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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is a size 14 big?

442 replies

fattytoadboy · 30/04/2025 22:58

Just that really. Been somewhere between a size 12-14 for the past 20 years. Even when I lost two stone I still fit into my size 12 clothes. Now I’m about 12 stone at 5,7 and a solid 14.

I definitely feel better around the 10.5 stone mark. I’m really struggling to lose weight. Sometimes I look at myself and can see a roll around my belly or feel like my face looks bloated and neither of these things make me happy or confident.

Equally when I’m dressed well I think I look ok. I know it’s totally subjective but in your opinion is a size 14 what you’d consider large? I don’t think I look obscenely overweight but I definitely would look and feel better with a few stone off.

OP posts:
Lorlorlorikeet · 04/05/2025 20:01

BluesBird19764 · 04/05/2025 18:52

Still fat in a size 12??? Have a word with yourself ffs.

If I was a size 12, I would very much be fat. Because of the slight structure of my bones. Before anyone comes at me, I’m not bragging about the size of my skeleton. 🤣

Lorlorlorikeet · 04/05/2025 19:58

TweetingHurricane · 04/05/2025 19:54

Most of us know it’s not big, it’s the size 8 competitive under eaters who think anything over a 10 is ghastly and plus size. They are overly represented on here, I just don’t see it out and about. I travel around cities towns and villages and average is around 16/18. 14 is absolutely fine

So anyone who is a size 8 is a ‘competitive undereater’? Jesus Christ. And you think they’re the toxic ones? What an unhealthy attitude to have.

TweetingHurricane · 04/05/2025 19:54

BlueEyedBogWitch · 04/05/2025 19:44

This thread is making me feel absolutely shit, but I can’t look away.

Most of us know it’s not big, it’s the size 8 competitive under eaters who think anything over a 10 is ghastly and plus size. They are overly represented on here, I just don’t see it out and about. I travel around cities towns and villages and average is around 16/18. 14 is absolutely fine

BluesBird19764 · 04/05/2025 19:49

MightAsWellBeGretel · 04/05/2025 19:41

Again, it depends on bone structure.

objectively, size 12 not “big”

BlueEyedBogWitch · 04/05/2025 19:44

This thread is making me feel absolutely shit, but I can’t look away.

MightAsWellBeGretel · 04/05/2025 19:41

BluesBird19764 · 04/05/2025 18:52

Still fat in a size 12??? Have a word with yourself ffs.

Again, it depends on bone structure.

ArminTamzerian · 04/05/2025 19:13

Ukkake · 04/05/2025 19:01

Of course it’s big. Likely lower end of obese but easily enough to get down to a more manageable weight.

I was a size 14 at a BMI of 25.5....half a point into the overweight and nowhere near obese. And I wasn't "big"

Ukkake · 04/05/2025 19:01

Of course it’s big. Likely lower end of obese but easily enough to get down to a more manageable weight.

BluesBird19764 · 04/05/2025 18:52

WhySoManySocks · 30/04/2025 23:15

Yes. It used to not exist in the normal clothes range. Now it’s probably average, but it’s still large.

(I’ve just lost weight and gone from 14 to 12. I’m 5’7 and still fat in size 12, so understand the struggle and not judging anyone more than myself)

Still fat in a size 12??? Have a word with yourself ffs.

HotMummaSummer · 04/05/2025 17:55

I'm just under 5"7 and 11st 11. I could have written this post myself!
Last time I was able to drop serious weight I did slimming world 5 years ago but learning about ultra processed food it's put me off.
I've got 2 young kids so and since having them I don't think I've gone below 11st.
I've just started calorie counting as I'm tired of feeling how I do

Riaanna · 04/05/2025 17:14

Definitely the bigger size and likely unhealthy.

MightAsWellBeGretel · 04/05/2025 17:06

Gemmawemma9 · 30/04/2025 23:08

It would be unusual to be a U.K. size 14 and have a BMI within the healthy range.

OP, how do you feel? If you feel physically well and are happy with how you look and feel confident, that’s all that matters. Don’t worry about people’s perceptions.

Not really, it depends on bone structure.

TweetingHurricane · 04/05/2025 17:01

YearlySubscriptionRenewal · 04/05/2025 16:42

I don't think she looks underweight at all, she's just.. thin. Nothing wrong with being more boyish than curvy.

And no, of course it's not "unusual" to see thin people! Since when?

It’s not the lack of curves, it’s how tiny she is. She visited my city a few years back and everyone was really shocked at the size of her, as she is even smaller than in photos.

Pickingmyselfup · 04/05/2025 16:54

YearlySubscriptionRenewal · 04/05/2025 16:30

It's funny how everyone falls over themselves to admire someone like Kate Middleton. She doesn't come from a different species, she's a normal woman, had 3 children. She's tall and has a boyish figure, but there's no reason why anyone couldn't be as slim if they wanted to.

I couldn't look like her no matter how hard I tried, I have much bigger hips which are made of bone so no amount of dieting will ever get me a straight up straight down figure.

I have never been underweight but I have a sneaking suspicion that even if I was, my legs would still be a lot bigger than hers too but I bet my top half could be similar.

Rainbowchicken · 04/05/2025 16:52

I am the same height as you and was 12 stone 5 in February. I decided to get Mounjaro because I also had high cholesterol, I definitely felt and looked fat but not massive. Feel and look a lot better now at 11 stone but aiming to lose another stone.

YearlySubscriptionRenewal · 04/05/2025 16:42

TweetingHurricane · 04/05/2025 16:39

It’s unusual to see someone so thin, and she does look underweight.

I don't think she looks underweight at all, she's just.. thin. Nothing wrong with being more boyish than curvy.

And no, of course it's not "unusual" to see thin people! Since when?

TweetingHurricane · 04/05/2025 16:39

YearlySubscriptionRenewal · 04/05/2025 16:30

It's funny how everyone falls over themselves to admire someone like Kate Middleton. She doesn't come from a different species, she's a normal woman, had 3 children. She's tall and has a boyish figure, but there's no reason why anyone couldn't be as slim if they wanted to.

It’s unusual to see someone so thin, and she does look underweight.

YearlySubscriptionRenewal · 04/05/2025 16:30

It's funny how everyone falls over themselves to admire someone like Kate Middleton. She doesn't come from a different species, she's a normal woman, had 3 children. She's tall and has a boyish figure, but there's no reason why anyone couldn't be as slim if they wanted to.

YearlySubscriptionRenewal · 04/05/2025 16:27

It should be pretty simple and the answer to one simple question: how would I look - and feel - if I was 1, 2 or 3 dress size down, or 2 or 3 stones (or more) lighter.

If realistically and truthfully you would look emaciated if you were a stone lighter, then your current weight is likely fine.

If you would look absolutely fine, or likely much better, with less weight and wearing a size 10 or 12 instead of a 16-18, then you have your answer.

I am not talking about suddenly exercising, building muscles - which we all need - but your current body. People do know the answer anyway, they just come up with excuses. Not everyone cares about their health and looks sadly. It's easier to pretend that women can have either a brain or a good body but not both at the same time.

arggggg · 04/05/2025 16:10

It is overweight. Everyone will hate me for saying that, but it is. We have an obesity crisis so now that seems quite normal. But it’s not.

TweetingHurricane · 04/05/2025 14:24

cherish123 · 04/05/2025 13:15

I think size 12 was average but it may be 14 now.

No it’s size 16 and has been for at least 15 years

Radionowhere · 04/05/2025 13:54

12 stone at 5' 7" is overweight, yes. You may carry the weight well, some people do. If you exercise regularly and eat well I wouldn't be particularly concerned about the scales.

cherish123 · 04/05/2025 13:15

I think size 12 was average but it may be 14 now.

Labelledelune · 04/05/2025 13:14

It depends I was a tight size 12 at 9st 6lb and I felt huge as it was all around my middle, I’m now 8st 12lb and feel good. Other people are very comfortable at that size. Size 14 would be huge to me, and small to someone whose an 18 or over.

lunalovegood25 · 04/05/2025 12:58

J3nnyFromTheBlock · 04/05/2025 03:10

Speaking honestly as someone that has gone from a 6 to a 16, and back down to an 8-10… yes it is. Anything above a 10, is slipping into large.

Don’t be stupid
how is a size 10/12 at 5ft 11 large? We aren’t all 5ft 4