I’ve been a huge fan of Willem Dafoe since The Boondock Saint and American Psycho. But as a certified personal trainer, I’m a lot more interested in how a veteran American actor with a career spanning over 30 years manages to stay fit and healthy.
So, our team spent a day researching how his physique changed over the decades and what he has revealed in interviews about his approach to fitness.
Here’s what we believe the Willem Dafoe diet and workout routine look like.
Willem Dafoe Stats
- Born: July 22, 1955
- Height: 5’9”
- Weight: 169 lbs
- Waist: 34”
- Chest: 41”
Willem Dafoe’s Workout Routine
As he’s in his late 60s, Willem’s approach to exercise is quite different from the younger actors we have researched. But what I gathered from my research is that he focuses on staying very active.
He used to do a lot more strength training for movies, but looking at him in The Florida Project TV show, he’s not as muscular these days.
Monday: Yoga
Willem Dafoe practices yoga multiple times a week and joins private classes in New York. Even when he’s away from home, he continues with this approach.
He favors Ashtanga yoga, which is a very structured form that aims to improve flexibility and overall physical strength in all body parts [1].
Tuesday: Outdoor Running
Willem Dafoe prefers to go running outdoors in one of the New York parks. But there are also many occasions where his work or the weather get in the way. In those cases, he uses a treadmill at his home gym or on set.
He doesn’t seem to do any high-intensity running for his workout routine and mainly sticks with a steady pace to keep his heart rate up.
Wednesday: Walking or Hiking
Willem and his wife like to go for regular walks in their West Village neighborhood in New York. There are plenty of urban and park opportunities for nice walks to keep things interesting.
He also likes to go on hikes that can last a few hours and take him out of the busy city life and into nature. It’s something that NY state has plenty to offer.
Thursday: Yoga
He’s back to practicing yoga on Thursday with another private class or going through his usual routine on his own. The great thing about yoga is that you can turn it into quite an intense training session with the right poses.
And looking at his slim build in the most recent TV show, “The Florida Project,” I would guess that he likes to get into a sweat with his yoga.
Friday: Outdoor Running
Fridays are also dedicated to physical activity that helps with cardiovascular health. That means going for another run, and it seems like all this activity is a key part of his avoiding many of the signs of aging.
Saturday/Sunday: Rest
While it looks like Willem Dafoe doesn’t have designated activities for a weekend workout routine, he still remains active by going for walks. That’s a critical thing as you age, and many studies confirm that regular walking has many health benefits as you get older [2].
What Are His Workout Principles?
Willem Dafoe’s workout principles are to stay as active as possible every single day.
If you look at his career, which spans three decades, you’ll notice that he has always been very slim. And while he used to be a lot more ripped and muscular, it’s clear that he still pays close attention to exercise.
His general principle is that he needs to take a low-impact approach. And one of the ways that he feels works best for him is through regular yoga practice.
As a New York resident, there’s going to be no shortage of instructors and classes. And it looks like he goes to at least two classes a week.
With multiple nominations for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards, he is still in the limelight a lot, and I haven’t found any photos of him where he looks out of shape.
“Have work that you love and also some sort of physical or spiritual practice. Get some kind of healthy routine. For me, that's yoga practice.”
- William James Dafoe
What’s His Diet Plan?
The Willem Dafoe diet is mainly plant-based. He has mentioned that he sticks with a mostly vegan diet but does occasionally have some dairy products and a little bit of meat. Overall, though, he seems to stick to healthy vegan food 90% of the time.
Here is what a typical day could look like:
- Breakfast: Oatmeal with almond milk and fresh berries
- Lunch: Fresh salad with a light dressing
- Dinner: Vegan meatballs with whole grain spaghetti and vegetables
It’s a pretty straightforward approach to planning meals with only fresh ingredients and avoiding meat as much as possible.
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Does He Take Supplements?
Willem Dafoe hasn’t talked about taking specific supplements to support his diet and workouts. And considering that he’s not spending hours a day lifting weights, many of the typical supplements won’t apply.
But for the veteran American actor to achieve and maintain his fitness goals in his late 60s, my dietitian suggested that there are a few supplements he probably takes.
One of the things people over 60 should consider is Omega-3 supplements. These don’t just aid your immune system and digestive function; they can also help reduce inflammation [3].
The other thing that can help if the goal is to lose or maintain weight is a fat burner. These can help boost metabolic processes that burn off extra calories and fat reserves.
FAQs
What Does Willem Dafoe Eat?
Willem Dafoe mainly eats plant-based foods. About 90% of the time, he sticks to a vegan diet for health and environmental reasons. But there are some occasions when he will eat meat and dairy products.
How Did Willem Defoe Lose Weight?
Willem Dafoe lost weight mainly by running and doing yoga. He sticks with simple cardio exercises as a way to manage his weight but also focuses on calorie restriction to avoid running into fat storage issues in the first place.
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