Do Women like 'Dad Bod'?

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Hi, I’m Miro Salvador, a 33-year-old husband and father of two beautiful girls. Over the years, my relationship with fitness and my body has been a bit of a roller coaster. This post is my honest journey into understanding the so-called "dad bod" and what it really means for me, for my confidence, and for how others see me.

My Personal Experiment

Back in 2013, I was obsessed with callisthenics. I’d switched from lean muscle workouts at the gym to training at the park, mastering pull-ups, handstands, and other body-weight exercises. Fitness was my life, and I felt great. But in 2019, when I got married, things started to shift. Life got busier, priorities changed, and my workouts became less frequent. By the time the pandemic hit in 2020, I’d stopped almost entirely.

When our first daughter was born that same year, everything went downhill for me physically. I tried to squeeze in a few workouts during lock-down, but sleep deprivation and the demands of parenthood made it nearly impossible to stay consistent. Slowly, I lost the toned physique I had worked so hard for.

What hit me hardest, though, wasn’t just the physical change it was my confidence. I started feeling paranoid whenever women looked at me. "Do I look that bad?" I’d wonder. It’s a question that stuck with me and gnawed at my self-esteem. That’s when I decided to explore what the "dad bod" phenomenon was all about and whether I could find peace with myself again.

What Women Told Me

I started with casual conversations friends, colleagues, even a few acquaintances. Their responses gave me a lot to think about and helped me see things from a fresh perspective:

  1. Confidence Trumps Everything Many women told me they found confidence more attractive than the actual shape of a guy’s body. "It’s not about the abs," one friend said. "It’s about how you carry yourself."

  2. Relatability Matters A few women admitted they felt intimidated by guys who looked like fitness models. "A little softness feels more real," a colleague shared. "It’s like, hey, we’re all human here."

  3. Balance Is Key It’s not about letting yourself go completely. Being healthy and active still matters, but obsessing over perfection doesn’t. "A dad bod says you’re laid-back and fun, but also that you care enough to stay somewhat active," one person told me.

What I Learned About Myself

The most surprising part of this journey wasn’t the external feedback; it was how I started to feel about myself. Letting go of the pressure to look a certain way gave me the freedom to focus on other parts of my life my relationships, hobbies, and mental health. Ironically, that shift made me more attractive because I felt more at ease in my own skin.

I also realised that the "dad bod" isn’t just a body type; it’s a symbol. It represents balance, approachability, and authenticity qualities that resonate far beyond physical appearance.

What This Means for You

If you’re wondering whether the dad bod is "in," here’s my advice: stop worrying about trends and focus on what makes you feel good. Take care of your health, but don’t let societal standards dictate your self-worth. Confidence, relatability, and balance are what people truly find attractive and those come from within.

Whether you’ve got chiselled abs, a dad bod, or something in between, the key is to embrace who you are. Because when you’re comfortable in your own skin, others will be too. And trust me that’s way more appealing than any body type.

Location: 25 High St, Leicester LE1 4FP, UK

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