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A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. 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

Anyone ready to do OMAD? Join forces?

319 replies

LeatherSkirt82 · 25/01/2023 12:18

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.

OP posts:
WiltingLobelia · 27/02/2023 15:04

My goal is to be 10 stone 7. I was 13 stone 8 in August and was quite ill with an autoimmune disease so lost weight. Then starting weight was 12 stone 10 when I began OMAD.

my eating times vary though- last few weeks I have had a few lunches out so eat then, but ideally it would be a 6 pm eating window. I have continued to have wine though so as of yesterday switched to a vodka and soda water daily (I hate slimline tonic).

I am so pleased that others are out there too!

WiltingLobelia · 27/02/2023 15:05

(Secretly I am hoping to be in the 11s by this week..... i have family visiting soon and they can be a bit critical of my weight. Being in the 11s would give me a psychological boost.)

Original poster
LeatherSkirt82 · 27/02/2023 15:47

Welcome @WiltingLobelia and good luck with the rest of your OMAD - do let us know if you're in 11s. I completely understand that it would give you a boost before meeting with weight-watchers in the family :)

OP posts:
tatteddear · 27/02/2023 15:53

There was a lot of potatoes in butter involved! I'm trying to make my one meal a healthy one but so far I've joy done that work on that front. Nothing awful awful but I also haven't been careful about what the meal is really.

ethermint · 27/02/2023 15:56

@WiltingLobelia welcome! it is easier when you are doing it with others!

@tatteddear don't stress too much, as you get more used to it you will get healthier, if you put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect at the start it is harder somehow and you're more likely to fall off the wagon. Just focus on doing what you can do!

SpaceOpera · 27/02/2023 16:22

tatteddear · 27/02/2023 15:53

There was a lot of potatoes in butter involved! I'm trying to make my one meal a healthy one but so far I've joy done that work on that front. Nothing awful awful but I also haven't been careful about what the meal is really.

See, for me the beauty of OMAD is that I eat whatever I want for the one meal without thinking about it. I also fast fully on Wednesday, to really give my system a proper break.

Today I’ll be having version of chilli with loads of butter and cream in it. No regrets!

tatteddear · 27/02/2023 16:26

So do you have your one meal on a Tuesday and then not eat again until Thursday @SpaceOpera?

SpaceOpera · 27/02/2023 16:55

@tatteddear Yes, right. 48 hr fast every week. For the first time ever, I’m looking forward to Wednesday! 😯 How did that happen?

This OMAD thing has lots of unexpected effects!

SpaceOpera · 27/02/2023 17:00

Should also say that, like @LeatherSkirt82, I’ve started wanting more veg. Yesterday we went to a Chinese and I ordered 4 veggie plates and one offal plate. Paleo without even thinking about it! Hence I don’t worry about what I eat - perfect for me.

WiltingLobelia · 27/02/2023 18:02

Thank you so much for the welcome. :)

I was also thinking of doing a complete fast the day before weigh in (which i am aiming to be the first friday of the month- so not too strenuous really!).

I am so pleased to be on the thread. I have a history of binge eating disorder and find that OMAD actually has put a halt to it. I eat once a day- what i want and i am not triggered wheras portion control or calorie counting does trigger me.

Thank you all. Thanks

LibbyL92 · 27/02/2023 19:17

Hey everyone!

@ethermint kindly brought me over to this thread :)

two years ago I lost just shy of three stone doing intermittent fasting along side low carb high fat.
gained it all back now!

but last week I started 18:6 and low carb and so far I’m 7lbs down.
my started weight was 14st 4…

my aim is for 12 stone but I’m taking it 7lbs at a time.

at the weekends my plan is OMAD. But whilst working I really need that extra meal.

good luck everyone!!

SpaceOpera · 27/02/2023 23:01

Week 1 day 6:

OMAD: stayed within two-hour window
Exercise: Ran 9k
Failure: did not do any push-ups or crunchies. It wasn’t a lack of time. It was sheer laziness. Missed an opportunity today to build muscle. Must do better.

SpaceOpera · 27/02/2023 23:24

The power of this thread!

Felt ashamed enough to postpone bedtime and do my callisthenics after all…

10 sets of 10 push-ups. Sets 7-10 were brutal.
10 sets of 20 crunchies.

ethermint · 28/02/2023 09:21

@LibbyL92 welcome! 7lbs is a great loss so far! Keep up the good work. Take it slow to start but work up to it if you feel you can when you're ready!

Things here going pretty good. Broke a 43hr fast yesterday, had a day of eating and going back on another OMAD or longer today, not sure what I will do yet.

@WiltingLobelia I struggle a bit with binge eating too at times in my life. It's a big hurdle to overcome but fasting definitely helps. I'm also investing in some miniature forks! Although I've got the fasting thing down ok I'm not great at moderating what I do eat when I eat and often overeat due to bad habits and eating too quickly even to the point of uncomfortableness. I was reading that small size cutlery can help retrain the speed of eating and I will give anything a try.

I've broken through a mini stasis in my weight loss and it seems to be coming off again a little.

Another thing is I need to try to exercise. I feel like losing a bit more will help me find more energy for this.

ethermint · 28/02/2023 10:00

@SpaceOpera keep up the amazing work! you're crushing it by the sounds of things!

SpaceOpera · 28/02/2023 10:08

ethermint · 28/02/2023 10:00

@SpaceOpera keep up the amazing work! you're crushing it by the sounds of things!

@ethermint This thread is making all the difference. 🙏 Thanks to @LeatherSkirt82 , to you, and to all the posters.

At this point I’m going for the mental benefits for the OMAD discipline. I’m pretty convinced the weight loss will happen but not fixated on the exact changes. I don’t have a timeline.

Exercise can be ugh. But I always feel better afterwards.

ethermint · 28/02/2023 10:14

@SpaceOpera you're right. I think the nice thing about it is that it helps you realise you can actually achieve something, step by step, and with measurable progress. In the face of obesity or bad habits that can feel like an impossible task. But this actually works, and without too much effort. Ok it's not easy at times but much easier than calorie counting or other weird diets. And you're right you also build up willpowder and other mental benefits.

LibbyL92 · 28/02/2023 10:37

ethermint · 28/02/2023 09:21

@LibbyL92 welcome! 7lbs is a great loss so far! Keep up the good work. Take it slow to start but work up to it if you feel you can when you're ready!

Things here going pretty good. Broke a 43hr fast yesterday, had a day of eating and going back on another OMAD or longer today, not sure what I will do yet.

@WiltingLobelia I struggle a bit with binge eating too at times in my life. It's a big hurdle to overcome but fasting definitely helps. I'm also investing in some miniature forks! Although I've got the fasting thing down ok I'm not great at moderating what I do eat when I eat and often overeat due to bad habits and eating too quickly even to the point of uncomfortableness. I was reading that small size cutlery can help retrain the speed of eating and I will give anything a try.

I've broken through a mini stasis in my weight loss and it seems to be coming off again a little.

Another thing is I need to try to exercise. I feel like losing a bit more will help me find more energy for this.

That is amazing! What did you follow to work yourself up to 43 hours? It’s definitely my goal to try and extend the fasts once I’ve got used to what I’m doing at the moment.

Original poster
LeatherSkirt82 · 28/02/2023 11:06

Hey everyone - its good to see this thread liven up :)

Feeling a bit low today - no particular reason so may be a weather-PMS combination. Did exercise yesterday (an hour fast walking with intervals) and today as well (20 min advanced cycling session + 20 min strength mostly arms and abs).

Making pumpkin soup today - with some greens on the side will be exactly what I need. Family can have some top ups but I'm actually looking forward to a simple meal.

OP posts:
ethermint · 28/02/2023 11:08

@LibbyL92 I very slowly extended my fasts e.g. 24, 30hrs, 36hrs, my max so far is 43hrs this time. Pushed out a little more each time using black coffee, sparkling water (including the lovely flavoured sparkling zero cals ones are good), herbal tea (0 cals). I sometimes allow myself a squeeze of lemon juice in my tea as that's also fat reducing and seems to help with huger.

I spend a lot of time on reddit.com/r/fasting for advice and encouragement and tips. The before and after photos on there are the best motivation!

You need electrolytes for longer fasts (salt, potassium etc) and they can also help with hunger.

Dr Jason Fung's videos are really great for motivation for how long women should fast etc. Apparently the best fasting regimen for a lot of women for weight loss is a few 36 to 42hr fasts per week (if you need to lose a decent amount) although I don't believe in punishing yourself too much and I think to mix it up with "bad" days (carbs allowed) and OMAD or shorter fasts is key to make it sustainable. It also means it is easy to work around your social life. e.g. weekends you can eat drink and be merry if you want to.

I wouldn't say it's for everyone so do something that works for you and don't push yourself too hard if you can't - e.g. OMAD may suit you better. And if you do decide to to longer ones be sure to do it safely with research beforehand.

tatteddear · 28/02/2023 11:10

I'm starving today. Not helped as I had to make tonight's dinner now for later as it's football training night and everyone is starving by the time they get in and need something straight away.
Going to take Doggies for a brisk walk and drink lots of water so I don't break Smile

SpaceOpera · 28/02/2023 11:38

Keeping busy and distracted from food is exactly the right thing to do @tatteddear .

WiltingLobelia · 28/02/2023 11:42

Morning all. Thank you again for the welcome. Smile

I am tired today. I managed a 20 minute swim though between school run and wfh. My meal today will be baked salmon, sweet potato, spinach, peas and a small salad.

One thing I have found with OMAD is that I pay much closer attention to nutrients. I tend to miss out on calcium so am mindfully adding in a calcium source (sweet potato today will have greek yoghurt on it for example plus some grated cheese).

I am really enjoying reading all the posts here.

SpaceOpera · 28/02/2023 11:45

Agree @ethermint Reddit is a good place to find out about others’ experiences of fasting.

The good, the bad, and, er, this one from today: 100 hour fast and my wart fell off.

Catspyjamas17 · 28/02/2023 11:54

Before embarking on any diet plan/time restricted eating I would ask yourself whether this is something you are going to do for the short term to lose weight or if it is something that you will sustain for the rest of your life. If it's the former then I wouldn't bother. As soon as you stop and go back to 'normal' the weight will pile back on again, and possibly more. If it's the latter, then go for it.