“The dad bod is a nice balance between a beer gut and working out. The dad bod says, ‘I go to the gym occasionally, but I also drink on the weekends and enjoy eating eight slices of pizza at a time.’ It’s not an overweight guy, but it isn’t one with washboard abs, either.”
I have to admit that I giggled when I read this tagline at the top of a blog post as I scrolled down my Facebook feed this morning. I actually read it twice as I tried to come up with my own idea of what on Earth could possibly follow such a statement. While a small voice in my head warned me that it was likely 'clickbait', I couldn't help but follow the link - well played on the part of the writer. I was surprised to find this 'dad bod' trend is actually a thing, and apparently quite the hot topic right now. From Seth Rogen to Leonardo Di Caprio, male celebrities appear to be rocking the 'dad bod', launching its popularity among men and women alike. But with each article I read, what I found increasingly interesting were the seemingly unending stream of comments, both in support of and vehemently against what has become the new hot thing in male body image. People voiced opinions ranging from unashamed love of the dad bod to outright disgust, with many suggesting that if this trend made its way to the female population it would never be accepted - proof yet again of the male/female double standard and how society values women purely on an aesthetic level. Being a woman who has struggled with body image and the ceaseless battle to be thinner/tighter/more toned, a part of me wanted to agree with the latter statements. I mean, honestly, at 7 months pregnant, I am rocking a 'mom bod' and I have to admit I don't feel all that confident or sexy. Yet here are celebrity men with what could easily be compared to my baby belly at about 4 months cruising the beach seemingly without a care in the world. At least once a week I see some post gone viral on how 'brave' woman x is for daring to wear a bikini at her size or which AMAZING female celebrity dropped her baby weight in no time (although no one mentions the personal trainer 6 days a week or the personal chef/nutritionist or the nanny that allows all of this free time). Yes, society continues to trend in the direction of thinner/tighter/more toned for women, while 'dad bod' suggests that for guys, average/attainable/somewhat indulgent is completely acceptable. But that's not why I love 'dad bod', and I'm choosing to view it in a different light. Here's why I love the 'dad bod' (and I'm totally OK with my husband rocking it if he chooses):
Dad bod is confident.
Ladies, have you ever dated a seriously insecure man? You know, the one who is threatened by your male friends and cousins, who hovers over you every time you check your texts/emails, who tenses visibly when you admit to having a crush on #7 of his favorite football team? It's awful, isn't it? Well, the dad bod trend empowers men to know that we as women find an average body every bit as attractive as a six pack and a set of guns (sometimes more). And for a lot of guys, that little bit of reassurance will go a long way.
Dad bod is strong.
My husband has a pretty awesome body. He eats pretty healthy, works out on the regular, and let's face it, genetics have been good to him. But at the end of the day, he isn't the guy who is going to spend hundreds of dollars each month on 'gainers', and he sure as heck isn't the guy who's going to pass up a good beer (or pizza, chicken fried steak, biscuits and gravy, you get the picture). My man likes to eat. And I LOVE that about him. We enjoy food together - all kinds of flavors, textures, and types. While I'm sure he daydreams occasionally about those six pack abs, he's much more interested in living the life that we live and enjoy. And yet, my husband is STRONG. Physically strong - he has on multiple occasions lifted me with apparent ease despite the fact I am in no way a petite woman (for those who don't know me, I'm nearly 6'1 and built somewhat like a strong safety). He can carry armfuls of groceries, fold a stroller or pack n play with little to no effort, and open just about any jar or bottle in the house. Mentally and emotionally strong - his priorities are on fulfilling his role as man of the house, with his focus on his health serving the primary purpose of being the best version of himself for his wife and family, not just what he sees in the mirror. It is this strength that allows me to be strong in my role as his wife and soon mother of our son, to embrace my femininity and grace.
Dad bod is real... and it's hot.
Don't get me wrong. I am among the women who can admire a finely sculpted male figure. I follow Shemar Moore on instagram (the man is a champion for MS) and I have eyed the old CK ads with Marky Mark a time or two. But at the end of the day, only 1-2 of the men I have ever dated even came close to resembling that body type, and the ones that did? Well, they didn't last. I've found of myself, and many of the women I know, that the man we crawl into bed with at night is far more attractive us with his perfectly imperfect figure - we'd rather snuggle a pillow than a concrete slab. The trend of the dad bod encourages men to be real, and in turn, I believe that it will ultimately encourage women to be the same. Confidence is sexy ladies. Let's take a page out of the guys' newest book and rock our bodies as they are.
Because when all is said and done, there's beauty in a body that says "I go to the gym, but I also love cupcakes and big glasses of wine." And I'm pretty sure that's what my 'mom body' says.
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