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***Diary of a Mad OMADder***
Eddy_65
Posts: 66 Member
Hi, I'm Eddy.
I've been doing OMAD for about three weeks now. First, I watched all of Joe's videos (some multiple times, so I understood). Then, I transitioned gradually. I eliminated snacks, and then I had 2 meals per day on a 16:8 fasting split to start, and a 20:4 split later. My first true OMAD day was May 1.
I'm 52, 6'1", with a goal weight of ~ 170 lbs. So far, I am down 4 lbs. (178 to 174).
I figured, in considering all physical realities, 2000 cal/day would maintain, so I counted calories to ensure a deficit. Weight loss is not the main issue for me, though. Instead, it's rethinking my relationship with food. Although I have a light frame, I had (hopefully I can use the past tense from now on) a tendency to carry excess weight. I fed said weight by emotional eating; specifically, binging on carbs. Preferred "poisons" were baked goods and breakfast cereal. I ate them to celebrate the good times and numb the bad times, and always to excess. Looking back, I realized I had done this since childhood.
At my heaviest, I was 210 lbs. To others, I looked normal, even healthy, but I felt sluggish and dull. I had to suck in my gut to snap my pants, which strained against my legs as I sat. I also untucked my shirts so my belly wouldn't show. Finally, I just gave up and left everything unsnapped and untucked. (In hindsight, I'm glad I didn't buy bigger clothes.)
For my entire adult life, my weight has varied by as much as 40 lbs. Over time, I'd tried to control this yo-yo effect "for good" with restrictive diets (Atkins, Zone, Paleo, vegan) that I couldn't sustain, or with a diet system based on pre-packaged food. The latter is also unsustainable, as calorie counting or portion control are deliberately ignored as a selling point. This guarantees a relapse, and possibly a return customer. I got tired of riding that carousel, too.
In summary, this is something I can stick with. It's simple (although not always easy) and workable to follow a "delay, don't deny" plan of eating. I can always have what I want, as long as it's within the time and caloric guidelines.
Also, "hunger high" is a trip. I feel like I've been inhaling pure oxygen.
That's it for now. More later. Thanks for reading my first update.
I've been doing OMAD for about three weeks now. First, I watched all of Joe's videos (some multiple times, so I understood). Then, I transitioned gradually. I eliminated snacks, and then I had 2 meals per day on a 16:8 fasting split to start, and a 20:4 split later. My first true OMAD day was May 1.
I'm 52, 6'1", with a goal weight of ~ 170 lbs. So far, I am down 4 lbs. (178 to 174).
I figured, in considering all physical realities, 2000 cal/day would maintain, so I counted calories to ensure a deficit. Weight loss is not the main issue for me, though. Instead, it's rethinking my relationship with food. Although I have a light frame, I had (hopefully I can use the past tense from now on) a tendency to carry excess weight. I fed said weight by emotional eating; specifically, binging on carbs. Preferred "poisons" were baked goods and breakfast cereal. I ate them to celebrate the good times and numb the bad times, and always to excess. Looking back, I realized I had done this since childhood.
At my heaviest, I was 210 lbs. To others, I looked normal, even healthy, but I felt sluggish and dull. I had to suck in my gut to snap my pants, which strained against my legs as I sat. I also untucked my shirts so my belly wouldn't show. Finally, I just gave up and left everything unsnapped and untucked. (In hindsight, I'm glad I didn't buy bigger clothes.)
For my entire adult life, my weight has varied by as much as 40 lbs. Over time, I'd tried to control this yo-yo effect "for good" with restrictive diets (Atkins, Zone, Paleo, vegan) that I couldn't sustain, or with a diet system based on pre-packaged food. The latter is also unsustainable, as calorie counting or portion control are deliberately ignored as a selling point. This guarantees a relapse, and possibly a return customer. I got tired of riding that carousel, too.
In summary, this is something I can stick with. It's simple (although not always easy) and workable to follow a "delay, don't deny" plan of eating. I can always have what I want, as long as it's within the time and caloric guidelines.
Also, "hunger high" is a trip. I feel like I've been inhaling pure oxygen.
That's it for now. More later. Thanks for reading my first update.
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Replies
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Welcome, my friend!
Sounds like you have a good grasp of you and your struggles--which is more than I can say for so many who just don't know themselves.0 -
welcome! Looks like you are off to a good start! Figuring out your personal needs is #1!well done!0
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Welcome Eddy
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arguablysamson wrote: »Welcome, my friend!
Sounds like you have a good grasp of you and your struggles--which is more than I can say for so many who just don't know themselves.
Thank you. I really appreciate the honest, no-nonsense approach you take in your videos. I learned more in a few minutes than I would have in a few hours spent reading on my own.
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DarthWaderMT wrote: »welcome! Looks like you are off to a good start! Figuring out your personal needs is #1!well done!
Thank you. I learned that you can't reliably control weight and eating issues until you understand (and accept) how and why you have them in the first place. I wish I would have come across this information sooner in life, but as a wise friend once told me: Whenever you catch the fish -- it's fresh.
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Welcome Eddy!0
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Welcome!0
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Thank you both!0
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Welcome! How are you feeling today?
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EstrangedTiger wrote: »Welcome! How are you feeling today?
I'm doing well, thank you. I've found the going a little easier over the last few days. I'm not watching the clock so much in waiting for my feed. I think I've been sleeping better, too.0 -
Sleep is such a HUGE benefit for me, too! The days of agonizing until your meal will be behind you soon 1
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brittdee88 wrote: »Sleep is such a HUGE benefit for me, too! The days of agonizing until your meal will be behind you soon
Yes, I do look forward to that. Speaking of sleep, I haven't gotten much lately due to a brief health issue, and because of that I just ate whenever I felt I could keep something down, but I'm doing better and look to get back on track.0 -
Has your sleep improved at all lately? Mine has gotten better with more exercise, but it's still a struggle at times.0
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It has gotten better, thanks. I've found that playing a "white noise" file or a lecture helps.1
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That's awesome! I have never thought about listening to a lecture before.0
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brittdee88 wrote: »That's awesome! I have never thought about listening to a lecture before.
It does work, as long as the speaking voice is pleasant and the topic is neutral for you. An unpleasant voice or a controversial topic will do the opposite -- get you all riled up!1 -
Tomorrow is Weigh Day. We'll see how it goes.0
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Good luck on today's weigh-in!1
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Body weight stable at 174. That's okay. The main goal is getting control of eating, and I think I can keep this up.
My maintenance plan (for now, anyway) is a 5:2 split, with OMAD during the week and Two-MAD during the weekends, or something similar. It will be fluid, but never again out of control. I'll still count calories, too, as I think it's important to monitor intake. Splurges when I really feel like them, but not too often, as I know from experience how they can take over and become the default.1 -
I have a little OMAD ritual. In the hours before the feed, I locate and then arrange all the cooking implements, utensils, plates, non-perishable ingredients, etc. that I will need. Does anyone else do that, or is it just me?1
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I do, but just with my food...mostly because it helps me remember to take pictures
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mistymeadows2005 wrote: »I do, but just with my food...mostly because it helps me remember to take pictures
That reminds me. Gotta upload pics one of these days.0 -
Body weight stable at 174. That's okay. The main goal is getting control of eating, and I think I can keep this up.
My maintenance plan (for now, anyway) is a 5:2 split, with OMAD during the week and Two-MAD during the weekends, or something similar. It will be fluid, but never again out of control. I'll still count calories, too, as I think it's important to monitor intake. Splurges when I really feel like them, but not too often, as I know from experience how they can take over and become the default.
Good plan, Good luck 0 -
Brendalea69 wrote: »
Good plan, Good luck
Thank you!1 -
Yes, building the positive eating habits and ritual is of utmost importance.0
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I should probably build a ritual. I usually find myself having waiting JUST a bit too long, and my "ritual" is more like feeding time at the zoo.1
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brittdee88 wrote: »I should probably build a ritual. I usually find myself having waiting JUST a bit too long, and my "ritual" is more like feeding time at the zoo.
Hoo boy, I know how that feels ...
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You have it in the bag!0
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I have a little OMAD ritual. In the hours before the feed, I locate and then arrange all the cooking implements, utensils, plates, non-perishable ingredients, etc. that I will need. Does anyone else do that, or is it just me?
It's nice to have rituals like that. Shows you are nailing down balance. I'd say you..."got this"!0
This discussion has been closed.