2024 has been a crazy year. And it was no different for comedian and actor Adam Devine. Fair Gemstones The star embarked on a serious health journey in 2024, including gaining 25 pounds of “sympathy weight” during his wife’s pregnancy and then becoming a dad for the first time.
Life experiences gave him the wake-up call he needed to refocus on his health. With her new role as a parent, Devine’s health journey was less about looking camera-ready and more about showing up for her family. He lost those 25 pounds using common-sense strategies — and without any of the fad diets that have taken social media by storm.
During a conversation with MyFitnessPalDevine revealed his biggest health lessons from 2024 and how he’ll implement those learnings in 2025 to create the happiest, healthiest (and funniest) new year yet.
Lesson 1: Roast chicken is the MVP
Devine has a special relationship with the humble roast 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 the dirty bird!”
But he definitely hit something with this convenient, protein-rich staple. This helps her achieve her nutritional goals without spending hours in the kitchen.
One of the reasons it works for him is because he changes the way he serves it so it doesn’t get boring. “The first day I’ll eat it with Buffalo sauce or light ranch, but the next day I’ll shred it and put it in a burrito with a low-carb wrap. Sometimes my wife puts broccoli and baked sweet potatoes as a side dish on the third day,” he explains.
Roast chicken is proof that convenience and health can coexist. And it doesn’t have to be roast chicken: a big batch of lentils or baked tofu could also provide the protein-rich base of many meals throughout the week. Plan ahead like Devine and you’ll always have a delicious and 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 was a big year for eating more (and more) protein. Research shows that this macronutrient can support a weight loss journey in several ways, including promoting satiety. But Devine learned the hard way that not all “high protein” snacks are created equal.
During filming The right gemstonesa co-star introduced her to homemade protein-rich balls.
“They were delicious and small, so I ate three or four a day,” he says. “I had no idea how dense they were.” That is, until he researched the ingredients and understood the nutritional information of each little scoop of protein. It turned out they had about 300 calories each.
“Tracking my food helps me know what I’m eating so I don’t accidentally eat 1,000 calories of homemade protein balls.”
The lesson? Even healthy, protein-rich snacks can cause you to exceed your goals if you’re not careful.
Lesson 3: Drinking an Old Fashioned is like eating a candy bar
It is not uncommon to sip two or three glasses during an evening with friends. But most people wouldn’t eat three candy bars in a row.
Devine’s favorite drink is an old-fashioned classic. It wasn’t until he became familiar with the calorie counts of bourbon and rye that he began to understand what a splurge this cocktail could be.
“My vice is a good old cocktail, although now I realize it’s like drinking a candy bar,” he admits.
Indulgences like this are essential to finding balance and building a truly sustainable long-term diet. But 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 a cocktail, but know what you’re consuming and don’t let it become a daily habit or multiple times a day.
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Lesson 4: Nutrition is the key to presenting yourself as a father
When you become a parent, everything changes. As Devine discovered, this includes how you think about diet and fitness.
“Since becoming a dad, the hardest compromise for me is spending time with my son versus going to the gym,” Devine says. “That’s what makes eating healthier all the more important because I will always choose to spend time with Beau.”
Prioritizing nutrition allows him to conserve his energy and stay present for his family. For Devine, eating well is no longer just about looking good on screen, it’s also about feeling good and being the best version of himself for his son.
Lesson 5: Even a Loose Alliance Can Boost Motivation
Devine understands the importance of victories without scale and uses them to motivate himself. Over the past year, he noticed his wedding ring was coming loose and his face looked thinner on screen.
“I have a whole new wardrobe, although it’s outdated since I haven’t been this thin in years,” he jokes. It is these daily victories that motivate him. “My greatest victories are not the numbers on the scale.”
Lesson 6: How you eat impacts how you feel
Devine learned firsthand how diet affects physical and mental well-being. “With the extra weight, I felt and looked bloated, so it was uncomfortable,” he recalls. “I just didn’t feel like myself.” Today, eating healthier has helped him feel more energetic and confident.
When you prioritize nutritious foods, you’re not just nourishing your body: you’re supporting your overall sense of well-being. Being a parent requires tons of energy, and now Devine has more than he’s had in years thanks to the way he’s eating. (More on that in a second…)
Lesson 7: Don’t miss the biscuits 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 this birthday cake. Enjoy it and then come back to your goals.
For example, at his annual family reunions, he enjoys all his favorite foods, including cookies, steaks and beer. It’s an opportunity he’s looking forward to and wants to take full advantage of.
“I usually let it fly for this particular event,” he says. “Last year, when I came home, I weighed myself and saw that I had gained 8 pounds in one weekend! But it’s nice to take a day or weekend away from the routine.
Here’s the approach he’s taking for 2025: reset and move on. Guilt doesn’t serve you, but restarting your routine does. “We must live! » he said.
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 going over his calorie goals). Breakfast might include a “better-for-you” protein-rich bagel, lunch is often grilled or roasted chicken over a vinaigrette salad, and dinner is usually salmon with broccoli, he says.
“I’m always trying to find ways to get more protein.” And his love of roast chicken aside, it’s not always chicken. Devine also shared some of his favorite recipes, including turkey chili and a breakfast quesadilla, now available in the MyFitnessPal app.
Lesson 9: Go-To Snacks Are Essential
Everyone needs snacks for those hungry times. Having the right products on hand helps Devine avoid less nutritious options and stay on track to achieve her health goals.
Her current favorites include cherry tomatoes, apples, and protein bars that are around 200 calories or less. “Having convenient snacks ready to go makes it much easier to stay on track,” he says.
Devine’s advice? Find snacks that you really enjoy and keep them on hand in case you get hungry.
Lesson 10: Tracking Makes Health Goals Achievable
For Devine, food tracking has been a game changer. “Tracking my food helps me really know what I’m eating,” he says. “Just knowing where you are allows for mistakes, setbacks, vacations or celebrations.”
By raising awareness about what you eat, tracking helps you stay accountable and make progress over time. It’s not about perfection, but about balance and consistency.
Based on everything he learned last year, he set simple, sustainable health goals for 2025. This year, he plans to focus on healthy eating and reducing consumption of alcohol, without feeling guilty over a cocktail or a 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 leaf from Devine’s playbook and make 2025 your healthiest year yet.
The position Adam Devine reveals the health lessons he learned in 2024 – and his goals for 2025 appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.