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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:
Iamtooknackeredtorun · 16/02/2020 08:20

I strongly suspect that this was his exit strategy from the relationship and because he’s a weapons grade bastard he is using your own insecurity as the way to do it. There’s not a prospect that your stomach was even slightly the reason.

He has had a better offer (in his eyes) or is the kind of man who enjoys making women feel vulnerable and sad by using cruel words to them.

Honestly you’re much better off without him and we’ll done for not offering to change yourself for him. Sorry you had to go through this OP.

littlebirdieblue · 16/02/2020 08:21

Thank you everyone, you are all so lovely!

@Okbutno don't worry I won't, I could never relax around him now, he would never be able to take those words back. He's messaged me this morning to say sorry for the way he handled things. But I'll always remember the feeling in my gut when he said it to me, and I can't move past that

OP posts:
PicsInRed · 16/02/2020 08:22

PPs are spot on.

If he wasn't abusive, he would have made an
excuse and ended it. Instead, he told you it was because of the insecurity you had disclosed to him. The fact that he didn't want to break up is the give away. He just wanted to tear strips off your confidence.

I'd bet large cash on your comfort and confidence that he witnessed the last time you had sex with him being the trigger point. He saw your value and wanted to ensure that you didn't so that you wouldn't escape him.

Don't take him back he'll be back and do please run swiftly in the opposite direction.

PicsInRed · 16/02/2020 08:24

he'll be back

He's messaged me this morning to say sorry for the way he handled things

That was quick 😂
What a pathetic twat he is. Good on you for holding firm.

ChipsyChopsy · 16/02/2020 08:26

What a dick. I suspect you alerted him to your insecurity, he decided he would use that power against you. It will have nothing to do with your tummy and everything to do with making you feel shit and vulnerable. Goodbye to him, and let him take your lingering doubts with him when he goes.

Kit19 · 16/02/2020 08:26

Yep agree with the others! Definite negging to make you feel anxious & insecure and the beginning of the path to making you feel
So pathetically grateful he’s willing to date you, you’ll put up with anything.

Glad you kicked him to the kerb. You deserve infinitely better xxx

YeOldeTrout · 16/02/2020 08:27

imho, people are projecting a huge amount of malice onto the guy who had an opinion about his lover's body.

I've never met a guy who didn't have opinions about his lover's body.

If it was only £2k then OP could ask him to gift her the £2k to get the procedure done & even if they broke up later then OP would be happier with her body and have gained something she wants. What he thinks doesn't matter, but OP isn't happy with her body. I'm thinking about what would make OP more confident going forward.

It's odd that tummy tucks are so common if they are among the most dangerous operations possible to have. I guess a lot of people think the hazards are still very worthwhile to risk.

TheHumansAreDefinitelyDead · 16/02/2020 08:29

Leave him hanging, just do not be tempted to reply

You responded very well, and I agree you dodged a bullet!

Men and women our age are almost never perfect looking because we have lived a bit, had babies, aged a bit.

Leave him hanging, just don't reply, then later block him

KidCaneGoat · 16/02/2020 08:32

Oh my god if someone said something like that to me I don’t know what I’d do. Probably what you did. That is such a mean thing to say. Especially as he dressed it up as honesty. Like you should be grateful to him that he’s an honest guy. So you can definitely know it’s not really about your tummy because if it had been, he wouldn’t have said anything about it. He would have just made an excuse about it not working out.

littlebirdieblue · 16/02/2020 08:33

I messaged him last night to say it upset me that he said those things to me and that he had made me feel ashamed of the way my body looks, and that I was sorry things didn't work out and wished him the best, he replied this morning with this. But I'm not going to reply. Honestly I don't think he wants to continue things either now, so it's best to just draw a line now

Body shaming
OP posts:
CinnabarRed · 16/02/2020 08:34

@YeOldeTrout - FFS, just stop going on about an operation the OP neither wants nor can afford. Seriously.

fantasmasgoria1 · 16/02/2020 08:35

He's a first class wank badger. I tell you what, I have a stretch marks on my stomach and it is a little bit wobbly despite being slim. My fiance couldn't care less about it. From the beginning I asked him and he said it doesn't bother him. It's a tummy that's all. He said it's not ugly or anything and it only bothers him because it bothers and upsets me. He said it is a result of having children and in his experience most women have this. He says I would be a shallow bastard to be bothered by it. Let's just say evidence suggests it definitely doesn't bother him 😉. I tell you he's a very shallow man. You will find a man who is awesome and you can be yourself around. It's his loss definitely not yours!

needadvicethankyouplease · 16/02/2020 08:36

He's just sad he's not had longer to damage you even more the horrible man.

I have a mum tum, a c section overhang and when I got divorced I remember thinking no man would ever love my body and all the stretch marks. I met a wonderful man who loves me, warts and all.

Hang in there, there are some good ones out there x.

Neverenoughcoffee · 16/02/2020 08:37

I don't think it's the last you'll hear from him despite his message. Please don't engage any further and give him chance to boost his ego at your expense. Block him if you can.

PicsInRed · 16/02/2020 08:37

YeOldeTrout stop while you're behind ahead.

You'll wear our your shovel with all that digging.

imho, people are projecting a huge amount of malice onto the guy who had an opinion about his lover's body.

Perhaps do a little reading into the dynamics of domestic abuse before returning to advise abused women that they should slice their body to make an abusive man happy.

novacaneforthepain · 16/02/2020 08:41

This post has made me so sad. OP I think you handled yourself so well. I would not of been so dignified

I really hope you will meet someone who loves you just as you are , and just as you deserve. Thanks

littlebirdieblue · 16/02/2020 08:41

I'm ignoring your responses @YeOldeTrout continue if you must, but I'm not even considering having a major operation just to get a man

OP posts:
Figgygal · 16/02/2020 08:43

Aw op he’s a dickhead
Well done you for acting so decisively

TreatMyself · 16/02/2020 08:44

Op it sounds like you were hoping he might still want to see you. Please don’t give him that option even if he tries.

As for the tummy tuck suggestion! Have you seen the hip to hip scar? I’ve always wondered how that could be better than flab and stretch marks aside from going through major surgery/recovery etc.

littlebirdieblue · 16/02/2020 08:47

Gosh no I don't want to see him, I only messaged last night as I felt like he left thinking I was overreacting, he tried to hug me me at one point and I just needed him gone, so I didn't get to say how his words made me feel and I needed to get that off my chest. I'm glad I told him, he needed to know that his 'honesty' was not kind

OP posts:
PanicAndRun · 16/02/2020 08:51

What you need to work on is your self esteem and your tummy issues. As in accepting it as it is not blooming surgery. Most 50yo men that aren't virgins,porn addicts or Hollywood stars are familiar with various female bodies and tummies and the changes that happen with pregnancy,age,fluctuating weight etc.

Show your tummy off, those who matter don't mind,those that mind don't matter. It'll be a time saving exercise, you want a man that wants you period. Not one that wants you despite your tummy, not one that wants you bar your tummy, not one that can very "generously " ignore your tummy etc.

It is what it is. Both you and your tummy deserve better Thanks

BadCatDirtyCat · 16/02/2020 08:53

What an utter arsehole!

I'm really sorry that happened to you OP but far far better you found out what he was like after 7 weeks than getting into a LTR with such a wanker.

There is nothing wrong with your body - you've carried twins FFS!

I hope you can have a nice relaxing Sunday and count your lucky stars that he's gone.

littlebirdieblue · 16/02/2020 08:54

Your right @PanicAndRun definitely need to work I'm feeling better about myself. Thank you 😊

OP posts:
ninecoronas · 16/02/2020 09:08

Agree with everyone else, this was nothing to do with your looks at all and everything to do with him trying to undermine your confidence. If you'd said you didn't like your nose, you can bet it would have been that he wanted to "talk about" instead.

OTOH I wish all bad dating stories would end like yours:
He was a rude horrible shit to me
So I binned him on the spot
The End Smile

CodenameVillanelle · 16/02/2020 09:12

but I'm not even considering having a major operation just to get a man

Grin lovely health esteem you've got there OP. As for @YeOldeTrout I have no words for you that won't get me suspended.

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