2024 has been a wild ride. And it was no different for comedian and actor Adam Devine. Fair Gems star embarked on a whole health journey in 2024, including gaining 25 pounds of “sympathy weight” during his wife’s pregnancy and then becoming a first-time father.
The life 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 became less about looking camera-ready and more about showing up for his family. He lost those 25 pounds with common sense strategies—and not any of the fad diets that took social media by storm.
Speaking with MyFitnessPal, Devine revealed his biggest health lessons from 2024 and how he’ll take those lessons into 2025 to create the happiest, healthiest (and most fun) 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 want to buy three chickens at the beginning of the week,” he says. “I love that dirty bird!”
But he’s definitely on to something with this convenient, high-protein staple. It helps him achieve his nutritional goals without spending hours in the kitchen.
One of the reasons 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, but the next day I tear 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 side dishes 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 serving of lentils or baked tofu can also be the protein-packed base for 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 to be believed, 2024 has been a big year for eating more (and more) protein. Research shows that this macronutrient can support a weight loss journey in a number of ways, including by 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 high-protein balls.
“They were delicious 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 up the ingredients and found out the nutritional information for each little ball of protein. They turned out to be 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-sounding high-protein snacks can cause you to overshoot your goals if you’re not careful.
Lesson 3: Drinking an Old Fashioned is like eating a candy bar
It is not uncommon to have two or three drinks over 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. It was only after becoming familiar with the calorie count of bourbon and rye that he began to understand what a splurge the cocktail could be.
“My vise is a nice cocktail like an Old Fashioned – although I now realize it’s like drinking a candy bar,” he admits.
Indulgences like this are essential to creating balance and building a dietary pattern that is actually sustainable in the long term. But it is important to be aware of them and recognize their influence.
“I’ve learned it’s all about balance,” Devine said. The moral of the story? Enjoy a cocktail, but know what you’re consuming and don’t let it become an everyday – or a few times a day – habit.
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Lesson 4: Nutrition is the key to showing up as a dad
When you become a parent, everything changes. As Devine found, that includes the way you look at food and fitness.
“Since becoming a father, the hardest trade-off for me is spending time with my son instead of going to the gym,” explains Devine. “That’s what makes eating healthier all the more important because I’ll always choose to hang out with Beau.”
Prioritizing nutrition allows him to maintain his energy and remain 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 yourself for your son.
Lesson 5: Even a loose wedding ring can boost motivation
Devine understands the importance of non-scale victories and uses them to motivate. Over the past year, he has noticed that his wedding ring has loosened and his face looks slimmer on screen.
“I have a whole new wardrobe, although it’s outdated as I haven’t been this slim in years,” he jokes. It is 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 diet affects both 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.” Now, eating healthier has helped him feel more energetic and confident.
When you prioritize nutritious foods, you don’t just give your body energy – you 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 means not giving up the things he loves. It’s all about balance. “Life is funny,” he notes. “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 favorites, including cookies, steaks, and beer. It is an occasion he is looking forward to and will enjoy to the fullest.
“I tend to ‘let it fly’ for this particular event,” he says. “Last year, when I got home, I weighed myself and saw that I had gained 8 kg in one weekend! But it’s OK to have a day or weekend off from the routine.”
Here’s the approach he’s taking going into 2025: Reset and move on. Feeling guilty doesn’t serve you, but restarting your routine does. “You have to live!” he says.
Lesson 8: Knowing your protein goal matters
When he’s not celebrating a special occasion, Devine’s daily meals are centered around hitting his protein goals (without blowing past his calorie goals). Breakfast might include a “better-for-you” protein-packed bagel, lunch is often grilled or rotisserie chicken on a vinaigrette-dressed salad, and dinner is typically salmon with broccoli, he says.
“I’m always trying to find ways to get more protein.” And aside from his love of rotisserie chicken, it’s not just chicken all the time. Devine also shared some of her favorite go-to recipes—including turkey chili and a breakfast quesadilla—now available in the MyFitnessPal app.
Lesson 9: Go-to Snacks are a must
Everyone needs snacks for those hanging moments. Having the right ones for him 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 provide about 200 calories or less. “Having convenient snacks ready to go makes it so much easier to stay on track,” he says.
Devine’s tip? Find snacks you really enjoy and keep them within reach when hunger strikes.
Lesson 10: Tracking Makes Health Goals Achievable
For Devine, food tracking has been a game changer. “Tracking my food helps me know what I’m eating,” he says. “Just knowing where you stand allows for slips, setbacks, vacations or celebrations.”
By paying attention to 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 in the past 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 over a cocktail or a cookie. Because you don’t need to be perfect to achieve 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.
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