I have had rather large breasts since I was in middle school (7th or 8th grade). They grew to the point where when I was in high school they filled out a 38C bra rather well. I am significantly more overweight now than I was then and they have grown as a result and would most likely be a D or DD cup.
Anyway I was mocked many times growing up because of the breasts. The time that really just killed me most was at scout camp where I was trying to become a life guard because I absolutely loved swimming. Ever since that moment, I've been distinctly aware of my breasts.
To say it messed me up is an understatement of large proportions sexually. While I am and have always been straight, I did purchase a bra and wore it privately as a sexual fetish issue along with other cross dressing issues (never publicly) for a few years early in high school and the first couple of years of college.
Now, almost 20 years after that, I'm working through that gender confusion/fetish issues.
So there is some of the background.
Some more info, I am married, I have 3 children, oldest is a daughter (9). My wife knows all of my issues but probably has less of an understanding than I do of them because I tend to internalize everything rather than talk about it.
I identified a few years ago that a bra could be helpful, particularly when working out and walking, however, because of my fetish issues that I was/am working on I did not get one (or more precisely, I did, but then I returned it the same day).
I have several concerns with buying one now:
1. It's likely to be confusing to my daughter, I would rather not confuse her at all.
2. I'm simply not comfortable with the idea of people knowing I am wearing a bra, regardless of why.
3. It would put a small-medium amount of stress on my wife and it's difficult enough for me to talk about things.
4. I'm still somewhat concerned that my mind hasn't fully grasped bra=piece of clothing not sexual.
So those are my concerns.
My reasons would be:
1. These things are huge and should be reigned in and minimized if possible.
2. The bouncing around is more annoying than when last I considered this.
3. I think I'm at least somewhat less likely to sexualize and revert to my teenage ways.
4. Zits and soreness from no ventilation and rubbing under the breasts is annoying and I think a bra would help with that.
So should I drop consideration of using a bra to help with comfort and support or should I continue ignoring the situation and just hope that our diet and excersize drasticly reduce the size of the breasts? Why or why not?
Follow up question to those saying I should pursue the bra option (if anyone does), what style of bra would minimize my concerns but provide some assistance? I think a normal bra is out of the question since it would be impossible to hide and I would rather just suffer than expose it outright. That leaves sports bras, and tshirts with built ins? I was particularly interested in the tshirt with built in options since I don't think anyone would be able to tell if it was under another shirt, though I could be wrong. Is that right and do those offer much support to stop the bouncing?
I'm terribly aware of myself when I go swimming with the kids, when I walk or run, and when I work out on at the gym. Can't do much about swimming though it makes me not want to swim. I'm hoping primarily to bounce less the other times if I even pursue it.
Thoughts?
PS> No, surgery is not a good option. We are strapped enough without me paying through the nose for a surgical solution just because I am uncomfortable with myself still!