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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband has dropped a massive bombshell

999 replies

Robinred81 · 28/02/2022 11:25

Posting in AIBU for traffic.
I’ve been with my husband for almost 6 years and we got married 7 months ago (both in our mid 30s with no kids).

On Saturday morning he woke up in a bad mood which is very unlike him so I asked him what was wrong. He then just blurted out “I think I just love you as a friend”.
This was completely out the blue as we have been very loved up and there has not even been the slightest hint that there was any issues in our relationship. He hasn’t been acting differently on the lead up to Saturday and we seemed very happy.
I was obviously completely shell shocked and after demanding more information he admitted he has never had sexual attraction towards me and he thinks I’m overweight.
I’m 5ft 7 and a size 14 so I’m a bit overweight but as I’m fairly tall and only carry weight on my lower half I don’t look really “fat”, just pear shaped and a bit chunky. We have been having sex 2-3 times every week for years and he’s never hinted that he doesn’t enjoy it. Quite the opposite in fact and he’s all over me and seems to love every second of it. I should also add that I’ve always been the same size since he met me so it’s not as if I was really slim and then gained weight throughout our relationship.

I did wonder if he’s maybe met someone else or having an affair but he 100% denies this and my best friend is a receptionist where he works and has said he always works his set hours and doesn’t ever leave early or stay late etc. When he’s not at work he’s always at home (his friends all live about 500 miles away so he rarely ever sees them) and he’s not secretive with his phone or computer either. Leaves them both unlocked around me all the time.

He’s told me we can potentially save our marriage if I lose 2 stone as he’ll then be physically attracted to me.
I feel humiliated and so shocked as it’s all completely out the blue.
I don’t want to throw our marriage away after just 7 months when before Saturday I felt like we were really happy together. But equally I feel like it’s going to be difficult to come back from this. It’s a lot of pressure for me to quickly lose weight to see if he can fancy me properly or not.

We don’t have kids (we don’t want any) and we live in his house (although as we’re married he can’t just turf me out immediately and he has said if we do split up I wouldn’t have to leave until I’d found somewhere else I was happy with).

Any advice would be very welcome as I don’t feel able to speak about this to anyone in my real life yet. Do you think I should make a big effort to lose weight over the next few months and see what happens with him, or would you want to end the relationship over it?

OP posts:
myyellowcar · 28/02/2022 20:23

@WTF475878237NC

My assessment of the situation is this...

So I don't know how or when, but he has met someone else and it's crunch time for them. He's rewriting history, to help justify what he's wanting to do here (split up), which is why it doesn't make sense and feels like your whole relationship can't have been this shit and you didn't know. It wasn't! He is feeling torn because before this other person, he was happy with you and generally thinks of himself as a good person (so this is making him feel shit about himself which he is projecting onto you).

From years of this website I'd bet money, if he seems like he's had a total breakdown/personality transplant, he's usually just a plain old cheat.

I agree. There’s a thread in relationships from a lovely amazing woman whose husband had a personality transplant and suddenly claimed they’d never been happy. It was another woman at work. It might not be a woman or even someone who even knows they’re the object of his desire. It’s the cheaters playbook. He’s rewriting history and settling you up to cruelly fail. It’s not because he’s just had an epiphany of honesty.

The fact he got turned on by your distress adds another layer to the shit sandwich.

Lose this awful man. Whatever is going on it’s nothing to do with you. Know that. Your life in future is going to be so bright and with potential for so much happiness.

tolerable · 28/02/2022 20:25

shit.Thats utterly horrible.
As others have suggested- its essential,you prepare yourself for further "deep down"revelations"..realistically, thats way beyond bomshell. Hurtfful and harsh as it is-you really must expect the utterly unexpected.
@Robinred81 With my whole heart,i hope you are aware-This isnt about you....far less your weight.
I imagine youre horrified,really hurt etc..(as is he,remember that)
He doesnt "love you as a friend"-Nobody treats a friend like that...nobody.
Six years,of ,lies..2-3 times a week sex,pretty loved up,no suggestion of any issues/discontent..Actually going right ahead n marrying you. Then Offering you a what??-potential ""marriage saver" is bad enough-shredding your self confidence n having the gall to even suggest theres anything to "potentially save" then setting a weight loss goal...No f++king way.
you hear?- NO Fkin way!!!!

Girl,you cant fix f++kt,hes a decietful,warped,lowlife-thats irreversible.
YOU are worth far more than that. good luck..you gony need work on self healing from now on. Leopards /spots . Liars especially at that horrific level,dont change.

ThisisMax · 28/02/2022 20:26

I'm a guy and my jaw dropped when I read this. Just leave. Thats awful. I'm sorry that he said that to you.

Bananarama21 · 28/02/2022 20:26

Op your worth a million times more than him. Ditch him.

Prettynails · 28/02/2022 20:28

You are cooking him tea wtf?

I would be giving him a one word answer to everything - divorce.

It’s a full sentence I have decided it is in my best interests to get a divorce, hopefully you can be reasonable about this.

Repeat

Do not get drawn in to any conversations, hugs or god forbid sex - it’s over there is no come back from this - ever

Wheyprotcookie · 28/02/2022 20:28

Oh my God @SaltedCalamine that's such a sad story... :( very sorry for your sister, hope she's at peace and happy now...

CityCommuter · 28/02/2022 20:29

@Robinred81 that's awful but I agree with @ThisisMax to just leave... your DH clearly doesn't even respect you let alone love you to speak to you in that way... he sounds like a control freak and I would be very surprised if he isn't having an affair with either a woman or possibly a man...

Shiiiiiiiiiiitttt · 28/02/2022 20:32

He’s an arsehole.
Good men don’t do this.
In time you’ll grow to hate him.
Start making plans to leave. Sleep in a different bed. YOU take control, don’t dance to his tune.

Wednesdayafternoon · 28/02/2022 20:34

I haven't really been able to stop thinking about this thread and how you must be feeling OP.
I know you posted that you've been bullied in the past, but you are not worth being a victim, you deserve so much more as soon as you realise this you will never settle. Know that you don't deserve to be made to feel fat or ugly by anyone let alone your husband.

gettingolderandgrumpy · 28/02/2022 20:34

OMg this man can’t possibly love you , why would anyone be so cruel?. Even if he believes this is true ( fuck off nobody ends a relationship because their wife is a size 14) I don’t believe it for a second .
Without a doubt he doesn’t love you ! He’s acting like a teenager who’s had enough not a grown adult married .
Some good advice on here but get some good legal advice asap .
Really good luck op and do not let a man make you feel like shit , he’s the biggest prick on the planet you deserve so much better . Flowers

ThisisMax · 28/02/2022 20:35

Actually what I really meant to say was how dare he say that to you first of all and also after so long. Please please don't believe your value is based on your size. What he said and how he said it are both deeply wounding and you need to get out and craft a new life without him. I get so angry when I read stuff like this.

Piggy666 · 28/02/2022 20:36

@mumznet

was he just having a bad day? . guys say and think all sorts of things, I wouldn;t worry with one remark see how it goes, if it continues then he wants you to leave him. but keep waiting to see how it goes. Afterall its not worth to end things abruptly in my opinion.
Seriously?? 🙄
WombatChocolate · 28/02/2022 20:36

So sorry to hear this has happened to you.

Do not entertain the thought that your weight is the root of this for even one second. Do not entertain the idea that losing weight will make any difference to this.

It is not about your weight. This is a man who for whatever reason, is having a crisis about your relationship and himself and doesn’t know how to handle it or take responsibility. He is trying to shift the burden onto you and make it about the way you look, and about what you do and that YOU have to save the relationship. This is all bullshit and anything you do won’t make any diffference, because this has not been caused by you and you can’t save it.

Either he has met another woman, or is possibly gay and unable to acknowledge it to himself, or is having some other kind of crisis, but he is in a crisis and trying to offload the burden to you.

Sadly, this relationship is highly highly likely to end. He probably isn’t acknowledging that himself at the moment and perhaps is deluding himself that if you look different everything will be okay, or actually knows it’s not about that at all and is therefore being extra cruel by saying it, when he knows it’s not the case….but he’s too cowardly to tell you the real reason, if he knows it.

And then to continue as if nothings been said..so odd and also manipulative. You cannot drop a bombshell like that and then pretend everything is normal.

He has called the whole basis of your relationship and physical attraction into question. He has deeply insulted you and cruelly said it’s all down to you and nothing to do with him, when the whole thing is down to him.It’s intolerable to do that to someone you are married to.

Absolutely don’t consider losing weight or talking to him about things that can make you more attractive to him.

I would be telling him that you are horrified by the conversation he had with you. I would tell him that you are exactly the same person you have always been and any issues are fully in his court. I would challenge him to be honest with himself and to give you courtesy of being honest too - is there another woman, is he gay and unable to acknowledge it, is he having a crisis. Tell him there is only a glimmer of hope if he is able to be honest and if that’s not possible, there is zero hope. I’d tell him that he has 24 hours to think about the explanation he wants to give you and if he cannot, there is nothing to work with and you’ll be expecting him to move out. Make clear this isn’t his house, but yours and if he is ending the marriage, then he must go. Stress that you have always looked as you do and will not be taking steps to change it in light of what he has said. Stress again you require honesty now for there even to be a glimmer of something to work with. And if he can’t deliver that, it is over, and you expect him to reflect on what he’s said to you and to understand why that is the only way.

Then give him the 24 hours to think about what he wants to say. Go and listen to what he says then, and then tell him you need some time to reflect and will get back to him. Don’t be bullied, made to feel fat or ugly or at fault. Don’t be emotionally bullied.

I do think it’s likely to be over. There is just a tiny chance he is able to tell you that he might be gay or he’s seeing someone else or is attracted to someone else, or something else…which then gives you something to work with, if you want to and he wants to as well. If there’s no honesty that this is all from him snd really nothing to do with you…there’s no hope I’m afraid.

So sorry.

Sassbott · 28/02/2022 20:36

@Robinred81I haven’t RTFT but have read all your posts. I don’t actually think this is caused by another woman. I think you’re now starting to see the ‘real’ him. You’re married, 7 months in, his mask has slipped and now the abuse begins.

Please Google narcisstic abuse devaluation cycle. Its incredibly common for these behaviours to appear once a partner is either married to them/ has a child with them. Essentially that’s ‘control’ and now he needs to increase it. He does so via basically putting you down, hammering your self esteem, then basically completely messing with your emotions.

Such as acting like nothing has happened / everything is normal. And / or threatening to hang himself if you leave. He will appear happier because he has fed off your deep upset/ panic attack. He knows he has that control over you.

This isn’t you. This isn’t anything you have done. You don’t deserve this, This is him. He’s nasty and he’s dangerous. Tell people in RL what has happened. Please don’t listen to posters saying stay in the house. If he’s emotionally/ mentally abusing you, staying in that property is not your priority. You’re married, as such your home is a joint marital asset.

See your GP, tell them what has happened. So they have a record of what has been said. Also tell them about your subsequent panic attack.

Personally? I’d be telling my family/ friends, packing my stuff up and getting away from him. You may want to consider professional counselling. He won’t let you go easily. They never do.

MmeHennyPenny · 28/02/2022 20:38

What very strange behaviour he is exhibiting.
I certainly wouldn’t try to lose weight to keep him.
I hope you get lots of support from your friends and family. I also hope you are cooking something tasty for your tea- certainly don’t share it with him.Grin
I hope things work out for you- best of luck.

Twattergy · 28/02/2022 20:38

This is not about your weight.
He wants out and it isn't your job to work out why.
Put your needs first. Now he's said this, is he someone who can make you happy? Who can give you what you need and deserve in a relationship?
I think the answer is no.
Therefore don't waste time trying to work out what's going on for him.
Listen to how YOU now feel, and act accordingly. Get away from his irrational and fluctuating behaviour. Create space to meet your own needs.
I wish I'd been given advice like this during my break up. Wishing you strength.

Sassbott · 28/02/2022 20:39

Sorry if my advice sounds extreme and maybe I am projecting my own personal experiences. But this has narc abuse written all over it. I bet if you contacted his ex whom he claims to have dumped over her weight gain that she would have a very different version of events to tell.

Hanywany · 28/02/2022 20:40

@Robinred81 are you my sister in law???

My brother has done this to his wife recently, he said that he wants children with her and to now start a family, but he doesn't want his children to have an overweight mother!!

He then proceeded to talk about his wife to our mum behind her back while she was in another room and said he doesn't find her attractive anymore as she has put on weight (she was a size 10/12 maybe and is now from what I've heard a size 16/18), my mum then went on to tell me that and I quote "she has legs the size of tree trunks and an enormous ass and that she is just sitting on her ass all day in an office, while my brother works in an office also but with slimmer/sexy woman so she needs to pull her finger out!Shock

I was gobsmacked that a) my mum didn't put her precious son(my brother) straight and that b)what ever is going on with my sister in laws weight is nothing to do with them!
Although I know she must be unhappy as my brother is an enormous c##!
Anyways I will say the same that I said to my mum which is she/you need to divorce him, he will fuck with your brain until you dont have any confidence left, it's what these arsholes do to gain control!
So sorry op hope you see sense soon!

billy1966 · 28/02/2022 20:41

@SaltedCalamine i am so sorry for you and your family.
Such grief for you all.

No doubt a decade of that level of stress did her health no favours.

She is at peace. Poor woman.Flowers

Jedsnewstar · 28/02/2022 20:41

Wow. I wonder whether this whole thing was actually just to get you to lose weight. Like he decided he wanted you to and consciously decided the best way would be by being an A grade bastard to you and making you scared your marriage would be over. Rather than it being an excuse so you end the relationship or their being another woman.
I can imagine him looking at some photoshopped insta celeb and concocting his plan.

Either way there would be no coming back. If he actually wants the relationship to end or if he doesn’t, his behaviour is too appalling to forgive. Even if you lost the ‘weight’ he things you should, it will be ashes in your mouth, you will be so stressed with every pound. Plus the motivation to lose weight would be hard after a while as doing it for someone else will cause resentment. That’s if it doesn’t drive you to an eating disorder.
The only person you should lose weight for is yourself and I personally believe it should only be for health reasons with ‘looking better’ just a bonus (especially as in the face it doesn’t always make you look better and can be aging, face or arse they say). If you do it for him, for the reason he said you will spend the rest of your life worrying about every pound, and how much of his love you lost because you have the Christmas bulge etc.
It will seep into other things, another grey hair, how many love points did I lose for that…oh no another wrinkle am I down 5%.

The fact he thinks he can turf you out with a deposit is an added fuck you.

Good luck op.

Sswhinesthebest · 28/02/2022 20:43

Well done for respecting yourself and not letting him chop and change his mind. Either he’s in 100% or not at all, and it’s obvious he’s not in 100%.

kobacat1981 · 28/02/2022 20:44

@Robinred81 has he said anymore in the meantime?

Jedsnewstar · 28/02/2022 20:45

Ps the massive thing I picked up on was the ‘hanging myself’ comment. This is coercive abuse territory.

Wheresmywoolyjumpers · 28/02/2022 20:46

@Robinred81 - I have been following this and my heart goes out to you. Sending you a virtual hug and cheering you on as you stand up for yourself. It might not be anyone else - he may be generally unhappy with his life or how he feels, and projecting it all on you and specifically your weight. Which is cruel and sick. People don't always fancy their partners. But the vast majority never let on, and value other things above the mere physical. There are better people out there. And you will find one some day. Once you have lost 12 stone of useless husband. Best diet ever.

Italiangreyhound · 28/02/2022 20:46

So sorry. Agree with etulosba "It isn’t just his house anymore. If he wants change, he should leave."

Get legal advice.

So sorry.

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