Woman Worries if Boyfriend Prefers Her Skinnier, His Response Says It All

A woman captured a candid moment in which she tensed her stomach to look "skinnier" in front of her partner, only to have his unexpected reaction steal the show.

In the now-viral Instagram video, Sophie Johnson, 27, (@sophfsfitness) tightens her abdomen while sitting next to her boyfriend, Jordan Mayes, 26.

The text overlay on the scene reads, "I wonder if my boyfriend would fancy me more if I were skinnier." Moments later, she tenses while performing a dumbbell workout. Once she finishes, her question is answered when Mayes playfully winks and blows her a kiss as she relaxes—a sweet gesture of affection captured at the gym.

Speaking with Newsweek, Johnson, an online fitness coach from England, reflected on the touching exchange that has resonated with millions, racking up 4.2 million views and almost 50,000 likes.

Screenshots from the viral video showing Johnson looking in the mirror and laughing with her partner. The online fitness coach from England has reflected on the touching exchange that has resonated with millions. Instagram/@sophfsfitness

"The video highlights how natural it is to wonder whether changing something about yourself might affect how your partner perceives you, especially in today's world where social media amplifies comparison," she said. "Ultimately, your partner should love you for who you are, not an idealized version of you."

A 2021 review article analyzed four meta-analyses examining the connection between social media and body image. The findings revealed that exposure to appearance-ideal social media images has a moderate negative impact on body image, particularly in high-risk contexts and when compared to other appearance-related content.

Additionally, long-term social media use was found to have a small but significant negative effect on body image. These results highlight the importance of clinicians addressing social media exposure, especially to appearance-ideal content, when supporting clients at risk for or struggling with body image concerns.

"There's no universal definition of beauty," Johnson told Newsweek. "Social media often promotes a singular image of 'perfection,' making people feel like they don't fit the mold. But different people are drawn to different qualities—physical and beyond. What makes someone 'perfect' to one person might not be the same for another."

Instagram Reacts

The December 20 video has pulled on the internet's heartstrings and resonated with many.

One user said: "I will feel like the most unattractive person ever and my husband will still think and tell me I'm hot. It exists, don't settle for less."

"THIS IS JUST EVERYTHING," said another and a third commenter wrote: "You [are] a gorgeous couple. The fact that your supporting each other to be healthy and considering each other's mental well-being is great."

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