Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson says that in preparation for his upcoming movie 'Hercules', he ate the same seven meals every day for six months!
In reference to the 12 challenging feats his mythical father, Zeus, undertook, the semi-retired professional wrestler/actor calls his eating regime the '12 Labours' diet. Posting a photo of his meal plan on Instagram yesterday, The Rock explain why he had to eat so much food.
“Our training is key, but diet is crucial,” he says. “Here's my diet I did every day for 6 months while shooting #HERCULESMovie A ton of calories, cause I had to support my 2xs a day training and 12hr shooting days. Plus I only had one crack at making HERCULES EPIC so I committed. Adjust the diet to your personal goals and have fun. Nemean Lion blood is optional. #TeamHercules #ItAllStartsInTheKitchen #FOCUS”
The 22-week diet is a huge intake of protein, carbs and fats that provide a ton energy to burn when hitting weights at the gym. Talking to bodybuilding.com The Rock talks about how he took training to a new level to build the body of a demigod.
"Generally, I eat six or seven times a day," he says. "It's about getting enough protein to aid lean muscle growth, and everything is very precisely measured depending on what targets I'm looking to hit for that day. Lots of protein, good carbs, and veggies. Nutrition is so important, it can't be stressed enough.
"For 'Hercules,' it was a 22-week diet, full on. I'd eat a bunch of egg whites, filet mignon, chicken, fish, oatmeal, broccoli, asparagus, a baked potato, cream of rice, salad and complex carbs. All of this measured and weighed."
"It was all about hard work, discipline, and balance,” he says. His six-days-on one-day-off plan starts at 4am with 50 minutes of cardio followed by 40 minutes targeting a specific muscle group. Following this with a 12-hour day on-set and you can imagine how on his off day he cheats just a little...
'Hercules' is in cinemas July 24.
