Smaller guys and gals- weight progression

Im just starting out and got myself a 12kg bell. Im using it for swings and push presses currently.

Im a smaller guy. 5 feet 2 inches tall. Interested to here from these of a smaller stuture on how you progressed your weights.

I picked up a 16 kg bell in the gym, got it in the rack position but couldnt press it at all.

If anybody started with a 12kg bell, how did u manage to progress to 16kg?

Thanks