Many people regard talking about their weight a very sensitive topic.
For some, their weight is more than just a number on a scale; it represents their relationship with their body and self-image.
This is why a guy will rarely come directly at you when he wants to tell you to lose weight. Instead, he’ll come indirectly, subtly hinting at it in different ways.
Maybe you’ve started noticing something off about the way he acts around you and you’re starting to wonder if it has something to do with your weight or not. This article will help you out.
Here are thirteen signs your boyfriend wants you to lose weight.
1. Subtle Hints About Healthier Lifestyles
One of the first signs your boyfriend might want you to lose weight is when he frequently brings up healthier lifestyle choices—without directly suggesting you need to lose weight.
This might include comments like “We should start eating better” or “I’ve been reading about how good it is to eat more veggies” or “You know, I heard people who work out have a lot more energy.”
These statements could be innocent, but if they seem to appear regularly without any further context, it could be a sign that he’s trying to encourage a healthier lifestyle for you, which he might associate with weight loss.
2. Comparing You With Others
Comparisons can be subtle, but when your boyfriend frequently compares you to others—whether it’s to his ex or other women—it’s important to pay attention.
Comments like, “She looks so great, she must work out every day,” or “You used to look more like her when we first met” can feel demotivating and pressuring.
These comparisons are not helpful and can lead to feelings of inadequacy and frustration.
3. Frequent Suggestions To Work Out Together
While exercising together can be a fun and healthy activity in a relationship, if your boyfriend constantly suggests workouts without any interest in other activities, it might be a sign that he wants you to get fit or lose weight.
If he’s insistent about it—perhaps suggesting specific exercises that target weight loss or pushing you to work out more frequently than you’d like—there may be an underlying motive for him wanting you to slim down.
4. Making Remarks About Clothing Sizes
Clothing sizes are often an emotional topic, and a boyfriend who repeatedly makes comments about them might be subtly hinting that he wants you to lose weight.
Remarks such as, “Maybe you should go down a size” or “That looks good, but I think it would look even better if you were a little thinner” are indirect comments about your body that may make you feel self-conscious.
These comments might seem innocent at first, but over time they can become damaging.
5. Encouraging Specific Diets or Meal Plans
If your boyfriend is constantly recommending specific diets or meal plans, such as “Have you tried keto?” or “Maybe you should try intermittent fasting” or even planning meals around weight loss goals, it could be a sign he’s subtly pushing you toward a weight loss journey.
While diets can be a personal choice, constant encouragement of particular weight-loss strategies without considering your feelings might indicate that he wants you to lose weight.
6. Praising Weight Loss in Others Excessively
Praise for weight loss, especially when it involves others and not you, can be a red flag.
If your boyfriend frequently praises friends, coworkers, or even celebrities for losing weight, or makes comments like “Wow, she looks amazing since she lost that 10 pounds,” it may indicate that he values thinness and believes you could benefit from losing weight as well.
His excessive praise of others’ weight loss may be an attempt to subtly motivate you to do the same.
7. Less Physical Affection or Intimacy
Physical affection can be a powerful indicator of emotional connection in a relationship.
If your boyfriend has started showing less affection, such as avoiding hugs, kisses, or intimacy, it might be a sign that he’s dissatisfied with your appearance.
While there could be other reasons for this behavior, a decrease in intimacy in the context of discussions about weight or health might indicate that he is less attracted to you or wants you to change.
8. Always Opting For “Healthy” Date Options
When a boyfriend insists on choosing “healthy” date options—like going for a run, eating at salad bars, or attending health-related events—it may feel like he’s encouraging a healthier lifestyle.
However, if these activities are consistently prioritized over others you both would enjoy, it might point to a deeper desire for you to change your habits, which he associates with weight loss.
9. Less Candid Photos of You on His Social Media
If your boyfriend used to post candid photos of you together but suddenly stops doing so—or posts less flattering photos—it could be a sign that he feels your appearance isn’t “Instagram-worthy” or up to his standards.
This could affect your self-esteem, and if he’s posting more pictures of you only when you’re looking slimmer or in a particular pose, it might indicate that he is focused on your appearance in a way that’s unhealthy.
10. Avoiding Beach or Pool Dates
If your boyfriend starts avoiding beach days, pool parties, or any activity where you’re required to wear swimsuits, it might suggest that he is uncomfortable with your body or doesn’t want to be seen with you in such settings.
These situations are often a litmus test for how a partner views their significant other’s appearance, and avoidance could imply that he is concerned about your weight.
11. Gifting Fitness-related Items Without Prior Interest
Gifting items like gym memberships, fitness equipment, or diet books—especially when you’ve never shown a particular interest in these things—can feel like an indirect push toward losing weight.
If these gifts become frequent, it could be a sign that he’s trying to suggest a lifestyle change without openly saying it.
It’s important to note how these gifts make you feel and to communicate your preferences about such gifts.
12. Sudden Interest in Cooking “Light” Meals
If your boyfriend suddenly takes over cooking duties and insists on preparing “light” meals or dishes specifically designed to aid in weight loss, it could indicate that he’s thinking about your weight.
While preparing healthy meals is a good thing, it can also become a concern if it feels like a one-sided effort to encourage weight loss, especially if the meals are bland or feel like they’re targeted toward a goal of slimming down.
13. He Tells You Directly
The most obvious sign that your boyfriend wants you to lose weight is if he directly tells you so.
Though this is rare, some individuals might feel comfortable enough to express their opinions openly.
If your boyfriend says something like, “You should lose a few pounds,” or “I think you’d look better if you were thinner,” this is a direct form of criticism that can have serious implications on your self-esteem and your relationship. It’s important to address this kind of comment immediately and decide whether this relationship aligns with your values.
Conclusion
While some of the signs mentioned might be innocuous on their own, when combined, they may point to an underlying concern or desire for you to lose weight.
It’s important to maintain open communication with your boyfriend about how these actions make you feel and to evaluate whether his behavior aligns with mutual respect and healthy relationship dynamics.
Ultimately, a supportive relationship should prioritize acceptance, love, and understanding, rather than pressuring each other into meeting certain physical standards.
If you find yourself feeling uncomfortable or pressured, it may be time to have an honest conversation about body image and the expectations within your relationship.
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
Email – business@mylittledesire.com
