Self

What Women Really Think … Of Your Weight

guy on scale

Weight; it's a sticky subject. Not only does the word "fat" mean different things to different people, but it's also a topic that can turn mean, vulgar, and rude fast. We've given you reasons to date chubby guys and told you why men with big bellies make better lovers — but not everyone agrees.

Honestly, I'd be terrified to pose the question of how men feel about women's weight. Thanks to supermodels and Photoshopping, there's a huge misconception of what's what, and we all, men especially, are blinded by what is real and what is not.

A new study revealed that guys pack on more pounds after marriage compared to single men or even those in relationships. But as someone who thinks Zach Galifianakis is one of the sexist human beings on the planet, his adorable chubbiness aside, I thought it was time to ask women what they think of men's weight.

The ladies were given two body types to consider: Zach Galifianakis and Christian Bale's character in The Machinist, and were asked to consider all different weights, that is, if they consider it at all.

A little "fluff" means you're human.
"Model-type guys with their six-pack stomachs and muscular backs are great to look at and enjoy… kind of like a work of art. But I don't want to date a work of art. I want to date someone who has some fluff to him and whose bones don't jab me when I'm looking for a cuddle" says Andrea, 33.

"When Ryan and I first met (we had a one night stand before we started dating eight months later), he was a total gym rat. Lifting, cardio, protein shakes and all that. Like, four hours a day in the gym. Don't get me wrong; it was very pretty. VERY pretty, all the muscles and the hotness. But, the more I thought about it in the months later, I realize I can't be with someone who is so obsessed with maintaining a fitness level like that — I know I'm not going to spend four hours a day in a gym. I need someone who is more down to earth, who has a little extra weight on him that says, 'I EAT BURGERS AND I DRINK BEER AND I DON'T PUNISH MYSELF FOR ENJOYING LIFE.' When he asked me out again 8 months later, he'd relaxed a lot, quit lifting and had a bit of a soft little belly and I f*cking adore it. He's not perfect. He shouldn't be. He's human. And because he has imperfections, I feel less self-conscious about all of mine," says Colleen, 30.

Tone down on the bulk.
"I didn't think I cared about my husband's weight until he started gaining with his heavy workouts and protein shakes. Now he's more muscular, but also just bigger — and I'm not much of a fan. But I don't want to bug him about it, because, duh," says Emily, 28.

"I get that beefy guys think the bigger the better, but I'm pretty sure people aren't supposed to look like they just swallowed a television and it's now logged in their throat. I like it when guys keep it real and average. That's the good stuff," says Catherine, 27.

No need to be skinny, but keep it toned.
"I, personally, am not into the chubby guys or the super skinny dudes. I like a happy middle. Bigger than me, but with things not hanging around loosely," says Autumn, 25.

It doesn't even cross our minds.
"Weight is one of the last things I think about … which is a bit of social f*ckery, if you ask me," says Sarah, 36.

"As long as it doesn't cause a health risk and he's happy in his skin, I don't care how much he weighs. It only phases me when I'm asked a question like this one," says Jenny, 29.

See, gentlemen? You don't have to be a beefcake or a skinny-minnie to win us over. In fact, do us all a favor and put down that protein shake right now, and reach for a pizza with everything on it.

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