Anyone ready to do OMAD? Join forces?

[LeatherSkirt82]

I have a massive amount of weight to lose (70lbs). This is obviously a long term project so after much thinking (read: procrastination) - I want to start OMAD.

None of the other diets worked for me (I tried Atkins, Dukan, keto, Noom, etc). I also have a 3yo and a husband who can't cook so making separate meals for myself is not something I can do as I also work full time. When I was travelling for business last year, I stumbled upon OMAD by accident (I was so busy that I genuinely didn't have time to eat more than once a day) and for the first time in what feels like forever - I felt GREAT! I had more energy, I was losing weight, I was in a good mood and I wasn't feeling hungry or guilty if I ate red meat or a piece of bread.

So I did my research, spoke with my GP and given that I don't have any medical conditions (and I am not on any meds) that would be an obstacle - I got the green light to try this.

My plan is: 1 meal per day at 6 or 7pm (so that we have one family meal), try to consume less carbs but no pressure not to consume any and once I'm below 200lbs (and body got used to the diet) - start speed walking (1h per day in the mornings).

However, what I really need is a partner - someone I can talk to, someone to hold me accountable and someone to commiserate with on bad days.

@TakeYourHatOffBoy welcome! I reckon a stone by July is very realistic so you should be well on your way soon!

I've realised that at my age (early 40s) I simply can't eat as much as I used to! So OMAD or similar fasting is perfect for this as it cuts out the decision making.

BTW all I have found the flavoured sparkling zero calorie water really good for a meal replacement for when I'm wavering. The AquaLibra or the Dash ones are really good! Esp the cucumber and mint aqualibra! Not a perfect replacement but the sparklingness with the flavour helps me keep going longer than I otherwise would.

Back from run. I could just get my chops around an ‘O Burger’ triple patty with melting cheese mmm. Just dreaming about it…still have 24 hours of fast to go!

Do tell me off if food-porn thoughts aren’t allowed on here 😛

@SpaceOpera food porn away lol. We are all in the same boat. I'm doing ok here today. Going to try to go longer this time.

@ethermint here’s a secret…I was losing weight by calorie-counting and my body hated hated hated it. I would wake hungry at 3 am. My coping mechanism was watching YouTube videos of cake-making…. I have vivid memories 🤔

Anyway, to add some value to the actual topic, I’ll just say I’m hungry now but if I distract myself it’ll pass…

@SpaceOpera calorie counting is tough! I get the coping mechanism and the cake videos lol.

I often prepare yummy food while fasting, it helps somehow! Having something to look forward to eating is always a positive. I personally can't do calorie control which is why OMAD and fasting is perfect. It's not overly restrictive on what you can eat - you can have some bad days and that's fine. Keep going, we will get there!!

Yes, I loathe calorie-counting too, although I've finally admitted to myself that I do need to be in a general calorie deficit to lose weight. That for me means 'being aware' and trying hard not to snack / drink my calories etc, rather than actual counting, though. The idea of weighing, measuring and tracking every calorie is just too depressing; I don't want to live like that!

@TakeYourHatOffBoy eating within a 2-hour window does tend to put the person into calorie deficit, unless someone’s eating a KFC bucket or similar everyday.

Would you say that has been your experience?

I fasted all day yesterday and ran 6k. Back to OMAD until next Wed.

Fasting weight this morning:60.2k or 9.5 stone. Target to achieve a healthy BMI of 23: 8 stone.

Thanks to all for the support 🙏I’m off to a good start and will report back here often on progress.

Good luck to all with their targets!

@SpaceOpera well done, you're doing amazingly! I broke a 45hr fast yesterday and to be honest I ate more than I should have but tried to keep it carb lite. But I think the 45hr fast was pretty good going. I do feel like I'm not getting that far and want to get in some longer 72hr fasts.

Keep up the good work people!

@ethermint when you say you’re not getting “that far”, do you have a particular weekly or monthly sub-target that you’re referring to? Curious about how people measure progress…

@SpaceOpera I've lost about a stone so far but seem to be hovering a bit at the same weight the last couple of weeks despite doing longer fasts. I suspect it is because on my non-fasting days (I'm not doing strict OMAD but an adapted version) I've been less strict than I should (I've had a few social occasions, beers, meals out). I mean I'm not going crazy but I could probably do a bit better. I'm working on it!

So I'm trying to retrain myself a bit better with changing the foods that I do eat, when I eat. And I need to up the exercise - my routine went out the window a couple of weeks ago as I was overtired.

I'm hoping to go a few longer fasts soon. I'm a bit erratic and OMAD doesn't work perfectly for me personally yet but I will get there eventually! I need to lose about 3 more stone.

@ethermint More questions, if I may…how did you decide on the 3-stone target? BMI, wanting to be a particular dress size, wanting to return to your weight in a previous decade…? I decided based on BMI and lowering cancer / diabetes / heart attack risks…

Sorry to arrive late to this, but may I join? I've got two stone to lose. I looked at some pictures of me 2 and half years ago and I looked great. Somehow I'm now two stone heavier (two years of extreme stress which is now mostly over, but the flab is a horrible reminder!). Very unhappy with myself and it's affecting everything else.

I weigh nearly 11.5 stone and my healthy weight is 9.5 which I would like to get to by August when we go on holiday. Is it doable do you think?

I'm going to start tomorrow-I find it easier on weekends as we are all out busy all day which will make it easier. And I can't drink as as I'm the teens taxi!

@SpaceOpera I recently went to a physio who told me straight and square that I need to lose weight, for various reasons, which I knew anyway, but this was a kick up the bum to motivate me.

I'm short and carry a lot of weight around my stomach, so want this to go. I may decide to stop at 2 - 2.5 stone depending on how I am feeling when I get there. Really it's for health reasons, wanting to look better, wanting clothes to look good again.

When I was that 3st less weight I was my healthiest, it was about 10ish years ago now before I had a child. (Since I had a kid and as a lone parent it's been a slow descent into overweight territory fuelled by stress, emotional eating, and exhaustion as well as a lack of time - being a LP is super tough at times but getting a bit easier now he is older hence able to think about life changes like this).

I'm not married to the amount to be honest. If I get to 2 stone and feel happy I may be inclined to stop but the 3 stone is my ideal weight for when I was that weight before. I'm not even really sure of BMi etc. I'm curvy / busty naturally so BMI on me doesn't really account for that and would be innaccurate.

@tatteddear welcome! You are in the same boat as all of us!! Your weight loss is definitely doable depending on if you manage to stick to a few rules. You've got a good amount of time!

I know exactly what you mean about it affecting everything else. I struggle to find motivation when I am feeling super flabby etc. So this is a great thing to do. I've lost a stone and it's motivating so far and starting to feel quite a bit better already!

Love flavoured sparkling water. I have a soda stream and a supply of different flavours of cordial, flavoured with stevia. Tasty and refreshing.

@ethermint that's great progress! Hope mine is that quick!!
I'm going to buy some fizzy water to help me tomorrow.
I used to be a really sticky IF'er so I know I can do this-but like everything else will power seems to have gone out the window lately.

My real issue will be giving up wine. And also DH who is a great cook and likes nothing better than to make delicious food at weekends. His can be my one meal at dinner which is fine but he is going to have to knock the fancy lunches on the head :)

@tatteddear tough when you're around such amazing food all the time! But you'll look forwards to your dinners even more if you're OMADing!

For the wine can you cut down slowly - maybe a smaller glass, later in the evening? Then less frequently e.g. weekends only? I find those mini bottles of wine good for limiting how much I can drink (not that I drink a lot these days having cut down a lot - luckily I live alone (with my son) so it's less tempting because no partner to tempt me with booze!).

My BMI atm is embarassing 31.5 at almost 15st weight (I am tall). My goal weight is 4st lighter than this and whilst I do not have a 'deadline' - I am hoping to move that weight this calendar year. So far I lost 1st (and a bit above). I am doing a strict OMAD - just one meal per day, always within the same hour 6.30-7.30pm as this is when we all get home and have a family dinner. I am not particularly careful about food but I am noticing that I can eat less and less and that I am craving greens as opposed to carbs which is what got me to this state.

Thank you@ethermint.

@LeatherSkirt82 I’m not particularly careful about food. Like you I will aim to stick to a narrow eating window, in my case 2 hours. I will eat cake etc during the window, however, as you say, the cravings do tend to disappear. I think a strict OMAD will work wonders for both of us! Then time to 🥳

Day 2 went well - thank you mumsnetters for keeping me accountable!

Exercise today: meal at noon, an hour’s brisk walk, 5 sets of 5 push-ups and 5 sets of 5 crunchies. On to day 3.

I’ve decided to take my fasting weight every Thursday, and not to worry about it in between.

Went to a corporate do this evening and was able to resist all the canapés! Happy with this.

I'm going to try to do 48h fast - 16h in - the crisis will probably come during my eating window but I'm having a night 'off' (DH on a business trip, DC having a sleepover at PILs) so hopefully will be able to push through.

Well done on resisting @SpaceOpera !

@LeatherSkirt82 there’s always a crisis point isn’t there? Mine is happening right now! I always want to eat at lunch and hate waiting till dinner.

Must. Resist.