Do you have money or space for a treadmill or bike? I lost 45 pounds during the pandemic just walking uphill on an inclined treadmill. I'm in good shape now and still prefer a solitary peloton endurance ride to going out and sweating in public. I enjoy the time alone to clear my head.

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Anonymous wrote:I might glance in the direction of a heavy breather, someone with a red face, a person sweating a lot, another whose hair is all frazzled, someone in head to toe neon pink. I just glance, look away and the thought of them goes right out of my head. I don't think people care like you think they do. We are all in our own heads/ schedules/ worries. You can start by going to low traffic trails and use it as a mental health practice to conquer a fear.

What about DH, though? He's the one I'm really afraid to be out of breath in front of. I don't do solo low-traffic trails.

He’s your husband! Who cares if you’re out of breath with him. I feel like you might have issues that go far deeper than being out of breath when you exercise.

Obviously. But I'd like to solve the small issues if I can.

Your small issues are caused by your self esteem and mental health issues. How do you expect anything to change if you don't address those? I've been a size 20 and I'm very familiar with your thought process. But just suck it up and do it and then get some therapy. Or go to the gym.

Believe it or not, some people are actually worthless. There's no reason to have a high opinion of yourself if you're a failure. That doesn't mean we can't make small changes.

No one is worthless. Op also has a husband and kid and owes it to them to work on herself.

+1 Nobody is worthless!

Anonymous wrote:HUGE reason I don't exercise. Even when I was a healthy weight, I hated running because I was always out of shape and gasping for air. Now I'm a size 20 and am winded long before athletic DH (though I can forever at a slower pace). How can I get over this? I constantly decline walks and hiking trips because of it, but there are too many places I don't feel comfortable walking alone, so I just...sit.

I'm not trying to be mean here, but this sounds like a lot of excuses. Can you walk the block around your house? You have to start somewhere, and you can start small. I think you really need to get into the habit of movement in order to get over this insecurity.

If you are size 20, soon you will be gasping for breath just standing up and walking a foot. Will that not be more embarrassing?

You don’t need to exercise to lose weight.

At the beginning of the pandemic shutdown, I started taking walks with my family around the neighborhood. There is one spot that has stairs going up a hill, about 3 flights worth. My husband and kids would sprint right up. I'd have to stop 2 or 3 times to catch my breath. I decided to start walking on my own every day or two until I could make it up the stairs without stopping. It took about 4 months but I finally reached my goal. Start small and take baby steps. Walk around the block every day. You will see progress.

Anonymous wrote:Honestly put this problem aside because it’s not the root of your weight problem or even a significant contributor.

Agree. Get to the gym solo.

Anonymous wrote:Lose weight and get an inhaler.

Those are the options. I've even had to stop during sex to use my inhaler.

Wow. Mood killer

I mean, I watch long-trail thru hikers on YouTube. Guess what? Even after thousands of miles of hiking, often 25 miles a day, they are out of breath while moving fast. Because that’s what the human body does. So I guess you’ll have to decide whether to stop making excuses.

Honestly put this problem aside because it’s not the root of your weight problem or even a significant contributor.

Just start power walking on a trail. You will quickly build up your aerobic capacity.

Maybe do some cardio YouTube workouts? Or fitness blender (can do the free ones). Start with low impact and move up to higher intensity. Once you’re able to sustain 25 minutes of HItT, a walk/hike/excursion won’t leave you breathless. Supplement with Pilates/yoga for mindful breathing (even when you’re out of breath you’ll be able to control it better).

Just walk alone in your neighborhood or somewhere you feel safe. Once you’ve been doing it awhile, you won’t lose your breath as quickly. Good luck!

Simple OP. What's more important, the exercise you're getting, or how you sound to others when you talk while working out? Who CARES what anyone else thinks! And if it's really getting in they way of your workouts, then work out alone. Go on solo walks.

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Anonymous wrote:What's wrong with "going forever at a slow pace"? That is endurance and something most people don't have. Not everything has to be hand on knees hard, and if you're a runner, it should be 80/20 easy/hard slow/fast.

Takes too long. Most people don't have that kind of free time.

Agreed ... my runs always pick up in pace as I run because I want to get done!