2024 has been a wild ride. And it was no different for comedian and actor Adam Devine. Righteous Gems star embarked on quite the health journey in 2024, which included gaining 25 pounds of “sympathy weight” during his wife’s pregnancy and subsequently becoming a father for the first time.
The life experiences gave him the wake-up call he needed to focus on his health again. With his new role as a parent, Devine’s health journey has become less about looking at the camera and more about standing up for his family. He lost those 25 pounds with common-sense strategies — and not with any of the fad diets that took social media by storm.
During a conversation with MyFitnessPalDevine revealed his biggest health lessons from 2024, and how he’ll carry those lessons into 2025 to create the happiest and healthiest (and funniest) new year yet.
Lesson 1: Rotisserie chicken is the MVP
Devine 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 this week,” he says. “I love the dirty bird!”
But he’s definitely onto something with this convenient, protein-rich staple. It helps him achieve his nutritional goals without spending hours in the kitchen.
One reason this works for him is that he changes the way he serves 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 with a low-carb wrap. Sometimes my wife puts broccoli and sweet potatoes as a side dish in the oven for the third day,” he explains.
Rotisserie chicken is proof that convenience and health can coexist. And it doesn’t have to be rotisserie chicken; A large batch of lentils or some baked tofu can also be the protein-rich base of many meals throughout the week. Plan ahead like Devine, and you’ll always have a delicious, nutritious meal ready to go.
Lesson 2: Just because it’s high in protein doesn’t mean you should eat it
If social media trends are anything to go by, 2024 has been a big year for eating more (and more) food more) egg white. Research shows that this macronutrient can do just that support for a weight loss program in a number of ways, including promoting satiety. But Devine learned the hard way that not all “high protein” snacks are created equal.
During filming The righteous gemsa co-star introduced him to homemade protein-packed balls.
“They were delicious and small, so I ate three or four a day,” he says. “I had no idea how high-calorie they were.” That is, until he looked up the ingredients and discovered the nutritional information for each little protein scoop. They turned out to contain about 300 calories each.
“Tracking my food helps me know exactly what I’m eating so I don’t accidentally eat 1,000 calories of homemade protein balls.”
The lesson? Even healthy-sounding high-protein snacks can cause you to exceed your goals if you don’t pay close attention.
Lesson 3: Drinking old fashioned is like eating a candy bar
It’s not uncommon to have two or three drinks on a night out with friends. But most people wouldn’t eat three bars in a row.
Devine’s drink of choice is a classic old fashioned. It wasn’t until he became familiar with the calorie counts of bourbon and rye that he began to understand what a splurge the cocktail could be.
“My vice is a nice old fashioned cocktail, although I now realize it’s like drinking a candy bar,” he admits.
These types of indulgences are essential for finding balance and building a diet that is sustainable in the long term. But it is important to be aware of it and recognize its impact.
“I learned it’s all about balance,” Devine said. Moral of the story? Enjoy a cocktail, but know what you are consuming and don’t let it become a daily (or a few times a day) habit.
You might also like it
How to Use MyFitnessPal to Cultivate Conscious Eating Habits >
Lesson 4: Nutrition is the key to showing up as a father
When you get older, everything changes. As Devine discovered, that includes the way you view food and fitness.
“Since becoming a father, the hardest trade-off for me has been spending time with my son versus going to the gym,” Devine explains. “That makes healthier eating all the more important, because I will always choose to hang out with Beau.”
Prioritizing nutrition can help him maintain his energy and stay present for his family. For Devine, eating well isn’t just about looking good on screen anymore, it’s about feeling good and being the best version of himself for his son.
Lesson 5: Even a loose wedding ring can increase motivation
Devine understands the importance of non-scale wins and leverages them for motivation. Over the past year, he has noticed his wedding ring coming loose and his face looking gaunt on screen.
“I have a brand new wardrobe, even if it’s outdated as I haven’t been this slim in years,” he jokes. It’s these daily victories that keep him motivated. “My greatest victories are not the numbers on the scale.”
Lesson 6: How you eat affects how you feel
Devine learned firsthand how nutrition affects both physical and mental well-being. “The extra weight made me feel and look bloated, so it was uncomfortable,” he recalls. “I just didn’t feel like myself.” Now, eating healthier has made him feel more energetic and confident.
When you prioritize nutritious foods, you not only fuel your body, but you also support your overall sense of well-being. Parenting takes a lot of energy, and now Devine has more than he has had in years thanks to the way he eats. (More about that later…)
Lesson 7: Don’t miss cookies or steak
For Devine, living healthy doesn’t mean giving up the things he loves. It’s all about balance. “Life is fun,” he notes. “You should have that birthday cake. Enjoy it and then get back to your goals.”
For example, at his annual family reunions he enjoys all his favorites, including cookies, steaks and beer. It is an occasion that he looks forward to and wants to enjoy to the fullest.
“For this particular event, I usually let it go,” he says. “Last year, when I got home, I weighed myself and saw that I had gained 4.5kg in one weekend! But it’s okay to have a day or weekend off from the routine.”
This is the approach he will take in 2025: Reset and move on. Guilt won’t help you, but restarting your routine will. “You have to live!” he says.
Lesson 8: Knowing your protein goal is important
When he’s not celebrating a special occasion, Devine’s daily meals are focused on hitting his protein goals (without exceeding his calorie goals). Breakfast may consist of a protein-packed bagel that’s “better for you,” lunch often consists of grilled or rotisserie chicken on a salad with vinaigrette, and dinner typically consists of salmon with broccoli, he says.
“I’m always trying to find ways to get more protein.” And aside from his love for rotisserie chicken, it’s not always just chicken. Devine also shared some of his favorite recipes, including turkey chili and a breakfast quesadilla, which are now available in the MyFitnessPal app.
Lesson 9: Go-to Snacks are a must
Everyone needs snacks for those hangry moments. Having the right one for him on hand can help Devine avoid less nutritious options and stay on track with his health goals.
His current favorites include cherry tomatoes, apples and protein bars that contain about 200 calories or less. “Having convenient snacks ready makes it so much easier to stay on track,” he says.
Tip from Devine? Find snacks that you really enjoy and keep them within reach for when hunger strikes.
Lesson 10: Tracking makes health goals achievable
For Devine, food tracking has been a game changer. “By tracking my food, I really know what I’m eating,” he says. “Just knowing where you stand can set you up for mistakes, setbacks, holidays or celebrations.”
By creating awareness about what you eat, tracking helps you stay accountable and make progress over time. It’s not about perfection, it’s about balance and consistency.
Based on everything he’s learned over the past year, he’s set simple and sustainable health goals for 2025. This year, he plans to focus on eating healthy and drinking less alcohol without beating himself up over a cocktail or cookie. Because you don’t have to be perfect to get results, you just need to know where you stand so you can make informed decisions from there.
So take a page from Devine’s playbook and make 2025 your healthiest year yet.
The mail Adam Devine Reveals the Biggest Health Lessons He Learned in 2024 – and His Goals for 2025 appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.