His friend questioned why he was dating an overweight woman after years of mocking her body type — his chilling explanation only made it worse
The reasons some people choose to date someone can leave others confused and disturbed. Instagram user Saad Al-Araj, who goes by @saadaraj, shared a post on May 23, 2026, recalling a conversation he had with a friend who had just started seeing someone. Knowing his buddy had always been outspoken about disliking overweight women, Saad was puzzled when he saw a photo of the man's new girlfriend. Curious about the unexpected pairing, he asked what had changed, only to receive an explanation that was far more unsettling than he had anticipated.
The man admitted he was genuinely confused because his friend had a reputation for being openly fat-phobic and had often spoken negatively about overweight people. Wondering what had suddenly changed, he questioned why his pal was dating someone who was the opposite of his type. Instead of saying he had fallen for her personality or that his preferences had evolved, the person responded with a grin, calling the relationship "an investment." He then covered half of the photo on his phone so only the woman's face was visible before explaining that he planned to put her on Ozempic and take her to the gym until she became his ideal partner.
Still struggling to understand the logic, Saad asked why his friend would not simply date someone he was already physically attracted to. The answer was just as surprising. According to the man, women who already checked the boxes on his list were apparently "entitled and annoying," making them too difficult to date. Instead, he believed it would be easier to find someone who did not match his type, transform her into it, and avoid dealing with what he considered an attitude problem. His comments left users questioning not only his views on appearance but also the way he seemed to treat a relationship as a personal project rather than a partnership.
Weight bias can shape romantic experiences long before a relationship begins. A 2026 Social Science Research Network (SSRN) study on online dating found that participants rated profiles featuring overweight or obese people 17% lower than identical profiles displaying healthy individuals, suggesting body size alone can influence first impressions. Another study published in PubMed found that women with higher body weight expected greater social rejection when their weight was visible. Those expectations were linked to lower self-esteem, increased self-conscious emotions, and higher levels of stress. Healthy relationships begin with accepting people for who they are, not who we imagine they could become. And viewing a partner as a project often says far more about the person doing the shaping than the person being shaped.
For more such stories and updates, follow Saad Al-Araj at @saadaraj on Instagram.
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