“As I get skinnier people hate me more and more” Jason Kelce opens up about weight loss struggles many can relate to
While dropping pounds is often seen as a win, the reality is that you have to navigate changes in how others treat you once you’re no longer the “big guy.”
People have always held a strange bias toward weight, usually assuming that getting smaller only brings positive attention. We’re taught that shedding pounds is the ultimate goal, yet nobody warns you about the social friction that follows. When you’ve spent years being the “big guy,” or the jolly friend, your size becomes your identity in the eyes of others. Changing that physical reality often breaks the unspoken rules of your social circle, leading to awkward comments or even jealousy instead of the support you might hope for. This reality of body transformation surfaced during a recent podcast episode where a former NFL star, Jason Kelce, opened up about his post-retirement journey.
During a recent episode of the New Heights podcast, brothers Jason and Travis Kelce brought up some old memories when they were asked which Disney movie they would choose to live in forever. Travis picked the 1995 movie “Heavyweights”, a beloved classic from that time. The film is about a summer camp for boys who want to lose weight, but it’s particularly famous for a fun water activity called the “Blob.” This giant inflatable air bag lets one person jump on one end to launch someone else into the air, and Travis shared that he has been dreaming about the Blob since the 90s. Jason playfully teased him about making that dream come true.
The banter got personal as they discussed how people often associate certain personality traits with body size. Travis mentioned that the heavier kids they grew up with were usually the funniest and the best to hang out with. Jason told him, “Nobody liked me until I became fat.” He also shared that, as he has lost some pounds, his popularity has dipped a bit. “As I get skinnier, people hate me more and more,” Jason shared.
Although he was joking, the retired football player has been open about the challenges he faces post-NFL life. He shared that he used to weigh around 295 pounds during his seasons in the NFL, but since retiring, he has already shed about 20 pounds and aims to lose another 20 so he can keep up with his four kids.
The social cost of a smaller frame
Jason might be kidding about being hated, but from personal experience, there is some truth to what he feels. Many people who lose a lot of weight notice changes in how others see them. When you’re a big person, especially as a man, there is an unspoken pressure to be the loudest, funniest, or kindest person in the room to offset the bias people have against larger bodies. Losing weight often leads people to abandon those habits. Friends or family members accustomed to the old you struggle with the new you.
For some people, the change can even feel isolating. Compliments about weight loss often come with backhanded comments about how someone “used to look,” while others suddenly treat you with more respect or attention than before. That realization can be uncomfortable, too, because it highlights how differently people respond to appearance, even if nobody says it out loud.
Ultimately, whether someone is gaining or losing weight is a personal journey shaped by many factors, such as genetics, lifestyle, and other circumstances. It’s important to remember that everyone’s experience is different. This applies to well-known figures as much as it does to people not in the spotlight. We should avoid making quick judgments based solely on someone’s weight or appearance. Instead of focusing solely on numbers on a scale, let’s celebrate people for who they are, appreciating their talents, character, and experiences beyond their appearance.
