A question for runners who are/were fat

Okay, first of all I'm going to admit - I made a new account to ask this question because I was too embarrassed to post it with my regular account. *cough*  I'll just be direct.

I am female, in my 20s, about 5'8" or 5'9", and about 190 lbs.  I spend quite a bit of time walking for exercise and I want to gradually start running, but I have a problem.  When I run, my fat literally bounces around and is pretty painful.  It also starts itching.  Sports bras are fine, but I'm talking about my stomach and my thighs, especially my stomach.  I thought about getting some of those really tight undergarments you wear to make yourself look thinner so I could kind of reign the fat in and keep it from flying around, but I don't know if that would be a good idea.  Would that affect the circulation or somehow cause a problem?  Is there anyone else here who has had this problem and come up with a solution?

Oh my gosh, I cannot believe I just admitted this.  Oh well.

Lol! This is funny.

Yeah, I had/still have somewhat that problem and at first I wore bike shorts underneath to "reign" in my extra bottom/belly bulge, but after a few weeks it just starts to firm up and by then I didn't care or notice.

I think I remember about my stomach and bottom itching kinda like it feels when you let a jacuzzi jet run on your back too long? But that doesn't happen anymore.

Currently I just wear black yoga type capris. My faves are actually around $11.99 from Walmart. They are snug fitting so they keep everything in check. The quicker you get out there and start jogging, the quicker the extra lbs. melt away!

HTH!

Your stats are almost equal to mine (except you weigh less - lucky) and yeah, I get the pain when I start to run. Except mine doesn't itch, it tingles - like your foot falling asleep. foundation garments can help, but make sure you're looking for something that's less for looks and more for performance. You should be able to take in a full, deep breath from your chest and stomach without feeling "constricted", and at no time during your run should the covrered area feel tingly or numb.

Edited to add: If the above poster is talking about the Danskin ones from walmart, I agree. They have a neat little tummy control panel that's actually really nice! Plus, its built into the pants, so no extra layer of fabric!

it is embarassing but I think just wearing another shirt undernearth the one you are wearing should be good enough.Its suck being Fat and Running cause people stare at you,thats why I decided to lose weight with regular at home exercises before I go out running.

I don't have this so much when I run, but when I do my work out videos' "Butt Kicks, Jump Rope, and Jumping JAcks etc." During my Jillian Michaels videos, my, ok how to say this nicely... butt cheeks slap together, my kids and husband make fun of me. I have excess skin and it literally just flaps in the wind.  I figure I'm working on it so don't laugh.  I have thought of wearing "biker or spandex" shorts under my work out clothes but I will be danged if I am going to do this in my own home.

The itch could be an allergic response to the detergent you use, and then sweat against.

I used to itch everywhere where I first started running again, It literally drove me insane. It went away for me as I kept up with the running.

I would suggest participating in a 5km run.  You would not believe the feeling of achievement when you cross the finish line  of your first run, you will be addicted after that.

As for the jiggling, Im now 5'8 157 lbs and still can feel my backside and stomach jiggling. Im sure if I continue to tone up, that will go away too. Its just a side effect of being fat and running. 

BUT BELIEVE ME........ running is the fastest exercise to loose weight with. Well at least for me!

Original Post by novileigh:

Your stats are almost equal to mine (except you weigh less - lucky) and yeah, I get the pain when I start to run. Except mine doesn't itch, it tingles - like your foot falling asleep. foundation garments can help, but make sure you're looking for something that's less for looks and more for performance. You should be able to take in a full, deep breath from your chest and stomach without feeling "constricted", and at no time during your run should the covrered area feel tingly or numb.

Edited to add: If the above poster is talking about the Danskin ones from walmart, I agree. They have a neat little tummy control panel that's actually really nice! Plus, its built into the pants, so no extra layer of fabric!

 These are the ones I was talking about. LOve them!!!

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?pro duct_id=10760764

Guys, thank you all for your responses.  I was afraid I'd come back here and find a bunch of snotty answers.  I'm glad that I'm not the only one who has experienced this.  I will go out and look for those pants, or some similar.  I'll experiment with different things until I find something that works.  One thing that all of you have said is that it goes away after you keep it up - and I will!  I'll try on some pants and see how they work, and I might look for some of the undergarments, too.  It is a kind of funny problem, I'll admit it, hahaha.  I won't let it keep me from trying, though.

I am also reluctant to be laughed at when running, so I'm going to get up early and go while it's still dark!  Hopefully there won't be anyone out to laugh at me, lol.

Okies now that you've got your wiggle worked out ,  I will offer a couple of other causes for the itchies.  Had the exact same problem whenever I went from sloth to superwoman.    This is the most common cause...

"Itchy skin usually occurs during exercise performed after a long period of inactivity. The itching is not on the skin, it's inside the actual limbs. There are millions of tiny capillaries and arteries inside our muscles which expand rapidly due to the demand for more blood that is brought on by exercise. When fit, these capillaries remain open allowing maximum blood passage, but when unfit and inactive they tend to collapse, allowing only minimal blood passage (which is sufficient for a sedentary person however). The rapid expansion of these vessels causes adjacent nerves to send impulses back to the brain which are interpreted as an itch. That's why after a few sessions the sensation tends to go away. Just another indication of increasing fitness levels."

Source: Maximus from the John Stone Fitness Forum on 02/09/04 (http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/a...php/t- 830.html)

Being an uncommon kind of woman and since the itchies didnt go away these last few times I found this to be my cause.  

Exercise Allergy #1: Cholinergic urticaria (itching)

It is the rise in body temperature that produces the itching, swelling, and small hives that some people experience. People who have this may also experience the same reaction in hot tubs, saunas, and see that they are more likely to get it on hot days. This rarely leads to anaphylaxis - the life-threatening drop in blood pressure that can be fatal in major allergic reactions.

Treatment:

• Antihistamines
• Avoid exercising on warm or humid days
• Reduce the intensity of your work-out
• Stop exercising at the first sign of flushing, itchy skin or hives

My cure;  Antihistamines provided by my Doctor.   The other solutions were not an option.

Honestly, whenever my brother and I see an overweight person running, we always look at each other and say "wow i really have respect for him/her." It's true...I really admire it because it's obviously physically and mentally tough for a fat person to run. If people look at u funny while u run...dont let it get to u. they are jus ignorant.

You would actually make people jealous !

Running in the dark is dangerous! (well depends where you live I guess)

OMG!! When I was in high school I started jogging in the mornings with my best friend. We were both about a size 7, we were NOT involved in any sports and both had some cellulite on our rear ends. About halfway into our route both of us would be scratching our upper thighs, hips, and buttocks until they had claw marks up and down. And even though we were scratching it did not relieve the itching. It was like it was way under the skin.  We did notice the more in shape we got the less intense the itching. We came to our own conclusion that it had something to do with blood circulating in our "fat deposits". 

I'm 36 years old now, and I've talked to lots of people about this and NOBODY that I've talked to has any idea what I'm talking about. I really thought we were the only ones that had this reaction.   I'm so glad that you posted this question!!!    My husband seems to think it has something to do with lactic acid, I don't  know what it is but it used to drive me crazy. Notice the past tense. :)  

Last year, at 5'6 and weighing 189lbs, I thought I'd try walking/jogging to lose some weight.  When I increased my intensity to jog mode, I literally itched all over, and I mean CRAZY itching.  My stomach, sides, and lowerback & hip area, all the way down to right above my knees! I was scratching and trying to run at the same time, and the scratching wasn't helping. My legs were red for days.  I gave up on the whole walk/jog thing.  

I know this is long, and I'm almost through, but this has been a very serious issue with me.    Long story short---  I started taking  vitamin supplements and juicing around AUG of 08. I still didn't lose any weight. In Mar 09 my husband told me if I could lose the weight he'd pay for me to get a tummy tuck. That's all I needed to hear.  I cut back on my calorie intake and decided once again to excercise. 

I started out just walking, then added just a little sprint from one mailbox to another.  I noticed immediately that I was not itching. Every once in awhile I'd feel just a twinge of an itch, not bad enough to scratch though.  From mid Mar to today I've lost 15.5 lbs. I bought a new pair of running shoes and a top of the line jogging stroller to strap my babies in, and still no itching.  I don't know exactly why, but I have narrowed it down to the juicing.   I intend to keep jogging a permanent part of my life.   Not to mention that I still have 35 lbs between me and a flat sexy tummy!!!!

LOL don't worry about it, some days it feels like my boobs are running with me (and I can't keep up)

Original Post by smarthamster:

LOL don't worry about it, some days it feels like my boobs are running with me (and I can't keep up)

OMG LOL.  The visual of that is just fantastic. 

This has been a great thread.  Thanks for starting it and asking what so many others have always wanted to.

I don't experience itching - or maybe I do but I'm so focused on trying to not fall off my treadmill or pass out that I don't notice it.

I do however, experience delayed butt jiggle.  I sometimes feel like I have a bag of jello down my pants.  If I weren't having such a hard time breathing while I jog, I would get the giggles.