OMAD to Me
sun_cat
Posts: 114 Member
I've been doing 14/15:10/9 IF for a few weeks with variable success. Weeks 2-5 were amazing, then my weight started bouncing back up. The effect of that was to mess with my mind, and I've gained back 1.5 pounds. I find not eating much less difficult than I thought, so I started thinking it makes sense to do more of what works, and less of what doesn't: increase fasting hours (à la OMAD) and decrease encounters with the scale. Right now I've been fasting for 16 hours, and it still surprises me how not difficult it is.
I have two other issues I need to resolve. Well, two to start with
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I truly cannot eat large meals, so on a literal one meal a day, I'd feel awful and still have a tough time taking in enough calories. I almost passed on this group because of that, which seemed like a bummer since it looked like a good group But, I read some posts and saw a video that said a larger eating window is allowable, so I decided to join in and start with a 4 hour window and see how that goes.
The second is weekends with my family. I'd like to be as 'normal' as possible mainly because I am not ready to talk about this to anyone and I'd like to maintain stealth for a while. This is going to be a work in progress, but I think I can finesse things a bit and stay pretty close to my window - and at least not gain on weekends, even if I don't lose.
I have two other issues I need to resolve. Well, two to start with
.I truly cannot eat large meals, so on a literal one meal a day, I'd feel awful and still have a tough time taking in enough calories. I almost passed on this group because of that, which seemed like a bummer since it looked like a good group
But, I read some posts and saw a video that said a larger eating window is allowable, so I decided to join in and start with a 4 hour window and see how that goes.The second is weekends with my family. I'd like to be as 'normal' as possible mainly because I am not ready to talk about this to anyone and I'd like to maintain stealth for a while. This is going to be a work in progress, but I think I can finesse things a bit and stay pretty close to my window - and at least not gain on weekends, even if I don't lose.
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Replies
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Hi,
Yes, there is nothing wrong with maintaining a wider window. Lots of people do it (Linda does it here - ask her about it). You have to find yourself and your rhythm and you will get momentum and feel great!2 -
Hello sun_cat:
I had a hard time getting all my calories in at once so I ate what I could and then waited for 30 minutes to finish my meal. I'm doing better now and only wait 10-15 minutes. As time goes on I'll be able to finish my dinner at once.
As far as narrowing the feeding window: I began eating a small lunch at noon and dinner at 4 pm. After a week or so I ate a very small salad at 2 pm and dinner at 4 pm. Now I don't eat a snack and can wait for dinner.
Please be patient with yourself. You will get there. It's a wonderful program and you will have many more benefits than just weight loss.
You can do this...
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Thank you! I feel like your example and support will be a huge help to me! I can't get over how welcoming everyone is here.
I was going to jump in with one meal, but after reading posts here and watching some of the videos, I decided to be gentler with myself and just narrow my window over time. For the last couple of weeks it's been 8 hours, but if I can make it shorter, why not?
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Welcome Sun-Cat ( LOVE you name
). We're so GLAD you're here! 1 -
Thank you! I feel like your example and support will be a huge help to me! I can't get over how welcoming everyone is here.
I was going to jump in with one meal, but after reading posts here and watching some of the videos, I decided to be gentler with myself and just narrow my window over time. For the last couple of weeks it's been 8 hours, but if I can make it shorter, why not?
That is a good plan. Always treat yourself like your best friend. Be patient and you will get there.1 -
Thank you OMADing
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I have had success with a larger eating window but I'm a guy and it can be different for everyone. Good luck!1
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I am wondering if this is the right thing for me after all. When started IF with a 14 hour fast and it was so effortless I barely even noticed it. It was better than that, because I felt great, ate what I wanted to and lost 5 pounds the first six weeks. After 10 months of slow gain, I was quite pleased to say the least.
If fell into that 'if a little works, more must be better' - and I started tweaking, as you do. I began decreasing meal size and increasing my fasting period. Since then I've gained 2 pounds back and feel 'wrong'. Not just 'oh, this is a bit tough, but It'll be fine' but wrong as in 'I think I went too far'. Or maybe too fast.
I am so discouraged. I really felt welcome here - and I felt like I finally found what was going to work. Now I feel like nothing will ever work again. I feel like I found my 'sweet spot' and screwed it up because I got impatient.0 -
Hi Sun:
You may want to email Joe. He will know what to tell you. ♥0 -
The weight gain may be temporary like when you eat salty stuff? You might go back to where it was working for you?0
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I am wondering if this is the right thing for me after all. When started IF with a 14 hour fast and it was so effortless I barely even noticed it. It was better than that, because I felt great, ate what I wanted to and lost 5 pounds the first six weeks. After 10 months of slow gain, I was quite pleased to say the least.
If fell into that 'if a little works, more must be better' - and I started tweaking, as you do. I began decreasing meal size and increasing my fasting period. Since then I've gained 2 pounds back and feel 'wrong'. Not just 'oh, this is a bit tough, but It'll be fine' but wrong as in 'I think I went too far'. Or maybe too fast.
I am so discouraged. I really felt welcome here - and I felt like I finally found what was going to work. Now I feel like nothing will ever work again. I feel like I found my 'sweet spot' and screwed it up because I got impatient.
{{{{ SUN }}}}
This is what I've learned living OMAD...when (not if...but when) I do snacking BEFORE or AFTER my scheduled eating time (and snacking can be food or caloried drinks), BAM! The weight comes back on, period. For me (and everyone is different), it's NOT what I eat, because I can eat whatever I want to "WHEN IT'S MY EATING TIME", salty, sweet, fatty foods anything really--it's the snacking that makes me fat (as Joe says). It's the excess eating of stuff when it's not my time to eat that ALWAYS causes me to gain on OMAD. So my question is...are you snacking (eating or drinking caloried foods before of after your 4 hour eating window? You don't have to answer that here, but if you are...that's where the problem is, FOR SURE...at least it is for me doing/living OMAD. But again, everyone is different.
Here's a couple of Joe's video's that may help:
How to Fail at Losing Weight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAGopT8AvHc
! - Stop Creating WEIGHT LOSS DEMONS - ! (Note: this one has water sounds in the vid...don't let that distract you from the message, okay?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y90xFTXBIzQ
P.S.
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Nope. I did not eat or drink a thing outside my eating window. I have a special event coming up, so I've been very strict with myself. I am not a 'snacker' - even the sound of that word is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. And to be honest, I really enjoyed fasting, if that doesn't sound weird 0
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Nope. I did not eat or drink a thing outside my eating window. I have a special event coming up, so I've been very strict with myself. I am not a 'snacker' - even the sound of that word is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. And to be honest, I really enjoyed fasting, if that doesn't sound weird
I've got a lot to lose (I'm taking it at 30lb intervals--I've got a about 50lbs more total to lose), so perhaps this is why the weight is coming off a bit more easily for me. I've been stuck before and it aint fun, at all.
I edited this to look back and see you're trying to lose 20lbs, so...I agree with Linda, perhaps you can write Joe...he's helped me and MANY others when I was stuck, he totally helped me--he's seen it all in this OMAD life. In any event, we're here for you and cheering you on. I hate that you're discouraged, I so know how that feels!!! {{{{ Hugs }}}}1 -
See my PM, Sun. :-)0
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I am wondering if this is the right thing for me after all. When started IF with a 14 hour fast and it was so effortless I barely even noticed it. It was better than that, because I felt great, ate what I wanted to and lost 5 pounds the first six weeks. After 10 months of slow gain, I was quite pleased to say the least.
If fell into that 'if a little works, more must be better' - and I started tweaking, as you do. I began decreasing meal size and increasing my fasting period. Since then I've gained 2 pounds back and feel 'wrong'. Not just 'oh, this is a bit tough, but It'll be fine' but wrong as in 'I think I went too far'. Or maybe too fast.
I am so discouraged. I really felt welcome here - and I felt like I finally found what was going to work. Now I feel like nothing will ever work again. I feel like I found my 'sweet spot' and screwed it up because I got impatient.
Awww... You didn't permanently do anything to mess up your sweet spot.
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So, here I am. I find I don't want to leave this group. Can I stay even if I have 2MAD?
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It is one of the best groups IMO.
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I am wondering if this is the right thing for me after all. When started IF with a 14 hour fast and it was so effortless I barely even noticed it. It was better than that, because I felt great, ate what I wanted to and lost 5 pounds the first six weeks. After 10 months of slow gain, I was quite pleased to say the least.
If fell into that 'if a little works, more must be better' - and I started tweaking, as you do. I began decreasing meal size and increasing my fasting period. Since then I've gained 2 pounds back and feel 'wrong'. Not just 'oh, this is a bit tough, but It'll be fine' but wrong as in 'I think I went too far'. Or maybe too fast.
I am so discouraged. I really felt welcome here - and I felt like I finally found what was going to work. Now I feel like nothing will ever work again. I feel like I found my 'sweet spot' and screwed it up because I got impatient.
What is your weekly deficit?1 -
Nope. I did not eat or drink a thing outside my eating window. I have a special event coming up, so I've been very strict with myself. I am not a 'snacker' - even the sound of that word is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. And to be honest, I really enjoyed fasting, if that doesn't sound weird
When you only have 20 pounds to lose it gets much more difficult, and goes slower. You haven't been on OMAD long. It took two weeks for my body to adjust to the changes. Also I did it by slowly closing the window between the 2MAD.
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OMADing1 how are you working your 4 hour window? What exactly do you mean? You eat your one meal at any time during the 4 hours? Or do you actually eat 2MAD within 4 hours?0
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Don't give it ....it takes a little bit to get accustomed to the shorter feeding window. Stay the course and you will lose.0
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Thanks for all the support. I am not giving up. I'm going to put my scale away (It messes with my head) and just focus on eating right during the eating hours, and extending the not-eating hours a bit at a time.0
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Thanks for all the support. I am not giving up. I'm going to put my scale away (It messes with my head) and just focus on eating right during the eating hours, and extending the not-eating hours a bit at a time.
Hello Sun: I'm glad you're not giving up. That's a great plan and you will get there. You're not alone.
I put my scales away too. Sometimes it can play with the mind as you're finding out. When I feel I'm putting all the emphasis on a number on the scale, I know it's time to put it under the bed for a while. It always works for me and helps me get back to thinking about the program instead of my weight.1 -
Exactly. Attitude is so important, and the scale messes with mine. I just want to focus on consistently doing what I need to do day after day. The results are sure to follow.0
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SavedByGrace26356 wrote: »I put my scales away too. Sometimes it can play with the mind as you're finding out. When I feel I'm putting all the emphasis on a number on the scale, I know it's time to put it under the bed for a while. It always works for me and helps me get back to thinking about the program instead of my weight.
This was such a wise thing you said, I need to keep this in mind!
Sun_cat - I hope you're doing okey, it sounds like you're on the right track. Sending some glittering winter hugs from a chilly Sweden!
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SavedByGrace26356 wrote: »I put my scales away too. Sometimes it can play with the mind as you're finding out. When I feel I'm putting all the emphasis on a number on the scale, I know it's time to put it under the bed for a while. It always works for me and helps me get back to thinking about the program instead of my weight.
This was such a wise thing you said, I need to keep this in mind!
Sun_cat - I hope you're doing okey, it sounds like you're on the right track. Sending some glittering winter hugs from a chilly Sweden!
That method doesn't work for me as I gain during the time the scales are put away, but if it works for you then great! It would stress me out to get back on the scale and find the number higher-- which has been my prior experience. I find it facinating that some people lose when not watching the scale. Evidently there are more than I realized.
My grandma weighed 120 pounds her whole life. She was able to fit into dresses from when she was a young woman. She taught me to weigh every day and back off on portions when I saw a little increase. This worked for a number of years, and I stayed a nice size. Then I stopped weighing and gained weight. So that is why I want to keep an eye on weight creep and nip it in the bud.
As others mentioned, everyone is different. When I avoid the scale it is because I can tell I gained weight and am afraid to face it. But now I will weigh even when I'm not happy with the weight so I can get the numbers back down. It can be corrected within a week. I'm a pro at maintenance. I have difficulty losing weight. This is a conundrum. If I could just get rid of these last pounds I know I could keep them off on maintenance. My body forms strong set points.1
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