New (well sort of) to jogging. Some questions.. a little embarrassed!

[MissKai]

So I guess I should start with the cautionary statement that I am suffering from a bit of social anxiety. My background I guess is a common story. I was overweight as a child and into my 20's fluctuating from 170 when I had my first child to my worst weight this last December of 288. I went through two pregnancies in the last three years at this heavy weight shocking my doctors when I did not have high blood pressure or diabetes. But I realized that the clock of how long I would have okay health at nearly three hundred pounds is going to flip. 

In december it took me forty five minutes to walk a mile. I was winded from going up and down the stairs and even my maternity clothing was starting not to fit. I flipped my habits over night on 12/21. I purged the most highly processed crap from my house, started making my own breads and cooking from scratch. I instituted the 5 ingredient rule and we have only minimal processed foods. I started logging my food in LoseIt and dropped  to date 37 pounds to a standing weight this morning of 251 even.. I went from a 45 minute mile to at my best walking/jogging a 16:59/mile. Its been a crazy road. No one believes that I dropped almost forty pounds in two months. I dont really see it looking in the mirror.

Leaving the house has been and still is... really hard. I have become so self conscious. I've turned down trips that require me to fly or sit in stadium seats because I didn't fit in them.I feel like people are staring at me.. but I don't want that to stop me from being healthy. I want to be healthy for my kids, I want to be able to keep up with them and do activities not feeling awkward or limited by my size.

So here I am having maxed out how fast I can walk a mile, ready to start some light jogging. I have jogged a few times now and feel suprisingly good but I am wondering if anyone can give me some advice on a few things:

1.) Like man people of my size I have a "mothers apron" from weightloss/gain and three pregnancies where I was incredibly huge. Its shrank a bit but I have to have a tummy tuck to get rid of it and the other excess skin I have. I have to be under 200 pounds to even be a candidate so I have a long way to go. My question is this: What do you do to jog comfortably? Do you wear compression tops and bottoms? I can Jog a block to a block and a half at a time, but position and comfort wise I'm wondering if anyone else has had to deal with this!

2.) Is there a proper form? I feel like the Stay puft marshmellow man when I jog. 

3.) Can anyone reccomend a shoe? I bought a midline women asics show for about 70$ that has helped me tremendously with my posture issue (tendon was over stretched by walking with an unlevel shoe- OUCH!) 

4. What to do about idiots? I'm minding my own buisiness and some jerk moo'd at me. What is wrong with people these days?

Thanks!

[gerrymcd · Accepted solution]

Firstly, great job so far.  Sounds like you are on a great path towards a much healthier you!   Secondly, try not to care what people think/say.  Most people are so wrapped up in their own little world that the really don't noticed much of what is happening around them.  I used to respond to cat calls when I was jogging, until I was out running late at night and some drunks started shouting at me.  Rather than ignoring them I started shouting abuse back (working on the assumption that I could probably outrun them).  It all came to a stop when I ran straight into a parked car and really hurt myself.  I got a big fright - as did the guy sitting in the car at the time - and the drunks got a big laugh.  Now I find the best thing is to say 'yeah, yeah, whatever....heard it.....'.  And look bored.  

As for other advice you might want to go to a specialist running store.  It might be intimidating to go to such a place, but they can fit you with the right shoe for your gait.  Since you will currently be putting a lot of force on your feet when you run its important to not be putting too much strain on your arches, or stress on your heels (as someone who has suffered plantar fasciitis due to running in shoes with not enough supprt I cant stress proper shoes more highly).   The other thing you want to do is invest a few dollars in a foam roller.  Its important to not let tendons in your legs get too tight.  Stretch gently at the end of your run. and then spent 10 to 15 minutes rolling your legs.  At first it will hurt - I was nearly in tears at times, but in the long run its probably prevented me from getting injuries. 

As for not seeing it in the mirror - you won't at the moment, but at somepoint in the future you will suddenly look a LOT thinner.  An inch of fat all the way around a big body is a lot more than an inch around a small body.  

As for form, I'm not an expert but from my experience if you feel your feet 'thudding' on the ground you are not using good form.  I try to run a bit lightly on my feet - I mean be conscious of not hammering my feet into the tramac - I run like I'm trying to keep the noise down.  I'm not sure if that makes any sense.  Best ask someone with solid experience -  There are a lot of people with expertise who are willing to help.

[MissKai]

Hi Gerry, Thanks for the reply!

Bummer on the incident with the drunks. Some peoples kids I suppose. Someone once told me to never argue with an idiot, they beat you with experience:)

>>The other thing you want to do is invest a few dollars in a foam roller.  

Is this simular to a yoga block? I use one when I do yoga for help with balance and stability/ I know there are certain poses like Warrior for example that stetch the larger muscles in our legs. I'm amazed at how flexible I am not, compared to where I was a decade ago!

>>>>As for not seeing it in the mirror - you won't at the moment, but at somepoint in the future you will suddenly look a LOT thinner.  An inch of fat all the way around a big body is a lot more than an inch around a small body.  

My husband said something close to this. I have been doing pictures each time I lose ten pounds to try and motivate my self!

>>>>As for form, I'm not an expert but from my experience if you feel your feet 'thudding' on the ground you are not using good form.  I try to run a bit lightly on my feet - I mean be conscious of not hammering my feet into the tramac - I run like I'm trying to keep the noise down.  I'm not sure if that makes any sense.  Best ask someone with solid experience -  There are a lot of people with expertise who are willing to help.

I get what you are saying. I try to "bounce" a bit on my landing. I feel tight in my upper body when I jog if that makes sense?

[MissKai]

Well that looks wierd... Hum glitchy on the forums today!

[gerrymcd]

When I ran into the car the drunks taunting me didn't have the excuse of youthful stupidity.....they were probably old enough to have kids old enough to know better!  

The foam roller is one of these things.....

http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-treatment/almost-magical-foam-roller

You may want to start off with a relatively soft roller (usually they are green or blue) and work up to a black (which tend to be the more firm).  There are lots of videos on how to use one on youtube. 

[gerrymcd]

If you can get to a gym its also good to breakup running with other less impactful cardio - elliptical, stationary bike, rowing machine.  

[MissKai]

We have a small rec center here that has all of that equipment. I'm working with my husband to have him watch the kids so I can go for an hour when he is home. Our baby is just now getting old enough that I can leave him for short periods of time!

[NativeSFGirl]

I just wanted to say keep up the great work. 🙂  You are making a change for the better in your life and you rock.

Don't listen to negative people (on the street or otherwise). 

I started out with the Couch to 5K program. There are a few different free versions out there for it.  I really recommend it.  I was the overweight kid (and adult) who never ran a block in her life, now I run 5 miles during my lunch hour at work.  You can do it.  Also, like someone else mentioned try to go into a gym or rec center and do some weight training as well.  Shoot you could use cans from your panty as well.  There are a ton of free websites where they teach you ways to use things around your house to workout. 

You can do this!  Congratulations on the new baby as well.  🙂 

[chunt]

Hey, I love C25k SF girl!!

I am getting into jogging with that program, I too feel wobbly while running, what I have found works best for me is to wear pants that have a bit of structure to them. I wear neoprenes now because my compressions no longer fit. Compression pants when they did fit were da bomb and I reccomend you try them. I felt like after trying them that everything magically stayed put, those and a comfy t shirt and a camelbak when you want to go longer distances and you should be good to go. 

I have foot issues too, I saw a podiatrist that reccomended I run montrail mountain masochist shoes with my orthodics for the structure, since straight through running still hurts pretty bad but not as bad when I was using the reezigs I love the jogging and walking combos on the free c25k run double app. 

Form, I just crouch when I'm tired and had a friend tell me to look down, not straight down, but towards the ground when running to try to help me not concentrate on an endpoint--sounded pretty ridiculous at the time but it helped.

Oh idiots, no matter what size you are you will encounter them. I try to go to my local park that has trails at times it is not crowded. I had idiots at 210, 190, 180, 170, etc, you get the idea. I just feel like what have they got going on so bad in their lives that they gotta yell at some strange lady on the street or in the park some idiotic crap. Earbuds are great for that. 

[aliciak80]

Hi There!

I started my weight loss program last June. I started at 260 and am currently down to 193. I'm about 6 weeks into the Couch to 5K program. I highly recommend it too. I have the app on my phone and the "trainer" cuts into my music and tells me when to walk/jog.

Do you have a running store or walking company nearby? They watch the way you run/walk and recommend the best shoes for your foot. I haven't tried it yet, but am looking into it and hoping to check it out soon!

I tend to run on my heels. Heel, toe, heel, toe. I also read somewhere not to clench your hands into fists when your running, to kind of act like your holding eggs.

I have the same public anxiety as you. I run at the gym and take my glasses off so I can't tell if anyone is staring at me run or making faces. Earbuds with the music cranked also works like a charm as someone mentioned.

I wear compression type pants, from Old Navy, they seem to hold everything in nicely so I don't feel totally jiggly.

Good luck!! You've made tremendous progress so far and I look forward to seeing you progress in your running journey with us all! 🙂

[Halsimp]

I love the compression capri running pants from Old Navy!  I am a heavier runner at 245 lbs and those things fit so well and make everything stay in place.  They also look pretty good... I used to cringe at the thought of myself wearing anything "spandex", but these are very modest.  I'm hoping to get another pair soon since the half-marathon is coming up in June.  A must have 🙂

[Hats26]

I'm sort of a new runner too, certainly inexperienced, even after a 10k event and park runs! I have arch issues too, but I plan to go back to the store to discuss my arches. I enjoy running off road, I used the C25k for the first time today and loved it. I found it was very helpful when it came to the more hilly areas of road as well. I feel I need a run coach, I contacted one yesterday but haven't heard back. I then was a bit too ambitious and moved onto the half marathon app, to which I quickly moved back to the C25k! I really need suitable direction from a professional as we all should have running plans to get us from A to B, but I probably need guidance with mine. 

I'm the type of person that doesn't necessarily know when to 'stop'. Today was my second long run/walk up in the hills. I found running on rocks a bit tricky but would like to improve on that. Running on the balls of your feet is hard too, but helps avoid injury. I've been lent this book called "The Art of Running Faster" by Goater Melvin, but I have already bought it as he author is a wonderful writer. I am hoping he will fix many of the basic issues in my mind, such as breathing. Today, I weirdly did not have an issue, which was a big relief but my arches are a little tired. At the back of this book, the author provides basic structure to build up on performance, so I might look into that as well and leave the half marathon prep for when I've booked one! It was my running friend who said I could easily do a half marathon, but I did have to remind her that during the 4 hours, I did do some walking uphill, when out of breath & when arches were sore. If breathing & the arches improved, I'd be a lot happier when I run. I am soon moving cities, but it would be good to join a run club, which might help with individual progress. 

With the drunken jerks, I often swear without turning round when I feel necessary, other times I ignore them. I passed some stoners today walking in a line when running in the countryside. I was determined not to give them any eye contact as there weren't exactly many people about! 

Hope what I have written helps a bit 🙂 there are so many views, articles, books on how to be a good runner, but the book I suggested does have wonderful reviews, so do check it out. 

Good luck & keep going! Make sure you walk when you feel necessary or stop/stretch. Shoe specialist is very important. I have Vivobarefoot trainers, but I feel I should not be wearing them off road. My trail trainers gave me shin issues in the first place and it really put a halt on my running. 

Indeed, as others have said, do not worry at all what people think. Concentrate on what you think & what matters to you. Nevermind anyone else. I am getting a bit of crap from work at the moment from my colleagues, saying how young I look. The principal of the comments annoys me, so inappropriate and uncalled for. Luckily it is the school holidays now though 🙂 oh and I think the good out of doing exericise may have helped influence my boss! 

1. I'd go and try stuff on in stores if I were you and see what makes you feel happiest & most comfortable.

2. Proper form of running, I'm still trying to work that out.. But I'd try and put more weight on the balls of your feet than your heel, coming from experience that is how I got shin issues. I never even knew you had to run on balls of your feet but then you could ask someone else and they'd say do whatever feels naturally. 

3. You could try vivobarefoot, but that might be a bit soon. Saucony trainers are pretty good but it all depends on what is best for your feet & how you run. You need to go to a store that film you run on the trainers...