June 18, 2025, 5:20 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Christopher Schwarzenegger recently made headlines with his significant weight loss. Having struggled with being considerably overweight in the past, he has now turned his life around, becoming more athletic and noticeably slimmer. His famous father, bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger, has now spoken out, acknowledging that he was always aware of his son’s weight issues.
What could be more natural than Christopher Schwarzenegger getting nutrition and training tips from his father? Some might have wondered, seeing pictures of the overweight young man in the past: How is that possible with a bodybuilder father? Most people who have struggled with motivation gaps, phases of unhealthy eating, or mental challenges know it’s not that simple. These are experiences Christopher Schwarzenegger may have had as well. Arnold Schwarzenegger, on the other hand, seems never to have shamed his son for his body. “I always believed it had to come from him,” the “Terminator” star revealed in an interview.
Overview
“I Couldn’t Tell Him That”
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the father of five children, has surely looked at his son Christopher with concern more than once. As a professional athlete, he knows not only how to combat overweight but also why it’s important. Overweight is known to be associated with various secondary diseases—from cardiovascular diseases to cancer.
Nevertheless, he seems not to have discussed the issue closely with his son: “I could never go to him and say, ‘You are overweight,'” Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed in a conversation with “The Times.” The family’s attempts to steer Christopher in a healthier direction were apparently more subtle. “We just constantly offered him healthy food. We also tried to introduce him to the gym. We tried all these things,” said the bodybuilding legend.
Who doesn’t know this? Appeals and advice from one’s own parents are often hard to accept. They often meet with resistance at first. The direct approach is often not successful for families. It seems to be no different in the Schwarzenegger patchwork family.
Also interesting: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Most Underrated Training Tip
“Suddenly He Wanted to Be Slim”
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s patience has apparently paid off: His son reached a point where he wanted to turn his life around. “And then, all of a sudden, he decided he wanted to be slim. And now he is,” Arnold Schwarzenegger proudly recounted in the interview. “It’s fantastic, the self-discipline and self-motivation. I always believed it had to come from him—and it did.”
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Christopher Schwarzenegger’s Transformation
The transformation of the Schwarzenegger son didn’t happen overnight—otherwise, it would have been extremely unhealthy. Instead, a trip where he couldn’t participate in all activities due to his weight prompted Christopher Schwarzenegger to rethink a few years ago. Even then, the path to a fit figure wasn’t easy, as the 27-year-old recently revealed at an event: “It didn’t happen overnight; it took a lot of trial and error.” Learn more about Christopher Schwarzenegger’s transformation here.