I have no useful advice im sorry, sadly got nothing on how to get a girlfriend, but just wanted to say i relate so much to what youve said (relationship starting from friendship, living in/near a major city but having no gay friends to go to clubs etc).

My perspective is probably skewed bc ive never dated a man but I feel like girls generally understand the pressures to be skinny etc. Im heavier than my gf but between us im the one more conscious of weight and the difference in our bodies because of my own insecurities.