Often when I'm out and see people walking, biking, jogging, I feel like I just want to cheer them on, ESPECIALLY if it looks like it's not easy for them. Do you guys ever feel this way? Ever act on it? I'd be afraid to offend, so I never have, so I cheer them on silently.
I want to do that, too! When I see someone running, biking or walking... I always wanna cheer out my window >_< But I realize that could look like I'm heckling them so I just say it to myself in my car "Good for you!"
Me too! I sooo want to cheer people on, especially those that look like they may need the encouragement
But since, yes it would likely be perceived as mocking or cruel I dont.
I simply beam a nice smile. Sometimes I see the same folks on the same route week after week and smile is upped to a smile and a wave, and maybe a quick 'you look great!'.
Even just making eye contact with good intentions and thoughts comes off in subtle microfacial gestures, so keep thinking the good thoughts!
I tend not to notice average-sized, average-aged fold being active, just because I live in an area where outdoor activity is just so common. It sometimes seems that everyone (even the old and obese) do something active, they hunt, fish, ski, rollerskate, bike, swim, kayak, walk, run... something.
I never get tired of seeing nontypical folks being active, though; the elderly, the very obese and the disabled, but I'm cautious about even making eye contact, because I know that I tend to be somewhat paranoid myself (especially when I'm trying something new), and any attention can feel like negative attention.
But yeah, in my head I shout something positive, and I try to remember it the next time I'm doing something active in public (although mostly that's just walking or swimming - and even the swimming isn't usually very public. I tend to swim when I know the pool isn't going to be heavily populated).
I do try to ride my bike every summer, but my balance is so poor that I don't have time to think about what other people might be thinking - it takes all my concentration just to keep from falling on my keister.
I actually had an experience last week when I was jogging (uphill, mind you) and doing a decent job of it, I think and an elderly man like maybe early 80's was outside watering his flowers and saw me jog by and shouted to me, "Go get 'em, Sweetheart!" I turned my head and gave him the 'thumbs up' sign as a thank you. It was so funny. Made my day. Bless his heart, lol.
I actually had an experience last week when I was jogging (uphill, mind you) and doing a decent job of it, I think and an elderly man like maybe early 80's was outside watering his flowers and saw me jog by and shouted to me, "Go get 'em, Sweetheart!" I turned my head and gave him the 'thumbs up' sign as a thank you. It was so funny. Made my day. Bless his heart, lol.
I love that
I always want to shout encouragement to people jogging.. and especially to people who are showing they are really working hard ..i suppose we now have empathy for how they are feeling.......whereas before new healthy lifestyle if we saw someone we'd be thinking " jeeze they crazy !! "
If you were a fellow jogger I think it would be acceptable but in my car I just always give them a "you go girl!" especially if they look like they are working out really hard.
I also have to tell you this because it relates to running. A group of us were down in DC and we needed someone to take a picture of us. This ding dong in my group stopped a RUNNER and asked him to take a photo. I was so embarrassed. How annoying would that be?
That would be annoying considering that when I'm jogging I'm in a "zone" for starters and trying to keep my heart rate elevated while just overall trying to concentrate, lol. But that's me.
Often when I'm out and see people walking, biking, jogging, I feel like I just want to cheer them on, ESPECIALLY if it looks like it's not easy for them. Do you guys ever feel this way? Ever act on it? I'd be afraid to offend, so I never have, so I cheer them on silently.
I have had the same thoughts. Especially when I see someone jogging uphill. I recently have noticed a woman who is heavier than me jogging at a very slow pace, and I want to cheer KEEP IT UP! YOU ARE DOING GREAT!!!
I feel that way too, especially if someone looks like he/she's going at it with grim determination. I know I can't actually honk or holler--even if I'm hollering something nice, it's enough to startle someone and might come off as the exact opposite of the encouragement I'm trying to get across--but I do give a smile and a thumbs-up if I make eye contact.
I've had people wave and smile at me, and that is the best thing. It's nice when people aren't honking at me for running on the road (the closest I could be to the side of the road, often on the edge of a dropoff) or flipping me off for already running across the road before I could even see them coming. How dare I inconveniance them by a few seconds to better my life. So, I appreciate the encouragement. An old man on one of my runs when I was working on my speed said, "He** yeah, girl, you're doing great!". That was awesome. I smiled, waved and said good evening and was grateful for the support.
Last edited by fatferretfanatic; 07-08-2011 at 10:44 PM.
Do you ever want to cheer on joggers?
I think its amazing how they can run.
