Shailene Woodley has never been shy about sharing the highs and lows of her career and personal life. Known for her roles in Big Little Lies and The Fault in Our Stars, the actress’s dedication to her craft has often meant sacrificing comfort for authenticity, especially when preparing for a role. One of her most extreme transformations came in preparation for the 2018 film Adrift, where she portrayed a woman stranded at sea, struggling to survive. The transformation was not just physical but emotional and psychological, as Woodley pushed herself to extremes for the sake of her art. But how did she lose the weight—and was it worth it?
The Role that Demanded Extreme Measures
For Adrift, Woodley was cast as Tami Oldham, a woman who is left stranded in the Pacific Ocean after a catastrophic hurricane destroys her sailing vessel. To play the role convincingly, Woodley had to undergo a dramatic physical transformation. The filmmakers wanted her to appear as though she had been starving for weeks, which led to a drastic weight loss.
In interviews, Woodley admitted to following a 350-calorie-per-day diet for the last two weeks of the shoot. The strict regimen consisted of very little: a can of salmon, some steamed broccoli, and two egg yolks a day. This extreme measure, which was pushed to help her appear as a malnourished castaway, was grueling for the actress. “It was f**ing miserable*,” she confessed to The Sunday Times about the process.
The actress’s commitment to her role went beyond just eating minimal food. It was a physically and mentally draining period, leaving her feeling not only physically depleted but emotionally affected as well. Yet, her drive to authentically portray Tami Oldham outweighed the negative effects.
The Struggle Behind the Weight Loss
Extreme diets like the one Woodley followed for Adrift often come with significant physical and emotional tolls. While many actors opt for healthier transformations, Woodley’s approach for this particular role required sacrifices, both physically and psychologically. In addition to the low-calorie intake, she also had to restrict her fluid intake to ensure her body appeared shriveled and dehydrated, further contributing to her exhaustion.
However, the process wasn’t without its internal battles. Woodley revealed that while she was fully aware of the necessity of the diet for the film, the journey felt like a personal challenge. “You don’t realize how much your body starts to crave food when you go on a diet like that,” Woodley explained. For someone who had always valued health, eating a mere 350 calories a day was not only a shock to her system but also a mental challenge.
The Aftermath: How Shailene Woodley Felt After the Diet
Once the Adrift shoot was over, Woodley began the process of regaining her health. She opened up about the emotional and physical difficulties that followed the weight loss, noting that it wasn’t easy for her to return to a healthier eating routine after the extreme diet. She was especially candid about how her body, particularly her breasts, shrank during the weight loss process. “My boobs shrank,” she humorously mentioned in interviews, explaining that she faced some wardrobe issues after losing the weight. Despite the humorous take on it, this shift in her body made her realize just how much the weight loss had affected her.
However, Woodley found that the experience gave her a deeper understanding of her body and health. “I feel healthier than I’ve ever been,” she confessed later, emphasizing the importance of balance and maintaining a sustainable lifestyle. Her diet was no longer about restrictive eating but rather focusing on what made her feel strong and energized.
Shailene Woodley’s Take on Health and Diet
While the extreme diet for Adrift was a necessary evil for the role, Woodley’s everyday approach to health is far more grounded. The actress has often shared that she doesn’t subscribe to restrictive or fad diets. Instead, she believes in listening to her body and choosing foods that nourish her. She’s an advocate of holistic health, which involves eating whole, unprocessed foods, and believes in the benefits of mindfulness and emotional well-being.
Interestingly, Woodley has often made headlines for her unique approach to detoxification. In one interview, she even mentioned eating clay as part of her detox regimen, which generated mixed reactions from her fans and health experts alike. She also practices yoga, meditation, and other mindfulness techniques to keep her mental and physical health in check. These practices have helped her embrace a more balanced approach to her diet and fitness, especially after the extreme measures she took for her role in Adrift.
A New Perspective on Weight Loss: Mindfulness Over Restriction
Through her weight loss journey, particularly for Adrift, Shailene Woodley learned an important lesson: weight loss should never come at the expense of one’s mental and physical health. She now advocates for a more mindful approach to health and wellness—one that’s focused on balance rather than extreme restriction.
Woodley’s experience highlights the importance of listening to your body, maintaining a healthy relationship with food, and finding a routine that promotes long-term well-being. As she continues to evolve in her career and life, she has shifted from the mindset of drastic transformations to one that embraces self-care and sustainable lifestyle choices.
FAQs About Shailene Woodley’s Weight Loss Journey
1. Why did Shailene Woodley lose weight for Adrift?Shailene Woodley lost weight for her role in Adrift to authentically portray a character stranded at sea, starving and struggling for survival. The filmmakers wanted her to look emaciated to create a realistic portrayal of her character’s fight for survival.
2. What diet did Shailene Woodley follow for Adrift?For the last two weeks of filming Adrift, Shailene Woodley followed an extreme 350-calorie-a-day diet, consisting mainly of a can of salmon, two egg yolks, and some steamed broccoli. This diet was grueling but necessary for the role.
3. How did Shailene Woodley feel after following the extreme diet?Woodley described the experience as “miserable” and noted that it was emotionally and physically draining. After filming, she struggled to return to a healthy eating routine, acknowledging the toll it took on her body.
4. What does Shailene Woodley believe about weight loss now?Shailene Woodley advocates for a more balanced approach to health, emphasizing mindfulness, listening to her body, and eating whole foods. She no longer supports extreme dieting but instead focuses on a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.
5. Did Shailene Woodley gain the weight back after filming?Yes, after filming Adrift, Woodley returned to a healthier lifestyle and regained the weight she lost during the shoot. She learned the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between diet and physical activity.
Shailene Woodley’s Weight Loss Journey – A Story of Sacrifice, Struggle, and Growth
Shailene Woodley’s weight loss journey for Adrift wasn’t just about looking the part; it was a testament to her commitment to her craft. However, as she moved forward, she realized the importance of embracing a healthy balance rather than resorting to extreme measures. Her experience offers valuable lessons about self-care, mindful eating, and the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with one’s body.
