How to Do One-Meal-a-Day (The Basics)
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So when I was at college I was basically eating one meal a day... albeit it was only usually a 6 inch sub from subway... but anyways, it made my bowels well (this is kinda awkward)... spasm. To eat only a meal a day would give me horrible diarrhea not even halfway through the meal... is it because i wasnt eating enough at one time or what?
I'd really love to do this as I am finding the weight difficult to come off even with eating healthy and working out... do you still recommend it? I guess I could always try and if it does it again I can go back to 2 or 3 meals a day. 0 -
Hello,
I am following this starting today and have experimented with fasting in the past. This may sound like a dumb question as I tend to overthink things (badly!). If you are filling a plate and say you are having a large green salad that is virtually very little calories but yet fills the plate, and then the next day you have sweet potatoes and chicken and some bread and butter. That's going to be a lot more calories vs. the salad the day before.
I guess what I am asking is did you look at macros such as fats and protein to ensure you were getting the right balance? A plate one day may be 400 calories but a plate the next might be 1700. Would you just chalk it up to today I am basically having about 400 calories due to the low caloric value of the items chosen to eat? This is what confuses me in general with fasting.
Thanks so much for the inspiration and congratulations to you!
Hi,
When I started OMAD, I was a large and unhealthy meal-eater, so I wasn't concerned with getting too few calories. And salads (other than taco salads) were NOT on my menu ever (lol), so I never faced that. Someone who doesn't struggle with binging or consuming lots and lots of excessive caloric content may ought to count macros when too light of foods are brought in. But on the same note, if a day goes by of too few calories, it certainly isn't the end of the world. You'll be fine.
Don't be afraid to adjust your eating to your lifestyle. If you eat out a lot, use the nutrition breakdown they offer at a given restaurant; if you eat healthy, then take more time to build your meals to equal your set calorie goal. I've never been able to get more than 1,387 calories on one plate of food, so I wouldn't worry about overdoing things there. If "underdoing" it concerns you, then just count your macros and tailor your eating for that day.
Whatever you do, keep it simple. OMAD offers the simplicity that, as a results-oriented, "be done with it" sort of person, I can rely on. Most people who start (and finish) a successful OMAD plan tend to be practical thinkers. OMAD simplifies the process and allows the eater to take their overactive minds off of food and put them on other things. And it's a beautiful thing when people in our place and time in history can STOP thinking about food! lol2 -
So when I was at college I was basically eating one meal a day... albeit it was only usually a 6 inch sub from subway... but anyways, it made my bowels well (this is kinda awkward)... spasm. To eat only a meal a day would give me horrible diarrhea not even halfway through the meal... is it because i wasnt eating enough at one time or what? I'd really love to do this as I am finding the weight difficult to come off even with eating healthy and working out... do you still recommend it? I guess I could always try and if it does it again I can go back to 2 or 3 meals a day.
Hi,
What you describe is SUPER common with starting any fasting regimen. I myself always got those "spasms" you speak of--so bad, in fact, that I made sure I wasn't working the first 3 days when I started. The long and short of it is that they will pass. It may take up to 2 weeks with the "rumbles" slowing down gradually, although one individual took up to 3 and 1/2 weeks. He had Crohn's Disease, but by the 2 month, was doing well. No more issues of bowel upheaval, he told me.
Your body is used to producing lots of stomach acid to account for large amounts of food, so when you cut back, all that acid must be jettisoned. Hence, the "runs." I know how off-putting that can be, and without carrying on, I have experienced not only that, but some gall bladder pains to go with it. Trust me when it say, they pass.3 -
........why only one plate? Is this a mental thing? As a previous poster mentioned, what if my plate is full of raw spinach and some chicken? That won't be anywhere near what I need to eat for the whole day and I imagine being extremely hungry the next day too. I don't wanna use this as a "pig out" session but I'm trying to figure out how I can fit over a thousand calories on my plate without pigging out (like a delicious plate of buffalo wings and fries lol). Right now I'm semi low carb and I don't even always get to the 1200 calories that MFP suggests. What does 1300 calories look like on a plate?
Should I just jump right into this or ease my way into it?1 -
Congrats on the success! 1 meal a day isn't going to hurt you, if you can accommodate it. All you need to worry about is your own success. DOn't worry about others criticism of your path.4
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Congrats on the success! 1 meal a day isn't going to hurt you, if you can accommodate it. All you need to worry about is your own success. DOn't worry about others criticism of your path.
Thanks! Yep, one can totally "own it" and be a better person for having gone through the change.2 -
........why only one plate? Is this a mental thing? As a previous poster mentioned, what if my plate is full of raw spinach and some chicken? That won't be anywhere near what I need to eat for the whole day and I imagine being extremely hungry the next day too. I don't wanna use this as a "pig out" session but I'm trying to figure out how I can fit over a thousand calories on my plate without pigging out (like a delicious plate of buffalo wings and fries lol). Right now I'm semi low carb and I don't even always get to the 1200 calories that MFP suggests. What does 1300 calories look like on a plate?
Should I just jump right into this or ease my way into it?
Yes, a mental thing and a convenience thing. Feel free to measure/count out your calories, but to me, I wanted something more workable, practical, something more fluid. You make a good point in that if you are naturally a healthy eater, it will be hard to get the necessary calories on a plate. And bear in mind that OMAD, in its present form as I have it here, is for bingers and/or serious overeaters who do NOT have a healthy lifestyle. So that changes the game for you, perhaps. Go look in the posted meals thread for examples of how a typical OMAD plate looks.2 -
This sounds interesting and I am considering trying this. I am curious if this is a diet that you came up with or did you learn it from somewhere? Also, I think this may be hard with a husband and children . . . I really need to make a change though! Did you see success the first week? Did you eat 5 servings of fruits or veggies on this plate or was it just a calorie thing? Sorry for all the questions. I am just curious
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This sounds interesting and I am considering trying this. I am curious if this is a diet that you came up with or did you learn it from somewhere?
Try it and you'll see results, although it will require sacrifice. I came up with it because, to me, it just made sense. I later learned our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate this way and that the followers of Elijah Mohammed ate this way--and that The Warrior Diet book by Ori Hoffmekler espoused it. But this was basically me following instinct...and formatting it for easy access to others.Also, I think this may be hard with a husband and children . . . I really need to make a change though!
Yes, but it will be hard regardless. You do what you must or things will always be as they've always been.Did you see success the first week?
Yes. Felt lighter from the first day. I knew it would work and I averaged almost 3 lbs each week with mostly short plateaus.Did you eat 5 servings of fruits or veggies on this plate or was it just a calorie thing? Sorry for all the questions. I am just curious
No, but I am a high-carb person naturally, which, in my view, makes the process more effective. The good thing is, none of that matters. I added in really good-quality, healthy foods as the months passed. Before Christmas of 2013, I was eating pretty well. It's all a process of betterment.
Ask away!
:-)1 -
Ok. I decided I would try this today. I didn't tell anyone, because I'm always trying new diets and failing publicly
anyway, I was starving and decided to give up this morning. I ate a large breakfast and felt really full after. Then I decided I can't give up yet! I didn't even give it a fair try! So, my big meal is early today lol. I will be fasting the rest of the day. So far it's not that bad. It's almost 4pm and I feel good! Wish me luck! 2 -
Ok. I decided I would try this today. I didn't tell anyone, because I'm always trying new diets and failing publicly anyway, I was starving and decided to give up this morning. I ate a large breakfast and felt really full after. Then I decided I can't give up yet! I didn't even give it a fair try! So, my big meal is early today lol. I will be fasting the rest of the day. So far it's not that bad. It's almost 4pm and I feel good! Wish me luck!
Keeping it to yourself is a great idea...for anyone.
But yes, if done right, it will be hard. And when there aren't good days where staying the course is easy, there will be okay ones and outright bad ones. It will be up to you to make the changes.1 -
Sometimes, I really wish I had my meal in the morning, 'cuz I can feel full all day that way. If your lifestyle allows that, then try it! We like to have a family suppertime, and so I have my meal in the evening. I may try to switch for August. Try it for a week and see!1
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I moved my meal to the mornings nearly a month ago now. Only thing is, after a day of toiling, you will be slightly hungrier at nights--although, I still found this not so bad. I would eat when I got up, work nights, and go to bed only mildly hungry (hey, no acid reflux!). And when I woke up, I'd never be too crazily hungry to handle myself when eating since I'd be just waking up. I enjoyed this more than ever. Still do.1
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I'm going to start this today (although I had my meal already)! I've always wanted to be an OMAD person but didn't know it was possible to do other than for hermits. Thanks for the inspiration and congratulations on your efforts and results.3
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Succeeded yesterday, and plan to succeed again today - thank you so much for freeing me from the shackles of regular meals and snacks!1
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When you're a month in, then thank me! ;-)2
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Did you eat 5 servings of fruits or veggies on this plate or was it just a calorie thing? Sorry for all the questions. I am just curious
No, but I am a high-carb person naturally, which, in my view, makes the process more effective. The good thing is, none of that matters. I added in really good-quality, healthy foods as the months passed. Before Christmas of 2013, I was eating pretty well. It's all a process of betterment.
Ask away!
:-)[/quote]
I tend to disagree - very respectfully of course - about the high-carb vs low-carb in this WOE. One of the well known benefits of a LC diet is the reduction of appetite. This is especially true for those with insulin resistance. Personally, when I eat even a moderate amount of carbs in my meal, I'm famished within a couple hours; but if I stick to a HFLC (hi fat, low carb) meal, I have very little hunger throughout my fast. I never get that shaky, weak feeling that many experience.3 -
christinemac17 wrote: »Did you eat 5 servings of fruits or veggies on this plate or was it just a calorie thing? Sorry for all the questions. I am just curious
No, but I am a high-carb person naturally, which, in my view, makes the process more effective. The good thing is, none of that matters. I added in really good-quality, healthy foods as the months passed. Before Christmas of 2013, I was eating pretty well. It's all a process of betterment.
Ask away!
:-)
I tend to disagree - very respectfully of course - about the high-carb vs low-carb in this WOE. One of the well known benefits of a LC diet is the reduction of appetite. This is especially true for those with insulin resistance. Personally, when I eat even a moderate amount of carbs in my meal, I'm famished within a couple hours; but if I stick to a HFLC (hi fat, low carb) meal, I have very little hunger throughout my fast. I never get that shaky, weak feeling that many experience.
Hey, if that works for you and you notice a difference, then by all means, adjust accordingly.
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Thanks so much for your inspiring tale which prompted me to give this a go. I'm 6 weeks in now and have lost over a stone. I've found eating once a day quite easy to get used to with the aid of no added sugar dilute with water drinks and some strawberries in the evening. Strawberries are one of the best fruits for you apparently and they help with the sweet cravings.
The anticipation of the weekly weigh in is addictive as I near the goals I have set myself and it's exciting to be surprised each week as the weight drops.
I started at 16.5 stones, goal is to drop a stone a month till I reach 11.5 stones.
I'm also doing some walking when I can, but nothing excessive.
Can I ask if the binge day is essential or ok to just cheat a bit and not binge?
Also, will I continue to lose weight till I reach my ideal weight?
Many thanks again for your inspiration.1 -
Thanks so much for your inspiring tale which prompted me to give this a go. I'm 6 weeks in now and have lost over a stone. I've found eating once a day quite easy to get used to with the aid of no added sugar dilute with water drinks and some strawberries in the evening. Strawberries are one of the best fruits for you apparently and they help with the sweet cravings.
The anticipation of the weekly weigh in is addictive as I near the goals I have set myself and it's exciting to be surprised each week as the weight drops.
I started at 16.5 stones, goal is to drop a stone a month till I reach 11.5 stones.
I'm also doing some walking when I can, but nothing excessive.
Can I ask if the binge day is essential or ok to just cheat a bit and not binge?
Also, will I continue to lose weight till I reach my ideal weight?
Many thanks again for your inspiration.
Glad to hear of your success. Many more are now seeing it.
The splurge day depends on the individual. I think of it as a foraging day, not a binge day. Much of my writing has been in addressing serious weight-losers who go all-out and need a break from weeks upon weeks of fasting. If you are closer to your goal and are getting enough calories to where you aren't at a drastic deficit, then the splurge may not be needed. Since you seem to be doing well, you might go a while and not worry about it. It's good to have rhythm, but one big splurge day per two weeks or a month should not be frowned upon.
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Interesting idea, never thought of that before...I know I'm not a big one for eating breakfast generally and tend to only eat 2 meals a day (I know I've heard often how "bad" that is for me not to eat breakfast....)...so this might be one for me to consider. Thank you for sharing! And congrats on your success!1
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danielleeu wrote: »Interesting idea, never thought of that before...I know I'm not a big one for eating breakfast generally and tend to only eat 2 meals a day (I know I've heard often how "bad" that is for me not to eat breakfast....)...so this might be one for me to consider. Thank you for sharing! And congrats on your success!
Switch over. You'll be blown away.
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Looking forward to really taking this head on. I have gone "two meals a day" or have had only one and it wasn't too much of a struggle. I am an emotional eater/excess eater, so these results should be great. Thank you for sharing your story and what worked for you! @arguablysamson1
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Welcome, aboard! And thanks. The whole idea is mutual benefit. No way this can't add mucho benefits to your life. I've seen it too many times. :-)1
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This sounds like my kind of diet. I'm never hungry in the morning. I am starving at lunchtime. And I only eat in the evening if its put in front of me (which it usually is)..
I'm going to get myself organised and make lunchtime my one and only meal time. Has to work.. Most of the food I seem to eat is because it is just there.. Not because I'm actually hungry for it!2 -
This sounds like my kind of diet. I'm never hungry in the morning. I am starving at lunchtime. And I only eat in the evening if its put in front of me (which it usually is)..
I'm going to get myself organised and make lunchtime my one and only meal time. Has to work.. Most of the food I seem to eat is because it is just there.. Not because I'm actually hungry for it!
Sounds like you know already that it will be a fit. Keep us updated on your progress!0 -
How long it took for you to lose all the weight by just eating OMPD?0
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ShaniaSoon wrote: »How long it took for you to lose all the weight by just eating OMPD?
If you are referring to arguablysamson, he removed 196.8 pounds in 365 days. Amazing.
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Wow - congratulations! This reminded me of how I ate for about 6-7 years, 20 years ago. I did eat breakfast and sometimes lunch, but they were always no carb meals. I might have an egg in the morning (or nothing at all) and maybe some tuna at lunch. But, then I'd eat my dinner, which could be pretty much anything you wanted. The only "rule" was I had to finish in one hour. Like you say, it's very difficult to really over eat during that time. I maintained my weight for years doing this. Folks were amazed. But, it worked. I think it's great that you found something that works for you and sounds like you are much healthier now!1
