Ladies with Large Frames and Broad Shoulders
purplecharm
Posts: 446 Member
I have a large frame. I haven't done the wrist measurement test but I don't have to because the mirror tells me so. I am 5'8". My feet are large. I wear a size 12W or 13 women's shoe. My hands are big and long. My head is big. I have very broad shoulders.
I was "big" not necessarily fat all throughout my childhood because of my large frame. Because of my large frame, I carry my weight well. Most people don't believe me when I tell them how much I weigh. Even my own mother was shocked when I told her recently that I weighed 240 lbs.
The smallest I can recall being as an adult was when I lost a lot of weight after I had my second child. I had gotten down to around 180 lbs from approximately 210 lbs. I looked really thin at that weight. I don't know what size I wore because I didn't buy any new clothes and I ended up not maintaining that weight. I am now looking to lose around 100 lbs, but I think 140 lbs would make me look emaciated because of my height and large frame.
I have the inverted triangle body shape, which means my shoulders are considerably wider than my hips and I have a thick, undefined waist and small legs. i have no hips or butt to speak of and I have a large chest. I currently wear a size 16 on the bottom and I have to buy my tops in a size 20 to because of my broad back and shoulders and long arms. Is there hope for me to wear non-plus size tops when I lose weight? I ask because although you can lose weight, you cannot change the size or width of your frame. I fear that I will be a size 6 on the bottom and still have to buy plus size shirts because of the width of my shoulders. Exactly how does frame size, weight loss and clothing size work?
Here is a picture of me from a week ago
My body may appear more balanced in the pic because of the A-line skirt, but trust me, if I had on a pair of pants you would definitely be able to see how much smaller my lower half is than my upper body and how broad my shoulders are.
I was "big" not necessarily fat all throughout my childhood because of my large frame. Because of my large frame, I carry my weight well. Most people don't believe me when I tell them how much I weigh. Even my own mother was shocked when I told her recently that I weighed 240 lbs.
The smallest I can recall being as an adult was when I lost a lot of weight after I had my second child. I had gotten down to around 180 lbs from approximately 210 lbs. I looked really thin at that weight. I don't know what size I wore because I didn't buy any new clothes and I ended up not maintaining that weight. I am now looking to lose around 100 lbs, but I think 140 lbs would make me look emaciated because of my height and large frame.
I have the inverted triangle body shape, which means my shoulders are considerably wider than my hips and I have a thick, undefined waist and small legs. i have no hips or butt to speak of and I have a large chest. I currently wear a size 16 on the bottom and I have to buy my tops in a size 20 to because of my broad back and shoulders and long arms. Is there hope for me to wear non-plus size tops when I lose weight? I ask because although you can lose weight, you cannot change the size or width of your frame. I fear that I will be a size 6 on the bottom and still have to buy plus size shirts because of the width of my shoulders. Exactly how does frame size, weight loss and clothing size work?
Here is a picture of me from a week ago
My body may appear more balanced in the pic because of the A-line skirt, but trust me, if I had on a pair of pants you would definitely be able to see how much smaller my lower half is than my upper body and how broad my shoulders are.
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Replies
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I feel you my shoulders are broad too and I am only 5'5. Think positive about yourself and mold your body into what you wants. When I lose about 20 more pounds gonna do some heavy lifting to work on my back and shoulders. Add me if you like.0
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I'm 5'8" and have a similar body type, very straight, narrow hips, broader shoulders. I always thought that I wouldn't be able to get into smaller sizes, but I now wear size mediums and moving into smalls for tops and t-shirts. I wear 6s and 8s in pants and jeans. I'm sitting right at the top of the healthy weight range for 5'8" at 163 right now. As you get closer to a healthy weight you may discover that you actually can get into smaller sizes than you thought possible.0
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I am 5'4 I have a large frame and really broad shoulders. I think you look great!0
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I'm 5'9" and am large framed too. I have more of a pear shape, pretty much the same width from shoulders to waist then my hips and thighs are larger. I've been told by doctors that I'll probably be no smaller than a 14/16 because of it. I so hope they're wrong - only because my NSV is to walk into a non-plus-size store and be able to grab something off the rack!0
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I am considered a large frame. In my profile photo I am 195 lbs and 5'9"... and a size 12.
You can see I have quite muscular shoulders and arms, and my back is quite wide. I am a competitive paddler and that is never going to allow me to be narrow on top.
I do have a butt but I focus very hard on lower body workouts to keep it. I have found spinning is giving me great legs and I do what feels like a billion squats a week.
Don't be afraid of weights. It may make you feel larger up top, but your body will balance out as you lose. Pretty much all of my weight loss has been from my torso area to date.
Our larger shoulder body type actually ends up looking far more balanced as you get smaller. Wider shoulders will enhance your smaller waist! Good luck!
(and anyone can feel free to add me if you like).
Oh yes, my goal weight is 170 lbs. I am pretty sure I will be a size 8.0 -
I have the opposite problem. I have to buy a large size pants in order for them to fit around my thighs. But that size is much too large for my waist. So I end up having to wear bulky belts with all my pants. It was like this even when I was slimmer.
Anyway...you have lovely legs. Play that up and show them off!0 -
I know what you're talking about! I've always been 'broad' and according to family members it seems to be a trait passed down through the generations. I'm more bottom heavy - I'm 5' 7" and take a UK size 18 on the bottom at the moment and a size 14 on the top, though I do have to go up to a 16 sometimes because of broad shoulders! I went through high school and uni with people thinking I weighed a fraction of what I actually do, which was nice, but frustrating when you know the truth from the scales! I've lost weight before and I've been down to a UK size 10/12 before (I lost weight through illness - not the best way to do it!) and managed to go to the more 'fashionable' high street stores rather than hunting in the corners of shops where they seem to stock all the things that fit me. So it is possible, you just have to be patient! A-line skirts are lifesavers and you look totally fabulous - always a bonus when you're trying to shift those stubborn pounds! :flowerforyou:0
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As you loose inches on your chest and back (and that will happen) you will go down in shirt sizes. You will probably have to try on more, as not all cuts will flatter you, but, that goes for most people.0
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i would really do the wrist and elbow measurements you might be surprised. height and foot size will only give you very slight indicators if you have a large frame. i have a large frame and yes i did the measurements
i have the same size of bone structure as my husband. i am 5'4" with size 10 feet. i have an hourglass body shape so a large frame isn't very noticeable because of my shapely thighs, hips, bust, arms, and small waist. since losing the weight i have been packing around for a few years i can see more of my body again. it was hard to tell what i actually had going on when i was 100lbs heavier. 0 -
I, too, have broad shoulders and a large frame, although I am only 5'2"... okay, 5'1" since I am shrinking with age. Don't worry about weight and sizes. Get yourself into a fit shape, and you will look great no matter what the scale says. In my profile pic, I was 130- at 21 (and actively bulemic). I have always been very active and very muscular - stronger than many men in my youth. (I made the mistake of beating a man in arm wrestling when I first got married. My (now ex) husband's friends hated me after that! Part of the reason I became bulemic was I believed the charts and other people that said I weighed too much for my height. As you can see in the other picture of me, on my profile, I was not overweight at 12, but that was when I started the purging. So just pay attention to how you look and feel- that will tell you when to start maintenance calories.0
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Thanks everyone for your responses. I have always had low self-esteem because of my broad shoulders and body shape. I guess it wouldn't be so low if my figure was more balanced instead of being top heavy. My goal is no longer a specific number but I do want to be totally out of the plus size section. I feared that I would be stuck buying plus size shirts because I am so broad at the top.0
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I am 5'4 I have a large frame and really broad shoulders. I think you look great!
Thank you! :flowerforyou:0 -
I know what you're talking about! I've always been 'broad' and according to family members it seems to be a trait passed down through the generations. I'm more bottom heavy - I'm 5' 7" and take a UK size 18 on the bottom at the moment and a size 14 on the top, though I do have to go up to a 16 sometimes because of broad shoulders! I went through high school and uni with people thinking I weighed a fraction of what I actually do, which was nice, but frustrating when you know the truth from the scales! I've lost weight before and I've been down to a UK size 10/12 before (I lost weight through illness - not the best way to do it!) and managed to go to the more 'fashionable' high street stores rather than hunting in the corners of shops where they seem to stock all the things that fit me. So it is possible, you just have to be patient! A-line skirts are lifesavers and you look totally fabulous - always a bonus when you're trying to shift those stubborn pounds! :flowerforyou:
Thanks!
And yes, A-line skirts are lifesavers! LOL0 -
I have the opposite problem. I have to buy a large size pants in order for them to fit around my thighs. But that size is much too large for my waist. So I end up having to wear bulky belts with all my pants. It was like this even when I was slimmer.
Anyway...you have lovely legs. Play that up and show them off!
Thanks! :flowerforyou:0 -
i would really do the wrist and elbow measurements you might be surprised. height and foot size will only give you very slight indicators if you have a large frame. i have a large frame and yes i did the measurements i have the same size of bone structure as my husband. i am 5'4" with size 10 feet. i have an hourglass body shape so a large frame isn't very noticeable because of my shapely thighs, hips, bust, arms, and small waist. since losing the weight i have been packing around for a few years i can see more of my body again. it was hard to tell what i actually had going on when i was 100lbs heavier.
I would be shocked to find out that my frame is anything other than large LOL. I am going to take you up on your suggestion and do the wrist/elbow measurements once i get a tape measure.0 -
Yikes, I like to avoid these types.
I definitely have this type of frame though....
I was 6"0 267lbs in college and got bod podded at 17.4% body fat...I think my wrists are like 9 inches or something and I have 20 something inch calves without cankles so my ankles are a lot smaller.0 -
I have a small frame but I'm an inverted triangle shape, too. I've always had to wear a bigger size top but if you lose weight I'm sure you could wear regular size shirts.0
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I am somewhat the small body as you a very large frame but a little different. I have the hips too. But anyway I am just starting but I talk to my physician assistant about my weight loss and ask her where she thinks I could go as far as weight loss goes, she told me I will never be a size 2 or anywhere close to that at a size 10 or 12 I will look shinny. She said that is why people are always guessing you weight at 50 points less then what you weight and sometimes even more than that.
Really best of luck to you, I am just starting myself and really hoping I can stay with it!!!
Oh and by the way in your photo I think you look great 0 -
People always guess my weight as a lot less than I am, I too am broad.
I'm 5'9" and currently 190.25lb and in a uk size 14 generally tho occasionally a 16 still.
I don't imagine I will ever get smaller than a uk 12 but time and hard work will tell
Even if you do end up wearing a +size top still, imagine how much more healthy and fit you will be. Hope you turn out how you wanna x x x x0 -
Yikes, I like to avoid these types.
I definitely have this type of frame though....
I was 6"0 267lbs in college and got bod podded at 17.4% body fat...I think my wrists are like 9 inches or something and I have 20 something inch calves without cankles so my ankles are a lot smaller.
What can I say, for a dude its good if you can keep the weight off....as far as attracting men....ahhh, yaaaa, uhhh....not too good ladies.
-1/100 -
Yikes, I like to avoid these types.
I definitely have this type of frame though....
I was 6"0 267lbs in college and got bod podded at 17.4% body fat...I think my wrists are like 9 inches or something and I have 20 something inch calves without cankles so my ankles are a lot smaller.
What can I say, for a dude its good if you can keep the weight off....as far as attracting men....ahhh, yaaaa, uhhh....not too good ladies.
-1/10
more like -10/100 -
Yikes, I like to avoid these types.
I definitely have this type of frame though....
I was 6"0 267lbs in college and got bod podded at 17.4% body fat...I think my wrists are like 9 inches or something and I have 20 something inch calves without cankles so my ankles are a lot smaller.
What can I say, for a dude its good if you can keep the weight off....as far as attracting men....ahhh, yaaaa, uhhh....not too good ladies.
To be someone who said on another board this morning that he's not into the social aspect of MyFitnessPal and therefore looking for another calorie tracking site, you surely are going out of your way to comment on message boards and leave mean comments for other members. You claim other members have low intelligence yet you post insulting things like this? What is your problem? MyFitnessPal is a site for support, and you are NOT being supportive at all! I agree with you, you really do need to find another site to track your calories because this isn't a good fit for you at all.0 -
Yikes, I like to avoid these types.
I definitely have this type of frame though....
I was 6"0 267lbs in college and got bod podded at 17.4% body fat...I think my wrists are like 9 inches or something and I have 20 something inch calves without cankles so my ankles are a lot smaller.
What can I say, for a dude its good if you can keep the weight off....as far as attracting men....ahhh, yaaaa, uhhh....not too good ladies.
Lmao 9 inch wrists at 6"0 , mine are 8.5 and I'm 4 inches taller :laugh: .0 -
Yikes, I like to avoid these types.
I definitely have this type of frame though....
I was 6"0 267lbs in college and got bod podded at 17.4% body fat...I think my wrists are like 9 inches or something and I have 20 something inch calves without cankles so my ankles are a lot smaller.
What can I say, for a dude its good if you can keep the weight off....as far as attracting men....ahhh, yaaaa, uhhh....not too good ladies.
To be someone who said on another board this morning that he's not into the social aspect of MyFitnessPal and therefore looking for another calorie tracking site, you surely are going out of your way to comment on message boards and leave mean comments for other members. You claim other members have low intelligence yet you post insulting things like this? What is your problem? MyFitnessPal is a site for support, and you are NOT being supportive at all! I agree with you, you really do need to find another site to track your calories because this isn't a good fit for you at all.
it is intentional...dont let it bug you0 -
Yikes, I like to avoid these types.
I definitely have this type of frame though....
I was 6"0 267lbs in college and got bod podded at 17.4% body fat...I think my wrists are like 9 inches or something and I have 20 something inch calves without cankles so my ankles are a lot smaller.
What can I say, for a dude its good if you can keep the weight off....as far as attracting men....ahhh, yaaaa, uhhh....not too good ladies.
To be someone who said on another board this morning that he's not into the social aspect of MyFitnessPal and therefore looking for another calorie tracking site, you surely are going out of your way to comment on message boards and leave mean comments for other members. You claim other members have low intelligence yet you post insulting things like this? What is your problem? MyFitnessPal is a site for support, and you are NOT being supportive at all! I agree with you, you really do need to find another site to track your calories because this isn't a good fit for you at all.
Yeah, what the heck, man? Your preferences are your business. But if you're not going to say anything constructive, keep it to yourself.
ETA: :noway:0 -
you look wonderful...ive done sports all my life, so i too have broad shoulders...don't let others bring you down....you are spectacular.0
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i would really do the wrist and elbow measurements you might be surprised. height and foot size will only give you very slight indicators if you have a large frame. i have a large frame and yes i did the measurements i have the same size of bone structure as my husband. i am 5'4" with size 10 feet. i have an hourglass body shape so a large frame isn't very noticeable because of my shapely thighs, hips, bust, arms, and small waist. since losing the weight i have been packing around for a few years i can see more of my body again. it was hard to tell what i actually had going on when i was 100lbs heavier.
wrist and elbow measurements are not all that reliable as they don't always correlate to the size of the rib cage, shoulders and pelvis (and those three don't always go together, hence the inverted triangle shape with big ribs/shoulders and a smaller pelvis). Body fat percentage is much better for everyone, regardless of frame size, as it measures the actual amount of fat your body's carrying. A healthy body fat percentage is the same whatever your frame size. You'll know if you have a large frame with body fat percentage, because your lean body mass (how much you would weigh if all the fat was removed from your body) will be heavier than average for your height.
I have a large frame, 5'1" and 100lb lean body mass (130lb total weight, 22-23% body fat). I have a big rib cage and big shoulders and I'm an inverted triangle too.0 -
Yikes, I like to avoid these types.
I definitely have this type of frame though....
I was 6"0 267lbs in college and got bod podded at 17.4% body fat...I think my wrists are like 9 inches or something and I have 20 something inch calves without cankles so my ankles are a lot smaller.
What can I say, for a dude its good if you can keep the weight off....as far as attracting men....ahhh, yaaaa, uhhh....not too good ladies.
Body-shaming for teh fail.
OP: I'm not an expert on body structure, but you might surprise yourself with what you'll be able to fit into by the end. When we lose weight, we usually don't just drop pounds, our body composition shifts, too. And if you're busty (like me), your boobs will get smaller and that opens up a WORLD of shirt possibilities.0 -
I'm taller than you (5'10") but also wear size 12 or 13 shoes and have a large frame . . . I had the wrist measurement thing done at an overpriced weight loss center place in high school and confirmed . . . Anyway, you looking very proportionate and are rocking your broad shoulders. And as someone else said, even if you have to keep shopping in the plus size section for tops, imagine how much healthier you'll feel. And you look AMAZING now! 0
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I have the exact same problem. I'm just under 240 and nobody believes me!! I have broad shoulders, and my arms are each about 5 inches longer than they should be, so I feel like I look like a gorilla sometimes T~T. Nobody else has ever commented on it, it's just my own insecurities.
I even back in high school, I don't think I weighed less than 180. Really hoping my frame balances out, but we'll see! :drinker:
*also I'm 5"100
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