Damian Priest, a prominent figure in WWE currently performing on the Raw brand as part of The Judgment Day stable, has garnered attention not only for his in-ring prowess but also for his impressive physical transformation. This article delves into the diet and workout regimen that Priest has adopted, drawing from various sources to provide a detailed overview.
From Nightclub Bouncer to WWE Superstar: The Journey of Damian Priest
Before achieving success in WWE, Luis Martínez, known to the world as Damian Priest, faced numerous challenges. He once worked as a nightclub bouncer and manager, a period during which he gained a significant amount of weight. In fact, before joining WWE, Damian Priest was open about his weight issues. He even had to sleep on the streets for a few months because he had no money at all. A turning point came when his employer demanded he quit wrestling. This prompted Priest to dedicate himself entirely to his wrestling career, leading to a remarkable weight loss transformation.
Damian Priest's Weight Loss Transformation
Damian Priest's weight loss journey is a testament to his dedication and hard work. He shed over 100 pounds, transforming his physique and enhancing his agility in the ring. Reflecting on this period, Priest admitted that he initially reacted poorly to WWE's initial rejection, falling into a negative spiral. However, he eventually decided to take control of his life and career, committing himself to improving his physical condition.
The WWE Chronicle episode focused on Priest’s upbringing, wrestling background, and his recent main-roster debut. “I went deeper down this hole of, ‘To hell with the world, I’m right, everybody else is wrong, so I’m gonna continue,’” Priest said. “Actually, I wasn’t even continuing, I got worse. I decided to put in less work and get lazier because, for whatever reason, I thought that was the right decision and that would help me. Sometimes I think back and I’m grateful for where I am today but I wonder, ‘How did this happen?’ Because I should not be here with who I was.
Diet Principles
Damian Priest follows a strict diet plan to maintain his physique. He focuses on consuming sufficient protein to support muscle growth and recovery. To meet his daily protein requirement of 250 grams, Priest incorporates protein bars and smoothies into his diet. He strategically consumes carbohydrates, primarily opting for pancakes, potatoes, and oats after 8 PM. The aggressive WWE star isolates his feasts into various food classes to increment digestion.
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Workout Routine
Priest is known for his dedication to working out. He spends approximately two hours a day, five days a week, at the gym, focusing on building and maintaining his physique.
Sheamus joined Damian Priest for one of the “Celtic Warrior Workouts” on YouTube at Ford’s Gym in Madison, WI, where Damian Priest takes Sheamus through a grueling upper body and shoulder workout.
Here are some key components of Damian Priest's workout routine:
- Warm-up: Priest emphasizes the importance of warming up muscles to get the blood flowing, reducing the risk of injury.
- Progressive Weight Reduction: He typically starts with his heaviest weight and gradually lowers it, a technique he believes further protects him from straining his deltoids.
- Rep Range: Priest often begins with 20 reps but adjusts the volume of each set based on how he feels.
- Machine Assistance: Priest and Sheamus use machines to aid their stability during certain exercises.
- Controlled Movements: Priest demonstrates controlled movements, such as lifting both arms to the sides and bringing them together before moving them out again, maintaining tension on the muscles.
- Varied Exercises: The workout includes a variety of exercises targeting different muscle groups, such as lateral raises, front raises, and overhead raises.
- Trap Focus: Priest prefers using a wider grip for trap exercises, which he feels eases the strain on his neck.
- Punching Bag Drills: The workout incorporates punching bag drills, with the wrestlers working 360 degrees around the bag, incorporating jabs, crosses, and hooks.
Listening to the Body
Priest is a proponent of listening to his body and adjusting his workout accordingly. He varies the number of sets and the weight he lifts based on how he feels on a given day.
Practical Benefits of Strength and Fitness
Damian Priest's dedication to strength and fitness extends beyond the wrestling ring. He recognizes the practical benefits of being physically fit, including the ability to lift and move heavy objects, as well as an overall enhanced quality of life.
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Principles for Physical and Spiritual Fitness
Drawing from personal experience, Damian Priest emphasizes the importance of integrating physical and spiritual well-being. He shares seven principles that have guided his pursuit of remaining strong and physically fit:
- Body as a Gift: Recognizing that the body is not merely personal property but a gift from God, given for a specific purpose or mission. Neglecting health and fitness is seen as treating the body as something that doesn't belong to God.
- Soul-Body Connection: Understanding the interconnectedness of soul and body health, as emphasized by St. Thomas Aquinas. Compromising physical health can have spiritual implications, and vice versa.
- Mindful Eating: Practicing moderation in eating habits, avoiding the trap of considering pleasurable eating as an end in itself.
- Liturgical Calendar as a Guide: Using the Catholic Liturgical Calendar to moderate eating habits, limiting the consumption of rich foods to solemnities and feast days.
- Prioritizing Natural Foods: Emphasizing the nutritional benefits of natural, unprocessed foods over processed alternatives.
- Embracing Movement: Recognizing that the body is created for motion and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle.
- Muscular Strength as a Sign of Health: Incorporating resistance training or calisthenics into daily routines to maintain muscular strength and overall health.
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