Is a size 14 big?

[fattytoadboy]

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.

No. Below average, I think.

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.

I mean, you're going to have all the teeny tiny competitive undereating MN waifs saying "goodness gracious! I can't imagine ever being that size, I'd feel like an elephant, a blue whale, even bigger! I'm sure I'd break my dainty little bed and I don't think I could reach that size even if I gorged/scoffed/(insert MN favourite verb here) 24/7!"

But ignore them. If you're comfortable with it, it's fine. If you aren't, you can try to change your size or try to change your relationship with your size. The opinions of random MN users on your size is irrelevant (and likely to be unhealthy and unrealistic)

For a start, 'size 14' can mean anything.

I have clothes that fit me, varying from size 12 to size 18. You can't judge how healthy someone's weight is by the size label in their clothes.

The NHS BMI calculator says your height and weight put you as 'Overweight', but not morbidly so.

Easy to google and check for yourself.

Nowadays, a large % of the population are overweight, so, if you are asking if you are "big" it is quite subjective.

If you are asking if you are healthy, then the answer is no. As you say yourself, you are more comfortable when lighter.

I’m a 14 in most shops, and I weigh more than you at the same height.

I’m bigger than I’d like to be, but that’s mainly because I know I overeat, and it makes me pissed off with myself.

I used to be a 14 for many years and thought I was fat. I am now an 18 and still think I am fat. Draw your own conclusions

Sorry, I missed your actual weight rather than that you feel better at

I’m moving into size 14 and am just heading into unhealthy bmi range. My doctor says I could do with losing a few pounds

Yes I do too.

I know I could do better. I just find a lot of comfort in things that are not good for me - chocolate, cheese, carbs, wine. I don’t get the time to exercise or really have the motivation for it if I’m honest. Maybe that’ll change as my dc get older and I get a bit more time for myself.

Some days I will think you look fine, crack on! Other days I get stressed and upset because I can’t find things to wear that look good on me and really feel like I need to lose some serious weight.

I was 5ft8, my bottom was 14, and top was 12. Was in the healthy BMI range.

I’m a size 14. My doctor weighed me for the first time ever (been with her for 30 years) last time I went. So, technically, yes…

Sadly for me I'm a size 12 to 14 and my BMI is only 20.5

I so so so wish I wasn't an apple.

At 5'7 a size 14 won't look 'big' (as in no one will be looking at you and thinking you're fat).

And shop sizes mean sweet FA now anyway.
Use scales and a measuring tape.

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)

I would feel on the larger side at size 14 but if I saw someone out and about that was a size 14 then I wouldn't think they were noticeably large.

You're taller than average so you won't look big at all. It doesn't fucking matter anyway. It's patriarchal bullshit. We are meant to be different shapes and sizes. We aren't all meant to be skinny stepford wives. Start loving your body the way it is. Concentrate on putting healthier stuff in your body and you'll feel better even if you don't lose weight. I had a gallbladder removal and changed my lifestyle because of it. I feel so much better avoiding all the shit. I'm not saying I'm always getting it right I have bad days but I now feel health is more important than skinny.

I am 5'8', I wear mostly 14, but some clothes can vary from 12 to 18, I have bigger bust than hips.
Like most women I wouldn't mind losing a few pounds, but I never diet, life's too short.

5’8, although I’m a 14 on a good day, I feel chubby and self conscious, hate my photo being taken and especially now summer is suddenly here, dreading getting arms out. When I’m a 12 and few stone lighter it makes all the difference.

At your height, no.

What does 'obscenely overweight' look like to you?

I'm 5 ft 7 and 9.5 stone. I would look and feel large at a size 14 and 12 stone, so to me yes a size 14 is large.
But what looks large for my body and yours may be completely different... I'm straight up and down with no bust (sadly) so any weight just sits on my middle... yours may well be distributed much better 🙂
My weight has been since I was an adult and I'm now nearer 60 but being 'slimmer' hasn't done my face any favours...I look like a bog witch😬

It is somewhat contested as to whether BMI is a good overall indicator of health. Anecdotally, It certainly is for me - A few years back, I was quite unwell and stressed and my BMI was 20. I'm 5ft 6" and had dropped to 8st 12lb - my entire rib cage was visible from the front and back, and I looked dreadful! My family genuinely thought I was in the throws of an eating disorder and were really worried.
I'd say at our height, a size 14 is on the larger side of a reasonable weight, and losing a stone certainly wouldn't hurt, but it's by no means "big" ( I'm currently getting uncomfortably squeezed in a size 12)

I bet you look pretty slim at 5’7 and 12 stone.

At 5ft 7 I'd say it's normal. Not slim, not fat.. just a normal adult woman size.
It depends on your body type as well obviously. I'm the same height as you and at 12 stone i was a size 10-12 not 14.
People carry weight differently. Just because you are in a bigger size doesn't necessarily mean you are heavier.