I was talking with my friend this morning about all the reasons I put off running.
For me it was what everyone else would think. Was I too slow? Was I too big? Are you even allowed to run when you’re big? Will they laugh at me? Am I even capable?
A lot of the questions I had were to do with my weight, I couldn’t see how to get myself out of the rut of feeling overweight and unfit, because to counteract the weight I would have to exercise and I was too embarrassed.
What I’ve learned over the last 5 months, is that exercise is one of the best ways to bring people together. All of those people I thought would laugh at me, have been some of the most encouraging and supportive people I’ve ever met.
I’ve new interests now which mean I’ve met new people, even the strangers I pass when I’m running at home encourage and smile at you, because you are TRYING.
For all the people sitting wondering wether to start couch to 5k, for all the reasons listed above and more, personal to you...all I can say is just give it a go.
When you feel capable, your self esteem increases dramatically and all the things that seemed too hard before, become things you really want to try for.
Just give it a go!! Sending so much love to all the people struggling to deal with the demons in their own minds. Good luck and I believe in you ❤️❤️❤️
Written by
PixLau
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What a brilliant post, you have summed up exactly how I felt at the start of this. Just finished Week 8 and I am loving how it feels. I don't give a hoot what anyone else thinks about how I look any more and that is almost as wonderful as being able to run. And people have been so encouraging, nobody's laughed at me, and a couple of people have said that they might give it a go too.
Aw I’m so happy for you! Finally losing that burden of what everyone else thinks is so uplifting. It’s like a whole world of things open up for you that you’d never dare before. Well done on getting so far, I am only running for 90 seconds at the moment so week 8 feels scary haha! But I’ll get there 😊 good luck on the rest of your journey, you should be so proud of yourself 💕
Thanks! At times, all the next steps feel scary but this forum is so supportive and full of good advice to keep us all on track. You'll get there (and be amazed with how far you've come)!
200% with you PixLau - could not have put it better. Wish I had known about this app and forum years ago then I would not have needed my Dr to give me the final push. Nothing drastic luckily but more preventive body maintenance - “I Feel Good” and I see more smiles on my runs as I pass people (normally coming the other way 😂) well done 🥳
Great! So glad you’re feeling good! Don’t feel too bad about the Dr giving you the push I was in the same boat as was struggling with really bad depression. Sometimes you need the encouragement from outside. Well done to you too! 💕
Absolutely. This is an amazing thing to do. It has done more for my mind and my self-confidence than I could ever have imagined! I have recently started running without music and am very conscious of how loud my breathing is and how loud my feet are as I stomp along like an elephant. Last night as I passed a chap with his hood up against the rain he apologised for not moving over, as he hadn’t heard me coming 😂😂 The only comments I have ever had from strangers have all been nice ones and the running world is so friendly. At ParkRun last week, I was struggling a bit with the last km and a chap who had already finished his run at least 15 minutes before me, came and ran with me, encouraging and supporting me through the final stretch.
Keep it up and enjoy your running, however large or unfit you are, you are probably less large or unfit than you were a few weeks ago!!
Awww that’s really lovely that he supported you through that! This is what I’ve found people are so helpful and encouraging. I’m not sure if there are and ParkRuns local to me I will have to do some research!
Thankyou, I’ve lost 2 stone since January so I’m finally where I feel comfortable just building on my health and strength now 😊💕
Thanks for this post. I am absolutely with you. I wish I had done this years ago.
For me it was the fear of not being able to do it and finding out just how massively unfit I am. But it’s amazing how quickly you start to see the benefits and that spurs you on to do the next run. Good luck! 😊
Absolutely right! You are doing a wonderful thing for you’d mind and your body - both will thank you!! And I’ve only ever encountered positive people while doing this.
Anybody dithering, or feeling too self conscious - as PixLau says the running shuts that negative voice off and you no longer give a hoot because the pleasures of running take over! That was one of the most brilliant things about starting this (apart from feeling great & strong & more toned!) is saying goodbye to that nagging negative voice - good riddance!!
Yes! It’s so nice to quiet that negative voice with an ‘actually I can! And I am!’ It’s helped my mental health so much, I’ve had awful depression and anxiety for over 5 years I was trying so hard to manage it, tried medication tried everything.
This year I decided to work on myself, I’ve lost 2 stone and no longer on medication for my depression. Anxiety comes and goes but it’s nowhere near as crippling as it was.
That is amazing - learning to run is really transformational! To be able to move to not needing meds is an incredible achievement. Good luck to you too x
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Just starting out 💪🏻
Go for it everyone!!!!
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