Don’t let it stop you.

Don’t forget the Maple Syrup Giveaway ends on Friday!

Yahoo!  The end of my work week!  But, I should back up to the start of the day.

Since it has finally stopped raining and was to be warm today, I wanted to run outside, so that meant the early breakfast and planting my butt to work early.  I made a variation on the custard oats.

This bowl was made with 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce added to the cooking water, a boatload of cinnamon, and then the egg whites when almost done.

Topped with toasted pecans.  This was good, but either the apple was too subtle or it wasn’t quite sweet enough.  Worth playing around with in the future, though.

About 1/2 hour before my run, I had a snack of 1/2 of an Arnold Sucralose Sandwich thin spread with a tablespoon of Naturally Nutty.

Um yum!  Then I headed out for a hill run.  I haven’t done the hill run in a while, so it was high time!  The first steep hill didn’t feel so bad.  I remember when I used to huff and puff up the hill.  Now I just huff.  Then I tacked on an extra loop, just to go a little longer.  Distance – 3.75 miles and sunny!  I got my sweat on, too.

I was ready for lunch when I got back, where I tried a protein crepe.  I mixed 1/2 scoop of rice protein powder with 1 egg and 2 egg whites and put in a large pan and cooked like a crepe.  I folded it over some feta cheese.

It was a good idea, but didn’t execute well.  It ended up tough.  I think it would be better with less protein powder (or whey instead) and maybe as as sweet version.  The best part of lunch was this!

I hardly ever eat bananas straight up and I am not really sure why.

Regarding the title of this post, I have read a few blogs recently that have talked about how self-conscious they are about exercising in public.  Some of these people don’t because of this feeling, some people still do it, and some people change what they are doing or stop until the people have gone on.   Most of you have seen my running gear in warm weather – it doesn’t leave a whole lot to guess at.  Does it make me self-conscious?  Yes!  I am self-conscious.  However, I don’t let that stop me.  I can’t control what someone is thinking, so why would I let their (perceived) thoughts  stop me from being healthy?  I am certainly not out being all sweaty and in spandex to entertain anyone.  I think in general, very few people have negative thoughts when seeing someone exercise.  Those that do have them probably have their own issues with self-esteem.  So get out there and do it!

Phew… soapbox put away now, and the latte machine is out!  John was gone this afternoon, so I had to make my own today 😯

With an Attune bar!!  It’s been a while since I had one of my addictions.

John asked if I wanted to go for a bike ride after work.  We were trying to decide on biking for dinner or yogurt.  I was leaning towards dinner, but didn’t want pizza.  After puzzling for a while, we decided to bike to our regular pizza place, but I opted for a turkey wrap on wheat instead of pizza:

There are roasted peppers in this wrap, but you just can’t see them.  With a side salad:

Felt good about that choice.  Not to mention the 290 calories I burned biking 10 miles!   I am going to make a supreme effort to keep myself in control this weekend.  Particularly on Friday, because those are really one of my worst days of the week.  Saturday we have a ~ 40 mile bike ride planned, so I can eat more that day, but don’t want to go overboard.  I should be okay for Easter dinner at my sister’s house, unless she has mini PB cups there…..

Evening snack as I write this post:

Drizzled with a little maple cream – oh yeah!

Question:  Are you self-conscious when exercising?

24 thoughts on “Don’t let it stop you.

  1. Danielle

    I am self-conscious when exercising, which is part of the reason I do workout videos at home, also I’m sure I look really silly following along to some of the videos. Liking my exercise clothes (even if I don’t like the way they look on me) helps combat some of the self-consciousness.
    .-= Danielle´s last blog ..Slow and steady (Week 8) =-.

  2. Ron

    When I belonged to a gym, I would use the treadmills, exercise bikes, stair steppers etc but didn’t feel comfortable lifting there, so I bought a treadmill, later I bought the adjustable dumbbells, and I am thinking about buying a spinner bike.
    .-= Ron´s last blog ..I saw the Easter bunny. =-.

  3. debby

    Sometimes I’m self-conscious and sometimes I’m not. I think its more being shy in new situations or around new people, as in joining a new class. I’m working myself up to it though.

    I like chopped apples in the applesauce better. But I tend to like texture and chewy stuff. I made that quinoa breakfast this morning. Fabulous! Haha–forgot that is what I named it!
    .-= debby´s last blog ..Me and Africa =-.

  4. Leah

    For some reason I don’t feel as self conscious about exercising in public this time around, even at the gym on base with plenty of fit men around.

    Years ago I did if I was doing anything but taking part in a step aerobics class (because it was mainly women) or walking.

    Now, I just figure I know I’m sweaty and large and jogging like a turtle, but at least I’m doing something and that’s what exercise is for…to take care of my health. Some day I’d like to be a graceful runner with a “normal” weight, but I’m not going to wait for my weight to go down to work out.

    I think you’re correct in saying most people who comment have their own issues, or I’ll bet they aren’t doing a darn thing except sitting around critisizing everyone else.

    Thanks for encouraging people to get out there and workout no matter what! 🙂

    p.s. I think I’m a little more self conscious at a pool, but last year I decided not to worry about what people think anymore..I’m there to enjoy time with my family and God made me white as a ghost, so there’s nothing I can do about that…the fat..well, we’re working on it.

    Goodness..today must be my day for long comments. Sorry.. Have a nice weekend!

  5. 266

    I can be self-conscious, but I don’t let it stop me. If I am trying something new, I am more likely to feel weird. Last night at the track I saw a guy who was obviously out there for only the first or second time and I made a point to giving him a warm smile and a thumbs up when I passed him the first time, and I told him he was doing a good job when I went around by him again. I wanted to make sure he didn’t feel uncomfortable doing something new to him cause that’s how I have felt in the past!
    .-= 266´s last blog ..I Was A Fool =-.

  6. Kimberley

    I bury my self-conscious feelings and just exercise. I just try to keep in mind that I am probably not that important to strangers.

    Also when I swim, I have my glasses off and I can’t see…in my mind that means no one else can see ME! LOL!

    I hope there are some pics from the big bike ride.
    .-= Kimberley´s last blog ..Worthy Cause Wednesday =-.

  7. michelle

    I am typically not self-conscious but some nights, I am the only woman in the free weights area (surrounded by guys) and I don’t care for that but I try to wear a baseball cap pulled down low and have my ipod going so I am pretty oblivious … (or seem to be anyway 😉

    LOL Arnold Sucralose Thins …

  8. Jo

    Your food pics are making me hungry 🙂

    I work out in a gym and don’t really feel self-conscious. I go into ‘the zone’ once I start exercising and I presume most of my fellow gym goers are in a similar place. But I am self-conscious about trying new forms of exercise, and I reckon that’s going to hold me back as I’m starting to plateau pretty seriously now…

  9. Amy

    Funny we both did hills yesterday! When I am out running, and I pass by someone, it always makes me pick up my pace and run a bit faster!

  10. Miz

    I am REALLLY selfconscious in group exercise classes.
    Im way uncoordinated and tend to migrate to the back.

  11. Andra

    I blogged about this yesterday. Strength training has given me body confidence that I’ve not experienced in my entire life. Even when I first started out at over 250 pounds, walking made me feel so good that I didn’t care what other people thought. If I cared what people thought about my fat self exercising, I’d have consoled myself with Twinkies and would never have lost 100 pounds.
    .-= Andra´s last blog ..Monthly Weigh-In: April 1st =-.

  12. MB

    I’m getting better about ignoring those self conscious feelings. I’m sure nobody at the gym cares about what I’m doing since they are focusing on themselves.

    When you get a chance, stop by my blog and pick up your Easter basket. Have a great weekend!

  13. PTG

    Typically, no….but i usually find myself self-conscious when I wear something tight. (Most, if not all, of my extra weight is around my middle, a la muffin, so I rarely do anything to accentuate it.) I generally wear wicking shirts, etc to work out or run in.

    Love the custard oats…one day I’m goin to have to try that! (Though on Easter I’m going to try and make protein waffles…yum!!)
    .-= PTG´s last blog ..running..advice and reviews. =-.

  14. Susan

    YES I was totally self conscious. The gym can be like hell on earth for a person with social anxiety such as myself. Pre-weight loss days I would often try to go and would have to leave, or start shaking and breathing heavily at the thought of using a machine next to someone. Now I’ve taken a 180, obviously, since I want to WORK in a gym and be a personal trainer!! It took a loooong time of just consistently going until I felt remotely comfortable. I think it’s important to “gym shop” a little until you find one you really mesh with. My turning point however came when I finally woke up one day and noticed that every person in there was totally self-absorbed into what they were doing. The guys in the weight area weren’t judging me, they were checking themselves out in the mirror. The people on the treadmill next to me weren’t criticizing my speed, but too concentrated on their own.

    Ahhh, I could ramble on about this for days. But I won’t. We’ll just call it a hill that every person needs to (and CAN!) run over 🙂
    .-= Susan´s last blog ..Strength Training at Home =-.

  15. Fran

    Lori oh Lori: when are you coming to stay a week with me and cook for me all those delicious meals you always eat.

    I don’t give a crap how I look while I’m at the gym or running 🙂 I’m there for me and no one else and if people don’t like what they see they just have to look the other way. I do find it important that my shirts are normal size so my belly won’t peep out but for the rest I don’t mind.
    .-= Fran´s last blog ..Weight Challenge + Workout goals March 2010 =-.

  16. Lisa

    Nope, never self-conscious. Even when I was 250+ pounds, I still got in my swim suit to swim. I’m more self conscious of my race pictures because I NEVER look good in them!!
    .-= Lisa´s last blog ..Oikos Update =-.

  17. John

    I’m getting better at it. I think other than when I take up swimming again I have no problem with training in public. 3 years ago when I tried this I never did it in public in my town. Always in another town where I didn’t know anyone!
    .-= John´s last blog ..March Challenges Review =-.

  18. Megan

    I’m not self-conscious while exercising. But I wear very little to run in the summer, a skirt and a sleeveless top. I’m self-conscious walking around like that. I always put on another shirt and/or maybe some pants.

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