2024 was a tough year. Comedian and actor Adam Devine was no exception. jewel of justice The star embarked on quite the health journey in 2024, including gaining 25 pounds of “compassion weight” during his wife’s pregnancy and then becoming a first-time father.
This life experience gave him the wake-up call he needed to refocus on his health. With her new role as a parent, Divine’s health journey has been less about looking good for the cameras and more about showing up for her family. He lost 25 pounds using common sense strategies, not the fad diets that have taken social media by storm.
during a conversation with my fitness palDivine reveals the biggest health lessons from 2024 and how to take those learnings into 2025 to create the happiest, healthiest (and funniest) New Year ever.
Lesson 1: Rotisserie chicken is the MVP
Divine has a special relationship with the humble rotisserie chicken. “My wife thinks I’m crazy because I’m going to buy three chickens at the beginning of the week,” he says. “I love dirty birds!”
But he’s definitely interested in this convenient high-protein staple. It helps you reach your nutritional goals without spending hours in the kitchen.
One of the reasons this works for him is because he varies the way he presents it so it doesn’t get boring. “The first day I eat it with buffalo sauce or light ranch, but the next day I shred it and put it in a burrito wrapped in low-carb wrap. Sometimes my wife puts broccoli and sweet potatoes in the oven as a side dish for the third day. Sometimes I bake it,” he explains.
Rotisserie chicken is proof that convenience and health can go hand in hand. It doesn’t have to be a rotisserie chicken. Large quantities of lentils or baked tofu can also be a protein-rich base for many meals throughout the week. By planning ahead like Devine, you’ll always have delicious and nutritious meals ready.
Lesson 2: Just because it’s high in protein doesn’t mean you should eat it.
If social media trends are to be believed, 2024 will be the perfect year to eat more food. more)protein. Research shows that this macronutrient Support your weight loss journey In a variety of ways, including promoting satiety. But Devine learned the hard way that not all “high protein” snacks are created equal.
Shooting in progress jewel of justicea co-star introduced him to homemade high-protein balls.
“I used to eat three or four pieces a day because they were delicious and the portions were small,” he says. “I had no idea how many calories there were,” that is, until he looked at the ingredients and figured out the nutritional information for each little protein ball. It turns out there are about 300 calories each.
“By tracking your food, you can actually know what you’re eating so you don’t accidentally end up eating a 1,000-calorie homemade protein ball.”
What about the lesson? Even high-protein snacks that sound healthy can end up overshooting your goals if you’re not careful.
Lesson 3: Drinking an Old Fashioned is like eating a candy bar.
It’s not uncommon to have a few drinks while out on a night out with friends. But most people don’t eat three candy bars in a row.
Devine’s drink of choice is an old-fashioned classic. It wasn’t until he became familiar with the calorie count of bourbon and rye that he began to realize how luxurious this cocktail was.
“My vice is a nice old-fashioned cocktail, but now I realize it’s like drinking a candy bar,” he admits.
Indulgences like this are essential to achieving balance and actually building long-term sustainable eating patterns. However, it is important to be aware of them and recognize their impact.
“I learned that it’s all about balance,” Devine said. Moral of the story? Enjoy cocktails, but know what you’re consuming and don’t make it a daily or multiple-a-day habit.
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Lesson 4: Nutrition is the key to fatherhood
Everything changes when you become a parent. As Devine discovered, that includes the way you think about food and fitness.
“Since becoming a father, the most difficult trade-off for me is spending time with my son instead of going to the gym,” Divine explains. “That’s why eating healthier is even more important, because I always choose to spend time with Beau.”
Prioritizing your nutrition will help you maintain your energy and spend time with your family. For Devine, eating well is no longer just about looking good on screen, it’s about feeling good and being the best version of yourself for your son.
Lesson 5: Even a loose wedding ring can be motivating.
Divine understands the importance of winning without scale and uses that as motivation. Over the past year, he has noticed that his wedding ring has loosened and his face on screen looks thinner.
“I haven’t been this thin in years, so I have a whole new wardrobe, albeit outdated,” he jokes. It’s these daily wins that keep him motivated. “My biggest victory is not the number on the scale.”
Lesson 6: How you eat affects your mood
Devine learned firsthand how diet affects both physical and mental health. “When I gained weight, I felt bloated and looked uncomfortable,” he recalls. “I didn’t feel like myself.” Now, by eating healthier, she feels more energetic and confident.
When you prioritize nutritious foods, you’re not only nourishing your body, but supporting your overall sense of well-being. Raising children requires a lot of energy, and Devine has been able to save up a lot of energy over the years thanks to the way she eats now. (More details later…)
Lesson 7: Don’t miss the cookies and steak
For Divine, living well doesn’t mean giving up on the things you love. It’s all a matter of balance. “Life is fun,” he says. “You better eat that birthday cake. Enjoy it and then get back to your goal.”
For example, at our annual family gathering, we indulge in all our favorite foods: cookies, steak, and beer. He’s looking forward to it and wants to enjoy it to the fullest.
“I usually just ‘let it fly’ for this particular event,” he says. “Last year, when I got home and weighed myself, I had gained eight pounds in one week. But it’s okay to take a break from your routine for a day or a weekend.”
Here’s the approach he’s taking for 2025: It’s about resetting and moving on. Guilt won’t help, but restarting your routine will. “You have to live!” he says.
Lesson 8: Knowing your protein goals is important
When she’s not celebrating special occasions, Devine’s daily diet revolves around hitting her protein goals (and never exceeding her calorie goals). Breakfast includes a “good for you” protein-packed bagel, lunch is often grilled or rotisserie chicken with a vinaigrette salad, and dinner is typically salmon and broccoli.
“I’m always trying to find ways to get more protein in.” His love for rotisserie chicken aside, it’s not always chicken. Divine also shared some of her favorite classic recipes, like turkey chili and breakfast quesadillas. MyFitnessPal app.
Lesson 9: Go-to snacks are a must
Everyone needs a snack for when they get hungry. By keeping what works for her on hand, Devine can avoid less nutritious options and stay on track to achieve her health goals.
His current favorites are cherry tomatoes, apples, and protein bars that are about 200 calories or less. “Having convenient snacks on hand makes it so much easier to stay on track,” he says.
Divine tips? Find snacks that you really enjoy and keep them within reach when you’re hungry.
Lesson 10: Tracking makes health goals achievable
For Devine, food tracking was a game changer. “Tracking your meals allows you to actually know what you’re eating,” he says. “Just knowing where you stand can lead to failures, setbacks, vacations, and celebrations.”
Being aware of what you’re eating by tracking it helps you stay accountable and make progress over time. It’s not about perfection, it’s about balance and consistency.
Based on everything he learned over the past year, he set simple, sustainable health goals for 2025. This year, I’m going to focus on eating healthier and drinking less, instead of treating myself to cocktails and cookies. Because it doesn’t have to be perfect to get results. You need to know where you stand so you can make informed decisions from there.
Make 2025 your healthiest year yet with Devine’s strategies.
The post Adam Devine reveals health lessons learned in 2024 and goals for 2025 appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.
