Sports Bra Hell & Couch to 5K troubles

americangirlok
americangirlok Posts: 228 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
It's a special sort of indignty to go sports bra shopping when your regular size is 40 H. First I went to the sporting goods store in the mall- and they had the bright neon adidas and nike and under armor ones- for about $35-$50. The male manager comes up to me and asks if I need any help- and I'm like well, I'm wanting to start running and I might need new sneakers but right now I'm needing a sports bra. And the guy LOOKS ME UP AND DOWN and says "Oh, Good Luck- clearance is in the back." And snorts. I'm not sure if he's snorting picturing a fat girl running- or the Hs punching me in the face when I do- either way didn't buy anything there. Then I went to Dillard's and same thing- the xls won't even cover the top half of my boobs. The xl zip front one I couldn't even bring close enough together to try to zip it. There was one Modern Movements line and it had a 38 G- I think the style of this one would work, but it says the biggest cup size is a G. I tried this one on and it's too small.

So are there any incredibly busty ladies that have found good sports bras that can help me out? Or should I just stick to walking? Or should I lose 50 lbs and see if my boobs shrink enough that I can buy a sports bra made for a normal person?

Replies

  • ashleyoh33
    ashleyoh33 Posts: 85 Member
    I would do some googling to see if there is a specialty bra shop in your area. If not, try amazon. Here is one if you're willing to spend $50

    http://www.amazon.com/Goddess-Plus-Wirefree-Sports-White/dp/B007974QJI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1365102487&sr=8-2&keywords=sports+bra+40h

    I have a friend who is a 38 E and she buys sports bras in XL and just layers about 3-4 on top of one another to keep everything in check. I am also on the large end being a 38 DD but I managed to squeeze my ladies into a 36 D i found at target on clearance...

    Don't let your boobs stop you from running...I am doing c25k right now and my sports bra keeps my jugs on lock enough for me to run. And I remember one day when I went to the gym and FORGOT to change into my sports bra and I ran in my regular bra. It sucked, but I did it. You can too!!!
  • fromnebraska
    fromnebraska Posts: 153 Member
    You might also want to consider wearing multiple bras. The first sports bra could be one with cups for added support and then the second could be a tight, non-cup sports bra. That's what one of my friends does. Hope that helps a bit.
  • BrittanyAnnL
    BrittanyAnnL Posts: 140
    RUN! Even if you have to duct tape those suckers! I have a friend who is very large chested.. I have never asked her what size but I am sure its somewhere around there. She layers.. a regular bra and then a sports bra over the top. I am not sure where she gets them though. :/ I did couch to 5k and when I started I couldnt run 30 seconds without feeling like I was going to pass out.... I stuck with it, and now I am on the 5k-10k and up to running 35-40 minutes non stop. Its the best way to drop the pounds when combined with stregnth training. GOOD LUCK! There has to be a solution. Don't give up!
  • staceypunk
    staceypunk Posts: 924 Member
    Um, you can't shop in regular stores with a size like that. You need to order online. Usually if the size does not fit, you can exchange with free shipping. I have had this bra for like 4 years. It's not pretty but you will not jiggle, at all. There size chart is accurate. You will be able to run, do jumping jacks, whatever. You must spend a decent amount of money. This one is like $65 on amazon.

    http://www.amazon.com/Enell-Maximum-Control-Wire-Free-Sports/dp/B000PCTM66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365102917&sr=8-1&keywords=enell+sports+bra
  • BrittanyAnnL
    BrittanyAnnL Posts: 140
    WAIT... http://www.herroom.com/panache-5021-full-busted-underwire-sports-bra.shtml?utm_source=adv&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=pla&utm_content=pana01-5021&kwid=productads-sku^5051928041069-adtype^PLA-adid^14481563709 Look there! $68 but they have your size! & they look like great quality.
  • mandy4620
    mandy4620 Posts: 12 Member
    if there is a specialty bra store in your area, go for a fitting. many women wear the totally wrong size. i always thought i was a 36 DD. turns out i'm a 38C. if there is a soma in your mall, they'll measure you.

    once you know your size, check out anita sports bras online at herroom. com or barenecessities.com. they're expensive, but worth every penny. my favorite is 5529 Maximum Control Momentum Wire-Free Sports Bra - it's so comfy, i often wear it around the house, but it's supportive enough to run in. but again proper size is all important.

    barenecessities.com is actually having a 20% off sale today ..... woot!

    (disclaimer: i do not work for barenecessities, herroom or anita. promise.) :wink:

    oh, and i'd report that manager to the corporate office. rude moron.

    and good for you for deciding to get off the couch!
  • jenmitchell44
    jenmitchell44 Posts: 4 Member
    I'm relieved that I don't have this problem, but I offer my sympathy. First off, I wouldn't hesitate to complain to a manager at the sporting goods store. I'm sure they wouldn't be happy to hear about that poor customer service.

    I have heard that some well-endowed women actually use 2 sports bras when starting out. I would suggest finding some sports bras online to start.

    Have you started a walking program? It's recommended that you are able to walk 30 minutes at least 3 times a week before starting a couch to 5k program. If you're fit enough to be able to walk, then don't hold back from starting to run.
  • thebzax
    thebzax Posts: 55 Member
    I use Bravissimo but I'm not sure if they deliver to the US - you could try them though as they usually have a decent selection in large sizes!
  • staciedee10
    staciedee10 Posts: 90 Member
    I feel your pain but I'm smaller than you - 38DD. I agree with being sure to get fitted appropriately somewhere. Then you can order that size from a specialty store from one of the above links everyone is giving. Only way for them to go down is to lose the weight. 70% is what you eat, 30% is exercise. SO - keep your calories low and do what you can to get some exercise in. As you lose, so will your bra size and you will eventually get to wear NORMAL bras!!!!! *This is what I'm telling myself as well!! ;-)
  • americangirlok
    americangirlok Posts: 228 Member
    Is your hair purple? That's awesome!

    I walk quite a bit, that's how I've lost the weight I have. I just have this desire to run- like I want to be one of those people that's like "I'm going for a run, later dude." You know? I quit smoking 10 weeks ago- which is great- but I want to be a runner- I want to sign up for charity runs and hold my own and not get made fun of.

    I do know that's my size b/c I've been fitted and I finally found a brand w/ two styles that work for me- at Dillard's. I'm not quite sure I'm ready to spend $65 b/c if like my boobs get smaller if I lose weight I don't want to buy another one too soon. I think I'm going to put on my most supportive one and see how that goes- if it's just absolutely painful then I'll fork over the change. That's partly why I want to run- b/c it's cheaper than a gym membership! And it just seems so liberating to me.
  • mpalmerwa
    mpalmerwa Posts: 4
    I second the Enell in an earlier link. I'm a 40G and couldn't find anything in a local store that fit anywhere close. Others I tried pretty much squeezed everything flat... including my lungs so breathing was uncomfortable. I have the Enell and it does squish but I can still breath and limits the bouncy bouncy sufficiently.

    Good luck!
  • jenmitchell44
    jenmitchell44 Posts: 4 Member
    I hear you about just wanting to be able to run. That was my inspiration to do it. Fat girls aren't supposed to run, but I like proving that wrong. Hopefully, one day I can say that I WAS a fat girl and that's when I started running.
  • BflSaberfan
    BflSaberfan Posts: 1,272
    I have DDs and I wear a regular VS bra, and then my sports bra over that - whether I'm running or doing insanity, neither bra is enough when I wear them alone.
  • kkgrasty
    kkgrasty Posts: 3 Member
    I am a 44G so I feel your pain. THere are good bras out there, you just have to really look. Have you been to a Scheels? They usually have a VERY good selection and have some larger sized ones. Also, look online for sure. Sometimes I also buy them in a DDD so that they are tighter and seem to hold them a little better. I have a couple that Champion makes and really like them. I dont know that I will EVER not bounce at all, but I dont bounce a ton and they do stay in with no problems. I also find that if I wear a fitted sports tank ( the ones made for girls with ity bittys who don't need a seperate bra, over my sports bra when I am running or doing sports, they seem to hold tight pretty well. Good Luck and if you find any that you will swear by please let me know. :)
  • BrittanyAnnL
    BrittanyAnnL Posts: 140
    Is your hair purple? That's awesome!

    I walk quite a bit, that's how I've lost the weight I have. I just have this desire to run- like I want to be one of those people that's like "I'm going for a run, later dude." You know? I quit smoking 10 weeks ago- which is great- but I want to be a runner- I want to sign up for charity runs and hold my own and not get made fun of.

    I do know that's my size b/c I've been fitted and I finally found a brand w/ two styles that work for me- at Dillard's. I'm not quite sure I'm ready to spend $65 b/c if like my boobs get smaller if I lose weight I don't want to buy another one too soon. I think I'm going to put on my most supportive one and see how that goes- if it's just absolutely painful then I'll fork over the change. That's partly why I want to run- b/c it's cheaper than a gym membership! And it just seems so liberating to me.

    GOOD FOR YOU! (On the not smoking) I quit smoking the day I started couch-to-5k. I promised myself that I would get healthy... and I kept promising it over and over. One day (Jan 18, 2013) I woke up and was like... Nope, not smoking. In the trash they went along with lighters and matches and anything that reminded me of smoking. I then sat there and twiddled my thumbs... decided to go buy some beef jerky to keep my mouth and hands busy. Then for some reason decided I needed a goal to distract me.... and I downloaded couch to 5k. BEST decision I ever made. Now I only eat clean, I dont eat anything with chemicals, I only eat grass fed and all natural meats, I even grow my own wheatgrass!!!, and I workout religiously.

    The limit is what you set your mind to. I have come a long way in a short time, I hope you enjoy running. You wont at first, thats a promise but you just have to keep putting on your sneakers and getting out there and doing it. It is addictive and one day you will realise you love it.

    Best advice, control your breathing, dont stare at the ground while you run, and keep good posture (google this, it helped me). :)

    Sorry for the typos.
  • susannahbrynn
    susannahbrynn Posts: 1
    1. a good sports bra is worth its weight in gold.
    2. of all the things to spend money on, shoes and sports bras are the top two things (in my opinion). if you're on a budget (like i am) i would buy one good one and wait to buy others until you're in a running/walking groove and starting to see some results and body changes. then go get resized.
    3. you can do it!
  • staceypunk
    staceypunk Posts: 924 Member
    I am a 44G so I feel your pain. THere are good bras out there, you just have to really look. Have you been to a Scheels? They usually have a VERY good selection and have some larger sized ones. Also, look online for sure. Sometimes I also buy them in a DDD so that they are tighter and seem to hold them a little better. I have a couple that Champion makes and really like them. I dont know that I will EVER not bounce at all, but I dont bounce a ton and they do stay in with no problems. I also find that if I wear a fitted sports tank ( the ones made for girls with ity bittys who don't need a seperate bra, over my sports bra when I am running or doing sports, they seem to hold tight pretty well. Good Luck and if you find any that you will swear by please let me know. :)

    You should try the enell in my earlier link. Literally no bounce at all.

    I feel kind of bad for you ladies wearing multiple bras. It would be worth the money to get a proper sports bra.
  • 215jenn
    215jenn Posts: 110 Member
    Is your hair purple? That's awesome!

    I walk quite a bit, that's how I've lost the weight I have. I just have this desire to run- like I want to be one of those people that's like "I'm going for a run, later dude." You know? I quit smoking 10 weeks ago- which is great- but I want to be a runner- I want to sign up for charity runs and hold my own and not get made fun of.

    I do know that's my size b/c I've been fitted and I finally found a brand w/ two styles that work for me- at Dillard's. I'm not quite sure I'm ready to spend $65 b/c if like my boobs get smaller if I lose weight I don't want to buy another one too soon. I think I'm going to put on my most supportive one and see how that goes- if it's just absolutely painful then I'll fork over the change. That's partly why I want to run- b/c it's cheaper than a gym membership! And it just seems so liberating to me.

    I'm a busty girl too, my band size is smaller but I feel your pain. I'm a 36G, and I did the double/triple sports bra thing (layer the biggest ones you find at wal-mart or some such) great for price, not so great for comfort/aesthetics. I found two that I like at a Macy's (they have a bra clearance 2-4 times a year might come in handy when your band size goes down!) more expensive than I would like, but they're comfortable, supportive and hold up well for jogging and 30DS (even the cardio portions!).

    The expensive choices mentioned in the thread are likely going to be more comfortable options for you and may be worth the money. They sure are for me - I'm so much more likely to go workout if I know I'm going to be comfortable.
  • americangirlok
    americangirlok Posts: 228 Member
    Is your hair purple? That's awesome!

    I walk quite a bit, that's how I've lost the weight I have. I just have this desire to run- like I want to be one of those people that's like "I'm going for a run, later dude." You know? I quit smoking 10 weeks ago- which is great- but I want to be a runner- I want to sign up for charity runs and hold my own and not get made fun of.

    I do know that's my size b/c I've been fitted and I finally found a brand w/ two styles that work for me- at Dillard's. I'm not quite sure I'm ready to spend $65 b/c if like my boobs get smaller if I lose weight I don't want to buy another one too soon. I think I'm going to put on my most supportive one and see how that goes- if it's just absolutely painful then I'll fork over the change. That's partly why I want to run- b/c it's cheaper than a gym membership! And it just seems so liberating to me.

    GOOD FOR YOU! (On the not smoking) I quit smoking the day I started couch-to-5k. I promised myself that I would get healthy... and I kept promising it over and over. One day (Jan 18, 2013) I woke up and was like... Nope, not smoking. In the trash they went along with lighters and matches and anything that reminded me of smoking. I then sat there and twiddled my thumbs... decided to go buy some beef jerky to keep my mouth and hands busy. Then for some reason decided I needed a goal to distract me.... and I downloaded couch to 5k. BEST decision I ever made. Now I only eat clean, I dont eat anything with chemicals, I only eat grass fed and all natural meats, I even grow my own wheatgrass!!!, and I workout religiously.

    The limit is what you set your mind to. I have come a long way in a short time, I hope you enjoy running. You wont at first, thats a promise but you just have to keep putting on your sneakers and getting out there and doing it. It is addictive and one day you will realise you love it.

    Best advice, control your breathing, dont stare at the ground while you run, and keep good posture (google this, it helped me). :)

    Sorry for the typos.

    Looking anywhere but the ground is hard! I quit 4 days before you. I'd been thinking about it for a while and I smoked my last one on the 14th and was like "nope, not going to buy anymore." I think I've smoked about 10 in the almost 3 months since then but I don't miss it- and the last time I did I felt like butt the next day- which was probably good b/c now I'm like- yeah no.

    I'm way, way out of shape (round is a shape right? ha ha) so I figure moving at all is an improvement.
  • hot2def
    hot2def Posts: 80 Member
    JustMySize.com has you covered!!! Check it out!
  • americangirlok
    americangirlok Posts: 228 Member
    Thank you for all the help you guys- this might be the first thread w/out any snarky- that's shocking! Turns out I'm really putting the cart before the horse right now- I followed the C25K app on my phone- and I can't even jog the 60 seconds. So I just kept walking but when the timer said to run I just walked faster. I just checked the stats on my fitbit- the peaks and valleys are cool- one of these days I'll have more peaks than valleys (is there a boob pun in there? lol.)

    I think when I hit my first goal of 10% 9 lbs from now I'm going to consider one of these recommended sports bras as a reward. It was going to be my fitbit, but I jumped the gun and ordered it after 5%- I've lost more since I've had it- it really does make you aware of your movement or lack thereof.
  • wannaberunner33
    wannaberunner33 Posts: 55 Member
    Enell. The best. Lock and loaded and ready for action. Worth the money, for sure!
  • efitzpat3
    efitzpat3 Posts: 1
    I'm an E or an F. Depending on where you live, I HIGHLY recommend going to a store called intamacy ( http://myintamacy.com/ ). The sports bra I ultimately decided on was by a company called Freya http://www.freyalingerie.com/active.aspx I wore it through several half marathons and had no issues!

    Best of luck!
  • elleryjones
    elleryjones Posts: 88 Member
    Absolutely you need a good bra. And absolutely it's worth it to pay a little more. I get most of my running bras from the Title Nine catalog. I read the reviews and go from there. I also highly recommend Road Runner sports for bras and gear. I'm not quite as blessed as you, but I prefer compression bras. I don't like ANYTHING to move when I run. For what it's worth, I've heard good things about the Enell bras.

    Good for you for taking on a new challenge. :smile:

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