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Boyfriend pressuring me to change my body and appearance

75 replies

MeganBoo · 13/04/2026 18:59

Hi all…bit of an insight to the main point. I’m underweight due to not eating properly (a problem I’ve had for years) doctor said I may have an underlying eating disorder. I’m not sure what it is but my mental health is very bad to the point I’m not working and struggle to get out the house, I guess that affects my eating by lack of motivation etc. I’m very insecure about my weight I struggle to look at myself in mirrors and feel ugly in my clothes…I would love to gain the weight I use to have back and I know the only way that’ll happen is if I eat but unfortunately it’s not that easy for me. Also just to add I’m considered vulnerable and have gotten into a lot of abusive/controlling relationships where people take advantage of me.

Anyways, last week my boyfriend said I should start working out…he said it’ll give me something to do and that it’ll make my health better (I think he suddenly wants a girl who works out). I’ve never been someone into going to the gym/working out and considering I’m underweight the last thing I want to focus on is working out, I need to gain weight. He bought it up again today, when he called me he said ‘have you been working out today’…I’m starting to feel pressure from him to workout and I feel the need to do it, possibly because I’m weak minded. It’s not something I want to do and considering I’m barely eating, to the point I get lightheaded and feel faint, I’m not sure it’ll have a good impact on my health but the comments he’s been making has made me feel the need to start doing it and I feel like I’m not fit.

Theres also other things he's said recently that have made me change myself. My hairs curly and he said how I should start straightening it, straight hair is better, everyone prefers straight hair over curly hair etc…so surprise surprise I’ve now started having it straight . Another example is I wanted to paint my bedroom pink, just to be expressive, he said how it’s childish and I need it white like a classy woman…so I’m now returning the pink paint I bought.

For the past few years I’ve been in abusive/controlling relationships, I’m not saying he’s abusive but from the little comments he makes I’m starting to feel like he doesn't love me for me and as if I’m being moulded into what he wants or almost as if I’m not good enough. Not sure what responses I’m expecting from this post, some people may suggest I leave him but for someone with poor mental health and a history of toxic relationships it’s not that easy. Just needed to let this out as I have nobody else to talk to.

OP posts:
Oddgain · 13/04/2026 19:02

He sounds concerned. You don’t seem to have any quality of life at all - just existing in an unhappy state not doing anything.

He is trying to find ways to help

Oddgain · 13/04/2026 19:03

Do you live with him? Is he much older than you?

You should not be on any relationship. You need to focus on yourself

letmebetheone · 13/04/2026 19:05

What does he do that makes you happy? If you struggle to answer that then you need to get rid of him. You deserve better and you need to start trying to believe that.

GlovedhandsCecilia · 13/04/2026 19:05

This doesn't sound good. He doesnt sound good.

The only thing I would say is that things like lifting will keep you fit and sustain a healthy weight. It doesnt all have to be running and burning fat.

Hopelesscase32 · 13/04/2026 19:05

I think you already know this is a massive red flag. I think you also know it is controlling and not healthy.
You also know that you need to leave him and not look back but that you are going to stay with him.
Do you have access to support/counselling/therapy? You need to start with learning to stand up for yourself

justthecat · 13/04/2026 19:05

Paint your bedroom pink and throw the straighteners away, then dump him

MeganBoo · 13/04/2026 19:07

@Oddgain Honestly I don’t think him saying he wants me to straighten my hair and how nobody likes curly hair is him being concerned and ‘helping’ me. Not to mention he’s tried changing the clothes I wear and much more. I’m normally blind to red flags but I’ve noticed them and definitely don’t think it’s him being caring and helping me out.

We don’t live together and he’s 4 years older then me.

OP posts:
ShallinloveDelight · 13/04/2026 19:08

Kindly, he doesn't like you. And you deserve much better than that.

Oddgain · 13/04/2026 19:08

well you said it! So finish it

VoltaireMittyDream · 13/04/2026 19:09

Do you think you’re in a good place to be in a relationship right now, OP? Part of the issue is he seems to have an opinion about everything from your hairstyle to the colour of your walls - which is at best hugely irritating, and at worst potentially controlling - and another part of the issue is that you seem to be taking these irrelvant opinions of his as instructions. If he suggests you do something, you don’t seem to be able to tell him to mind his own business.

Are you getting support for your disordered eating?

OldHattie · 13/04/2026 19:09

The comment about working out could (if you were being generous) be him trying to encourage you to be healthy, but wtf with the hair comment? That is 🚩

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 13/04/2026 19:09

You’ve seen the red flags. That’s excellent progress.

Some of his behaviour could come from concern, but not criticising the paint colour and how you wear your hair.

Encouraging you to try out different ways to feel better- exercise, clothes- yes. Criticising you, absolutely not.

cyounexttuesday · 13/04/2026 19:10

The things you're describing aren't acceptable or "normal relationship feedback." Coercive control is often disguised as concern, comments about your health, your appearance, or your choices that slowly push you away from who you are and toward who someone else wants you to be.
When you've been in abusive or controlling relationships before, it can make it much harder to spot the signs in a new relationship, especially when the behaviour looks different from what you experienced in the past. Coercive control can be incredibly subtle.
You've already said you're underweight, struggling to eat, and feeling faint, so being pushed to work out isn't supportive, it's unsafe. And telling you to change your hair or your room because your natural choices aren't "good enough" chips away at your self-esteem over time.
You’re vulnerable right now, and people who use controlling behaviours often target exactly that.

mynameiscalypso · 13/04/2026 19:12

Someone who is underweight and not eating should not be working out at all, it could be dangerous. There are red flags all over the place here. He doesn’t care about you or your health at all.

Holdonforsummer · 13/04/2026 19:14

Oddgain · 13/04/2026 19:02

He sounds concerned. You don’t seem to have any quality of life at all - just existing in an unhappy state not doing anything.

He is trying to find ways to help

I can’t disagree with this more. A man telling a woman to straighten her hair as everyone prefers straight hair is being controlling and mean, not helpful. And telling someone with an eating disorder to work out is dangerous and astonishingly ignorant. I think you know this, OP. If your boyfriend is not actively supporting and helping you, you would be better off (and more likely to recover) alone. But make sure you are surrounded by people who love you and hopefully professional help too. Good luck.

SwanRivers · 13/04/2026 19:15

Not sure what responses I’m expecting from this post, some people may suggest I leave him but for someone with poor mental health and a history of toxic relationships it’s not that easy.

You really should NOT be in any kind of relationship if you feel your past makes it difficult to break up with anyone.

Let this one go and concentrate on getting better mentally.

SpryCat · 13/04/2026 19:21

You are correct he is chipping away at the little confidence you have, he preys on vulnerable women to break them completely.

PolkaDotPorridge · 13/04/2026 19:38

Oddgain · 13/04/2026 19:02

He sounds concerned. You don’t seem to have any quality of life at all - just existing in an unhappy state not doing anything.

He is trying to find ways to help

Are you kidding? Even with the straight hair thing?! Your bar is low.

blacksax · 13/04/2026 19:42

What a bastard. Please don't try and change yourself into the image in his head of what he thinks you should look like.

Be yourself. Dump him. Flowers

GreenCandleWax · 13/04/2026 19:44

MeganBoo · 13/04/2026 19:07

@Oddgain Honestly I don’t think him saying he wants me to straighten my hair and how nobody likes curly hair is him being concerned and ‘helping’ me. Not to mention he’s tried changing the clothes I wear and much more. I’m normally blind to red flags but I’ve noticed them and definitely don’t think it’s him being caring and helping me out.

We don’t live together and he’s 4 years older then me.

Edited

Just say goodbye to him and focus on making your life better for you. Flowers

MaidOfSteel · 13/04/2026 19:55

It’s good that you’ve noticed the signs that this man is controlling you, OP.

We don’t always need to be in a relationship. It’s good to have some single time, so we can concentrate on ourselves and our own wellbeing. Maybe this could be good for you. It’ll be little steps, but you can come to realise your own self worth in time and know that you deserve a good man; one who won’t try to change you.

I hope you’ll find the courage to end things with this awful man.

popcorn215 · 13/04/2026 19:57

Working out, weight training may help you gain weight as you’ll be hungrier, but if it’s not something you’ve ever done nor want to do then don’t do it.

You may find it easier to drink your calories along side eating, so making some shakes with protein in, peanut butter etc or smoothies if you like those?

but the other stuff, he sounds a dick!

TSW12 · 13/04/2026 19:57

He is trying to mold (mould?) you into someone you're not. That is controlling. You can see the red flags. Take that as a win and kick him to the kerb. You deserve better.

BrickProblems · 13/04/2026 19:59

Well done OP you spotted it early this time, you’re getting tougher (in a very good way). You’re nearly ready to walk away from this relationship and you don’t need to feel bad about it. He can find the weight lighting, straight haired woman he apparently really wants! Joke - if he met her he’d probably try to persuade her to get a perm or something. Please accept that he’s not a nice man and nice is the most essential requirement for a partner.

frozendaisy · 13/04/2026 20:01

Pink is a creative calming positive colour

White is sterile

do not take the pink paint back paint your bedroom whatever colour you want

tell him he doesn’t have to come round if he doesn’t like it