Afraid to run, or afraid of people?

spunshadow · 1 year

I just finished W2D3. I also don't like people seeing me when I run. Half the time I run outdoors, the other half I run at a gym on a treadmill.

When I'm outdoors, I:

1 - run through residential neighborhoods at a time when people will most likely be at dinner
2 - listen to a really funny book to distract myself from the other people around
3 - Sometimes I run in the park at night - the only other people there are dog walkers and kids on skateboards. Last week, this kid on a skateboard stopped me during a slow interval and said he had seen a sketchy looking dude in the park and to be careful - I did indeed see that dude. He was very sketchy. I did not like the way he looked at me. On my third loop around, the kid stopped me again and told me the guy had started to follow me, but he (on the skateboard) had chased him off. Most people if you're running alone in a park - if they're looking at you - they're looking out for you.

Get funny podcasts and audiobooks, use them in tandem with RunKeeper/whatever you're using. It helps the most, I think.

MrHaydon · 1 year

JUST GO FOR IT! You're one of the people that are actually making change. If they heckle you, so what? When you've reached your goal weight, you'll be the one laughing at them.

If you're still really worries try to pick a time when there aren't many people about. Or, do it when it's dark, but instead of running around the field, walk and a fast pace up and down hill until you've lost some of the intial weight and feel fitter.

I done this first because I couldn't run for 5 minutes without stopping. Now, I will happily go around the park, where there are a bunch of dog walkers, and people playing basketball.

notaturnip · 1 year

Ask yourself what you'd think if you saw someone else running at that park. You wouldn't think twice about it - most people will be jealous that you have the motivation to get out there. Plug yourself into some music and give it a go!

TheGreatSaltini · 1 year

When I see large people exercising, I never think "Holy cow what a fat ass." I just think "Wow, how inspiring, they are working really hard to realize their goals."

Run with headphones. Listen to music or podcasts or whatever you like. I find this takes my mind away from what I am doing and where I am at.

Also, if you have a dog, run with him/her. I run with my dog all the time and, honestly, the other people only care about my cute doggy and could give a crap about me.

guyguy23 · 1 year

Same here, I think I'm going to start night running.

Limond · 1 year

You can go at night. That is when I take my walks.

[deleted] · 1 year

Here's my suggestion: why don't you harden the fuck up and go running?

You have one father, two grandfathers, four great-grandfathers, eight great-great-grandfathers and an absolute crapload more ancestors before that. They fought in wars. They punched dudes in bars to protect ladies. They killed people with their bare hands. Each and every one of them for millions of years has been achieving at least some minimal level of success in life where so many others failed.

Now, imagine the spirits of all your totally kickass ancestors as you tell them that you're too fucking shy to go for a fucking run. Are there German machine guns along the route? Barbed wire? Bears? Nope? Well get some fucking perspective and get on your feet.

Millions of people have lived and died so that you can have the unlimited opportunities that you now enjoy. And millions more living today would wish to have those opportunities. Look at that guy in that wheelchair! What do you think he'd give to be able to go for the run that you're too shy for?

Look at this motherfucker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n00Bb3DXwkA

she's going out for a run, isn't she? And she doesn't have any fucking legs. Do you have some fucking legs? Well, shit, what the fuck are you complaining about?

DianaFenrir · 1 year

Don't worry I have the same phobia. Remember most people don't care, anyone that does think less of you fails in the humility department. The important thing is you are there!

People on a path or in the park will only see you briefly, do you really want those few seconds to prevent you from being healthy?

I try to put my trust in the fact that most people don't notice what is going on around them or remember anything 5 minutes after it has happened.

buzzdoit · 1 year

I have a bit of agoraphobia as well. Listening to music helps. I just plug in, turn it up and rock out. It helps me get into the zone and ignore everyone else while I run.

taranasus · 1 year

I live in a very hilly neighborhood which makes running difficult.

That's an excuse but go on...

I would go to the park but..I'm way too concerned about what people would think of me

People don't care about what you're up to and even if they did why do you care. 99.99% of them you'll never EVER see ever again. You're telling me you're going to let shyness stop you from getting the body you want? Shyness? Really? How do you expect to keep with something as though as diet and exercise for months when you can't get over other people walking in the park.

I think its also the fact that I don't have a buddy to run with me.

I got an mp3 player, such a nice thing to have.

none of them are overweight and could run a 5k, no problem

HA! My housemates last Friday decided they want to see "the fat guy" run (3 of them). I was on week 1 day 3 of the c25k. I said I'd buy lunch to whomever can finish it with me. The girl which is borderline anorexic died after the second sprint. The dudes lasted until the 7th but one decided it was not worth it and the other said he had some sort of pain in his stomach and stopped.

robcrusoe · 1 year

The observation

actually, running up and down a hill is more effective than running on a flat surface.. you'll not only increase fitness, agility & strength, you'll burn way more calories. your body will also be more adaptable with varying running surface..

The Case

dont worry about the studies on ankle injuries and whatnot, it wont matter as you'll get stronger when you train in stages.. preparation is key. if we all trained on an even playingfield, humankind would not have survived till this day. think of the environment/terrain those early hunters went through, the warriors, the explorers, the adventurers, the soldiers, the special units, the rugby athletes..they are proof that the human body gets increasingly stronger with the heart and mind.. (and they did not get there without experiencing pain during training)

The Anecdotal

i apologize if i sound a little strong, i dont mean to offend. i only mean to tell you that (harsher surface) are better training grounds. mountaineers are a perfect example. i've seen one Mountaineer in Mount Kinabalu dashed down the steep hill during an emergency carrying a 300 pound woman on his back using only his sarong as a harness. it was insane.

The Suggestion

anyway, to address the 'shyness', the hilly neighbourhood would be perfect! nobody's gonna care what you do, and the cars passing by will do just that, pass by. if you do decide to take routes with traffic, dont use any ipods, you'll be oblivious to the surrounding in case of emergency (accidents etc)..

The Option

if that's not an option, then i suggest doing stair exercises. those places are usually empty. find a building or maybe public stairs or carpark etc.. this full-body exercise is the best (imo), as it utilizes the biggest and strongest muscles in the body - the buttocks, thighs & calves. this way, you'll burn fat faster than any other BS weightloss routine.

The Bonus

The heart gets more resilient when it is trained to adapt to varying heart rates in exercises just as the body gets with varying surfaces.. maintaining a consistent heart rate may improve cardio, but then you'll have to run further and longer as your body refuses to burn more with the same routine/intensity which is time consuming. whereas in multi-intensity full body workouts, you can increase the intensity/frequency while maintaining/decreasing the time frame.

example: say if you've gotten comfortable with running 5K/500 steps in 25 minutes, next week try running 5K/600 in 20 minutes, then 6K/800 steps in 20, 8K in 20 minutes and so forth. (you can decrease/increase time/intensity as you see fit)

In Closing

With these alternative suggestions, you can:

Lose weight faster
Fitter more Resilient physique
Somewhat Private and free training spaces!!

It gets better! As time progress, you'll naturally find the confidence to train in a more public setting. Especiallfy when self esteem slowly builds as your physical condition & appearance improves.

By the time this happens, i'm confident you should already be able to start resistance training to tone/build/improve those muscles that are starting to appear!

So good luck OP. cheers.

TL;DR - Run up the hills or do stair exercise! stairs are usually vacant (more privacy). you'll also lose weight faster and your body gets stronger & more adaptive!

[deleted] · 1 year

Don't be afraid to invite a person who's not overweight to go with you. You'd be AMAZED how many skinny people are in terrible shape!!

jagibers · 1 year

I started my c25k program using the track at my nearest community college. Most community colleges have a football field + track which is usually open to the community between certain hours. Mine was 6am-10pm. If you're too self conscious, go at odd hours. I usually went at 9pm. Very few people. Once you get more comfortable running you can change up when and where you go. I didn't want to run in my neighborhood at first, but by week 7 I switched from track to running around my block. I love it, much more interesting than running a fixed track.

jeebuz7 · 1 year

I felt this way when i first started running. I live in a fairly safe neighborhood, so I would go running early in the morning before work. I started loving it because at 5:30 in the morning there aren't many other people out, it's still sort of dark out so no one could see me jiggling, and by starting my day healthy it made me want to keep doing healthy things the rest of the day. I'm 20 lbs down and now i have the confidence to go running a little later Saturday or s=Sunday mornings. I have my headphones on and I tend to get tunnel vision when running, so I don't notice if other people are staring/saying anything. If they are, screw them. I'm the one trying to better myself! :-)

boboismydog · 1 year

I know this may sound weird but if you can't run in your own neighborhood have you considered going to another one? When I started running c25k I lived in an apartment with just a parking lot so I drove and parked at a friends place or her pool parking lot and ran in her neighborhood. I even did this in neighborhoods where I didn't know anyone. I'm shy too and was surprised to see how friendly everyone was. People would wave as I passed them or shout an encouragement. Now I always return the favor when I see another runner. Good luck!

iismatt · 1 year

I'm just gonna put some input here. Most people will just see you as another runner. Other runners will see you as another runner. I was the same, you just have to forget about other people, put some headphones in and do your thing basically.

Bananacup · 1 year

I'm not doing c25k, but I generally walk/run on the treadmill at the gym. Mind you, I attend a very open, friendly 24/7 gym where the staff aren't pushy and don't hover over you. But yeah, practically nobody is going to heckle you for being a fat person in a gym, and on the off chance someone does, well, they're not the kind of person you should be concerned with the opinion of anyway.

BoogerMcFee · 1 year

Run with a dog! If you don't have one, borrow one. Is there an older neighbour/acquaintance whose dog probably doesn't get out enough? Have a friend with a dog? Many dog owners and dogs would be thrilled with the extra canine exercise and probably glad to help you out too. Dogs are so fun and so appreciative and you'll be able to judge your progress by watching your new furry friend.

jayrod422 · 1 year

I also live in a very hilly neighborhood.. It sucks but I run on it anyhow.. When I started out I drove somewhere flat.. See if there is a rails to trails in your area.. As for other people seeing you run.. You really should not care because in all reality they dont.. If they see you running alot they will also be more inclined to talk to you and help you out along your fitness journey. I have noticed this myself with others and have never felt judged by anyone.. Most people will offer to help you achieve your goals and will offer to be your running buddy.

[deleted] · 1 year

I know that feel. But...do you judge people the same way? When I worry about people judging me, I just think to myself: I don't think that of people, so why would they think that of me? And if they do, they really don't matter.

I have the same issue. The GREATEST is when you keep going to the same park, and then in a month or two you'll be running with the rest of them.

you'll need to login or register to do that

create a new account

privacy philosophy

login