before 9am is usually really lovely, especially in this sunshine.

I started running this time last year. I did C25K after never having run more than 5k in my life, and now I'm training for a half marathon. I love running so much and it's hands down the best thing I've ever done for myself, fitness, happiness, self-confidence wise. All you have to do is start.

How did it go, OP?

I started c25k overweight, miserable, and not being able to run for more than a minute without feeling sick. I now run marathons for fun and have got my 5k time down to 20 mins. Honestly, if I can do it, anyone can.

I've been exercising regularly for years and Ive still never done it in public.

If you're still feeling self conscious, there's loads of free videos on YouTube. I like popsugar fitness, fitness blender, yoga with Adriene, yoga with Kassandra and Madfit.

I'm going to start couch25k after baby arrives, hope it went well for you today OP!

It's a great time to start. And a great time to get healthy. Just go for it. Do a very very short run just to break through the fear and you won't look back.

1. Nobody will know it's your first time
2. Nobody will care.

I mean that kindly, but honestly nobody gives a shit. (I mean unless you take a picnic and stop halfway round for a siesta...)

How did it go?

I wasn’t in the mood today but I did my workout. Feel better about it now!

I'm going to go against the grain. People WILL look. People WILL comment. No point saying nobody's looking at you because it's not true. I've been running for nearly two decades and people look and comment all the time. 99.9% of people are utterly kind though. Dog walkers in particular. Lots of "do a lap for me" type comments but always good natured. I look at runners. I admire their leggings, wonder what they're listening to, smile/say hello as I would with any other pedestrian I pass. Very, very occasionally you may get an unkind comment but they are generally from wankers who would comment unkindly on anything you do.

Realistically, does it matter if people see you? All they're seeing is you improving yourself. Let em look their fill.

Good luck. You are doing a brilliant thing.

Joe Wicks PE or HIIT on YouTube are great, i do it with the curtains closed

I'm doing C25K in the house, on a trampette. It's harder on the trampette, so I'm taking it easy. It's better for my joints as I'm morbidly obese.

Hi OP, don't be hard on yourself if it didn't happen this morning. It's Easter, which is a great day for new starts! If you're shying away from a big project like C25k, then just get out for a brisk walk. Have a short and a longer option in mind - chances are once you're out you'll happily do longer, but the short option will help you get out the door!

You have all inspired me so much.

So.... O did get up at 6.30 and got collared by the kids seeing if the Easter bunny had come.

BUT I'm bathing my youngest now and have my kit on... Hair up and app ready.
check back in after!

Looking forward to knowing how your did. I am way too fat but started C25k in January. Have been enjoying it and now on week 6 (I haven't been going as regularly as I wanted) but I'm determined to finish it by the time I go back to work.

I'm currently a regular runner, training for my first marathon. But I've have several 'get in to running' starts over the years where I've gone from the very start of run-walk to built fitness up. We've all started from nothing, at least once!

As a PP, I also love seeing new runners out & about - there have definitely been more since this whole malarkey started. Go for it!

Did it!!!!
Week 1 run 1 done. I struggled about third in. Legs felt heavy but I just fast walked then walked for the next walk but then ran the last one.

Made my son do it with me who is 8. I actually did better than him!!!

Thanks again, I feel good 😍

P.s

I didn't feel too embarrassed, I smiled the whole way around!!!

Good for you! Well you’ve done it now- you’ve started. Just keep at it. You won’t believe how far you can come in a few weeks. The hardest bit was starting.

Brilliant.

You are awesome.

You will improve so quickly, promise. You'll amaze yourself.

Two things to remember:

1. You can always slow down if you need to
2. The first bit of a run always feels the worst imo. It's the jump from resting to running. Once the endorphins kick in and adrenalin settles, it gets better.

Love the thought of you smiling all the way round.

Well done!

@ShowOfHands great tips!!!

I began running nearly 2 years ago ...such a personal journey nobody is at the same stage as you. C25k is a brilliant way to start l can knock out a 5km run no problem now which is something l never thought l could do! Good luck xxx

I can run 5k or even 10k but haven't for ages so I don't want to go straight back into it. I'm mixing up walking and running (jogging 😉) just because I like to do that, enjoy the scenery etc. I don't feel bad I'm not running - I guess partly because I know I could do it if I wanted to but the people who see me don't know that and I've never had a judgy look at all. So hold your head high and just pretend you are choosing to walk - confident smiling (which you are doing) and don't look embarrassed. You're doing fab 😊😊