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Why Are Dad Bods Still Trending?

dad bods
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Short answer?  Laziness and lack of ambition.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Contrary to the widespread glorification of the ‘dad bod’ across social media, it’s not what young men should be aiming for.

Urban Dictionary defines the ‘dad bod’ as “a male body type that is best described as “softly round.” It’s built upon the theory that once a man has found a mate and fathered a child, he doesn’t need to worry about maintaining a sculpted physique.”

To be fair, everyone has a different body type.  Some are born with better genetics, while others need to work a bit harder to improve their physique.

But, if you’re in your early 20’s, and you’re perfectly fine rolling with the body of a 45-year-old father of three, there’s an issue.

dad bod still trending

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Dad bods are simply an excuse.  An easy way out.  Justification for skipping the gym, binging on Taco Bell, and living an overall undisciplined lifestyle.

But, you say, women are attracted to the dad bod!

Muscle and Fitness asked 100 women about their thoughts on dad bods.  The results?  50% were indifferent, 38% want their man in “tip-top shape”, and just 15% said they “only date men with a dad bod”.

They asked these women to explain their reasoning.  Here are their responses:

“I love a man with a little something extra to hold onto. If you’re smaller than I am, I tend to feel ‘big’ and that’s just no bueno.”

“It makes it easier to not have a perfect female body, too, when your [significant other] has a dad bod.”

Do these sound like people who want you to become the best version of yourself?

dad bods

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Here’s another response:

“It is yet another reason for even more people to discard good nutrition and exercise habits. Also, women would never be applauded for ‘mom bods,’ why do men get the easy way out?”

This woman hit the nail on the head, pointing out two major sticking points.

First, young men everywhere are latching onto this passing trend to justify their bad habits and lack of ambition.

Next, there is certainly a double standard in effect here.  Men embracing the dad bod still expect a woman with a nice, fit figure.  At the same time, these men are letting themselves go, allowing their bodies to turn into a big ol’ bag of sand.

Why do they get a pass?

If you don’t wake up every day with the burning desire to better yourself and your situation, something needs to change.

If you really want to become the best version of yourself, you need to change your mindset.  Your body is a reflection of your mind and your spirit.

If you work on improving what’s inside, you will inevitably see results on the outside.

Disagree?  Explain why in the comments.

Written By

Division III baseball alum (McDaniel College), founder of Joker Mag, and author of The Underdog Mentality: Sports Stories That Will Change How You See the Game (And Yourself). Since launching in November 2017, my stories have been featured on platforms such as FOX Sports, SB Nation, and The Sporting News, reaching over 1.5 million readers worldwide. The seed was planted way back in 7th grade when I got cut from the baseball team. Instead of giving up, I found hope and inspiration in stories of undersized athletes who defied expectations. I ultimately played baseball through college, earning Honorable Mention on the All-Centennial Conference team in my senior season. Today, my mission is simple: To share stories that give people the same feeling I felt when I was that undersized ballplayer searching for hope, inspiration, and evidence that my dream was possible. Like my mom always told me, you can do anything you set your mind to. Sometimes we just need a little extra push. And that’s why I’m so passionate about sharing these stories with the world.

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