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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to struggle with husband weight gain

112 replies

loveisagirlnameddaisy · 14/12/2021 18:33

First, I should state that this isn't straightforward.

DH has struggled with his weight all his life. He finds it exceedingly hard to lose weight and has put a lot of effort into finding out why. He's seen a dietitian privately and spent thousands on tests and consultations. A conventional approach to dieting doesn't work. He's tried IF, low cal, low carb, exercised etc etc

We think it's hormonal and a gastro endocrinologist said the same, but without spending more money we won't know for sure.

DH lost some weight last year but it was hard won and took ages. He showed remarkable willpower to lose the weight he did, but given his excess weight it was baffling that he couldn't lose more.

This year he's had a lot to deal with, and he's put most of the weight back on. He tends to carry the majority on his tummy which I just hate. He looks pregnant and I find it such a turn off. But at the same time, I feel like a complete cow because of the context of the situation. If he were blatantly overeating and just couldn't be arsed, I'd feel more justified. But he's not.

So. Am I being unreasonable to resent the way he looks? And how do I deal with the way I feel?

OP posts:
cherrypie66 · 16/12/2021 19:49

@Emerald5hamrock

You can't force yourself to be sexually attracted to someone weather it's unkind or not !! No but this thread got me thinking, I did comment on DP being overweight, there's a lot more to be attracted too than just the physical side of a person and sometimes I lose sight of that.

If I was in your DH's position I'd definitely have surgery, he has exhausted other options and he is miserable. I don't have a weight problem but have had addiction issues so feel I have an understanding of the feelings the yoyo behaviours that create it.

I wouldn't want to have sex with a man with a great big gut. Just being honest call me shallow but I just wouldn't be turned on be that no matter how much I loved him
Dozer · 16/12/2021 20:04

Don’t think OP’s H HAS exhausted all avenues, eg thyroid tests/meds.

Catastrophejane · 16/12/2021 20:39

My ex- BF put on weight and I struggled too, OP. You can’t help it if you don’t find him attractive.

I haven’t read the full thread, but going to echo some previous posters who have mentioned secret eating.

You mentioned in the OP that he put weight back on because this has been a ‘stressful time’. That doesn’t sound like a hormonal issue…Is he someone who eats when he is down?

Also, it is very very rare for weight gain to be caused by anything other than too many calories in vs too little exercise.

We all underestimate how many calories we take in, portion size, and calorific content of some foods.

If he was monitored I’d put money on him consuming way more than you both think.

CaitoftheCantii · 16/12/2021 20:46

I feel sorry for your husband - he’s had to spend time and money to address his weight because of pressure from other people making it clear that he can only be attractive/worthwhile/liked/loved if he was slim. He must be suffering terribly with self esteem - do him a favour and back right off. You are clearly not the right partner for him. I can’t imagine the emotional damage he has gone through, if he does secretly eat, I don’t blame him…

WhateverIdo · 16/12/2021 21:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

loveisagirlnameddaisy · 16/12/2021 22:11

@CaitoftheCantii

I feel sorry for your husband - he’s had to spend time and money to address his weight because of pressure from other people making it clear that he can only be attractive/worthwhile/liked/loved if he was slim. He must be suffering terribly with self esteem - do him a favour and back right off. You are clearly not the right partner for him. I can’t imagine the emotional damage he has gone through, if he does secretly eat, I don’t blame him…
It's nothing to do with him being any of the things you list, he needs to lose some weight for health reasons. He's never been slim, even when I met him, but he's probably at his heaviest now. His knees are already painful.

I am guilty of not always feeling supportive and this thread has made me realise that needs to change. But saying things like I'm not the right partner for him based on the scantest of information is a little extreme.

OP posts:
loveisagirlnameddaisy · 16/12/2021 22:14

@VimFuego101

What was the thyroid result? It's generally accepted nowadays that lower is better. Old guidelines used to state that Tsh of 0.5 to 5 was within range, but I certainly feel better and manage my weight better when mine is around 1.
The range of numbers he was given was 10 to 20 or 12 to 22, I can't remember exactly. He was either the lowest number or only one above the bottom number.
OP posts:
CaitoftheCantii · 16/12/2021 22:17

Think about how he feels - constantly having to do something about his weight. Slim people can be unhealthy as well. Maybe if he has the pressure taken off him, he’ll find his own natural weight. If you can’t think about anything other than his looks, you are not the right person for him

WhoopsWhatsMyNameAgain · 16/12/2021 22:26

YANBU to not find him attractive. I personally don't find overweight men attractive. I also don't like blonds, body builders or guys in skinny jeans.

You're allowed to feel however you feel. Is this a new thing or have you not felt attracted to him in a long time? Is it just the weight you find hard? As you say he's always had a struggle with weight so what's different now?

FWIW - Slimming World is fab. As is a vegan diet (stops you eating fast food if nothing else).

loveisagirlnameddaisy · 17/12/2021 09:02

@CaitoftheCantii

Think about how he feels - constantly having to do something about his weight. Slim people can be unhealthy as well. Maybe if he has the pressure taken off him, he’ll find his own natural weight. If you can’t think about anything other than his looks, you are not the right person for him
There's loads I love about him as I think I said upthread. We have a very happy marriage. This is just one small part of it.
OP posts:
loveisagirlnameddaisy · 17/12/2021 09:04

@WhoopsWhatsMyNameAgain

YANBU to not find him attractive. I personally don't find overweight men attractive. I also don't like blonds, body builders or guys in skinny jeans.

You're allowed to feel however you feel. Is this a new thing or have you not felt attracted to him in a long time? Is it just the weight you find hard? As you say he's always had a struggle with weight so what's different now?

FWIW - Slimming World is fab. As is a vegan diet (stops you eating fast food if nothing else).

I don't think I've ever said I don't find him attractive. I just don't like the extra weight on him and how it looks. They are two different things.
OP posts:
loveisagirlnameddaisy · 17/12/2021 09:05

To clarify, i said 'turn off' in my OP which I accept could be construed as not finding someone attractive. It's not as black and white as that.

OP posts:
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