There's been a lot of talk about the 'Dad Bod' recently. Essentially, it's the typical men's body with maybe a bit of a belly, perhaps not in the best shape, and how recent reports are saying that the 'dad bod' is what girls prefer. As someone with a proud dad bod, I would have to disagree for several reasons.

Naturally, I can't speak on behalf of most females, but I don't think it's the bod girls like. I think it's the notion that because the guy has that type of body, it means he's not completely full of himself. If he has a typical body, it means he's not trying to look better to impress other girls. It means he's not going to spend all weekend at the gym away from the kids when he could be taking them to play at a park. It means he, along with his musclebound friends, spend all day at the beach to show off. In my case, it means that I know what good food is and that I'm not going to force you into my healthy ways of eating when all you want is a cheeseburger and chili fries.

It reminds me a little of the Victorian Era 'Big is Beautiful' philosophy. Plus-sized ladies meant they lived a life of luxury. They weren't slaves or worked all day, they lounged around and indulged. Sounds like a decent gig if you can get it. Perhaps the tides are turning and now ladies love a day-at-home dad to take care of the homefront while they're the breadwinners. It's hard to say.

But just because you're a dad, doesn't mean you have to have a dad bod.

aaron stapish shirtless
Aaron Stapish
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Meet my friend Aaron.

He happens to lead a very healthy lifestyle. He drinks nothing but water (seriously, I've never seen him drink anything but water -- ever), he's very health conscious about what he eats, he goes to the gym every day, he plays video games as you can see on his YouTube channel and happens to be a father of three. By every literal term, he has a dad bod because he is a dad thrice over and chooses to manage his time to be a dad and still get in his workout and eat right. His lifestyle isn't for everyone, but it's just an everyday thing for him and his family.

I, on the other hand, am also a father of three, workout when I can (I try to go to the gym a few times a week, at least) but I also eat pretty much whatever I want. I avoid junk food as much as I can, but love soda. I, definitely, have a dad bod. The good news is my wife doesn't mind. And that's what's important.

It means I'm confident in myself. It means I like eating. It means that, when I go shopping, it's not just going to be a bunch of lettuce and celery in the fridge (although I do love fruits and veggies) and, again, so long as my wife doesn't mind and so long as I can keep up with my kids, there is no issue. Maybe it's true that girls love a guy with a dad bod, but a dad bod doesn't have to be stereotyped as a 'one-size-fits-all'. And, whatever you do, don't do what you can to achieve a dad bod. Just because you have a dad bod, doesn't mean you have to live an unhealthy lifestyle.

Besides, if girls really loved the dad bod more than a fit men's body, Magic Mike wouldn't have made millions of dollars in the box office. That's all I'm sayin'.

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