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.

Snap ! You need to work out what your ‘happy weight’ is - for today, not the you from 20 years ago. Body shapes change with age. I’m in the exact same boat as you right now but there’s no right or wrong weight - just what’s right for you, right now.
I know when my clothes dig in and feel uncomfortable I need to eat less / move more. But it’s not always that simple is it, what with hormones, stress, etc ? I always feel better when I eat healthier and lose a little weight, and when my clothes look better on me too that’s a huge bonus.
My current aim is to lose 1.5 - 2 stone, I’m not looking to be the weight I was in my 30’s, that would be unrealistic now, plus too skinny does not look so great in your 50’s. Just do whatever you need to do to look and feel good (they kind of go hand in hand), and don’t worry about everyone else and ridiculous ideal standards !

I’m a similar height and weight and a size 12. Life’s too short to stress about this. I could afford to lose some weight but I’m healthy and happy and my husband thinks I’m bloody gorgeous and that’s all that matters to me! Is it really worth stressing over food and size if you’re healthy? Do you want to spend the life you have fretting that you need to lose a stone or two?

14 is overweight. It’s probably the equivalent of at least a size 16, 20 years ago but now people have got bigger so you won’t stand out like you would have done. It’s things like knees that are not so forgiving if you are overweight.

Is size 14 big? Who cares. Size doesn't matter, only happiness matters.

Skinny toned bodies look good. Larger voluptuous bodies with rolls of fat look good. Just like blonde hair looks good and brunette/red hair looks good.

You have to decide what makes you happiest. You might be happy putting in more gym hours, eating less treats to get to the size you're most comfortbale. Or perhaps being a bit larger and getting to indulge is where you're most happiest.

However, it's sometimes difficult to know where you're happiest level is because of all the background noise (social media pressure, judge people etc). Ignore the noise and hopefully you'll figure it out.

Doesn't matter. Neither health nor beauty are dress sizes. Check your weight, body fat percentage, physical capacity (allowing for any disability of course), resting heart rate and general feeling of wellness.

OK, so, caveat by saying I am roughly the same height, size and weight as you.

Truthfully, its a slightly above average weight, yes; I think the national average weight for women our height is 71kg and we are around 76kg. This doesn't mean you are unhealthy or unattractive, however- the last doctor I spoke to told me off because I was 74kg and I'd said I need to lose another stone. My bloods are perfect, my tests were perfect, and he advised me that my weight was healthy for my physical structure and that I don't need to lose any more. Remember your healthy weight will likely change as you age; don't focus on what worked 10yrs ago.

HOWEVER- none of this equates to dress size at all, since women's body shapes are all so wildly different- pear, hourglass, apple, etc. Height is also a huge factor.

It's highly unlikely anyone is looking at you and judging you, but I hear youre judging yourself. Try and focus on health and not aesthetics. Im sure you look absolutely beautiful. 🖤

Why would it be unusual?

I know it’s totally subjective but in your opinion is a size 14 what you’d consider large?

For me it would be because I am tall and of slim build. To get to a 14 I would either have to overeat a lot or do some sort of body building programme, both of which would make me look big.

For other average height or tall women of medium or large build then a 14 looks totally fine, especially if they exercise.

I am your height and was 12 stone and size 14, even if squeezing myself into 12. I am fit and sporty and honestly looked fine.
Except that i had total weight blindness. Am now a small 10 and when I look at old photos, I was undoubtedly fat. not just a bit curvy, proper heavy.

However, what size you are yourself does of course affect how you view others. So considering that an average UK woman is now 16, don't worry, for most people you link just fine.

To say size doesn't matter is ridiculous. When does it start to matter? When you're unable to fit in a seat on a plane? What about when you need a bariatric bed in hospital? When you acquire a heart attack, a stroke or one of the numerous diseases that obesity leads to? This fat acceptance movement is incredibly toxic. The readiness of fashion brands to use fat models perpetuates the normalisation of obesity.

I’m overweight and would love to be a size 14 ( recently started on Mounjaro). My SiL is a size 6-8 and would be horrified to be a size 14. It’s all subjective.

If you’re not happy with how you look and feel atm, then only you can change it.

No, if course it’s not big.

Size 14 means nothing

Every brand is different, every country is different

I work in a store where we get in all different brands, we have conversion charts so we can size in store for a uniform look
One brands 12 is another's 16 but the 2 items will sit perfectly on each other, no difference in size

I’m 5’8 and size 14 would be big for me, but not necessarily for others.

Yes it is big. But you know that. I think @Iceandfire92 is right - size 14 and above is large and usually overweight and all the posts on this thread trying to normalise it are doing you a disservice.

I'm 5'8 and have been 12 stone and I'm definitely large at that weight. I'm better at 10 stone (which is a solid size 10, which I know some people think is a large size too).

In the UK, the average woman is a size 16.

I’m slightly taller OP, size 14, mid 40s. Was a fit 10 until covid then life conspired against me 😂 I would prefer to be smaller again but swing between that and ‘stuff it, life’s too short, eat the cake’. My diet is 90% good stuff, maybe a little too much of it, and I’m increasing gentle exercise (shot joints and no time for the gym), starting yoga and weights. I don’t stress about it, I’m trying to get healthier in a no pressure gentle sort of way. No doubt some expert will tell me that’s rubbish but I have enough stress in my life without adding my clothes size.

As long as your clothes fit properly then any size is the right one. Wearing stuff that's too small could make a model look tubby!
Some people have wider shoulder, hips, bigger butt, longer/shorter torso etc. you can get five people who all wear a size 14 and they could well look physically quite different. But if it fits, then it's right.
Sizes very wildly between garments and retailers anyway. I can be anything from a 6 to a 12. Though I do like oversized knitwear, jackets etc.

It is all depending on person preference. I’ve been between a size 12 - 16 at various points in my life. It was hard to maintain being a size 12 and I felt slightly uncomfortable at a full 16. But that is literally just me. I’m 5’ 7” and have had two babies and I’m a size 14 currently, feel totally fine and happy with myself (as much as can be).

I have friends of all different sizes and their dress size is the least interesting thing about them.

Below average doesn’t make it not ‘big’ though.

Average and healthy are two completely different things.

I kept a lovely black velvet pencil skirt that I had in the late 70's. It is a classic garment but there is no way I will ever fit into it again. It is a size 12 and the label states "waist 24 inches". I think that would be about an 8 today. I am loads bigger today sadly but I try to eat healthy food and walk as much as I can. I go by how well my clothes fit, if doing up a zip is starting to feel like a surgical procedure I cut down on the treats. As someone said in another comment people tend to be bigger these days and sizes have been adapted to accommodate this change

I’m the same height as you and weigh around 12.5st atm. Fluctuates between 12.1 and 12.10ish. I have been assured on many occasions by nurses,Drs, consultants etc that my weight is not a risk to my health or causing me any health issues. So that’s good enough for me!

I wear a size 14: Next, M&S, Oliver Bonas etc and feel I look great. I go to the gym and walk lots.
Life is too short to wish my body were smaller - I’m late 50s. DH, my DCs and DGCs will not love me any more if I lost a stone or two.
That’s all I need!

This is why BMI is helpful, even if flawed. Some people are obviously not able to just look at themselves and see if they're thin or fat and need some kind of measurement to help them.

It really depends on body shape and fat distribution.

If tall with an hourglass figure, flat stomach, small waist a woman wouldn’t likely look big. Vs someone with an apple body shape, short.

I must caveat that I’m not saying one body type is better than the other.