Redefining Normal
Redefining Normal
The Subconscious Fat of what Normal looks like
Mr. Skeptical leans over my shoulder, looking at what I’m writing. “What are you saying here? That we should all wear nose rings?”
“No. The picture shows four generations.”
“So what.”
“I’m assuming the grandfather is the man on the left, and the man on the right is the great-grandfather, but they don’t look that different.”
“The one on the right looks a little older.”
“Look at their bodies. Besides the child, all three generations of men have very similar bodies. In today’s day and age, many people wouldn’t consider that normal or common.”
Subconscious Fat at 30,000 Feet
It’s a curious thing, this notion of “normal” that we’ve all grown accustomed to. For men, particularly those in their 40s, there seems to be a widespread belief that having a big belly is just part of aging. It’s as if society collectively agreed that it’s perfectly acceptable—even expected—to let our bodies go past a certain age. We see it everywhere: the dad bod glorified, the spare tire laughed off as a rite of passage. But what if I told you that this isn’t normal? What if I told you that this acceptance of mediocrity is a disservice to every man out there?
Mr. Skeptical rolls his eyes. “Oh, here we go again. So, you’re saying that it’s not normal to have a belly after 40? Come on, man. It’s called aging. Metabolism slows down, testosterone drops—there’s only so much you can do.”
“I’m not denying that aging comes with its challenges. But I am questioning whether we should accept these changes without a fight. It’s not just about aesthetics but health, vitality, and longevity. The belief that a big belly is an inevitable part of life after 40 is a myth perpetuated by a society that’s far too comfortable with mediocrity.”
Subconscious Fat at 10,000 Feet
Look at the picture above, taken in the 80s. The first man on the left side is me, and I am 18 years old. The second man, or the one in the middle, is my late grandfather. He had a large belly—the last man to the right, my 40-year-old dad. My dad had a typical dadbod. Compare this picture with the one above. There are stark differences. The men from New Guinea all have bellies of similar size. In contrast, the photo with me shows how the stomach grows as we age.
Mr. Skeptical adds, “You’re sounding a bit harsh, don’t you think? Not everyone has the time or energy to stay in top shape. Life gets in the way—kids, work, stress. Isn’t it a bit much to expect men to fight against what’s supposedly ‘normal’?”
“Life does get in the way. I used to have a dadbod, like my dads in the photo, when I was in my late 30s and through my 40s. But I don’t have a dadbod now.”
Let’s dig a little deeper into why this myth persists. First, there’s the cultural narrative: the dad bod, the “I earned this belly” mentality, and the idea that it’s okay to trade in your six-pack for a six-pack of beer once you hit your 40s. It’s a comforting story, no doubt. It tells men that they can relax, that they’ve done enough, and that it’s time to kick back and let their bodies reflect the years of hard work, stress, and indulgence.
But this narrative is dangerous. It’s risky because it lowers the bar for what we expect from ourselves and each other. It tells men that it’s okay to let go and that it’s normal to feel tired, sluggish, and weak as they age. And worse, it discourages pursuing something better— maintaining strength, energy, and health well into old age.
Subconscious Fat at Eye-Level
Mr. Skeptical folds his arms and narrows his eyes at me. “So, what can we do about it? How do we fight this normalization of the dadbod?”
“It can start with a realization.”
“Realizing what?”
“Realizing that most modern humans have been tricked into thinking sugar, wheat, and tons of vegetables and carbs are needed for health.”
Mr. Skeptical brings his hand up to his forehead in dramatic fashion. “You’re going to talk about the carnivore diet again, right?”
“Well, the New Guineans in the picture above likely ate as much meat as possible. And if meat wasn’t around, they might eat sweet potatoes, cassava, coconuts, vegetables, etc, but meat was central to their diet. And most importantly, they didn’t eat the tons of sugar and processed foods Americans have been eating for decades.”
“So you’re saying the main difference between the New Guinean picture and your picture is diet?”
“Yes, without question, it’s diet.”
“Fine, maybe it is diet. But what about the guys who just don’t care? They’re happy with their bellies and not interested in changing.”
“If someone is genuinely happy with their body, who am I to judge? But I’d argue that many men who say they don’t care actually do—they’ve just convinced themselves that change is impossible or too hard. This article isn’t about shaming anyone; it’s about offering a different perspective. It’s about saying, “Hey, you don’t have to accept this if you don’t want to. There’s another way.”
Practical Suggestions and Conclusions
And the biggest kicker is that it’s easier than people think. Going carnivore is not hard. Most people like meat, and the more you eat meat, the tastier it becomes.
Mr. Skeptical pouts his lips. “Well, some people may not like eating so much meat.”
“Going carnivore doesn’t limit one to just meat. It includes all animal products, fish, chicken, pork, shellfish and more. Fighting normalcy isn’t about denying the realities of aging; it’s about refusing to let those realities define you. It’s about challenging the status quo and striving for a healthier version of yourself. So, to all the men who think a big belly is normal—think again. You can change, and it’s never too late to start. And with the right guidance, it’s much easier than you think.”
Mr. Skeptical rolls his eyes, but deep down, even he knows that settling for less than your best is the real enemy—not aging, not time, but the belief that you must accept what society says is normal.
Be aware.
PS Links in Facebook and Instagram. Instagram LIVE workout every Tuesday, at noon Eastern time. Full disclosure: Chat GPT was used to research and enhance this post.
PSS The last Meat Up group event at Dynamic Chiropractic Center was successful. I want to thank Dr. Aura Tovar for letting me do the presentation at her office. She has been practicing chiropractic for about 25 years, so she’s a fantastic chiropractor. Plus, her office is gorgeous and welcoming. I broadcast LIVE on Instagram, and that presentation can be seen here.