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Fasting / 5:2 diet

Talk about intermittent fasting and 5:2, including what’s worked for others. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

OMAD, anyone else?

23 replies

Clefable · 28/08/2023 20:52

I've recently started doing OMAD and wondered if anyone else was doing it or wanted to join in with support/accountability?

I really love food and hate any form of calorie counting or having to eat diet food. When I think back at the times in my life I was a healthy weight, it was when I was unconsciously doing OMAD without thinking about it. I like being able to eat what I like and to eat to satiety, and the philosophy of not denying but delaying suits my character.

I want to lose about 50lbs, so got a bit of a way to go. I'm on day 5 and today is the first day I hadn't felt that hungry and could easily have gone another hour or two before dinner. I had spaghetti bolognaise, some fruit and yoghurt after and a hot chocolate about 45 mins after dinner as I had the fancy for one randomly - I'm roughly doing a one hour eating window but not too strictly.

One positive side-effect is that my heartburn has totally vanished. I would often get it at bedtime but no sign of it last few nights!

OP posts:
GoingToBeLessRubbishAtLife · 30/08/2023 21:53

I’m interested. What do you do at work? I don’t have breakfast very often but I’m not sure I could not eat until 6pm five days a week.

Original poster
Clefable · 30/08/2023 21:58

I work 3 days from home and I work afternoons/evenings so it's not really an issue for me as I'm not around people/in a kind of lunch/canteen culture. I just have my one meal on my work break usually.

First few days were a bit tough but today and yesterday I wasn't really that hungry, and I've lost 2lbs! It does make you really enjoy your dinner, although it would make a disappointing dinner a real disaster.

I read the book Delay Don't Deny which was interesting about the benefits of OMAD, other than weight loss (which tbh is my primary concern but the other stuff is a bonus).

OP posts:
malovitt · 02/09/2023 09:16

Hello!
I started OMAD last Saturday and am doing a 22 hour fast with a two hour window. By now I could probably go a few more hours before eating.

I have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic and have been advised to lose 2.5 stone asap so I have loads of motivation, I'm not doing it because I have to fit into a dress for a wedding, in which case I'd probably struggle to keep it up!

I've lost 5lbs this week but have had no crap/sugar/bread/alcohol etc, being really strict with myself. In one week, I feel so much better and am sleeping through the night which I haven't done for a while.

GoingToBeLessRubbishAtLife · 02/09/2023 22:09

I think that was one of my questions, how long does ‘one meal’ take to eat. So two hours maximum is a good guide, then I guess your meal, cup of tea, whatever else that isn’t water can all be consumed in that two hour gap?

porridgeisbae · 02/09/2023 22:10

It's so unhealthy. Please eat regular meals. x

Original poster
Clefable · 02/09/2023 22:12

I try stick to an hour window, but I do drink tea in the evening outside that window because some things I am not willing to sacrifice! I generally have my main meal and then wait a little bit and maybe have fruit or yoghurt after. Sometimes I don't, depending on how full I am after dinner.

I've lost 5lbs now so I'm quite pleased with how it's going. I have a meal out with friends next weekend and it's nice to know that it is 'budgeted' for in a sense and I won't have to be too conservative or order a salad!

OP posts:
Original poster
Clefable · 02/09/2023 22:12

porridgeisbae · 02/09/2023 22:10

It's so unhealthy. Please eat regular meals. x

Actually there's plenty of evidence that it's quite the opposite of unhealthy!

OP posts:
Original poster
Clefable · 02/09/2023 22:15

It's quite fascinating really:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-health-benefits-of-intermittent-fasting#TOCTITLEEHDR2

OP posts:
PollyPotato · 03/09/2023 10:58

I do OMAD during the week, but I am less strict at weekends. It works for me. Keeps my weight down and I feel really healthy and full of energy. Occasionally I feel like I need more meals and then I will eat more. I also make sure the one meal I have is very nutritious.

Cricketbelle · 03/09/2023 23:58

Delay Don’t Deny and all of Gin Stephen’s books are great. Podcast is worth a listen too.

I do OMAD and just adjust things as and when I need to. Fasting is so much easier when it’s ‘clean’ and the more you do it the easier it becomes.

like others I’d much rather have lovely food in my eating window than count calories or do Keto.

Wrendigo · 04/09/2023 23:58

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

Wrendigo · 05/09/2023 00:01

This reply has been withdrawn

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WaitTheNoo · 08/09/2023 11:10

Hey can I join? I started last week. Doing a "dirty omad" as I can't drink tea / coffee without milk but I'm gonna try it with double cream next week because I read it's less sugar.

I've not found it too difficult tbh as I've always naturally skipped breakfast, so it's really just a few more hours and I look forward to dinner so much more. Got about a stone and a half to lose which has gradually come on after a year of eating shit.

Started at 10st 9lbs and lost 3lbs so far. I'm short so a comfortable size 8 is around 8st for me, and I'd really like to get back into my old clothes for winter 😫.

Wrendigo · 08/09/2023 12:20

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

malovitt · 08/09/2023 17:59

I'm not counting calories but in my window I have some sort of protein; chicken, fish or fillet steak (on rare occasion) with a massive salad then some berries and natural yoghurt. That's it. Maybe one black tea per day. Just water outside my window.
I'm 9lb down in 2 weeks. But I'm very strict.

Wrendigo · 10/09/2023 22:36

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

littleblackcat27 · 11/09/2023 07:23

@Wrendigo I'm prediabetic too, and for me bread is completely off the menu, as it puts my blood sugar up quite high, also think that snacking throughout the evening is going to set you back Sad - but I know where you're coming from, as I'm prone to that also!

I did OMAD yesterday, and found it surprisingly easy. Thinking of trying it for 2 to 3 days a week for health reasons (and also to stop me overeating, as sometimes once I start eating, cant stop! - see comment above re snacking!)

Last night I had a piece of roast chicken breast with broccoli, and courgette/tomatoes with cheese baked on. Greek yoghurt and almonds for afters - not a whole load - but felt full after.

littleblackcat27 · 11/09/2023 07:25

@malovitt well done you! 9 lbs in 2 weeks is great - I bet you feel much better. How much more are you aiming to lose?

@Clefable Thanks for starting the thread - as interesting to read of others' experiences of this.

Watchkeys · 11/09/2023 07:28

porridgeisbae · 02/09/2023 22:10

It's so unhealthy. Please eat regular meals. x

Why is it unhealthy?

Ragwort · 11/09/2023 07:29

I'd love to hear the explanation of why it's considered so 'unhealthy' ... I can understand if you do a hugely energetic job or similar that you need more 'fuel' but the vast majority (myself included) of people on this country consume far too much food and lead a sedentary lifestyle.

dudsville · 11/09/2023 07:33

I don't do omad but I've heard great things about it, especially for diabetes. I'm happiest with a 6 hr window and earlier in the day with the window closing about 2 or 3 pm. I will give a caution for those with high fat diets, your gallbladder is one organ that does not like fasting!

Original poster
Clefable · 11/09/2023 08:05

Nice to see other people doing same! Cheated once at the weekend cos it was super hot and I had an ice cream at the beach Grin But otherwise managing okay. Going to weigh myself later this week as I'm just coming off my period and will no doubt have put on about five stone.

OP posts:
Cricketbelle · 11/09/2023 23:59

I have given up weighing myself.

Also,with Fasting often you can lose loads of inches and the scales don’t move that much. For me it’s too disheartening.

I find it interesting that the more you fast the easier it is,although some days are harder than others.

My eating window today was short,only about an hour and a half. Managed to eat quite a bit though. It’s a very flexible lifestyle……. An ice cream at the beach was essential in the heat!!

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