“The Nightmare” reveals his diet philosophies to get jacked and ripped.
Final up to date on March sixteenth, 2025
“Should you don’t perceive and respect meals, it could possibly lead you to a horrible place,” English bodybuilder and actor Martyn Ford mentioned in an interview with Males’s Well being in March 2025.
The 6-foot-8-inch tall, 300-plus pound bodybuilder has landed roles in a number of marquee movies and sequence, together with his most up-to-date, the 2025 Amazon Prime Video drama sequence Home of David, during which he portrays Goliath, based mostly on the biblical character.
Ford remembers the present’s director telling him, “I don’t need you to be lean; I need you to be huge, so simply eat.” As a foodie, Ford was thrilled, expressing, “For somebody who enjoys meals, it’s higher than the paycheck.”
Martyn Ford’s Guidelines to Get Jacked
Ford’s coaching consists of strongman exercises to construct a physique worthy of the larger-than-life character.
Ford sticks to a easy, whole-food weight loss program, asserting, “There’s no unimaginable philosophy to this; it’s widespread sense.” “Empty energy” are meals missing helpful vitamins, typically with excessive quantities of refined sugars. These meals are related to low vitality ranges and unhealthy dietary habits.
To construct muscle, the very last thing you could really feel is drained, torpid, and missing motivation.
—Martyn Ford
Breakfast & Macros
Ford’s meals are constant. “Should you fluctuate meals an excessive amount of, it’s tough to see what’s working, and what’s not,” he defined. Carbs are primarily train gas, however consuming too many could cause early fatigue.
One to 4 grams of carbs per kilogram of physique weight is perhaps optimum; keep away from extended fasting following exercises to forestall muscle breakdown. (1)
Ford’s “Goliath” weight loss program contains excessive carbs and fat with reasonable protein. Throughout a bulk, it’s prompt that fifty to 60% of energy come from carbs, 25 to 30% protein, and the remaining from fats. This will assist decrease fats acquire in a caloric surplus. (2)
Post-workout, Ford refuels as quickly as doable. Carb helps muscle mass get better and optimize subsequent exercises. (3)
Lunch & Dinner
Ford prioritizes high quality protein sources, akin to meat and fish, which comprise heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. His performance-fueling carbs are candy potatoes and rice.
Ford reduces carbs and will increase fat to remain shredded. Protein, which accounts for about 30% of day by day energy, preserves muscle tissue.
Combining keto and intermittent fasting with fasted exercise has proven to be efficient for fat-burning, bettering mitochondrial perform, and lowering irritation. (2)(4)(5)(6)
Dietary supplements and Motivation
Sturdy pre-workouts are a staple for Ford “I take all of the stims below the solar,” he mentioned, as they hold him laser-focused. “Ask your self why you prepare; it’s one thing I ask myself day by day,” he shared.
Home of David debuted on Feb. 3, 2025, on Amazon Prime Video. The ultimate episode of the season is scheduled to launch on April 3, 2025.
References
- Mata F, Valenzuela PL, Gimenez J, Tur C, Ferreria D, Domínguez R, Sanchez-Oliver AJ, Martínez Sanz JM. Carbohydrate Availability and Bodily Efficiency: Physiological Overview and Sensible Suggestions. Vitamins. 2019 Might 16;11(5):1084. doi: 10.3390/nu11051084. PMID: 31100798; PMCID: PMC6566225.
- Lambert CP, Frank LL, Evans WJ. Macronutrient issues for the game of bodybuilding. Sports activities Med. 2004;34(5):317-27. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200434050-00004. PMID: 15107010.
- Díaz-Lara J, Reisman E, Botella J, Probert B, Burke LM, Bishop DJ, Lee MJ. Delaying post-exercise carbohydrate consumption impairs next-day train capability however not muscle glycogen or molecular responses. Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2024 Oct;240(10):e14215. doi: 10.1111/apha.14215. Epub 2024 Sep 12. PMID: 39263899.
- Vieira AF, Costa RR, Macedo RC, Coconcelli L, Kruel LF. Results of cardio train carried out in fasted v. fed state on fats and carbohydrate metabolism in adults: a scientific overview and meta-analysis. Br J Nutr. 2016 Oct;116(7):1153-1164. doi: 10.1017/S0007114516003160. Epub 2016 Sep 9. PMID: 27609363.
- Masood W, Annamaraju P, Khan Suheb MZ, Uppaluri KR. Ketogenic Food plan. 2023 Jun 16. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. PMID: 29763005.
- Guevara-Cruz M, Hernández-Gómez KG, Condado-Huerta C, González-Salazar LE, Peña-Flores AK, Pichardo-Ontiveros E, Serralde-Zúñiga AE, Sánchez-Tapia M, Maya O, Medina-Vera I, Noriega LG, López-Barradas A, Rodríguez-Lima O, Mata I, Olin-Sandoval V, Torres N, Tovar AR, Velázquez-Villegas LA. Intermittent fasting, calorie restriction, and a ketogenic weight loss program enhance mitochondrial perform by lowering lipopolysaccharide signaling in monocytes throughout weight problems: A randomized scientific trial. Clin Nutr. 2024 Aug;43(8):1914-1928. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.06.036. Epub 2024 Jul 5. PMID: 39003957.
Featured picture: @martynfordofficial on Instagram