Dave Bautista, the actor and former WWE star known for his imposing physique, has recently undergone a significant transformation. In interviews, Bautista has discussed his weight loss journey, revealing the motivations, methods, and challenges involved in achieving his desired physique. This article delves into Bautista's diet, exercise routines, and the mindset that drives his commitment to health and fitness.
The Motivation Behind the Transformation
Bautista's decision to lose weight was driven by a combination of factors. After gaining weight for a specific role in M. Night Shyamalan's 2023 film "Knock at the Cabin," Bautista found himself "uncomfortably big." He admitted to journalist Chris Van Vliet that he had gained weight quickly by eating loads of french fries and pancakes, reaching around 315 pounds. "Now looking back at it, I probably overdid it," he said.
Beyond the discomfort, Bautista also realized that his size was affecting his on-screen presence. "And I also noticed the more I trimmed down, the better I looked on camera, the better I looked next to other actors," he explained. At 6'4" and 240 pounds, he felt he appeared too large next to other actors, creating a distracting visual imbalance. "So at 6'4" and 240 pounds next to a much smaller actor, I look like a gorilla! And it's distracting!" he quipped.
The Weight Loss Process
Bautista's weight loss journey involved a combination of diet and exercise. He estimated that he eats about 2500 calories a day. "For me, it's like nothing," he laughed. "I'm just not eating much. When they were filming the interview, and that he doesn't eat three to four hours before he goes to bed. "It's a short window," he said of the time he's allowing himself to eat during the day.
While Bautista didn't specify the exact workouts he's been doing to lose weight, he did say that he is "training hard" and restricting his calories.
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Bautista's Diet: A Focus on Plant-Based Eating
In an October 2021 interview, before his "Knock at the Cabin" weight gain, Bautista told Men's Health he eats a mostly plant-based diet with "fish a couple times of the week." He clarified that he puts it in his contracts that he eats every four hours while working on set. "Then, in between those (on-set) meals, if I get hungry, I typically do an almond butter and banana or a vegan, gluten-free grilled cheese, it's my favorite go-to." His other favorite meal is sushi, he says. "Every day, all day," he joked.
Bautista's dietary choices have evolved over the years. He learned he was "terribly allergic to dairy" in 2005, so he cut that out of his diet. He went on to say he cut out red meat and pork in 2010, and then in 2021, stopped eating poultry as well. "But I do have fish a couple times a week and I do eat eggs," he said at the time. He added that someday he plans to go vegan.
During the day, Bautista focuses on consuming protein and fats. He also takes a "ton of … old man health supplements" like CoQ10, ribose and fish oil.
Bautista's Exercise Routine: A Blend of Weightlifting, Cardio, and Martial Arts
Bautista's exercise routine is diverse, incorporating weightlifting, cardio, and martial arts. He told Men's Health that when he was younger and in the WWE, he was doing a lot of "bodybuilding," but toward the end of his time on the network, he started doing more cardio. In addition to weightlifting, Bautista said the hardest workout he's ever done is fight training. "It's HIIT training while you're getting punched in the face, and it sucks," he said. "It's the most grueling thing I've ever done in my life."
His favorite workout is squats. "I had this complex when I was younger that I never wanted to be the guy with skinny legs," he laughed. Bautista noted he is always doing weight training - the Men's Health video showed the star has an elaborate at-home gym - but also has other exercise interests, like boxing and cycling. He gets his cardio using at-home spin bike and has his own boxing ring.
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"My favorite type of training, which I prefer over weight-training, is actually martial arts," he said, noting he does Brazilian jiu-jitsu in addition to boxing. "But boxing is my thing, he said. "Best cardio in the world."
The Mental Aspect of Training
Bautista has emphasized the importance of enjoying training and feeling good. He has always been a bodybuilder. He started as a bouncer, became a wrester and eventually a WWE superstar, and then transitioned to acting, where he’s climbed through the ranks to be much more than his muscles. "I think a lot of people think I’m just a meathead and that I live my life lifting weights. And I actually don’t. I do live my life training, but I think people think that I train because I want to look like a bodybuilder or a big muscle head. And it’s not at all the case." "Me looking the way I do is really just kind of a by-product of that," he said. I’d rather watch someone else deadlift than do it myself. I’d rather be boxing or doing some type of interesting cardio like cycling. I’d rather be working with a trainer and keeping it fresh.'
In the Men’s Health video, Bautista showed off his two-story gym, located at his Tampa Bay home, well-equipped with weight-training and cardio equipment as well as an array of punching bags and martial arts matted areas upstairs. “This is not only a place where I can stay in shape. But this is also like, this is my sanctuary. I come here for peace of mind. It’s therapeutical for me.
Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions
Bautista is aware that some fans have been worried about his weight loss. "Because people have seen me so much bigger over the years, they think I'm like anorexic, but I'm just a large human being," he explained. He reassured those concerned he’s still at a healthy weight. “People say, ‘God, you’re skinny,’” he said. “I’ve even seen online some people worried about my health. And when I say it out loud to people, ‘I’m 6’4″, 240 pounds,’ which sounds like, when you say that, I’m a big person!
He also clarified that he works out every day, sometimes twice a day.
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Bautista's Perspective on His Career
Bautista has shared his thoughts on his Hollywood career. "Honestly, I could give a f--- [about being a movie star]," Bautista told GQ. "I don’t live a great big glamorous life. I live here in Tampa. I don’t care about the spotlight, I don’t care about fame. I just want to be a better actor. I want respect from my peers. I don’t need accolades - I really don’t, man. It’s about the experience, about knowing that I accomplished something." He was also relieved to exit the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Drax in "Guardians of the Galaxy." "I’m so grateful for Drax. I love him. But there’s a relief [that it’s over]," Bautista previously told GQ Magazine, after he played the role for nearly a decade. "It wasn’t all pleasant. It was hard playing that role. The makeup process was beating me down. And I just don’t know if I want Drax to be my legacy - it’s a silly performance, and I want to do more dramatic stuff."