I dont have the money for fancy gyms and i enjoy going swimming from time to time and do DVDs at home however i want a new challange and lets face it going outside and jogging is probs the most cheap and effective way to keep fit and lose weight.

YET i wish i could just get out my front door i dont know what it is but really i just duno where to start and am i just going to look like a overweight heffer tomatoe

HELPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really Im at 280lbs now and started jogging on monday, ofc I didnt jog the whole 6km but like 2,5kms and it was soooo good, but I got like fields and small forest right next to me so nobody is really there..if Id live in a city Id never do that..just like all the fat moves and bah..you know what Im saying..So Id say go for it when its not totally in public!

I'm in the same boat, nervous about running around my neighborhood. I've seen jogging groups go through and I've thought about chasing them and asking to join so I can at least do it with someone!

Do you have someone to do it with? I'm sure that would help.

Or make yourself do it once, after the first time you'll realize it's not such a big deal. Or that's what I hope haha

Do you have a park near you where you could run? That is often a less tense environment, and you are surrounded by other people exercising. Or, look and see if you have a local running store - they often have running groups at all skill levels.

If you are going to go out and jog make sure you get good shoes! I didn't at first and it hurt like crazy... Good shoes totally fixed that.

If you aren't a jogger I'd just start out slow, go at your own pace, get an mp3 player and just enjoy the music, I went from barely being able to walk to a comfortable jogging pace- I took it slow and now am amazed at my running ability

It's definitely something worth going for! I am definitely not an avid runner but I do feel great when I am able to get outside and get moving! I agree good shoes are key or else you will develop knee and back problems over time...

I seem to work in a super exercise consicence neighborhood and I have to say that seeing people running on my way home from work encourages me to go workout that day too!

I honestly believe that nobody worth thinking about will see you as an "overweight heffer tomatoe"! I always admire people who can motivate themselves to get up and be active and I'm sure the people around you will feel that way too! So, if for NO other reason, go jogging because someone else may drive past you and use you as inspiration for their exercise regimen :-)

When I started running, I ran in the winter after dark so no one would see me. I was glad when the running intervals were short because I would look as if I was walking. I eventually got over it and run at all times of the day now.

Im having the same issue. I was just talking to someone about this.

being self conscious is hindering my progress. Im too afraid to join a gym, too afraid to run or jog....

Im realizing ill have to make a decision. Am I willing to let this fear stop me from reaching my goal?

My sister can now run a 10 minute mile, but she started by just marching in place in front of the t.v. I think the idea is just start...just do it. I certainly wouldn't worry about what you look at jogging outside, you know?

Thanks for you replys guys . Yeah it is the inital fear and i know i should just do it.
Me and my BF were going to go jogging but with his job we jus never get round to it whereas im unempolyed at the moment so theres no excuse. I know that it will help the weight drop off and wont burn my pocket out.
Think ill dig some running gear out and give it a go, i do have a park and field near but i find that a bit daunting just now howwver i was thinking running up and down my street or round my block of flats ? Im really not sure where to start

Just start!!!!

Get an MP3 player and load some good music, dance music, heavy metal, whatever, to get your feet moving. Commit 20 minutes total. See how long you can jog straight for (2 min, for ex.) then take a minute and just walk and rest. Then try jogging again.

Oh yes good shoes ARE a must- cheapy $20 shoes will hurt your feet within weeks. I buy great shoes from roadrunners- I know they are expensive but my feet are worth it.

I started jogging last year at 263 - I know exactly how you feel.

You are worth it, you deserve to jog anywhere you want as much as any other person.

You will feel so accomplished and proud after even a few minutes - and you should. It's tough to put yourself out there.

I'm in the same boat as you. I hope to run a marathon someday and I used to run 5ks, but the past 5 years I've rarely jogged and gained more weight and it's reeeeally hard to start.

I do, however, LOVE to walk and listen to music. Soooo... I just make myself go on a long walk and once I'm out there, convince myself to run for every other song. I found a 4-mile trail loop near my house and even if I just walk it, it's a little over an hour (I'm also unemployed and def have the time to do this many times a week!). There's lots of joggers there of all ages and sizes. Seeing other joggers inspires me.

I went today and it took maybe 4-5 songs before I ran... I just didn't want to start... but once you start running a few minutes, it feels good. For good or bad, it started raining and then pouring on me towards the end so I pretty much sprinted home. It was the most intense workout I've had in ages. But when I finally got home, I felt a little smug like "I did it! A person who runs in the rain is a real runner."

Now I just have to go again tomorrow.

I started running using the Couch to 5K plan. It's a three-days-a-week program of run/walk intervals that increase in intensity over a period of 9 weeks. I loved the structure of knowing how much I should be attempting, how much to increase, how much I should be progressing, etc. I found the idea of just going out and running to be overwhelming and confusing. Here's a link to the program: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Two things you absolutely must have for running are shoes designed for running (not $20 sneakers from Wal*Mart) and a supportive bra (not one of the $5 ones from Wal*Mart). The best place to go for shoes is a running store because they will do an analysis and recommend the best shoe for your foot. The keywords to look for in a sports bras are: high impact, encapsulation, and compression.

As far as being self-conscious, I think you'd be surprised at how many people don't look at you with judgment but instead are impressed that you're working to improve your health.