To feel unhappy with being a uk size 12?

[lazysloth]

First of all this is not intended to be 'fat shaming' in any way. I know lots of ladies who look fabulous (and most importantly feel it) in larger sizes.
In my late teens and early-mid twenties I was always a slight size ten (not small enough to feel comfortable in an 8 but more like a size 9). I feel comfortable, happy, confident and healthy at this size.
I am now late 20s and seemingly out of nowhere I am a size 12, bordering on a 14. I tried on some size 12 jeans today in River Island and whilst they fit they really did not look any good!
I am not eating any more or doing any less excercise. Do you have to try harder at this stuff once you hit late twenties/ early 30's? I am really not happy with my body and feel like I need to cover up .
Everyone else says I look fine and this is a normal and healthy size.I am wondering if I shouldn't be so worried about it and it's all in my head? But I'm feeling like I need to go on some sort of diet. I've never been able to diet properly ever and I really hate the gym.

"You’re 5’7 and weigh, what, 10 stone? Stealth boasting, methinks."

don't be so bloody ridiculous. Can't anyone say anything without it being stealth boasting. I hardly think being 10 stone at 5'7 is stealth boasting. I was trying to loose a bit more when I weighed that.

op you are 5ft8”. So you wouldn’t really want to be much less than a 12 for that height.

Hormones change our metabolism as we age.

Also bear in mind that many clothes shops have made clothes smaller than what a size 12 ten yrs ago would have been. If say you had tried on a size 12 in John Lewis or East for example, they would probably swamp you.

Actually I'm pretty sure size 12 is considered large, when I use to be one (wish I still was!) it was the "large" size of clothes that are labeled small, medium, large. 12 (or sometimes 12/14) was labeled as large.

These threads always go the same way.

I’m 5’7 and a 12 and happy with it! When I was 18 I was a skinny size 8 and I’ve put on weight as I’ve got older.

Yes, your metabolism slows down and it will be a lot harder to lose weight and maintain it. There's quite a range for healthy weight, of course it's not unreasonable to be unhappy even if you're in theory not over (or under) weight.

I think its harder to stay skinny as you get older, but if you dont drink too much and watch your portions its not too bad. Saying that, I regard myself as fine and slim enough at a size 12, and im a couple of inches shorter too. I am not as obsessed about my size and appearance as I used to be, and im happier for it

I know how you feel, I know I'm a healthy weight but I just don't feel happy. All the women I see seem to look good no matter what size they are but I put on weight in all the wrong places. I always look back on older pictures and realise how skinny I was back then, I could wear clothes i would look ridiculous in now. But who knows i might be doing the same to pictures of myself now in a few years so I'm trying to improve my self esteem. Rather than go on a strict diet for a few days then completely fail and end up eating an entire large bag of Doritos I'm just changing little bits to my normal diet to ensure I atleast stay healthy.

Ok so it's looking like getting my food right is key, more so than exercise. Thinking of setting a set amount of calories and sticking to it to see if it makes any difference.
Thanks for the advice and kind words

go sleep a 12 and wake up a 16 without any idea how

But how....?? Seriously, don't your clothes sizes noticeably change? Forget the numbers on the clothes. How can you delude yourself into not noticing all the clothes in wardrobe that you no longer fit into?? The fact that you HAVE to go out & buy stuff. Jeans & skirts especially.

Friend dropped 2 stone & had no trouble at all noticing that she needed different clothes.

Weird sizing these days!
I am 5ft 6 and weigh 9st 7.Bmi is 21.4, so healthy. However, clothes are mainly size 12 for me, sometimes 10, it really depends on the store.

@DailyWailEatsSnails I can't speak for the other poster but for me it was just a case of life was really busy and I didn't notice it until my clothes were tighter!

Dont start the disordered eating that is any diet. Sensible portions, good.mix, lots of veg.

And minimise time farting about buying clothes. Sizes are random because females are supposed to love stinking hot dark shops. Buy if you run out. You won't.

This 'old ' thing is a joke, surely?

You think 39 is getting older?

Your metabolism slows down post menopause - around 45-50.

At 30 you are in your prime.

30 not 39.

@sandy I didn't mention being old?

I know 30's is not old obviously. I'm not bothered by age

I'm on some medication at the moment that has made me go from a slim 12 to a 14.
I hate it. Because I have other health problems it's not as easy for me to change my diet or exercise.
Luckily I am having an operation which will mean I will no longer have to take the medication.
I know some people are happy with their weight, but it is really having an effect on me and I cannot wait to go back to how I was.

No but others did. And you did say this Do you have to try harder at this stuff once you hit late twenties/ early 30's?

Like late 20s was old. FFS!

Wait till you are 60+ then you will know about slower metabolism.

Precisely, You've only gone from 9/10 to 12 & you've noticed, OP. It isn't hard to notice.
I'm trying to drop 4kg so I can back into some clothes I stopped being able to wear 5 years ago. Wish us both luck.

Try not to calorie count too much if it's something you would get swept up in (depending on your personality.) Have a realistic look at what your diet is like though, including alcohol - drink can be a killer.
Portion sizes is one of my big issues, I could eat as much as my 6'5" DH so I use a smaller plate than him. Counting calories would do my head in though, so find what works for you.

Whether 12 is big or small is a bit besides the point though, it's what OP feels comfortable as.

I don't think metabolism really changes until you hit nearer 50, with the hormonal changes of perimenopause and menopause. Up to then it is more likely to be lifestyle changes for most, ie not walking as much, socialising with food, drinking more wine and sitting around more than you used to, getting into unhealthy habits. Good idea to sort things out now and get into healthy habits as it really does get a lot more difficult later on.

Of course, 30 is being older. Ask a 9 year old and they even believe it's ancient.
We don't all have the same metabolism or the same lifestyle. When you start noticing that your body is no longer young and eating toast for 2 days is not enough to lose half a stone, it's time to do something about it.

@sandy I am repeating myself but I don't think it's old and never said it was.
I had no idea what age metabolism slowed down. That's why asking questions on here is helpful. I now know it happens a lot later and I just need to try harder with my diet.

Well 39 is certainly getting older if you're 38, as is 12 or 70 if you started off at 11 or 69...

Not sure where OP said old though.