Men: how much does a woman's weight really matter?

I have had a recent foray into online dating, and I am currently size 14. I am confident in myself, as I feel that I am pretty attractive and accomplished regardless of my weight. However, I notice that not getting much response from men in terms of second dates at the least, or a sense of excitement if there is a second date as I do when I'm even at a size 12. My girlfriends insist that weight isn't that big a deal in and if itself... But I don't buy it. When it comes to professional, educated men, does weight truly trump all else when it comes to dating? Am I just wasting my time even putting myself out there up until I'm back to a size 6-8?
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Replies

  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    If a man won't date you until you are a size 6-8 he's not worth dating. You are worth more than your size or weight. You put the price tag on yourself and don't ever think of reducing it because you aren't a certain size or weight.

    ETA: Every guy will have a different opinion on what he likes. Some prefer athletic, some like average, some want skinny, some prefer large. Just be yourself.
  • JenAndSome
    JenAndSome Posts: 1,893 Member
    Not a man, but perhaps your confidence level is what is making the difference. I am pretty sure that most men wouldn't even notice the difference between a size 12 and a size 14 unless they were looking at the tag on your jeans.
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    Most first impressions (especially on dating sites) are all about looks. I mean, it's the first thing you notice about a person.

    IMO, weight tends to matter a lot.

    This is a generalization, mind you. I don't think all men would agree, but quite a majority of them probably do.

    And I don't agree with the "if he doesn't want you at your highest weight, he doesn't deserve you at your lowest weight!" that a lot of women like to throw out.

    You can't help you're attracted to and it is what it is.

    Keep trying, what's the worst that could happen? You don't get messages or someone says not interested? Good luck!
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    It's not the weight! I got my husband to date me when I was at my highest weight, and I was wearing a 14! I just oozed sex appeal, or something like that. Anyway, there was something about me that he liked, and my size had nothing to do with it.
  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    I couldn't tell you what a size 6, 8, 12, or 75 means nor do I care....

    What do I care about?

    You're attractive to me
    You're a good person
    You're not an idiot

    You will not find a one size fits all answer (no pun intended).

    Edited because pun is a very difficult word to spell apparently
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    I have had a recent foray into online dating, and I am currently size 14. I am confident in myself, as I feel that I am pretty attractive and accomplished regardless of my weight. However, I notice that not getting much response from men in terms of second dates at the least, or a sense of excitement if there is a second date as I do when I'm even at a size 12. My girlfriends insist that weight isn't that big a deal in and if itself... But I don't buy it. When it comes to professional, educated men, does weight truly trump all else when it comes to dating? Am I just wasting my time even putting myself out there up until I'm back to a size 6-8?

    Maybe you come across as lacking confidence because you have issues about your weight?
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    I couldn't tell you what a size 6, 8, 12, or 75 means nor do I care....

    What do I care about?

    You're attractive to me
    You're a good person
    You're not an idiot

    You will not find a one size fits all answer (no punt intended).

    Coming from a very fit and attractive guy (he's also a really good guy).
  • RllyGudTweetr
    RllyGudTweetr Posts: 2,019 Member
    Regardless of weight, height, eye color, hair color, etc. there is someone out there who thinks you are SMOKIN' HOT. These physical qualities 'matter' more in the first 30 seconds than they do once you find out that the person in front of you is real, with actual motivations, interests, likes and dislikes. . . but given that short window where these things are really important in an adult relationship, the folks who focus too much on your weight are probably too insecure to be worth your time.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    Not a man, but I looked at your pics and see nothing wrong with your body. Dress it up appropriately and you shouldn't have a problem. No one sees the number on your tags. Not everyone is looking for the same thing in terms of body types.

    And online dating is...interesting. Brace yourself.
  • TeachTheGirl
    TeachTheGirl Posts: 2,091 Member
    If YOUR concern is how much a man thinks of a woman's weight, then you need to start at home.

    Raise your standards of men. Be who you want to be. Forget the rest.
  • sjebert
    sjebert Posts: 212 Member
    To me it does not matter one bit, I am looking at the person on the inside, if the person on the inside is beautiful then the outside is twice as beautiful no matter what size they are.
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member


    ETA: Every guy will have a different opinion on what he likes. Some prefer athletic, some like average, some want skinny, some prefer large. Just be yourself.

    Agreed.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Maybe you can think about it in reverse. Does a man's weight or size matter? I'm sure we all have a body type we prefer or certain sizes that we aren't really attracted to, but in general I have a very large range of body types I like. That's what opens the door. After that it's more about who they are inside.
  • wolverine66
    wolverine66 Posts: 3,779 Member
    to me, not much. if i am attracted to you, then I am - no matter what the weight. I have dated women around 100lbs, and I have dated women around 200 lbs and their weights just didn't matter because something else about them attracted me to them.

    but to some people, it does matter. Height, weight, hair, eye color, tattoos, etc. are all factors people take into consideration. And it's just about preference more so than anything else, I think.

    Reality is, when you do find a partner for life - no matter what their weight is (or hair color or height etc) - in your life time you will see that person in all kinds of different looks. some will get fat, and then get skinny again, or vice versa. some will go bald, wrinkles appear, and hair goes gray... so while physical attraction might be the spark, there needs to be good stuff in a person's mind and soul to keep that flame going after looks fade away.
  • Online dating means you get chemistry last. So of course people will go with some grocery list of ideal partner.

    I'm not saying online dating is bad, but you have to be ready for a lot more "work" than real life.
  • oregonzoo
    oregonzoo Posts: 4,251 Member
    A lot of men are really clueless as far as size.

    The way I see it if a man is attracted to a woman, he's attracted to her. Doesn't matter the size/weight.

    I managed to gain back about 15lbs. My fiance... honestly had no idea and still says it must all be muscle.
    (I'll keep him)
  • I couldn't tell you what sexy looks like.

    That's something that my friends slander me for, but I truly believe it.

    I've never actually fallen for a woman until I've gotten to know them, a gradual process. Every girlfriend - even an ex-fiancee - was the result of having known them for a long time.

    Weight doesn't matter. I've been with skinny women and curvy women. It doesn't matter. That beautiful grey mush in between your ears is what makes you sexy.
  • I don't care what a woman weighs, or what size she wears. If she looks good, that's all I care about. I've dated women of all sizes, heights, weights, colors.. just look good, and be attracted to me.
  • civilizedworm
    civilizedworm Posts: 796 Member
    If she's a smoker, that's more of a deal breaker for me.
  • Dogwalkingirl
    Dogwalkingirl Posts: 320 Member
    You have an amazing shape..I just looked at your photos. I think maybe it is just the 'click' you have been getting hasnt been there with these men you have been meeting recently. Most men of any quality are looking for a lot more then your size.

    In saying all that I have seen people on dating sites post pics of them from years ago when they were thinner....or angles they are deceiving etc. If someone would have done that to me (I have online dated in the past) I would not be upset they were larger when we met but I would feel in some way like they were sneaky or lying or not confident enough to show me their true self...which is not attractive.
  • jackpotclown
    jackpotclown Posts: 3,275 Member
    not much really......to me it's always been more about her confidence and how she carries herself.......\m/
  • ValGogo
    ValGogo Posts: 2,168 Member
    Thanks for this post. Men, tell the truth, please.
  • ruthbs
    ruthbs Posts: 14
    I have had a recent foray into online dating, and I am currently size 14. I am confident in myself, as I feel that I am pretty attractive and accomplished regardless of my weight. However, I notice that not getting much response from men in terms of second dates at the least, or a sense of excitement if there is a second date as I do when I'm even at a size 12. My girlfriends insist that weight isn't that big a deal in and if itself... But I don't buy it. When it comes to professional, educated men, does weight truly trump all else when it comes to dating? Am I just wasting my time even putting myself out there up until I'm back to a size 6-8?

    I'd say as long as you're being honest (pictures are not misleading) and yourself, this is they way you "weed out" the ones that are not worthy of you..every ounce regardless of size, weight. I dated someone who loved me for me at 225lbs, and when I got smaller I was the same person, just smaller.

    Maybe get yourself out there, when your size is YOUR ideal, not anyone elses.
  • Nige_Gsy
    Nige_Gsy Posts: 163 Member
    Frankly, it's not the end of the world. The connection is what is most important; mentally, sense of humour, intelligence level, likes and dislikes, and all those things.

    Undoubtedly, there is a subconscious effect, but being a personality match / best friend is what matters long term.
  • IPAkiller
    IPAkiller Posts: 711 Member
    I have NEVER cared about the weight of a woman I've dated. Now, I'm not trying to give the impression that I'm some sort of "great guy" that can overcome lack of physical attraction for a big brain or a great sense of humor. All I'm saying is I don't give a s**t about numbers (scale/sizes/etc). If a woman has a nice build, curves in the right places and is confident with herself; she's good to go in my book.
  • TenaciousTAZ
    TenaciousTAZ Posts: 135 Member
    Weight doesn't matter as much as appearance does. So many men get fooled by the outer packaging then they wake up and are like "What the hell did I marry?" I have tons of guy friends that fall for it every time, and come crying to me, the ordinary, plain, tomboy. They've been crying on my shoulder over 20 years, but because I don't give so much time to outer displays, I'm overlooked. And btw, when I was 138 lbs. I had an A-hole tell me I should have skin surgery!
    It's sad but the airbrushed world takes precedence, but it is what it is. There are nice people in the world, and lots of fools. When you buy a product, you should buy into the quality of the product, not the packaging. I am the generic, plain, box with a quality product, but since I don't advertise, it's hit and miss.
    I yam what I yam, and rather be alone that deal with a fake world. I'm authentic and rather be happy than fake.
  • TenaciousTAZ
    TenaciousTAZ Posts: 135 Member
    I have NEVER cared about the weight of a woman I've dated. Now, I'm not trying to give the impression that I'm some sort of "great guy" that can overcome lack of physical attraction for a big brain or a great sense of humor. All I'm saying is I don't give a s**t about numbers (scale/sizes/etc). If a woman has a nice build, curves in the right places and is confident with herself; she's good to go in my book.
    but basically you are saying she has to have a certain LOOK.
  • ValGogo
    ValGogo Posts: 2,168 Member
    I couldn't tell you what a size 6, 8, 12, or 75 means nor do I care....

    What do I care about?

    You're attractive to me
    You're a good person
    You're not an idiot

    You will not find a one size fits all answer (no pun intended).

    Edited because pun is a very difficult word to spell apparently
    I always expect good things from u Red. Thanks for not disappointing. :bigsmile:
  • kjm3579
    kjm3579 Posts: 3,974 Member
    A woman's weight would only matter to me if she was obviously sloppy and unhealthy. That extreme would be a turn off right from the start. I have met overweight women who are charming and intelligent and while I would love to see them lose some of the weight I would not stop being their friend because of it.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    I found my guy online when I was heavier. I never had a problem with the weight factor. But that doesn't mean every guy I went with liked me or that I liked them. I dated about 7 guys and only 2 were interested, and I would consider that VERY fast for online dating.

    However, I was watching the Tyra Banks show once and a woman was a guest and saying she was having trouble with online dating because of her weight. Tyra showed her how to take photos of herself to make sure she looks great and is not deceiving. I tried it and I would honestly say it was really good advice (and I usually take Tyra with a grain of salt).

    Tips:
    1) Make sure you're well lit in every photo - not washed out, not too dark.
    2) Take a photo of your face
    3) Take a photo where you're BACKED UP from the camera so they can see you (weeds out anyone who cares, regardless of size)

    Other things I did:
    4) I put up multiple photos that all represented me
    a) Me at a friends wedding all dolled up
    b) Me at work with my hardhat and work clothes on looking like a slob
    c) Me out for a walk without make up but in nice clothes (because I'm not one to wear makeup usually. If you are, then wear makeup)
    d) Me doing a standard picture shot

    Most importantly, make sure the photos are CURRENT. I had my mom photograph me.

    I'm going to marry the last fellow I met online and he told me his least favourite photo of me was me at the wedding because it was too close up and I had clearly cropped someone out haha. Not what I would have expected to hear.

    Edit: Grammar