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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:
GrandmasCat · 03/01/2022 16:03

Massive full length mirror by the door, if that doesn’t get him in a week you need to tell him straight.

He will be upset, angry and probably throw the comments back to you but… sometimes you need to be cruel to be kind because if you fall out of love… nothing will bring the love back even if he ends up looking great after that.

Rangoon · 03/01/2022 16:09

At least the children don't seem to be afflicted with gluttony. What do the children think when they see their unshaven, dirty father bursting out of his tatty clothes farting, burping and picking his nose at mealtimes? I feel slightly nauseous typing that so I can't even begin to imagine the ick factor when he is actually present in the room.

I would be making plans to leave.

MrsColon · 03/01/2022 16:10

Possible scenario:

He knows he's fat. He's just unwilling to acknowledge it. That's why he hates showering, he hates seeing his body. I felt that way recovering from anorexia, it was hell on earth seeing how 'big' I'd become. It's also why he won't buy new clothes, as it means acknowledging that he doesn't fit into his old ones.

I don't know how you can help him, though, other than an open and frank conversation about it (in a non-accusatory way). He might appreciate it all being out in the open, but be prepared to need to walk away and give him time to think about it. Make sure you reinforce and repeat that you love him dearly and want to help him.

Do you own scales? If not, maybe get some. He can't argue with numbers.

nettie434 · 03/01/2022 16:19

I'm posting this as someone who needs to lose weight but don't think anyone could complain about my personal hygiene/grooming or manners. You start with his weight gain and then describe him not showering enough or getting his hair cut and farting and belching. Aren't all these behaviours harder to live with? Wouldn't it be better to focus on those first?

Weight loss can be a hard and long journey. Getting a haircut and having a shower are much easier. He will feel better about himself if he can do these.

GlamorousHeifer · 03/01/2022 16:19

How did you not just laugh when he said he's the same size as he was when you met? Could you cope with the weight gain if the other stuff was sorted?
Personally I would go online to a shop like jacamo (for the 'big and tall' men) and tell him we were looking for some new clothes as none of his fit him, see what he says!
I would also be cutting down the amount of food I made at mealtimes just so he doesn't have the opportunity to guzzle!
To be honest if he was self aware and understood he had a problem with his weight I would be a lot kinder but as he seems to have no problem judging others whilst having the hide of a rhino when it comes to his own image I think I would go in all guns blazing.

Merryoldgoat · 03/01/2022 16:26

I’m very fat. It’s for a wide variety of reasons but I shower daily, brush my teeth, wear nice clothes.

My DH supports me with healthy eating and getting up to exercise but also encourages me to look and feel nice.

If he’s entirely uninterested and in denial not much can be done. But if he responds to encouragement to improving that could be worth a try.

RaginaPhalange · 03/01/2022 16:37

Weight gain wouldn't bother me. My dh has put on a bit since we met 11 years ago.

All the other stuff most definitely would. Show him pictures of change throughout the years, It does sound like he's depressed. Who has told you he isn't?

BoodleBug51 · 03/01/2022 16:38

I'm far bigger than I should be.

But I shower obsessively as I'm terrified of smelling, and I wear clean clothes every day. I go to the hairdresser/dentist/doctor as appropriate, because I'm an adult and not a slob.

PinkPiranha11 · 03/01/2022 16:40

I’ve got the ick for you 🤢. Tell him to shape up or you’re shipping out.

ChiefStockingStuffer · 03/01/2022 16:41

Sounds grim.

Tell him you think he needs to get his eyes checked because he's clearly not seeing what you're seeing: a fat, slovenly, smelly, unkempt man in ill-fitting clothes that he's long grown out of in both size and style.

He does know, btw. He doesn't want it to be an 'issue' for you, so he's preempting you with his speeches about how he hasn't changed and it's everyone else.

It's not.

me4real · 03/01/2022 16:43

He could go to the doctor for a well man check and the doctor would presumably tell him he's overweight, which maybe he'd listen to.

But he could be one of the many fat blokes who try and pretend it's all muscle.

me4real · 03/01/2022 16:46

I suppose they mightn't be running those now. I find the scales in Boots are good- they give you a little printout of your weight and BMI. They can also roughly calculate your body fat percentage.

But sounds like he's in denial.

Blossomtoes · 03/01/2022 16:51

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".

Fabulous advice. How would you respond to that? If my bloke said that to me I’d never sleep with the bastard again.

Anordinarymum · 03/01/2022 16:51

@Misshoney88

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.

I have only read your post. My first reaction is to say to you to go out and buy him some clothes that fit so he can see for himself !
CambsAlways · 03/01/2022 17:08

I know for a fact I couldn’t put up with him belching, farting, and picking his nose ! You say you still care for him well start from there, he sounds very much in denial, if he’s not even showering frequently enough then he’s not managing his basic hygiene, I can understand where you are coming from, I’d feel the same as you Op, I wish you luck

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 03/01/2022 17:13

Seriously if someone stinks I don't let them near me. I'd tell them quite bluntly too.
I make sure I always smell nice. Its easy just washing down in the shower for 5 minutes.
Some men seem to think their natural body smell is like nectar to women, I can tell them it isn't.

FanGirlX · 03/01/2022 17:25

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

Seriously if someone stinks I don't let them near me. I'd tell them quite bluntly too. I make sure I always smell nice. Its easy just washing down in the shower for 5 minutes. Some men seem to think their natural body smell is like nectar to women, I can tell them it isn't.
Yes, they seem to have misunderstood pheromones 😂
TheSmallClangerWhistlesAgain · 03/01/2022 17:26

The poor personal hygiene and performance farting alone would put me off sex with him. Weight gain isn't the sexiest thing in the world, but if you wear clothes that are the right size and look after yourself in other ways, it shouldn't be a deal breaker.

CheshireKitten123 · 03/01/2022 17:27

As a start OP maybe you could cook less food.

If it's not there he can't eat it.

Remove most salty, sugary snacks from the house and provide more fruit.

The fact that he's farting & burping shows that his digestive system has a problem - tell him that, and that he needs to alter his diet.

I'm not sure what other suggestions to put forward....

RantyAunty · 03/01/2022 17:27

Yuk.

What type of job does he have where he can show up looking and smelling bad?

I do like the idea of a scale and having New Year health goal. Weight and measurements and possibly a light competition with rewards.

I take it he still likes sex?
Being fit and clean is obviously going to make sex better for both of you.

It does sound like you're making too much food. Make less or serve up each plate and then immediately put any leftovers away.

Merryoldgoat · 03/01/2022 17:32

If it's not there he can't eat it

This is such a ridiculous comment.

People who overeat come in a variety of guises. Many who do so compulsively will always find a way to get more food.

I’d say 90% of the food that’s made me fat has been bought and gorged on in secret out of the house.

me4real · 03/01/2022 17:41

if it's not there he can't eat it

This is such a ridiculous comment. People who overeat come in a variety of guises. Many who do so compulsively will always find a way to get more food.

@Merryoldgoat Yes but it does make it a bit easier not to compulsively eat if those foods aren't in our surroundings at home.

me4real · 03/01/2022 17:42

I've eaten 450g of fruit cake today just because it was here.

CandidaAlbicans2 · 03/01/2022 17:43

Maybe these men really believe that "women aren't visual" (I've certainly heard that often enough 🙄) and that we don't care what they look like. Well, I can tell them that I am very much visually stimulated sexually, and that I want to look at my partners naked and think "phroar". I want them to smell fresh, to take pride in their appearance, and not be so deluded that they think piling on the kgs and developing disgusting habits won't make a difference to attraction. I don't want to be squashed during sex, or always have to go on top because they're too unfit to. Fuck that, I'd rather be single.

Anordinarymum · 03/01/2022 17:59

@me4real

I've eaten 450g of fruit cake today just because it was here.
I really wish I had not read this.. I have fruit cake and cheese...