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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Dh appearance

111 replies

Misshoney88 · 03/01/2022 14:14

Hi

Its so vain and shallow to be bothered so much by someone's appearance when there is more to a person. However, as a human being its hard not to be.

My dh has massively let himself go over the years.

He doesn't take care of himself at all. He has piled on weight but he for some reason doesn't see it. Whenever the topic comes up he tells me how he is still slim and can't believe in all these years he has maintained his sae weight. The thing is he has put on a few stone. He is wearing clothes that are far to small and its embarrassing. His tops come up to show his middle and he looks 8 months pregnant because of it. His trousers hang low as he can't pull them up. I'm not awful I get he can't help it in some ways but he goes on about how easy it is to stay slim and how people are lazy etc. I'm baffled. If he acknowledged this and was working on it fair enough but to be completely blind to such an increase is worrying as his health is also affected. He eats alot but is oblivious to this too. He does eat junk but its the huge portions of seemingly healthy food. He tells me he eats better than me (which is probably true in terms of protein etc) but thinks nothing of eating 3 people's meals in one sitting. He always finishes the childrens dinner left overs and it makes me feel awful to see it. My children are fussy eaters so more often than not leave a large portion of their dinner so its not the odd bit its a whole extra meal. He will then finish off the pan of dinner while tidying up. Again if there was acknowledgement then fine but he goes on about healthy eating like he knows it all and then does this.

Its not just his weight. He never shaves and cuts his hair himself. Its not even styled.

His clothes as not in fashion. He used to be quite fashionable but now he wears old tatty clothes.

He has less showers than is ideal.

I hate to write this down but him on top (sex) is awful as i have a tiny frame.

I gained weight with having the children so im not immune and unsympathetic. However, I acknowledged it, worked on losing it, which was hard, and I still do my hair, be clean and take pride in how I look.

He sits there in his tatty clothes unshaven, eating, farting, burping and picking his nose and wonders why I don't want sex. I told him these things turn me off but he gets defensive and says I'm horrible to say such.

I do care for him but my patience is wearing thin. I'm falling out of love with him. Not because of the weight gain as im not that shallow but because of all the rest combined.

Hes not depressed so its not that.

He can't see it.

What can I do. I want to try to salvage my marriage but I can't live with someone who takes so little effort and care. If that makes me awful then so be it.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 03/01/2022 14:16

Fucking hell, he's repulsive. I'd be having a very Frank discussion about everything, while letting him clearly know his lack of self-care isn't working for you. He either shapes up or you're shipping out.

Sharpie0870 · 03/01/2022 14:16

You've got the ick. There's no turning back at that point.
I felt ick just reading that.
You're not being shallow, you have to be attracted to someone for your relationship to work.
Is there anyway you could reiterate any of this to him in softer form?

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 03/01/2022 14:17

There isn't a lot you can do
To try to change his behaviour would be controlling but you don't have to accept it. If he can't see the issue and doesn't want to change himself you have little choice but to put up or ship out.

Letitsnoooow · 03/01/2022 14:19

Does he clean his teeth twice a day? (guess not from what you said) That is usually the dealbreaker.

StrangeAddiction · 03/01/2022 14:20

I'd say he is depressed whether you/he thinks he is or not.

What about suggesting exercising as a couple/family? If he's eating the kids left overs put it in the bin before he gets to it or if the extra food in the pan is for the next day put it in tubs and straight in the fridge or just make enough for the meal. If the kids are leaving loads and he eats as much as you say he does then there must be too much food being cooked.

Cattitudes · 03/01/2022 14:23

Does he not see himself in a photo?

Sharpie0870 · 03/01/2022 14:24

@Letitsnoooow

Does he clean his teeth twice a day? (guess not from what you said) That is usually the dealbreaker.
That would be it for me. I couldn't hack that.
Cattitudes · 03/01/2022 14:24

How old are the dc? From reception age I would get them to clear their own plates too.

Misshoney88 · 03/01/2022 14:27

We have 3 dc. They do clean there own plates. Well obviously the baby dosnt. But he will have eaten it while we are all sat at the table before clean up. Like during the meal.

OP posts:
CoffeeBeansGalore · 03/01/2022 14:27

Would photographic evidence put in front of him make him realise? You must have photos from a few years ago when he was slimmer & smarter? Put side by side with photos from now he cannot deny the changes, surely?

Misshoney88 · 03/01/2022 14:28

Good idea re photos

OP posts:
DrinkFeckArseBrick · 03/01/2022 14:29

You could try sotting down and say his shape has changed and you're concerned for his health and he needs to check his BMI. Have you got scales? If he isnt regularly weighing himself then seeing it in black and white might help. How old is he? How do you respond when he says he is healthy?

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 03/01/2022 14:29

Not showering and taking care of his appearance is a bit different though and may be a sign of depression?

CoffeeBeansGalore · 03/01/2022 14:30

He sounds greedy. Have the kids definitely had enough before he swipes their food away?

Goldandguns · 03/01/2022 14:30

Agree with PPs that I got the ick reading that as well. He isn't acknowledging that he's let himself go and he's not acknowledging your feelings. Would he be willing to talk to anyone at all about depression? I can't imagine how he can think he can eat like a human bin and still maintain the same weight? How does he dress when he goes to work (if he does work)?

Misshoney88 · 03/01/2022 14:30

@DrinkFeckArseBrick mid 40s.

I just sit there often or I have been known to pull a face and have disagreed in the past but he still denies it.

OP posts:
Vapeyvapevape · 03/01/2022 14:33

It’s ’ok’ for him to put on weight but not ok to not wash or brush his teeth.

Hankunamatata · 03/01/2022 14:35

Would he go to barbers if got him a voucher?
Would he order clothes online he can try on at home?
He doesnt seem to value himself any more

Amelion · 03/01/2022 14:35

I’d definitely sit him down and talk to him. Think about what he want to say beforehand and how you can say it sensitively. Say you want him to be healthy for your kids and for you and for himself. He may be depressed and you both just don’t know it. Or he may just not be making any effort. But you’ll have to talk to him to find out.

Attraction and sex are an important part of a relationship and it’s not good for either of you for him to make no effort and for you to find him unattractive.

Amelion · 03/01/2022 14:38

What you want to say that was meant to be!

QueenofLouisiana · 03/01/2022 14:39

We joined a fitness club together, as a way of spending time together- well, that’s what I persuaded DH. I do Pilates classes twice a week and DH swims. It’s working well as it means that he is getting into the habit of gentle exercise twice a week.
Then we go and get a drink together (Diet Coke/ fizzy water) so it feels like we’ve had time together.
We both need to get ourselves into better shape, so hoping this pays off.

WorraLiberty · 03/01/2022 14:41

We seem to have an almost weekly thread on this subject lately.

Maybe have a look through and see what advice was given to the others OP.

DillonPanthersTexas · 03/01/2022 14:43

I think just explaining that maintaining basic cleanliness and hygiene would be a bare minimum and how does he think it is attractive to basically be dirty and smelly.

rocky1914 · 03/01/2022 14:45

[quote Misshoney88]@DrinkFeckArseBrick mid 40s.

I just sit there often or I have been known to pull a face and have disagreed in the past but he still denies it.[/quote]
I don't mean to sound heartless but it sounds like you need to actually just tell him straight "you are overweight, I am no longer attracted to you, sort it out".

As a pp said, the not taking care of himself is a different ball game altogether and may be a sign of depression. Even if he is unaware.

madisonbridges · 03/01/2022 14:45

Do you still love him? Or are you noticing this as you fall out of love with him? I guess what I'm asking is, is there any point to him losing the weight from a relationship point of view or are you done and this is just an extra irritation?