Hulk Hogan, a name synonymous with professional wrestling, built a legacy in the ring through intense physical dedication. Now at 69, weighing 265 pounds after dropping 40 pounds from his heavyweight days, Hogan shares his journey of overcoming injuries and maintaining fitness. This article delves into the diet and workout routine that have shaped his career and continue to contribute to his health and well-being.
The Price of Wrestling: Overcoming Injuries and Pain
Hogan has endured approximately 25 surgeries in the last decade, including knee and hip replacements, shoulder and back surgeries, and operations on his eyes and abdominals. Wrestling may be perceived as "fake," but the physical toll is undeniably real. The numerous injuries and subsequent treatments led to chronic pain, inflammation, and reliance on prescription drugs.
Hogan grew weary of the brain fog, sleep disturbances, constant fatigue, and the feeling of not being himself. About a year ago, he decided to discontinue all pain medications. A significant turning point occurred when he drastically reduced alcohol consumption and incorporated CBD products into his routine. This combination proved to be a game changer. As the inflammation and pain diminished, the need to wash down pain pills with alcohol disappeared. Cutting back on alcohol and improving his diet allowed him to train consistently, leading to his current state of well-being.
The Modern Diet: Clean Eating and Conscious Choices
Hogan initially lost weight by eliminating the extra calories from alcohol and removing dairy from his diet. Currently, he prioritizes eating clean. He has moved away from the traditional "eggs every day" approach, consuming egg whites only every three or four days. His mornings now consist of yogurt and fruit, accompanied by a couple of cups of organic coffee, followed by a workout. Lunch typically includes a small portion of protein.
He aims to eat every three to four hours, with a slightly larger meal in the late afternoon. While he occasionally indulges in dairy-free ice cream, he avoids eating after sunset to curb late-night cravings.
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From Excess to Organic: A Dietary Shift
Hogan's current diet is a stark contrast to his wrestling days, which involved consuming large quantities of food, including a breakfast of twelve fried eggs, two hamburger patties, oatmeal, and lots of butter. He consumed such a high volume of food to replenish the energy expended during his demanding schedule.
"Hollywood Hogan" now embraces a clean lifestyle, eliminating sugar and alcohol from his diet and focusing on organic foods. His diet primarily consists of proteins and vegetables, with a light breakfast and protein-rich meals for lunch and dinner. He emphasizes the importance of distancing himself from the foods and drinks he consumed during his wrestling career.
The Role of Supplements
Hogan acknowledges the importance of supplements in supporting his diet. Supplements provide essential support and minerals that muscles require, which can be challenging to obtain solely from food sources. He incorporates supplements like creatine, proteins, and omega-3s into his routine.
Cheat Days and Mindful Indulgences
Despite his commitment to a healthy diet, Hogan allows himself occasional cheat days. He enjoys spending time with fans and indulging in french fries while singing karaoke. He also enjoys non-dairy ice cream, mocha chocolate fudge, almond milk, and vanilla sandwiches as snacks.
The Workout Routine: Consistency and Adaptation
Hogan emphasizes consistency as the key to his fitness. His philosophy is "if you slow down, you go down." He makes it a point to get to the gym, even if it's just to start on the stationary bike, as a first step toward recovery.
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Hulk Hogan’s workout routine, as described in his book My Life Outside the Ring, was all about building serious strength and size. He trained six days a week, focusing on heavy lifting with exercises like squats, deadlifts, and curls. Each day targeted a specific muscle group: chest, back, legs, arms, or shoulders.
Training Smart: Adapting to Age and Injuries
Hogan acknowledges the importance of training smart, especially considering his age and past injuries. He has scaled down his gym over the years and adapted his movements to avoid irritation. He splits his week into days for training multiple muscle groups. He favors exercises like the preacher curl, which allows him to train around injuries.
What Hogan has realized is the more he can work on certain things, such as his wrist and his back, it helps his attitude. If you respect yourself, and you work on cultivating that healthier lifestyle, both physically and mentally, it just makes every part of your life better. If I can do it, so can you.
The Power of CBD
CBD has significantly impacted Hogan's life in recent years. He credits it with aiding his recovery from multiple surgeries in a way that prescription painkillers couldn't.
Mental Fortitude: A Sound Mind and Positive Attitude
Hogan emphasizes the importance of a sound mind as a key component of a healthy life. Maintaining a positive attitude and cultivating a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally, can improve all aspects of life.
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Overcoming Negativity and Embracing Life
Hogan describes a transformation in his mindset. He used to be a "no" guy, reluctant to engage in activities. He lived like a hermit, not at peace with himself. Now, he is a completely different person, full of energy and eager to participate in life.
Lessons Learned: Advice for Transformation
Hogan's advice for anyone seeking to make a change later in life is to "just get back to the dance." Reconnect with who you are and what you love. He encourages finding ways to train around limitations strategically and emphasizes the importance of consistency.
The Hulk Hogan Mantra: Then and Now
The Hulk Hogan mantra was always "say your prayers, eat your vitamins," but it was just by rote; that was part of my wrestling character. Now I understand it. I live by that oath now-that dedication to wellness as a whole.
Legacy and Inspiration
Hogan has no regrets about his journey, including his time in a rock 'n' roll band and his wrestling career. He loved the character of Hulk and the positive impact it had on so many people.