I second the C25K program! I bought the application for my iPhone and it promps my runs and walks while I listen to my music. I never ever saw myself as a runner. I wanted the challenge too and it's great having that goal in sight.

Go for it!

I felt the same way when I first started running last summer, like I was just too big and fat (223 pounds at the time). I actually laughed about it here and asked if anyone knew where I could buy a butt-bra, because it felt like my behind was jiggling all over the place.

I went to my local high-school track and did about half of the C25K there for several weeks, until I got bored with it. Then I started going out on the streets. I live in a really small town, so I don't have to worry about traffic or anything like that. So if you have a high-school track nearby, that might be one place where you can go that will give you a nice surface to practice on, yet be off the street until you get a little braver.

Also.....you really do need real running shoes so that your legs don't start to hurt. Special running clothes aren't necessary (other than the bra) at first, but I went ahead and bought some because it makes me feel like a jock to wear them.

You could try waking up early and doing it first thing in the morning. Not a lot of people are out and and about real early, the chances of being seen by someone your age that early are slim. Non intimidating old people might be out for their walks though.

When I first started, I was worried about people looking at me, so I would go out super early (5am). Now that it's not light at 5 am, I've found that I like the running more than I'm worried about people looking at me, so I'm going out after work.
Yeah, I'm a fat girl running. Big deal. Nobody's given me the stink-eye. One guy even gave me a fist pump and a "good job!"
Rather than making me embarrassed to have been noticed, it actually helped me finish my first 5 minute segment (I'm on week 4 of C25K).
I'm liking it so much I'm even getting crazy ideas about entering the Seattle Marathon (half) or the Rock 'n Roll Marathon (half) next year. Which is AMAZING to me--two years ago the idea never would have even entered my head.
I may be slow. I may look funny doing it. But it feels goooood. And my legs and butt are looking great

You are NOT alone. It took me 2 months of indoor, treadmill running to get up the guts to go outside in my neighborhood...and I woke up at 5am to do it so I wouldn't see anyone I knew! My only saving grace was that I live towards the end of a suburban block, so I just had to make it 4 houses & then turn out of my nieghborhood & onto streets where I don't know people !!

That was about 2 months ago, and I STILL have to work up the courage to get outside...but I will say it is wwaaaayyyyy better than the treadmill & like you said, super effective & FREE!

Just go for it. Give yourself permission to walk, or take the advice of the others & start with the C25K program. Never be ashamed or embarrassed - you are getting out there & moving your body to improve your health. How can you feel embarassed about that???

Go for it! And don't forget to post about how great you feel after your first time out.

Do you have a backyard? Do you have room inside your house? Are there any trails near your house? Any streets that, for the most part, are deserted?

I'm not telling you to go out of your comfort zone... but... just to go.

I started off running in our neighborhood. Please note, this was like... uber rich neighborhood, and everyone else I saw out there were really skinny, obviously the kind of people who eat organic food and have never had more than 10% body fat in their entire life (ok... might be exaggerating a little here, but not by much). Yet... I got out and did it. Despite the fact that I wasn't always the best runner... I still did it... and felt good afterwards.

I now have my grandparents' 40 acres to run on. Most of what I'm doing now is cross-country type running... and I'm LOVING it. Until I'm able to just run for more than 10 minutes without stopping and walking somewhere in between, I'm just mainly going around on a "track" that was mowed out for the 4-wheeler that they own. Then I'll probably end up running around more through wooded areas or going outside of the property. I also run with my dog and my Grandma's dog. My dog has the stamina to run, but she also runs off, my Grandma's dog doesn't run off, but she also doesn't have the stamina. So... I'm working with both of them. It's nice to have others you can work on... takes some of the focus off of me, which helps. If I'm telling my dog to step it up and run faster, I'm not worrying about my own aching joints...


So... I guess what I'm saying is that, even if you have to just run around your house/apartment or backyard... just get out and do it.