It’s easy to blame the dad bod on aging, but there’s more to the story—becoming a father plays a huge role too. Once you hit your 30s, your testosterone levels naturally start to decline, and for many dads, this is when the real struggle begins.
Testosterone is the hormone that fuels your muscle growth, strength, energy levels, and even your confidence. It’s what makes you feel like yourself. But when testosterone drops, so does your ability to build muscle, stay energized, and stay motivated.
On top of that, becoming a dad triggers another hormonal shift—an increase in oxytocin, the "bonding hormone". While oxytocin is great for connecting with your child, it also signals your body to shift away from building muscle and burning fat, making it even harder to lose weight and stay in shape.
Even if you’re hitting the gym and eating right, the dad bod often sticks around because your hormones are changing. With the combined effects of aging and fatherhood, it becomes more challenging to lose fat, build muscle, and keep your energy high.
That’s why for men, especially dads, balancing both testosterone and oxytocin is key to feeling strong, lean, and energized again.