[strongirl]

Y'all are so cool. The real reason I hang out in here at this point has nothing to do with breasts...it's just that it's rare to find people with such refreshing, intelligent, and insightful things to say, on any topic.

Karategrrl - I fell out laughing over the image of you whipping that chick with your tights!

Angie - "this is my body, it's out there, and if people can't handle it, they don't have to look." Totally!

Aithinne - "I think we as a people need to start being nicer to each other, nicer to ourselves too. Maybe then we wouldn't need small breast support groups, or have eating disorders, or as many suicides.." I think what you are talking about is simple kindness. And I enthusiastically agree with you!

Spot-on - I know what you mean about eating. It's a little embarrassing but I eat quite a lot more than my bf who is a big strapping guy, and my ex-husband who is an average size guy and a triathlete. I have a high metabolism and I love exercise and run at least 3 miles daily. I don't eat junk but I eat a lot of good healthy food. You do have to feed the machine! I think people who consider themselves "fat" sometimes look at people like us and assume we are lean due to self-denial and "discipline", and then further assume that we look down on them as lacking discipline. I don't judge others that way EVER but I think that sometimes people lash out at thinner people because they assume we do.

And I loved your mock conversation re. boobs - we should all try to memorize those lines for emergencies when we're caught in unexpected conversations with "idiots".

[spot-on]

Well one of our friends is starting an exercise program and asked me for advice, asked me specifically what I ate daily and he was shocked that I ate so much. Many people assume I hardly eat anything when in fact the reverse is true. I eat 5x a day too! I'm muscular and athletic rather than naturally thin (though I was naturally thin till I hit my mid 20's). People don't realize you gotta feed the machine

Aithinne, in my world (health/fitness) there is the fat word. BUT you can be skinny/thin and be fat. That is the difference in the fitness realm. Fat to us is a word that solely relates to body composition. You can be 200+ lbs but muscular and lean with low body fat. Conversly you can be 120lbs and low muscle mass and high fat %. I agree though telling people randomly that they are fat is so rude, and how many image disorders and begin. IMO I think people tell these comments to make themselves feel better. Like bullies pick on people so they feel better. The same applies. Like "oh my problems aren't that bad, look how fat (etc) she is". As a personal trainer, I would NEVER tell anyone they are fat/need to workout unless they specifically asked me for advice. I guess for some though it's also a health issue. I will say that I nag my DH about his fat as it's a health issue and worries me. He has already had heart issues so it's something he needs to keep in check.

My usual conversation to the small bust commenters:
I have small boobs? Really? I hadn't noticed, especially since I've seen them every day for the last 37 years, buy bra's for them and shove them in and out of clothing 2-3 times a day! Here was me thinking I had DD's? Well thanks for sorting that one out for me!
What?
No, I don't want a boob job.
No it's not a money issue, I could buy myself a nice big pair should I ever feel the need. However I am happy with my boobs 98% of the time, and my DH is happy with them whenever I let him play with them.
The other 2% of the time? Well that's when I have to talk to idiots like you...

On a side note, yesterday I had on a 34A bra and it seemed loose in the cup. Today I have on a 34B and it fits just fine. More proof that you need a variety of sizes depending on TOM.

[Aithinne]

I just flat out don't understand how people think it's okay to talk about anyone's weight... talk about rude. I mean, unless you know the person well, how do you know what their food intake is like, or how much they exercise, etc etc. It's like people don't have any manners anymore.

I've never EVER told anyone they were fat, because I simply do not believe in the word. 99% of the people I know are an average, healthy weight (whether that's a size 2 or 20) and are beautiful in their own unique ways. So I just don't understand the whole "let's tell people they're fat/skinny/busty/small-breasted/whatever"... As if telling them will help them for whatever reason in any way. I just don't understand why people SAY it.

I think we as a people need to start being nicer to each other, nicer to ourselves too. Maybe then we wouldn't need small breast support groups, or have eating disorders, or as many suicides..

[angie_21]

I've never ever heard of wearing tights under pants to look thinner. And I'm not "naturally thin." I just figure, this is my body, it's out there, and if people can't handle it, they don't have to look.

[karategrrl]

It kind of reminds me how everyone seems to think people who are naturally thin are only that way because they have an eating disorder.

Yeah, I have come up against this more times than I care to recall. Pisses me off totally--waitresses smirking when I order a diet soda, coworkers going through my lunch to see what I eat. And these were ADULTS!

I should have specified that the girl did think I was thin but assumed I was the one thinking I was fat because--sheesh--why else would I wear tights???? Amazing the sweeping and numerous assumptions people make. I actually had the self-control to just smile and say it was to keep me warm. She got off lucky. Shoulda whipped off my tights and whipped her with them.

[Aithinne]

Haha, I used to wear my pj pants under my jeans to class in college during the winter months (until I got some long johns). But that outfit actually made my legs look bigger due to the extra volume. I actually liked how I looked, definitely looked more volumptuous, but it still didn't make up for the weird elastic band peeking over the edge of the jeans... lol.

Karategrrl, I think it's weird that that girl assumed you wanted to hold in your 'fat'. It kind of reminds me how everyone seems to think people who are naturally thin are only that way because they have an eating disorder. Maybe they assume that everyone on the planet thinks they're fat? I wonder when people's perception of a 'normal' size actually falls in the range of a normal size and that 'normal' healthy sizes encompass a large spectrum? Strange... I'd almost like to pick that girl's brain to see how she arrived at that conclusion, and what assumptions she makes of women in general.

[karategrrl]

turns out she was envious of my boobs! lol! Grass is always greener!

Oh yeah. I had a similar experience when I met a friend of mine. I envied her voluptuous-ness and when I confessed this, she said she envied my leanness.

nbdx0645, I hear ya on the cattiness. Back in college, a girl was giving me crap for wearing tights under my pants (she saw them peeking out when I sat down). I wore them for warmth and she assumed it was to hold in my "fat." Sheeesh. Stupidity.

[angie_21]

Wow, so much always happens here when I'm away for a week!

Spot-on, when it comes to bras, I find I just try on a couple sizes until one fits best. It sounds like you're a 32, but the thing is bras are made so cheaply that even within the same brand you might not be the same size in every style.

I used to be on a small-busted forum about 5 or 6 years ago that was like that nbdx. I think part of the problem was that the forum was for girls who were attempting various herbal treatments to try to make their boobs bigger. There was a lot of insecurity on that board, total single-minded obsession with breasts, and the complete inability to accept not being able to match some concept of "ideal" breasts. It was really sad. When I joined I was in a similar state of mind, but after a while it just got boring, I mean, how long can you post sad things about your boobs all day? I vowed never to fall into that trap ever again.

Last year I started wall climbing and definitely found that with my lined sports bra, the damn boobs got in the way. there definitely were not a lot of large-chested girls on those walls. I think partly because you do have to be either very tiny or very muscular to do the sport, and generally girls who weigh less will also have smaller boobs, on average. Referring to spot-on's comment, though, I wouldn't call myself and active person or even all that adventurous, even though I enjoy doing active and adventurous things, I only manage to fit it into the rest of my lifestyle about 0.5% of the time. I try to do it more often, and wall-climbing was one of my baby-steps in the adventurous direction. All the bike talk is really getting my interest, though!

Going back to the personal interests derailment... My interests are more along the lines of archaeology and anthropology research (always first, whether I want it to be or not!), cooking, lingere, hiking, blues music, my cat, science fiction, atheism, film, sex, women's rights, beer, more music, more research, and when I can, being outdoors. Unfortunately a lot of my time gets taken up doing laundry, getting the bills paid, and juggling family events... and I don't even have kids!

[nbdx0645]

Sounds like some cool conversation has been going on over the last week (I haven't been able to get online much, I'm a foster parent for a sick stray cat at the moment.) It's nice to hear some of your tooting your horn a bit =) it's great to hear that there's so much awesome on this forum. I joined another small-busted forum a year ago, but it turned out to be an exclusive pity-party where women lashed out against other men...and women, too. The AAA's resented the AA's, and if an A or B-cup talked about their story, they were insta-flamed. It was alarming to see women turn other women away. Even my story got brushed off quickly.

When I was in volleyball, I was very glad I didn't have to wear the double-sports bra. I loaned my sports bra out to other girls and I'd wear my regular bra for the practice. They called me 'paper doll' as a joke (when I turned sideways I would disappear) and at first it hurt, but I channeled the anger into sport performance. I had a bunch of negativity about my body thrown my way, and I've had a handful of women say in my lifetime "Yaaay, I'm finally not the flattest person in the room! Wa-hoo!" As strange as it sounds, I was happy that they could experience that feeling.

I always felt bad when I heard that I made other girls on the team feel bad because I looked better in the spandex. Some were convinced that I wore pantyhose. Again, it's that two-way street. I also don't want to make others feel bad about their bodies, and I'm sure you're all behind me on that. Honestly, you better be. Being the benchmark is painful, too. Everybody has an internal battle that we know nothing about.

[spot-on]

I agree with Allison, I'm small at 120lbs but I'm also lean and have lots of muscle mass. We lighter girls can turn on a dime and get away faster. Haven't skated for ages, maybe time to dust off the boots and go do a few laps

[Allison-Shine]

Thanks for the compliment, Buttercup, but I'm sure I'm no more or less awesome than anyone else in here. I've always been very physical and athletic and prefer being outdoors to indoors, so that's just led to doing a lot of fun stuff. I do think having small breasts and a slim, athletic body makes it easier to do certain things. Just rock climbing with my bf, it's apparent how much easier it is to haul my 110 pounds up the rock than his brawney 175. Then again when I tried roller derby, I was well aware that those 160 lb girls with 40DD knockers could smash the crap outta little me - it was a big motivator to skate fast! So there's always gonna be pro's and con's to everything (Spot-On's point below) and the main thing is find what you enjoy and do it, regardless of whether it matches your body type stereotype, or whether you have the "balls" - just do it and have fun!

I have seen many smaller, skinnier girls who are much quicker and tougher than their bigger and bustier counterparts. You probably would fare better than you think.

Roller derby, that is so cool. I wouldn't be able to do that, you have guts ! All I can do is skate, there is not enough of little Allie to knock anyone down !

[strongirl]

Thanks for the compliment, Buttercup, but I'm sure I'm no more or less awesome than anyone else in here. I've always been very physical and athletic and prefer being outdoors to indoors, so that's just led to doing a lot of fun stuff. I do think having small breasts and a slim, athletic body makes it easier to do certain things. Just rock climbing with my bf, it's apparent how much easier it is to haul my 110 pounds up the rock than his brawney 175. Then again when I tried roller derby, I was well aware that those 160 lb girls with 40DD knockers could smash the crap outta little me - it was a big motivator to skate fast! So there's always gonna be pro's and con's to everything (Spot-On's point below) and the main thing is find what you enjoy and do it, regardless of whether it matches your body type stereotype, or whether you have the "balls" - just do it and have fun!

[spot-on]

I remember instructing aerobics classes at one club and being very envious of another instructor and her assets. She was heavier than me, but the boobs were 'perfect', probably a D cup. Anyway long story short I saw her instructing a class once, two sports bra's on and they were still "unruly". I had never been so glad in my life for small boobs than at that moment. Knowing that I was instructing 20+ classes a week as it was, then having to potentially have 'bounce issues', eek. Anyway all of us instructors talking one day someone made a comment about boobs and I told my story, turns out she was envious of my boobs! lol! Grass is always greener!

[koffeewitch]

Sorry; unintended post. Poltergiests in my computer today.

[karategrrl]

Maybe we smallies are more active overall?

Don't know if we're more active, though many of us have expressed how glad we were not to have to big 'uns at certain times. I took karate for many years (as you may have guessed) and was always glad in the dojo to be "streamlined." Though large-chested women can do lots of active stuff with the right sports bras.

Last year I was in the rafters of my new house, installing wiring and fitting my little self through all sorts of crannies to do so. I was actually somewhat encumbered by my little AA's and VERY glad they were not an ounce bigger!!!

[spot-on]

Thanks KarateGrrrl. Yep I bought some bra's from Walmart last, moulded cups (no nipplage). The ones from Target I haven't had much luck with, just trying them on and feeling pretty uncomfortable. I am all about comfort.

And I have to agree on the biking We dirtbike. I ride a Honda CRF 230 Hmm Boob job or a dirtbike? Dirtbike everytime! Oh we also snowboard too, and I run 3x a week, and currently doing p90x for weights. Maybe we smallies are more active overall?

[karategrrl]

spot-on, WELCOME to our lovely little corner of cyberspace! I, too found it in much the same way awhile back, and I must say it has changed my life for the better.

As for bras, it's a popular topic around here. My best bet has been the "teen" bras in Target--lined but not padded. It's hard to find bras that fit--I think any woman can say that, no matter what her size!

buttercups, holla on the "boyish" crap. I mean, really--just south of the chest, you have the vagina, which is certainly NOT boyish. Come the fuck on, people. Though I have to say I love that "looking normal is overrated" thing. Awesome that they had that woman in Oprah with her artificial leg.

[spot-on]

testing pic

[spot-on]

Hi small busties!
Just wanted to drop in and say hello. I feel like I know you all already, lol. Reason being is that after a google search for small breast support groups I found this thread and read the whole thing over the course of about 10 days. Can I just say how inspiring you all are!!!

I introduced myself in the newbie thread but I'll do a recap here. I'm spot-on, 37, married for 10 years, no kids (by choice), 2 dalmatians, and the owner of a pair of small boobs.

My Boob Story:

Always had small boobs. Until about 3 months ago I was a 34 nearly B, however I made a concerted effort over the last 9 months to get fit so I could begin my career again in the fitness industry (aerobics instructor and personal trainer). Over the last few months after dropping 25lbs I stopped losing weight and instead am losing body fat, yay. Unfortunately this meant my boobs shrunk to an A cup (well maybe, more on that later). Right now I am struggling to find a correct fit for reasons I will detail (in length) below. On a regular basis I love my small boobs, they suit me. Honestly being slim I think I would look rather unproportioned with bigger boobs, and they'd make my 5 mile run 3x a week a nightmare! BUT that doesn't mean, like most of us at times it seems, that I get those days where all I want is bigger boobs. Nothing huge, just a big B or a small C. Something with a little more fullness. *sigh* But hey that's why we have this group right?

I really don't know my correct size, for many reasons. I know my 34B bras don't fit right anymore, too loose in the strap AND cup. So I did some research online looking how to measure etc. Why are there so many different freakin ways to measure your boobs? some say to add 4" for the band say, some places say not to. VS and a few other places measure ABOVE your boobs for the band size... No wonder they say that most women are wearing the wrong bra size! What do they expect? So I am currently undertaking a bra buying expedition

I know 34Bs are too big, so I measured myself using all the recommendations online and I range from a 34AA - 34A - 32A and a 32B. Now every site out there says that when buying a new bra that they should fit well on the furthest clasp so that as they wear you can tighten them. If I get the 34 I have to wear it on the closest clasp to keep it in place, so that leads me to believe I am a 32. Any thoughts on that?

If I can get the freakin band size sorted then at least the cup SHOULD fall into line after that. My actual measurement for band size is 30", which plus the supposed 4" gives me a 34" band. For VS measuring I am a 32". What are everyone's thoughts/experiences regarding band size to actual measurements?

[buttercups]

Strongirl can I just say- you are awesome! God I wish I had the balls to do all those things! Sounds like you def live life to the fullest! As far as the physical exam day went, you ladies were totally right- I was the only one who would notice anything bc I was being breast obsessed. Everyone else was too nervous about passing the test to notice or say anything about my difference in chest size. I felt so silly for worrying about it as much as i did. My next goal is to wear this bra on a day when we don't have a test looming over our heads so nobody is nervous and see if anyone notices then. We'll see if I can do it.

Just got Oprah magazine today, there's a picture of a woman wearing a dress with a mechanical leg- apparently she had to have her leg amputated when she was 5. She's quoted on the page saying something like "looking "normal" is over-rated". I really like that, it struck a nerve bc all I've ever wanted to look like was average.

I didn't like how the page before it was a picture of a woman with a small chest and they were trying to give her some dressing tips and at the top of the page her body type was listed as..none other than...*drum roll please*..Boyish! Well that nonsense just has to go!

Other than that, good issue of Oprah hahah