***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
