Adam Devine reveals the biggest health lessons he learned in 2024 — and his goals for 2025.

2024 has been a wild ride. It was no different for comedian and actor Adam Devine. Righteous Gemstones The star embarked on quite the health journey in 2024, including putting on 25 pounds of “compassionate weight” during his wife’s pregnancy, then becoming a dad for the first time.

Life experiences gave him a wake-up call to refocus on his health. With his newfound role as a parent, Devine’s health journey has become more camera-ready and more about showing up to his family. He lost those 25 pounds using common sense strategies—not any of the fad diets that have taken social media by storm.

During the conversation with MyFitnessPalDevine reveals his biggest health lessons from 2024 and how he’ll carry those learnings into 2025 to create the happiest and healthiest (and funniest) New Year yet.

Lesson 1: Rotisserie Chicken is an MVP

Devine has a special relationship with the humble barbecue 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 a dirty bird!”

But he’s definitely on to something with this high-protein convenience food. It helps him achieve his nutritional goals without spending hours in the kitchen.

One of the reasons this works for him is because he varies 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 chop it up and put it in a low-carb burrito. Sometimes my wife will put broccoli and sweet potatoes in the oven on the third day as sides,” he explains.

Rotisserie chicken is proof that comfort and health can coexist. And it doesn’t have to be grilled chicken – a big batch of lentils or some baked tofu can also be the protein-packed base of many meals during the week. Plan ahead like Devine and you’ll always have a delicious, nutritious meal 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 was a big year for eating more (i.e more) of protein. Research shows that this macronutrient can support the weight loss journey in a number of ways, including promoting satiety. But Devine learned the hard way that not all high-protein snacks are created equal.

While I’m recording The Righteous Gemstonesa colleague introduced him to homemade high-protein balls.

“They were tasty and small, so I ate three or four a day,” he says. “I had no idea how calorie dense they were.” That is, until he looked at the ingredients and discovered the nutritional information for each little protein ball. Turns out they’re about 300 calories each.

“Tracking my food helps me actually know what I’m eating so I don’t accidentally eat 1,000 calories of homemade protein balls.”

A lesson? Even healthy protein-rich snacks can cause you to overshoot your goals if you’re not paying close attention.

Lesson 3: Drinking an Old Fashioned is like eating candy

It’s not uncommon to have two or three drinks during a night out with friends. But most people wouldn’t eat three sweets in a row.

Devine’s drink of choice is a classic Old Fashioned. It wasn’t until he became familiar with the calorie count of bourbon and rye that he began to realize just how ostentatious the cocktail could be.

“My vice is a nice cocktail like an Old Fashioned—although now I realize that’s like drinking candy,” he admits.

Such indulgences are necessary to achieve balance and build a dietary pattern that is actually sustainable in the long term. But it is important to be aware of them and recognize their impact.

“I’ve learned that it’s all about balance,” Devine said. Moral of the story? Enjoy your cocktail, but know what you’re consuming and don’t let it become a daily – or several times a day – habit.

Lesson 4: Nutrition is key to showing off as a dad

When you become a parent, everything changes. As Devine discovered, that includes how you view food and fitness.

“Since becoming a dad, the hardest trade-off for me is spending time with my son versus going to the gym,” explains Devine. “That makes eating healthier even more important because I will always choose spending time with Beau.”

Prioritizing nutrition allows him to maintain his energy and stay 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 yourself for your son.

Lesson 5: Even a loose wedding ring can increase motivation

Devine understands the importance of wins without volume and uses them for motivation. Over the past year, he’s noticed his wedding ring loosening and his on-screen face looking thinner.

“I have a brand new wardrobe even though it’s outdated because I haven’t been this skinny in years,” he jokes. Those daily victories keep him motivated. “My greatest victories are not numbers on a scale.”

Lesson 6: How you eat affects how you feel

Devine learned firsthand how diet affects physical and mental well-being. “Being overweight, I felt and looked bloated, so I was uncomfortable,” he recalls. “I just didn’t feel like myself.” Now eating healthier has helped him feel more energetic and confident.

When you prioritize nutritious foods, you not only fuel your body but support your overall sense of well-being. Parenting takes tons of energy, and now Devine has more than he’s had in years thanks to the way he eats. (More on that in a second…)

Lesson 7: Don’t miss the cookies—or the steak

For Devine, living healthy doesn’t mean giving up the things he loves. Everything is in the balance. “Life is funny,” he observes. “You should have that birthday cake. Enjoy it and then get back to your goals.”

For example, at his annual family gatherings, he indulges in all his favorite things, including cookies, steaks, and beer. It’s an opportunity he’s looking forward to and wants to enjoy to the fullest.

“I usually ‘let it fly’ for this particular event,” he says. “Last year, when I came home, I weighed myself and saw that I gained 8 kg in one weekend! But it’s okay to have a day or a weekend out of the routine.”

Here’s the approach he takes in 2025: Reset and move on. Guilt doesn’t serve you, but restarting your routine does. “You must 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 going over his calorie goals). Breakfast might include a “better-for-you” bagel packed with protein, lunch is often grilled or grilled chicken on 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 grilled chicken aside, it’s not just chicken all the time. Devine also shared some of his favorite recipes—including turkey chili and breakfast quesadillas—which are now available at The MyFitnessPal app.

Lesson 9: Snacks are essential

Everyone needs snacks for those hungry moments. Having the right ones on hand helps Devine avoid less nutritious options and stay on track with his health goals.

His current favorites include cherry tomatoes, apples and protein bars that are around 200 calories or less. “Having handy snacks ready to go makes it a lot easier to stay on track,” he says.

Devine’s advice? Find snacks that you truly enjoy and keep them close at hand when hunger strikes.

Lesson 10: Tracking makes health goals attainable

For Devine, food tracking was a game changer. “Tracking my food helps me actually know what I’m eating,” he says. “Only knowing where you stand allows for slips, failures, rests or celebrations.”

By making you more aware of what you’re eating, 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 learned last year, he 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 with a cocktail or a cookie. Because you don’t have to be perfect to get results – you just have to know where you stand so you can make informed decisions from there.

So take a page from Devine’s book and make 2025 your healthiest year yet.

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