2024 was a wild ride. And comedian and actor Adam Devine was no different. Righteous Gems Star embarked on quite the health journey in 2024, gaining 25 pounds of “sympathy weight” during his wife’s pregnancy and then becoming a father for the first time.
Life’s experiences gave him the wake-up call he needed to refocus on his health. With his newfound role as a parent, Devine’s health journey has been less about how he looks on camera and more about being there for his family. He lost those 25 pounds using common sense strategies — and not any of the fad diets that were taking social media by storm.
During a conversation with MyFitnessPalDevine revealed his biggest health lessons from 2024 and how he’ll use those learnings through 2025 to create the happiest and healthiest (and most fun) new year yet.
Lesson 1: Fried chicken is the MVP
Devine has a special relationship with the humble fried 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’s definitely on the safe side with this convenient, protein-packed staple. It helps him reach his nutritional goals without having to spend 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 a light ranch sauce, but the next day I chop it up and put it in a burrito with a low-carb wrap. “Sometimes my wife puts broccoli and sweet potatoes in the oven as a side dish on the third day,” he explains.
Fried chicken is proof that convenience and health can coexist. And it doesn’t necessarily have to be roast chicken – a large portion of lentils or some baked tofu could also be the protein-rich base of many meals throughout the week. Like Devine, plan ahead 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 to be trusted, 2024 was a big year for more food (and more) protein. Research shows that this macronutrient can Support a 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.
While filming The Righteous GemsA co-star introduced him 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 high in calories they were.” Until he looked up the ingredients and found out the nutritional information for each little protein ball. It turned out that each of them had about 300 calories.
“By tracking my diet, I really know what I’m eating so I don’t accidentally eat 1,000 calorie homemade protein balls.”
The lesson? Even healthy-sounding, high-protein snacks can cause you to exceed your goals if you’re not paying close attention.
Lesson 3: Drinking an 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 candy bars in a row.
Devine’s drink of choice is a classic, old fashioned drink. It was only after familiarizing himself with the calorie count of bourbon and rye that he began to understand what a treat this cocktail could be.
“My vice is a nice cocktail like an old fashioned one – although I now realize that’s like drinking a chocolate bar,” he admits.
Indulgence like this is essential to finding balance and building a diet that is actually sustainable long-term. 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 an everyday – or multiple times a day – habit.
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Lesson 4: Nutrition is the key to showing up as a father
When you become a parent, everything changes. As Devine discovered, that includes the way you view food and fitness.
“Since becoming a father, the hardest thing for me to do is spend time with my son and not go to the gym,” Devine explains. “That makes eating healthier even more important because I will always choose to spend time with Beau.”
By prioritizing nutrition, he can maintain his energy and be present for his 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 himself for his son.
Lesson 5: A loose wedding ring can also increase motivation
Devine understands the importance of off-scale victories and uses them for motivation. Over the last year, he noticed that his wedding ring was becoming looser and his face appeared slimmer on screen.
“I have a whole new wardrobe, although it’s dated as I haven’t been this slim in years,” he jokes. It’s these everyday victories that motivate him. “My greatest successes are not the numbers on the scale.”
Lesson 6: How you eat affects how you feel
Devine learned firsthand how nutrition affects physical and mental well-being. “The extra weight made me feel and look bloated, which was uncomfortable,” he recalls. “I just didn’t feel like myself.” Now, a healthier diet has helped him feel more energetic and confident.
When you prioritize nutrient-dense foods, you not only strengthen your body but support your overall well-being. Parenting requires a lot of energy, and thanks to his diet, Devine has more now than he has in years. (More on that in a moment…)
Lesson 7: Don’t miss out on biscuits – or steaks
For Devine, living a healthy life doesn’t mean giving up the things he loves. It’s about balance. “Life is fun,” he states. “You should have this birthday cake. Enjoy it and then get back to achieving your goals.”
For example, at his annual family gatherings, he enjoys all of his favorite foods, including cookies, steaks, and beer. It is an occasion that he looks forward to and wants to enjoy to the fullest.
“I usually let it fly for this special event,” he says. “When I got home last year I weighed myself and realized I had gained 8lbs in one weekend! But it’s okay to have a day or a weekend off from the routine.”
Here’s his approach to 2025: Reset and move on. Feeling guilty won’t help you, but restarting your routine will. “You have to live!” he says.
Lesson 8: It’s important to know your protein goal
When he’s not celebrating a special occasion, Devine’s daily meals focus on hitting his protein goals (without exceeding his calorie goals). Breakfast might include a “better for you” protein-packed bagel, lunch often includes grilled or roasted chicken on a salad dressed with vinaigrette, and dinner usually includes salmon with broccoli, he says.
“I’m always trying to find ways to get more protein.” Aside from his love of fried chicken, it’s not always just chicken. Devine also shared some of his favorite recipes—including turkey chili and a breakfast quesadilla—available now at the MyFitnessPal app.
Lesson 9: Grab-and-go snacks are a must
Everyone needs snacks for those hungry moments. When Devine has the right products on hand, he can avoid less nutritious alternatives and stay on top of his health goals.
His current favorites include cherry tomatoes, apples, and protein bars that are around 200 calories or less. “Having convenient grab-and-go snacks makes it much easier to stay on top of things,” he says.
Devine’s tip? Find snacks that you actually enjoy and keep them handy for when you feel hungry.
Lesson 10: Tracking makes health goals achievable
For Devine, food tracking was a game-changer. “When I track my food, I actually know what I’m eating,” he says. “Just knowing where you stand can lead to slip-ups, setbacks, vacations or celebrations.”
By increasing awareness of what you eat, tracking helps you take responsibility 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 wants to focus on eating healthy and drinking less, without splurging on 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 post Adam Devine reveals the biggest health lessons he learned in 2024 – and his goals for 2025 appeared first MyFitnessPal Blog.
