January 2025 Starters Thread 9!

[meatyryvita]

Time to check in losers!

@discov same - I am losing more slowly, but it feels more noticeable.

I need another rant. I am now slimmest I've been in my adult life. I won't say it has 'just happened' and MJ has done all the work like you often hear - of course I had to still put the effort in. But it has previously taken so much more effort just to stay moderately (or less moderately) overweight.
But now my body behaves like a normal person's. How easy is their life? How easy is it for people who don't have constant food noise and compulsion to eat the entire pantry to 'just eat less'? All those naturally slim people judging us and thinking we are the lazy ones without willpower, while we have had to put on so much more of an effort our entire lives. Telling us we are taking the easy way out - when it's just the same way they have always taken.

I have this on my list of ones to try! Also saw a lot of recommendations for the Gossard Superboost but the lace/non padded version. The bottom heavy thing has been a revelation for me as I’ve always found I never fill cups of most bras, and wondered why they are always so gappy at the top then I bulge out at the bottom!!

@asparagusfearne let us know what they said, very curious.
Same issue with bottom heavy and top-empty boobs, I need padded half cups, otherwise boobs just lay there, or with full cups, gape empty.

I am sure we started around the same weight too if I remember correctly! I am not sure if 8st 7 will be too low on me but I still have a decent amount of stomach fat to lose. I am 34 and have a very round face so can afford to lose a bit more I think. But I’ve never been less than 11st 7 as an adult so I’m in uncharted territory right now 😄

I have the same with IBS. Not formally diagnosed and maybe IBS isn’t the right term for me, but I’ve had gastro issues for years. Always daily painful trapped wind like you wouldn’t believe. I’ve had none at all since starting MJ apart from at the weekend when I ate some chips and they disagreed with me. And for that alone I’d love to stay on a low dose too.

So boob or bust suggests I’m a 32GG which I’m taking with a pinch of salt so hefty you need an HGV license. There is no way a 32 band would fasten. I know this because I’ve tried on a 34 band I’ve kept for some strange reason and that doesn’t fasten by some way. Coupled with the fact that the full bust measurement includes aforementioned axillary tails of Spence there would be nothing to put in the cup but plenty bulging out at the sides.

@discov I started at 11st 5, BMI 28.2 and sleep apnoea

32F here. That’s just wrong. Mind you, I was unimpressed with Rigby and Peller who gave me a similar result a few years ago. Band made me feel like I couldn’t breath, the girls were flopping about in an obviously over-loose cup and the snotty fitting lady was still giving me the “You’ve been doing it wrong all along and this is the correct size” line. I went back to M&S.

@Jins just to test, try the 34 bra back to front and see if it still doesn't fasten. If it does, you need bigger cups.

I’ve rummaged in the graveyard of old bras and the 34 doesn’t fasten either way round.

36C just fastens and I fill the cups but way too much armpit spillage for comfort. 38C fastens with minimal armpit spillage and empty upper cups. 40C fastens comfortably on the tightest hooks, no armpit spillage and wrinkly empty cups.

My underbust measurement for sewing is 34.5 but if pulled as tight as I can get for boob or bust instructions I can pull it to 32. My gut feeling is that I’m a 36B at the moment as my boobs are bottom heavy and I’ve got a wide back. 34C may work with extenders.

@tinyemmy so sorry to hear that. It shows (me) that there’s always someone worse off than you (me).

@asparagusfearne I totally agree with @HeidiNotSoHeavy, Bravissimo is the place to go. And I also give a thumbs up to the Satine. I don’t think I have lost anywhere near enough weight to make a difference to my bras, but the top of the cups can look baggy. Perhaps I need to go for balconies too. Not sure what Satine is…

Satine is a plunge

Hi team, reporting back from Bravissimo visit:
30G / 32FF it is! And they did feel much more comfy.
I liked the niya (plunge) for a t shirt bra, plus Millie and Ophelia.
Had to sprint out to get back for a meeting but that took the sales pressure off so I'll go back in oh my way home to purchase just the one for now. And maybe check in M&S with my new size!

Bras are not my to do list yet, weights not really going from up top so far. I felt like I’d plateaued this week but it’s evened out after official weigh day. The mental struggle is real though - I have periods where looking down I think I look exactly the same but a side glance in a mirror and I notice that my legs look slimmer or my belly isn’t so round. So strange how our brains work.

NSV this morning though. Sorting out clothes to pack for summer hols and 3 pairs of shorts that were way too small are now fitting! So they’ve gone in the wash for a refresh, along with my favourite cover up which I couldn’t wear last year as it looked awful clinging to my belly!

Funny from just reading your description @jins I'd have said you were 36D and just need to find a shape that is wider round the side into the armpit.
I ordered a few bras on next day delivery and have settled on a 34H which fits very nicely. I can't wear underwires so am slightly restricted with options. Also got some size 14 trousers for work which fit (hurray!) but no pockets! They're going back, can't be doing with no pockets these days.

Bra fitting is a dark art @MJalltheway. I think I’ll carry on making my own.

@MJallthewaywhere do you get that size in non underwires? I did mine the other day and came out at 34 gg - I know when I was my previously happy size I ended up at 34 g (technically 32 gg by boob or bust but too tight) so whilst I’m not ready to restock yet, I am doing a bit of research. I can’t do underwires and have quite a bit of side boob. I have a Royce bra atm which is ok but not the best shape

Loving the bra chat! I am now down to a 32GG.

I still felt faint and dizzy all morning and then it occurred to me, my body was crying out for carbs. So I had a chicken salad sandwich with potato wedges for lunch, and feel so much better. I know this is very boring, but it might help someone else down the line…

I have several from M&S which are in my old size, my favourite style from there is the first one..

https://www.marksandspencer.com/flexifit-non-wired-full-cup-bra/p/clp60438189?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

https://www.marksandspencer.com/flexifit-lace-non-wired-minimiser-bra/p/clp60609460?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

https://www.marksandspencer.com/lace-non-wired-non-padded-bralet-f-/p/clp60451802?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

And the one I've just bought is this from Next..
https://www.next.co.uk/style/st206819/c07250

Thank you. I don’t get on with the flexi fit which is a shame as I know a lot of people rate it. I like the look of the bottom one or the next one. I just want a bit of shape/lift and not a mono boob but without the pain of an underwire.

@zempy- I have noticed that sometimes I need to have a bit of carb. I only tend to have a couple of portions and small quantities nes at that per day but I do seem to need them.

2 health related victories - one boob related so I’m claiming it but mammogram all clear -hurrah! The other one was I had to have my bp done as a pre surgery thing and even in a white coat situation it was happily in the normal range. End of last year I had to do weekly monitoring and there was talk of meds so this was fab news.

fabulous news, @myladyjane !

as for bras, I know they are a bit marmite, but I really like Molke orignal ones. Very good support, but cotton, not a sweaty sports bra material.

That's great news @myladyjane ; did you find that the mammogram felt much less painful for having reduced in size? Mine are so deflated now they'd probably spread out on the plates like oversized American pancakes now! 😂 And great news on the BP too!

On the bra front I've been a fan of Empreinte's Thalia in the balconette version since it was recommended by a lovely assistant in R&P many years ago. Very comfortable and looks lovely despite holding up industrial sized knockers! Unfortunately they stopped making it in a lovely taupe colour a little while ago. Real shame as it was flattering to all skin colours. 😢
Also have a bit of a hang up about having matching bra & knickers, as though it will help me feel more put together. 🤪 Fail miserably as soon as I put anything else on over my underwear! 😂 Definitely need to replace with smaller sizes but I've been holding out as it's a serious £££ outlay and have no idea where I'll end up size-wise.

The word knockers always makes me laugh. The place where I live has got lots of lovely old houses with beautiful door knockers and I always embarrass my children by saying ‘shall we go for a walk and have a look a the lovely knockers in the old town?’ 🤣

And if anyone comes across an affordable dupe of the Bravissimo Satine, please share. I buy most of my clothes off Vinted but I draw the line at bras!!

ebay often has them, new with tags

@mince3point14159265 I really had to get new bras, but was resisting knickers, they are elastic, will fit. Then one day was wearing a skirt, walking around in the office and suddenly felt that it's getting a bit drafty - underwear was slowly but surely making its way towards the floor. Luckily caught it before anybody noticed, but had to go buy some new ones. Indeed a lot more comfortable, I have to say.

@HeidiNotSoHeavy 🤣🤣🤣
I think if I weren't wearing shorts or trousers, mine might head that way too!

@Polkadotdash if you're not embarrassing your kids, you're parenting all wrong! 😜