@blambo61 - Thanks!

@Brendalea69 - That hug was from me! Your hot chocolate saved my life last night. I was starving! I put a tablespoon in my coffee and it was delicious and filling. Thanks for the great tip.

Okay, I started OMAD about a month ago, I went into it after an 8 day prayer fast. While on my extended fast, I had done some searching around the internet for some inspiration and accidentally stumbled across the concept of intermittent fasting. I was shocked by how easy it sounded, and OMAD fit my lifestyle perfectly. (I work nights, so I could just come home from work, have my meal, get some sleep then simply not take any food or snacks to work). I went directly from an extended fast to OMAD.

I love it. Not just tolerate it, I love it. It's my dream-diet come true, and I suppose therein lies the problem.

Psychologically, it feels too easy. I keep doing things to try to make it more complicated. Like combining OMAD with 5:2, or having 2 zero carb days per week (I do OMAD + keto, so I'm already low carb), or having a dry-fast day or on and on. I have great results with OMAD, not just weight loss but I'm seeing incredible improvements in my health, but nope, it has to be too good to be true so I have to make it harder. (which of course results in stress which in turn affects my health and weight loss)

I am my own worst enemy, I swear. I found an eating pattern I feel like I can live with for the rest of my life, and yet I'm trying to sabotage it by making it harder. Someone stop me!

vaughnche wrote: »

Okay, I started OMAD about a month ago, I went into it after an 8 day prayer fast. While on my extended fast, I had done some searching around the internet for some inspiration and accidentally stumbled across the concept of intermittent fasting. I was shocked by how easy it sounded, and OMAD fit my lifestyle perfectly. (I work nights, so I could just come home from work, have my meal, get some sleep then simply not take any food or snacks to work). I went directly from an extended fast to OMAD.

I love it. Not just tolerate it, I love it. It's my dream-diet come true, and I suppose therein lies the problem.

Psychologically, it feels too easy. I keep doing things to try to make it more complicated. Like combining OMAD with 5:2, or having 2 zero carb days per week (I do OMAD + keto, so I'm already low carb), or having a dry-fast day or on and on. I have great results with OMAD, not just weight loss but I'm seeing incredible improvements in my health, but nope, it has to be too good to be true so I have to make it harder. (which of course results in stress which in turn affects my health and weight loss)

I am my own worst enemy, I swear. I found an eating pattern I feel like I can live with for the rest of my life, and yet I'm trying to sabotage it by making it harder. Someone stop me!

You have to stop yourself, no one can do it for you. Realization of what is going on and buying into that is the first step. Doesn't sound like your in denial. Now you just need to act on what you know! This goes for all of us. I'm certain there are some ways of thinking about it that are helpful and we can all share these ideas and encourage each other but in the end, only we decide what we are going to do.

It really is that simple and the beauty of it all is that is does work. The proof is in the pudding or in your case in the baggy pants. Don't overthink it and you will be fine.

daniabrioschi wrote: »

I started Omad yesterday evening. My window is 8-10 pm because it is the most accountable time for social eating with my family!
Yesterday evening I had a round baby margherita pizza.
I finished it all. I felt a little grumpy because it was around 1300 calories for just one meal

That is my meal time too, I am half way into my second week. I have been a little grumpy at times too, all part of getting used to new habits after stuffing my face all day for so long haha welcome and good luck!

Welcome! Please start a thread!

EstrangedTiger wrote: »

I'm slowing closing my eating window. At this point, I'm basically doing the Warrior Diet of 20 off and 4 on. This has given me time to have a nutrition rich smoothie, so my main meals can be more fun (but still healthy). I've noticed that if my drink is very nutrition dense (vitamins, minerals, etc), hunger will be much more manageable. Also, I feel so much better! And yes, one can make a tasty green smoothie.

Low calorie days just don't work for me, the hunger is just overwhelming until the next day. This forces a larger eating window.

Yesterday, I was able to have my first legit OMAD day. Prepared my smoothie before hitting the restaurant. Drank the smoothie in the parking lot and ordered my food quickly. Finished the total meal in about 55-65 mins.

Will be one that needs the full hour (and sometimes a little extra) to eat my meal. Eating too fast triggers those old binging impulses.

I struggle with habit eating, boredom eating and stress eating. Just snacking.

I don't know how other people feel about this but I'm utterly unashamed of needing more time to eat. I eat slow, it takes me a while to get a full meal in me, but I would rather have a slow stress-free meal that I enjoy, than a fast, rushed, stressful meal.

arguablysamson wrote: »

vaughnche wrote: »

EstrangedTiger wrote: »

I'm slowing closing my eating window. At this point, I'm basically doing the Warrior Diet of 20 off and 4 on. This has given me time to have a nutrition rich smoothie, so my main meals can be more fun (but still healthy). I've noticed that if my drink is very nutrition dense (vitamins, minerals, etc), hunger will be much more manageable. Also, I feel so much better! And yes, one can make a tasty green smoothie.

Low calorie days just don't work for me, the hunger is just overwhelming until the next day. This forces a larger eating window.

Yesterday, I was able to have my first legit OMAD day. Prepared my smoothie before hitting the restaurant. Drank the smoothie in the parking lot and ordered my food quickly. Finished the total meal in about 55-65 mins.

Will be one that needs the full hour (and sometimes a little extra) to eat my meal. Eating too fast triggers those old binging impulses.

I struggle with habit eating, boredom eating and stress eating. Just snacking.

I don't know how other people feel about this but I'm utterly unashamed of needing more time to eat. I eat slow, it takes me a while to get a full meal in me, but I would rather have a slow stress-free meal that I enjoy, than a fast, rushed, stressful meal.

The issue isn't an eating time, per se, but the problems start when people keep consuming more food over a longer window. If that is not you, then I see nothing wrong with eating over 4 hours.

Yes! I set my food/meal out (before I eat) as you have suggested to prevent such an issue. That is really a solid suggestion that I believe is a cornerstone of the process.

vaughnche wrote: »

EstrangedTiger wrote: »

I'm slowing closing my eating window. At this point, I'm basically doing the Warrior Diet of 20 off and 4 on. This has given me time to have a nutrition rich smoothie, so my main meals can be more fun (but still healthy). I've noticed that if my drink is very nutrition dense (vitamins, minerals, etc), hunger will be much more manageable. Also, I feel so much better! And yes, one can make a tasty green smoothie.

Low calorie days just don't work for me, the hunger is just overwhelming until the next day. This forces a larger eating window.

Yesterday, I was able to have my first legit OMAD day. Prepared my smoothie before hitting the restaurant. Drank the smoothie in the parking lot and ordered my food quickly. Finished the total meal in about 55-65 mins.

Will be one that needs the full hour (and sometimes a little extra) to eat my meal. Eating too fast triggers those old binging impulses.

I struggle with habit eating, boredom eating and stress eating. Just snacking.

I don't know how other people feel about this but I'm utterly unashamed of needing more time to eat. I eat slow, it takes me a while to get a full meal in me, but I would rather have a slow stress-free meal that I enjoy, than a fast, rushed, stressful meal.

Yeah, as I've been saying, eating too quickly is a sure binging trigger for this food addict! It also just feels uncomfortable!

Example: Some of my European friends love the traditional evening meal. You talk and eat several courses over 3-4 hours. This can fit within OMAD. Just no snacking that day, before or after. I'll consider those days to be higher calorie and have fun!

@RED26RED Welcome. I have the same issue with clothing purchases and depression due to my weight gain. However, the fact is I HAD depression, because OMAD/IF works - you just have to stick with the plan.

First: Since you have read the book and are familiar with the physiological changes that occur when fasting, you shouldn’t be down about stagnant weight loss for 2-3 weeks. Could have lost fat, but gained muscle. Did you weigh on the same scale and at the same time on weigh in days?

Second: Also, even if only having one meal a day, the calories can get away with you. Use this app to find your appropriate weight loss calorie deficit number. You may have to track calories until you can eyeball it better. Also, logging food will help you catch yourself snacking, which sabotages IF and OMAD. More on that later...

The good news: You don’t have to exercise to lose weight. I take productive and slow walks to clear my head. Nothing more at this point. Why? Too much abuse on my body. I also have hip, knee and shoulder issues. Adjust your fitness app to the lowest activity setting. Also, you can perform light upper body exercises!

You should be elated. Why? No weight gain and have lost 20 lbs total.

So. Are you keeping a food log? How many days a week are you fasting? Are you breaking your fast inadvertently with calorie drinks during the day? How is your sleep?

Also, one issue with keto advocates, like Dr Fung, is they frown on counting calories. He forgets to say that keto can be self regulating, due to hunger dampening. However...

Snacking on high calorie keto foods can cause problems. Calories in and calories out is a thing, even if the fat burning machine is better optimized. Also, self regulation takes experience. Watch Joe’s videos on how he uses his plate. He also has many videos on how one can overthink it and sabotage their own efforts.

Keto isn’t for everybody. You have to experiment and find your niche. Please, refrain from giving up. Be a good example to your boy. That is an awesome goal! Keto does work for me, due to appetite suppression and a leveling of my mood. However, if a terrific southern fried OMAD meal presents itself, I’m eating it with no guilt.

Have lost 30+ lbs, consistently, while eating some really fun food!

I wish you well. Please introduce yourself in the appropriate thread and allow us to cheer you on!

RED26RED wrote: »

Thank you EstrangedTiger! That was very nice to read. I'll do that.

Hey, the people here are really nice, honest and supportive. Just following their example, as much as possible.

You have a home here to vent to people that understand and are non judgemental.

Have a good week!

I am happy to find this thread, and find that this is very insightful, I am a beginner and as I have been struggling with comfortably trying to get to 23 hours every day, and forget that I am human and slip sometimes, today I found that I was only able to make it to 18 hours, and surprisingly at work on thursday and Friday I Was able to make it to 20 hours , I have a career that requires many hours a day on my feet and in my department usually walk about 6-8 miles , and suffer that cortisol rebound by the end of the day. one day at a time, I hope to be more comfortable with 23 hours and Omad, perhaps I am not there yet, I will move forward and know that Omad is my answer!

My stomach is currently being a 3 year old !! Lol, I can hear it whining and gurgling while I'm typing this. I'm not sure what causes me to be much more hungry some days VS other days I'm totally cool. Today has been the worst. I'm on week 3 of OMAD

I relapsed. I was doing so well and weight was going down and then I hit a wall. One day I was so physically tired. All I wanted to do was sleep. That is not like me at all. I broke down and ate something. I wasn't hungry but looking for energy. The food did help bring me back to life. So then I slipped back into eating 2-3 times a day and started questioning if OMAD was for me. But of course, I am now back to where I started and have gained the 3 pounds I lost back. UGH. SIGH.

Hi Tuft. You don't always have to do OMAD. There is also 2MAD. Find something you feel comfortable with. Are you eating enough in your meal so you can survive the next day? If you are eating to little you will get hungrier waiting for your time to eat.