I started running before at just under 200, and let me say this: starting running involves a lot of walking if you're not already in pretty good shape. In fact, most beginning running programs suggest that you start with at least 2 weeks worth of fast-paced walking, before you even get in to the actually interval stuff.

In other words, if running eventually is a goal, and I think it's a great one, then I say hit the treadmill now and focus on walking. It'll really help prepare you for when you do want to run.

One of the things I loved so much about beginning to run was that every week I could do something I couldn't do before. Even if I couldn't see the progress right away, I could feel it. It was way more motivating to me than taking classes at the gym. But then again, I have terrible coordination, and so I was (like a lot of you guys) always afraid of messing up. With learning to run I was never worried about that.

Oh, and I made myself some sweet music playlists and only allowed my self to listen to those playlists while I was running- I gave myself a non-food treat!

You can do it! Zumba is so much fun....you won't regret trying that out!

I started running at my heaviest weight: 269. I went to a proper store and got fitted for good running shoes. I started slowly by modifying the Couch 2 5K program to have shorter running intervals and longer walking and worked up to starting the proper program.

You can do whatever you want to try! Just listen to your body and don't push yourself to the point of breaking. Good luck!

I am 275 but when i started my gym i was 293. I started off having the same fear but i sucked it up and tried the classes anyways. I was SOOOO afraid to take zumba because i was the largest person in there and i thought i wouldnt be able to make it through. I made it through that class and ALL the zumba classes since then. I thought people would make fun of me but they didnt. In fact whenever I dont make it to a class they get really concerned lol.

Now in the beginning i tried a step class and i could only make it through the first 10 minutes. I thought i was gonna die and looked stupid. Just the other day i tried again and i made it! I was so happy to see the improvement.

I want to start running but i feel the same as you lol

The Zumba classes I go to have many shapes and sizes ..... I was worried about my size and co-ordination ..... after 2 minutes I forgot about my self-consciousness and was too busy with the moves to even think about comparing myself to others ....

I find it a lot of fun .... hope you enjoy it ....

With running .... I would just try it and see .... I personally want to lose a little more before I start up again as I don't want to have injuries .....

I agree with you. Who cares what other people think? Don't let other people stop you from having fun and getting in shape. There's just no point in letting other people hold you back.

I love Zumba! It is so much fun! We have all shape and sizes in my classes that I go to. Our instructor lost 100+ lbs when she started doing it. Other girls that have heart rate monitors are telling us we burn anywhere from 600-1000 calories per class. It depends a lot on how active you are. Our instructor does 3 classes a week and walks 15 miles a day (she is a mailperson), so she usually burns 400-600 per class. I love how much fun I have when I am doing it. You don't pay attention to anyone else because you are too busy trying to keep up and do the moves.

I will join the crowd that is recommending Zumba. It's so much fun! If you can do step classes you can do Zumba. I hate step - especially the advanced class because I simply don't have the coordination but for some odd reason I can do Zumba.
Don't be discouraged if it initially seems that you will never learn the steps. That's what I thought, too. We have ladies of all sizes in our Zumba class, and everybody seems to be enjoying herself, regardless if we murder the steps or not.

I have a girlfriend from college who got her degree is physical ed, she's 5'7 and weighs like 120 or something. Always physically fit, great muscle tone and very into her health. Even now, in our 40th year (/shudder) - and after having 3 kids, she looks amazing...better than I looked at 17.

SHE used to be self-conscious in exercise classes because she didn't want to "look stupid" doing the exercises.

Moral of the story: No one is paying attention to you. :-) They are there for themselves and are more worried about how they look than how you look.

I used to LOVE step classes and there were always people who had no clue what the heck they were doing, I never one time thought anything of it other than "Heck yea! They are trying!"

I was actually thinking about this during my Zumba class today....I was the biggest girl there. Then I looked around some more and realized I was also in the top 25% as far as doing the moves right and getting the most out of the workout. I find it kind of fun to show off that i am pretty in shape for someone who is obese (plus I can shake my butt like no one's business :P )

I do understand what you mean, though. I would love to try a Pilates class sometime, but I feel like most of the ladies in there have AMAZING bodies and I would feel awkward. I will get over this eventually. I'm thinking once I get down to 220lbs I will give it a shot. But yeah, that's the only one that freaks me out, the rest of them just seem like a lot of fun and like you can learn a lot. It's like having a personal trainer without paying for it. Plus, group classes are amazing because of the peer pressure to keep going. :)

I am overwhelmed by all of your great responses! I still haven't given Zumba a go but my plan is to go to the Friday night class.

I bought the C25K app but I haven't tried it out yet. I may give it a whirl tomorrow if I can dig my way out of all this ice! Brrrr!

I went to Zumba last night. I wasn't the heaviest person there... one COULD argue that I was the largest... just due to my height (I was a head above most people in the class)... but I wasn't the heaviest... And everyone was sweating, groaning, and having fun. :p

Just start it... have fun!

i was running at 300, not really long distances just a couple miles...i do body combat now at 351 and i am the biggest person there and i do feel a little self conscious but i just try and ignore it and half way into the class i'm so tired and trying to keep my focus, what other people are thinking is the last thing on my mind lol