That's a good question. I believe a member had this question last year. Found it difficult to find a wetsuit that fit. i believe she ended up sending an email to DeSoto and they were able to help her out. Not sure if they still do custom type orders, but check them out and shoot them an email. They also have the two-piece suit so it's possible you could mix and match sizes then do some altering? Please let us know if you find anything as I'm sure others will be looking for a solution. I'll look around some more as well.

DeSoto's sizing chart and contact info:
[url]http://www.t1wetsuits.com/size.html[/url]

That's indeed a good question. My GF which wheights some 90kg for 1m80 has the same issue. We plan to get her a men's wetsuit even if it compresses her breasts., she says she can handle the inconvenience. As a sidenote for the shoes she shops in the men's departement because 1m80/90kg is closer to the men's height to weight ratio than 1m80/65kg one can expect from a girl

First and foremost...congratulations on signing up for your first tri!!!!!

Ignore the size charts! I've always found them to be crap for the most part. As Tribro mentioned, DeSoto will help you with sizing if you send them measurements and photos. There's directions on what you need to do on the sizing link that Tribro provided. Trisports.com also has some great customer service folk. Just give them a call and give them your stats and they should be able to hook you up with the wetsuit that's right for you. Blue Seventy (aka ironman) suits have athena sizing as well....

Sports bras...depends on how much you are supporting. Both Champion and Moving Comfort have a great selection for all sizes and shapes. Title9.com probably has one of the best sports bra selections.

Never give up and Never Stop TRI'n.

Check with the race director as well. If it is a Sprint and in a lake, you may find that a good number of participants will go without a wetsuit. See if you can get the estimated water temp for race day. When I started racing I started with sprints and did them without a wetsuit. I didn't have the cash to spend and only a few ended up being pretty cold.

If you are swimming in the Ocean up there though definitely get the suit :)

I'm in the same boat you are.. close to the same measurements and whatnot! But I don't have to worry about getting a wetsuit. I wish you lots of luck finding what you need though. I always wanted to do something like this.. but it was always "someday". "Someday when I'm athletic and skinny and in top shape.." But then I decided it was time for someday. And that it was things like this that would help me get where I want to be. And this has been a GREAT motivator to keep me working out. And it's such a rush to push myself and see what I can do. I'm glad I'm not the only one. We can do this, girl! :)

Good luck to you both. :) When I first started running, I weighed 220. I did a combo thing for the bra. I wore a Champion and usually paired it with a tank w/ a built in bra for extra support. Then later, just the Champion was fine. It's sad really, but now all I need is the tank... :rolleyes:

Lisa

[QUOTE=blonde_lawyer]Ok, so I signed up for a triathlon and have been getting very excited. I was looking at triathlon wetsuits online and was looking at sizes and am now freaking out. Based on the height/weight requirements, I can't see how I could fit into one of them. I am female, 5'4 and currently weigh around 200 lbs. Is it going to be possible for me to find a wetsuit that fits? I know that I can do the race endurance-wise (or I guess that I should say that I will be when the race day comes :)

Also, does anyone have any sports bra suggestions for the race?[/QUOTE]

I notice you are from the Seattle area. Personally I dont wear a wet suit any hoo for any of the sprint races (unless perhaps its the one in Issaquah in early June) as the water in Lk Washington is plenty warm enough for a sprint.
In any case head over to Speedy Reedy -- and check out their suits and try them on. They can totally help you find something that fits! Don't give up :) Good luck!!!

[QUOTE=blonde_lawyer]brittda, thanks for the response--I am doing the Seafair one in mid-July. I have a friend that does a lot of triathlons in this area and she strongly suggested a wetsuit because I am really nervous about the swim. So, I am going to see what i can find. And if it comes down to it, I will go without one! :) But I will be at that finish line :)[/QUOTE]

WOOO HOOO!!! I will be there too-- I still like to do the sprints to "get out here and compete" and practice my transitions. Sefair is in July and the water is pretty warm(usually around 75--although I tried out a wetsuit there last year so I would know what I wanted before my Ironman). I would also suggest renting one. This way you can try them out and see what you like. Speedy Reedy , Issaquah Sea and Ski, and Everyday Athlete (in kirkland rent them) I am sure there are other places too. Call ahead--or go in and try them on first to make sure you get one before the race....just a couple of ideas. If you have any ??? feel free to PM me.

[QUOTE=blonde_lawyer]trigirl84, good luck to you too! After getting so upset last night I remembered that I had decided to do this race now because I didn't want to wait until I was 'skinny.' I am tired of letting the weight limit me unnecessarily. So, hopefully this was more of a freakout than a real issue for me.

When is your race? Mine is on July 16th. I am taking a swimming lesson on Saturday because the swim is what really scares me. I am very excited about this (but nervous too).

We can do this! Someone recommended a book to me called "Slow Fat Triathlete" by Jayne Williams ([url]www.slowfattriathlete.com)[/url], so I am going to check that out too.[/QUOTE]

I feel exactly the same way! I've let my weight keep me from doing too much for too long. And it's not going to anymore.

My race is May 21st. I'm so super-excited and confident that I can do this. In fact, I'm yearning to break free from work so I can get on my bike! The bike is definitely growing on me and I love to run, but like you, I'm a little nervous about the swim, cuz I've only been swimming for about 3 months.. another result of limiting myself (didnt want to wear a swimsuit).

Thanks for the recommendation. The book looks great! :) And it looks like it lets you laugh at yourself.. too many people try to be politically correct about being overweight and yada yada.. so I'm gonna have to check to see if we've got the book here in town.

Good luck! (not that you'll need it--we've been working hard for this!)

Hey, I think the suggestion of renting a suit is a great one. If you're training hard and eating right, you're going to lose weight! Why spend the big bucks on a wetsuit when you can rent one and then buy one that will last you longer when you've lost some weight?