sports bras

I have made the decision to get fit, but its rather depressing when you go to get work out clothing and nothing comes above a size 14 most of the time.  :\\\'(

The biggest issue I have had is a sports bra, I do wear a 46/48dd, but this doesn't mean I want to wear something big and bulky with an underwire and a 10in thick band. Has anyone found a website (or local store) that sells larger sports clothing that are nice and comfy?

Try Bravissimo or Simplybe for online shopping.  I have no personel experience with them but have seen them adversited.  If you go to a large M&S you might be able to find workout clothes in largers sizes

I'd suggest getting properly fitted for a bra, as most people are much much smaller around the band than they think are, and much bigger in the cup.

It is really important when you have larger breasts to properly support them as you can cause long term tissue damage if you don't. For me, if that means wearing an underwire, then I do.

As kateydid mentioned, Simplybe is a good resource for sports kit. In addition to Bravissimo, there are a couple of online sports bra/kit shops:

http://www.shockabsorber.co.uk/home/index.htm (they make bras too)
http://www.lessbounce.com/
http://www.sheactive.co.uk/

I don't know what the availability is like in the UK, but you might want to look at the Enell bra.  It isn't pretty and it's a pain in the butt, but it will hold your bosoms in place while you bounce.  Apparently it's Oprah's preferred sports bra.  I ordered mine from Ebay for less than I would pay retail.  It was a godsend when I was doing aerobics.  Now I use a rowing machine regularly, and I just use a regular bra.

Here, here on the not making workout clothes to fit normal sized women!  I wanted to buy this cool underwear thing for riding your bike, and the largest size they make is a US10.  You've got to be bleeping kidding me!

I don't know what the availability is like in the UK, but you might want to look at the Enell bra.  It isn't pretty and it's a pain in the butt, but it will hold your bosoms in place while you bounce.  Apparently it's Oprah's preferred sports bra.  I ordered mine from Ebay for less than I would pay retail.  It was a godsend when I was doing aerobics.  Now I use a rowing machine regularly, and I just use a regular bra.

Here, here on the not making workout clothes to fit normal sized women!  I wanted to buy this cool underwear thing for riding your bike, and the largest size they make is a US10.  You've got to be bleeping kidding me!

Depending on how fast you go on the rowing machine, you may still want to wear a sports bra. You'd be surprised how much movement there is involved in rowing and cycling and how you still need to wear a supportive bra. I wore my Enell for years rowing, but have switched to the PureLime as the Enell doesn't do small around/big boobed. There's no way I could row without a sports bra - and I've tried!

As for cycling gear, I have two sites for you:

www.wiggle.co.uk (lots of women's kit on a dedicated page)
www.alwaysriding.co.uk (again, women's kit on dedicated pages)

Both of these shops do an XL in cycling bottoms which would fit a size 18 with normal legs or a 16 with really thick legs. Additionally, REI in the USA ships to the UK and they do plus sizes in a lot of the cycling and workout gear.

Absolutely try on before buying or buy from places where you can return. Enell is a good example of why. I also got lots of recommendations for it and bought it. When I'd put it on, initially, it'd be fine but after 30 min of working out it would feel like I was being cut in half by the band. It seriously hurt and reduced my breathing capacity. And it wasn't a matter of size cause I tried several. It was just how it fit on my body.

So def test before you commit.

I have a great sports bra from Bravissimo. It doesn't have wires.

I love my Enells! I am a 30FF in regular bras and a 0 in Enell sizing. They really hold you in place but I do agree with Mort that they are tight and may not be for everyone. Personally I prefer tight over bounce. Hope you find what you're looking for.

I'm hoping to go to a Bravissimo in London if i get the chance next weekend. We don't have anything like that in Bristol. And i am very Leary of buying something so important over the internet. After reading all this i took out my tape measure and I'm about a 44 (not sure about the cup) now!! I guess the diet is working out . So a friend of my husbands is going to go shopping with me i hope to help me out a bit since shopping over here is a bit foreign for me

ShockAbsobers FTW