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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Body shaming

163 replies

littlebirdieblue · 16/02/2020 06:19

I'd been seeing a really lovely man, I'm mid 40's, he's early 50's for 7 weeks, we were exclusive and he asked me to be his girlfriend quite early on, we've slept together, it took me a while as I have body issues, in that I have a mummy tummy from having twins that I feel very embarrassed about. After the first time he told me my tummy wasn't an issue and that he loved everything about my body, so I've started to relax about the way I look and I thought things were going really well. We have lots of common interests and enjoy being together.

Yesterday he was meant to come to mine for the weekend, as my children were at their dads, and we'd also arranged to go to my sisters so he could meet her. And then go out for dinner just the two of us. So he arrives we have sex, this time I relaxed and totally let myself go. I thought the sex was good and he seemed to enjoy it too. I then made us lunch and then we went to my sisters, everything seemed fine and he seemed relaxed and happy. We get back to
mine, we watched a bit of telly, he intimated cuddling in the sofa, so I was relaxed and feeling really happy. Then I say we'd better start getting ready soon, he responded with 'I need to tell you something' then proceeds to tell me how great I am but he can't get past my mummy tummy.

Omg I felt like he'd punched me in the gut. I asked him when he felt like this and he said when we had sex earlier, I couldn't stop myself from crying, not sobbing or anything, but the tears just came, I feel so humiliated that he was thinking how bad I looked while I was so unaware as he'd made me feel like my tummy didn't matter previously.
He wanted to sit down and talk about it, but I just needed him to go, I kept saying I don't know how you expect me to respond, this is me, this is how my body is and it's not going to change, and he was saying we should just talk about it. But what is there to say, how can I ever be intimate with him knowing he can't get past how my tummy looks. So again I said it was best for him to go as the relationship is done. There were no shouting or sobbing it was just tense and awkward.
I did say to him I wish he'd told me before meeting my sister as now I feel so embarrassed I'm going to have to tell her I'm not seeing him anymore after her only just meeting him. I also said I don't understand why he was initiating cuddles if he felt like he does, as it made me feel fool, cuddling thinking how well everything was going, so pathetic. He said he just thought it was best to be honest, and while I agree honesty is the best policy, in this case I think he could have been kinder and said he just wasn't feeling it anymore, not make me feel so bad about myself. Was he right though? Maybe I have overreacted but it's left me feeling like I can't show anyone ever my awful tummy and I don't know how I can pick myself up 😢

OP posts:
BitOfFun · 16/02/2020 06:24

And this superficial cunt is a veritable Adonis, I presume? What a wanker.

pumpkinpie01 · 16/02/2020 06:30

How bloody rude how dare he ! It didn't take him long to show his true colours. Glad you asked him to leave you don't need insensitive idiots in your life.

PlumsGalore · 16/02/2020 06:31

You didn’t overreact and behaved with absolute dignity. He is a cunt, don’t take him back, the Adonis that I am sure he isn’t.

littlebirdieblue · 16/02/2020 06:39

Thank you for replying lovely Mumsnetters

Nope he isn't at all, but I did fancy him immensely and I'm really upset this happened. I feel so foolish and haven't been able to stop crying since he left. My children are coming home late this afternoon so I need to get it together before they do.

OP posts:
TreatMyself · 16/02/2020 06:42

I think what he did was cruel. Why would he tell you that? I understand why you are upset.

KatherineJaneway · 16/02/2020 06:43

What a nasty piece of work. I know it doesn't feel like it now but you've dodged a bullet with him. He is so nasty.

Flowers
BitOfFun · 16/02/2020 06:46

I'd defy anyone not to be upset by what he said- it's perfectly acceptable to have a good cry. What you mustn't do though is allow him to stop you embracing your life and enjoying yourself: never give anyone that power over you. He's a gauche and socially inept RUDE man at best, and a gaslighting would-be abuser at worst. Whichever it is, you've dodged a bullet.

JolieOBrien · 16/02/2020 06:53

@littlebirdieblue

What a horrible man ... unfortunately a lot of men are like this. My own husband said I looked a bit fat when I am a size 10 and weigh about 9 stone! I looked at his saggy body and laughed because he is in his 60s and no oil painting. Hopefully you will find someone else who is not so shallow.

SimplySteveRedux · 16/02/2020 06:59

Better you find out now, he's a scumball no doubt also with an overinflated ego. EnvyThanks

userabcname · 16/02/2020 07:23

I don't think your tummy was an issue tbh. I think he was zoning in on your insecurities as a way to neg/bully you. He clearly wasn't saying he didn't want to sleep with you was he? I bet "talking" about it would have been him saying he is willing to overlook it but never forget what a wonderful man he is and how no one else will ever want you except him and you'd better worship him daily etc. etc. I totally understand why you're upset (I would be too) but honestly in my opinion you've dodged a massive bullet.

littlebirdieblue · 16/02/2020 07:24

Thank you for making me feel I didn't overact. I'm not sure I'll be dating anyone else for a quite while. This has really knocked me and I need to give myself some self love, at the moment I feel ugly and disgusting. And I don't know how to stop feeling like this

OP posts:
TreatMyself · 16/02/2020 07:26

Was he actually ending the relationship when he told you that?

littlebirdieblue · 16/02/2020 07:27

No but I ended it, he was still happy to stay, but I couldn't have him near me once he'd said those things.

OP posts:
TheReef · 16/02/2020 07:28

What an absolute cunt!!!! I'm so sorry you've had the misfortune to get involved with someone like this ThanksThanksThanks

Sparklfairy · 16/02/2020 07:29

You handled this perfectly OP. His actual aim was to destroy your confidence enough that you felt you didn't deserve anyone other than him. It was the start of a pattern of insidious abusive comments designed to put you down and big him up, and tie you to him helplessly. It totally backfired and you've dodged a bullet SmileFlowers

Rosetta19 · 16/02/2020 07:30

I'm a mum of two. I'm in pretty good shape for 44. Far better than I was 10 years ago. But not my stomach, it is flabby.

To draw attention to your figure is a classic abusive narrative. I dont like my stomach to be touched. But my ex did.

A few weeks you say? Get out. Immediately. Hes shown his true colours. This will only lead to more hurt and pain.

His behaviour strongly suggests he has NPD Believe me, you dont want to be around these guys. Did you meet on OLD?

NomDeDespair · 16/02/2020 07:33

I agree that this was an attempt to bring you down. If he seriously couldn’t get past your stomach (and I mean WTF? Hmm) then he wouldn’t have been able to have sex with you.

What an awful thing to do. Definitely a bullet dodged there!

RogueV · 16/02/2020 07:34

I agree with KatnissK, wow what a horrible bastard! I think you reacted with dignity. You definitely did not overreact and yes you have dodged a bullet!

Flowers
Shoxfordian · 16/02/2020 07:35

He's a knob and you don't need his validation of your looks. Work on your confidence op and next time don't tell a man you're insecure about your stomach. Walk around naked like a goddess and expect adoration

littlebirdieblue · 16/02/2020 07:36

@Sparklfairy do think so? My last 2 relationships were highly toxic, the first was a long marriage, 20 years. And then I was single for 2 years. Then met another man OLD, we dated for well over a year and he turned out to be a narcissist, gas lighting and subtle name calling, EA with 2 other women, I ended things with him last summer and thought I would be able to spot anyone else like him. I definitely need a break from dating, I'm attracting idiots lol

OP posts:
littlebirdieblue · 16/02/2020 07:38

Gosh it seems like everyone thinks I've dodged a bullet. Thank you lovelies so much, you're making me feel better

OP posts:
Racmactac · 16/02/2020 07:41

What a cunt.

Was he fucking perfect. No I bet he wasn't.

I agree with the rest - he honed in on your insecurities so he could damage your confidence.

Well done for ending it and telling him where to go. Block him and try and put it behind you.

This thread has made me realise my ex did something similar. When we first met I was size 10. He grabbed me round my waist and told me I'd better not put anymore weight on.
I inevitably did and hated my tummy. He would touch it all the time even when I told him not to. It was his way of reminding me

SallyWD · 16/02/2020 07:41

Well done, you've shown him his behaviour is not acceptable. I'm certain there are many men who wouldn't have a problem with your stomach. My DH never seemed to notice when my stomach was big. What a hurtful comment after you were so relaxed and happy with him. Let him go off and seek some flawless super model.

NomDeDespair · 16/02/2020 07:42

He must be one of those super handsome types with perfect hair, teeth and skin plus a gym-honed body right?

NomDeDespair · 16/02/2020 07:43

Sorry I was being a bit sarcastic above - even if he was the most gorgeous man on the planet, it doesn’t give him the right to treat you like that.

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