Anyone else feel so self conscious when out running?

[user1478639495]

Hey all so I'm no pro runner at all, but over the past few years I do enjoy a good
Run now and then, I'll do it regularly for a few months then stop then try again and stop for a year and go back lol

I'm hoping to try get back to it again soon but every time I feel so bloody self conscious about it!

Go past ppls houses, cars, in the lanes I always think ppl are gawking at me at how fat I am amd my wobbly bits going everywhere ppl laughing at me cuz my run is actually a very fast walk and I sound like a 80 year old chain smoker, it goes on. I still make myself go but I'd love to be able to switch off the feeling off being constantly watched even when I'm probably not being watched. Interested to know if others get all this or if it's just crazy old me?

I run, I notice other people running and usually wave, I do not judge or laugh and even if driving, I just think good for them! If you enjoy it then do it - life is too short to care and you are doing something great for yourself. Anyone who does laugh or judge is not worth caring about and have you actually seen anyone do it or is it something in you that projects that? Use your run to relax and de-stress and any feelings of negativity imagine the feeling on a leaf and floating down a stream away from you

I enjoy running, but feel very aware of myself. Especially when running alone. I always did, but the feelings got worse after someone shouted "Run fat bitch run," out of a car window. I tend to run with others now.

When I see a runner I just think "god they're good for going running".

I run and I started to enjoy it more when I realised that no one is really paying attention to me while I'm running. In the nicest possible way, other people don't notice us as much as we think they do

I can't conceive of thinking like that because I'm just not that interested in other people. At least, not people I don't know. And even if I do know them, what matters is if they are a nice person I like to engage. Not whether they are fat/sound raspy/beetroot.

if someone thinks has a strong negative opinion on OP for being those things then they have huge problems. It's not OPs problem what they think.

Plus, do you really think you're the only one with those features?

Weather is beautiful today & I'm seeing lots of all kinds of people out & about, including runners & walkers of all shapes/ages.

Do you have music/podcasts on while you run? I find that a huge distraction to what other people may be thinking of me.

I was like this for ages and still speed up when other people are around in case they take the piss but I care less and less as time goes on.

I'm not a good runner at all. I'm slow and I have to keep alternating between running and walking as I can't keep going. I'm sure I look a right state.

I've actually switched to cycling instead. I'm much better at that and I enjoy it more knowing that I look reasonably competent whilst doing it.

@user1478639495

Hey all so I'm no pro runner at all, but over the past few years I do enjoy a good Run now and then, I'll do it regularly for a few months then stop then try again and stop for a year and go back lol

I'm hoping to try get back to it again soon but every time I feel so bloody self conscious about it!

Go past ppls houses, cars, in the lanes I always think ppl are gawking at me at how fat I am amd my wobbly bits going everywhere ppl laughing at me cuz my run is actually a very fast walk and I sound like a 80 year old chain smoker, it goes on. I still make myself go but I'd love to be able to switch off the feeling off being constantly watched even when I'm probably not being watched. Interested to know if others get all this or if it's just crazy old me?

Tbh it sounds like you are judging yourself here. Stop doing that . No one is staring at you OP , they are just out for a walk or going somewhere. I just pop headphones in and crack on.

I like to imagine they're all thinking they wish they could be me

Put some headphones and music on and focus on that instead.

When I see runners I think 'good for them' or 'I wonder where they got their leggings'. I think most people are the same. I agree with having music on to block out distractions, just make sure you can hear cars.

I try not to, but yes.

I find I get comments from men.

I did a 30 min run and was walking home looking sweaty and beetroot faced. Old man with dog told me not to give up and keep running. Which I suppose was helpful!

Bin men felt the need to pass comments as I ran past.

Another fat old man told me my running looked “hard work”.

Funnily enough I’ve n had a comment from a woman. Apart from my lovely neighbour who saw me sweaty walking home and said how good I was to always be out exercising.

When seeing others run I always think 'good for them', even more so if someone is a bit overweight or clearly new to running. It takes courage and determination and so they deserve my admiration.

When I run, I just listen to music and enjoy the view.

No, never. Objectively speaking I am overweight and ungainly, but running is one time I never worry about it. Running is one time I feel very, very good about myself. I just enjoy the fact that my body is able to carry me as far as it does, and on the rare occasion when anyone says anything annoying (which is more often patronising things like "I couldn't do that!" or "keep it up, you're doing really well" than actual insults) I just think to myself that they're not running. (People who are running are usually friendly and genuinely encouraging - I enjoy the little signals of solidarity they give out, a bit like bikers or lorry drivers when they see one going the other way.)