I want r go running to lose weight but feel I will be laughed at

[needtogetfit]

So I want to lose weight and I thought going for a run in the evening might help with it because I've struggled with weight loss and exercise. I get tired very easily and just want to get fit and lose weight but I feel like I'll get laughed at. Sounds silly but I do and I don't want this thought to make me give up. And how do you even run 'correctly' is there a right or wrong way to run? Lol

I'm not sure if there is a right or wrong way! I got into running a few months ago, barely able to run 90seconds at a time-now I regularly manage 5k after following c25k. At first I disguised myself with a baseball cap and sunglasses, now I'm honestly so proud of myself I don't care who sees me!
You can but try as they say... Try c25k, put good music on and ignore everything else!

Definitely recommend you go for C25K - it starts you off gently and gradually increases the length of time you run for.

Don't worry about anyone laughing at you. In all probability they won't - but who cares anyway? You're doing this for you!

I was like that in the beginning too and wondered if i was running properly. Did couch to 5k and now i don't care what i look like. I have asthma too and I'm really self conscious about my wheezy breathing when I'm running, so i just pop my headphones on to drown out the noise.

I started running doing c2 5k a few years ago.

Like you I was worried about being seen and laughed at, particularly as I started with no exercise gear so wore old leggings and a pair of DS's old trainers

I picked a patch of grass that runs along the back of my estate where no one except the odd dog walker goes. I felt more confident knowing I was on softer ground if I fell, and knowing hardly anyone would see me.

Once I was more confident I was happy to run on the streets.

I must get back in to it, I haven't run for months

Good luck.

No one will even notice. If you’re not running people will assume you have been and have just paused for a break - if they even give it that much thought and most likely they won’t.

I don’t think anyone begrudges anyone trying to be healthy. If someone is really that stupid to care about your technique do you really care about their opinion?

Hey at least you will be out there doing something. As PP said cap glasses and zone out everyone around you. Earphones also help.

I did my first c25k yesterday and have always worried about this myself! There isn’t a right or wrong way just make sure you have good trainers. No one noticed me and actually I had the gear on so felt like I at least looked like I knew what I was doing!

And yes plug your headphones in. I ran years ago and it’s amazing the effect the right song can have on your pace!

Go in the dark!! Either early morning or in the evening.

No need to disguise yourself or run in the dark! Literally no one will care what you look like! Get yourself a C25K app, some trainers and a sports bra (vital!) and off you go😀 it will change your life😀

A lot of running clubs do c25k groups which are great as they give you the benefit of being with others and being able to use the experience of the run leaders and other runners. Personally I also find it much easier to motivate myself when running wiyh ithers

Firstly, good for you for wanting to give it a go. Secondly, you really need to adopt the attitude of not giving a flying fig what anyone else thinks. Personally, for me when I see people running (big or small or funny styles of running etc) the only thing I naturally think of is good for them, or Shit! that's what I should be doing. Couch to 5k is a brilliant starting point, when I first started I couldn't run consecutively for more than a minute. I managed a 10k at my best. I have not run for yonks (over 2 years) but even now I have that muscle memory and could go out and run about 2 miles, it never leaves you once you know how (it's all to do with the breathing, first 8-10 mins is hell, then it all just calms down a bit and you learn to just carry on). Additionally really good motivational music really can make a difference to your pace as someone upthread said. When times get tough I listen to Queen - Don't stop me now....

Honestly, sod what everyone else thinks, just lace your trainers up and get out there. The great thing about running is you don't need any fancy equipment or clothes (good trainers will help a lot though), you don't need to pay expensive gym fee's, you can pretty much do it anywhere, anytime to suit you and it burns more calories an hour than most other exercise I believe.

Go for it!

@needtogetfit I feel like I'll get laughed at. Sounds silly but I do and I don't want this thought to make me give up
Roger Black was on the radio and was asked what he thought when he sees overweight people running. His answer was (paraphrasing from memory) "fantastic, I am so inspired that they are out there doing it, all good luck to them. Well done on them for giving it a go!"

So that is what a double Olympian medal winner thinks. I think we can rate his comments somewhere above any twat doing a drive-by shouting any day of the week (although fwiw I never had that either and I am F-A-T!). Anyone I see out on the streets exercising gets an admiring glance from me.

And how do you even run 'correctly' is there a right or wrong way to run?
Yes. My key takeaway from joining a local running club for absolute beginners was that your running speed may be lower than your walking speed. Do not worry about it, that changes over time and practice (I think my very first mile was 16-17 mins with walk breaks). Technique is also important to help avoid injury.

C25K is good, but if you have a local club like that, I cannot rate it highly enough for staying power. You will be among people of the same ability and you will all work and improve together.

(Actually I'm a bit of a hypocrite saying that as with all other exercise I HATE group sessions. The running in a group though, gave me a bit of 'camouflage'!)

Good on you. I can't add much to what everyone else has said, but wanted to say I'm overweight and just got back from a run. :) Almost managed 5k this morning; I think I'll crack it in the next week or two!

You can do it!

Do you know what OP I don't know one decent person who would laugh or comment on someone overweight running

I see all shapes, sizes and abilities when I'm out running and I just think 'yeah good on you'
You're out, you're keeping fit, you're making an effort and that's what it's all about

Good luck

Thank you all for your reassuring messages. I went for a run after all. It was around. 18:00 so was dark so felt better that way. I had to keep stopping because I did get out of breath but I just kept going. I ran around the block where I live. Is it normal to get out of breath quickly on the first run?

Sure! Thought I was going to die at first! It gets easier.

"And how do you even run 'correctly'"

Left, right, left, right - keep repeating

You do need a sports bra and adequate trainers.

I started running about 18 months ago (consolidating weight loss) and I have found the running community - which I was always rather nervous of, as they all looked lean and purposeful and I though I was an inferior imposter, to be some of the loveliest, friendliest and most supportive people I've come across in ages.

Do check out your local Parkrun? Can you walk reasonable briskly for 45-60 minutes, or a bit longer? Then yes, you can be a Parkrunner.

Good for you! Couch to 5k is available as a free podcast if a group is not for you, it helps you build up from running a minute at a time to 30 minutes continuous running over 9 weeks, and includes some suggestions about technique. At each new stage since starting running over a year ago I've been a bit worried about what the 'elite runners' would think, but everyone has been totally encouraging. It really is only about reaching your personal goals. Keep up the good work.

I have just joined a running club and I love it. I am finding it easier to be motivated to run in a pack plus knowing I have committed to be somewhere once or twice a week is good for me. I don’t like to let people down by not going.

The only thing I would add if you are running in the dark is to buy or use a light of some sort on you. It can literally just be a light of one of the kids bikes or something you clip on your jacket, or you can buy flashing arm bands for a few quid on amazing

The club said to us how important that is if you are running in the dark, make sure you are seen.

I'm wanting to start running too. Have a bit of weight to lose and like the thought of going for a run.

Which c25k app is everyone recommending? As I searched and quite a few came up.

Good luck OP! You can do it. X

Just wanted to say I'm like others (would love to say I'm like Roger Black ) and if I see someone who looks new to running my reaction is "yeah go for it or " wow, I should go for a run too). I started running again recently after my mum nearly didn't make it through some major surgery, and my running "mantra" is "healthy heart and healthy lungs." Don't give a shit what I look like, I focus on the good I'm doing my body, from the inside. And you never regret going for a run.

I have a very unique running style. It's SO bad. I wasn't a sporty or fit kid and I just run like an idiot.

However, it actually gave me so much motivation to get better because I knew that if I just started getting better times/hitting fast paced/running long distances I could respond to any nasty comments with "well how far did you run today?" Or "well what's your 5k PB?"

My husband said after my first half, "That's a pretty decent time. I know lots of women that world struggle to manage that time, and I don't know any who could run like that for 13.1 miles."

So, don't worry about it. Honestly. Use it as motivation to improve and you'll be flying round in no time. Good luck!

I used to do a lot of running and would see people of all shapes and sizes out and about and the only thing I ever thought was 'oh look another person running'. It's a great way to get fit and lose weight but start SLOW and make sure you have decent fitting trainers and a sports bra. As others have mentioned c25k is very good - starting out with a mix of walking and running is key. Good luck and have fun!

Well done for getting out there.
I really really recommend the couch to 5K app. It gets you building up in a sensible way. And you can feel ok about walking bits because you are told to.

i’m overweight and haven’t felt any negativity, just the odd smile /nod from another runner.