14-Day OMAD & 10K Steps Challenge — Fat Loss, Food Freedom & Figuring Myself Out
Hey everyone,
So here’s the real talk: I’ve been trying to lose this stubborn lower belly weight (hello, post-C-section FUPA) for years now. I’ve done the calorie counting, the walking, the salads-for-days routine. But nothing really clicked.
Until now.
I'm starting something a little bold:
One Meal a Day (OMAD) + 10,000 steps
Every day. For 14 days straight.
And I want to document the full thing here — the meals, the mindset, the cravings, the small wins, the not-so-small struggles — all of it.
Why I’m doing this:
• I want to get back to the way I looked and felt before having my kid — not to erase that chapter, but to reclaim my energy, strength, and confidence.
• I’m tired of being tired. I want to feel energized, active, and alive in my own body.
• I want to burn fat without losing muscle, and actually feel good while doing it.
• I want my body to heal and reset — physically and mentally.
• And honestly, I want to prove to myself that I can commit to me — not just work, family, or to-do lists.
What’s different this time?
I’m tapping into something that goes deeper than just calories in, calories out.
I’m using OMAD to trigger autophagy — a natural cellular cleanup process that clears out damaged cells and supports healing, especially when we go long enough without food.
I’ve noticed something unexpected too: my sleep is deeper, my mind is clearer, and my energy doesn’t crash — even late into the fast. It’s like my body finally has time to catch up and breathe.
This isn’t just weight loss. This feels like restoration.
The game plan:
• OMAD: One delicious, nutrient-rich meal a day (high-protein, low-carb, deeply satisfying)
• 10,000 steps/day — some days it's a breeze, others... not so much, but I'm showing up
• Hydration: water, black coffee, herbal tea
• Light strength & core work — just 10–15 mins daily
• Improved sleep to support hormone balance and recovery
• Macros for satiety — I want to feel full, not famished
I’ll be sharing daily updates:
• What I ate
• How I felt
• Cravings and how I managed them
• Progress — both scale and non-scale
• Wins (physical and mental)
• And anything else that might help someone else feel seen or motivated
If you're doing OMAD, fasting, low carb, or just trying to feel better in your own skin, feel free to follow along or share your journey. I’d love the company. Let’s root for each other.
This is my reset. My comeback. My promise to myself.
Let’s go.
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Day 3 of My 14-Day OMAD Challenge: The Honeymoon Phase?
So here we are — Day 3, and honestly, it feels like a groove is forming. Day 1 was tough — the hunger, the temptation, the mental chatter. But Day 2 and Day 3 got progressively easier. Alhamdolillah, I feel light, happy, energetic, and not hungry at all. Protein and fat FTW!
I’m using the Fastic app to track my OMAD window and Samsung Health on my Galaxy Watch to stay on top of my 10,000 steps and weight. Having those daily stats keeps me focused and accountable — it's like a virtual high-five at the end of the day.
I’ve also started taking magnesium glycinate, and it’s been a game-changer — boosting my energy during the day and noticeably improving my sleep. That deep rest, combined with being in the autophagy phase of fasting, feels like my body is repairing from the inside out, especially while I sleep during the day.
Today’s OMAD meal was both indulgent and within target: two juicy chicken patties layered with air-fried eggplant, cheese, tomato, cucumber, garlic sauce, and a touch of hummus — all sandwiched in lettuce instead of a bun. Paired with a coleslaw made of cream, cabbage, apple, and sugar-free jam. Topped it off with a creamy coffee. Full? Yes. Satisfied? Completely.
This isn’t just about fat loss — though I can feel the FUPA loosening its grip — it’s about reclaiming the energy and vitality I had before motherhood. It’s about feeling present, powerful, and well again.
Tomorrow I’ve planned a delicious chicken shawarma meal — but I’m already structuring the rest of the plate to keep my calories under 800 and macros dialed in. Intentional living feels really, really good.
If you’re reading this and thinking of starting: Just begin. Your body is more adaptable than you think — and Day 3 you will be so proud of Day 1 you.
Want me to prep your Day 4 post next, including the shawarma and reflections on crossing the 25% milestone?
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OMAD Challenge – Day 4 Update
Weight: 69.75 kg
Steps: 8,924
Water: 8 glasses
OMAD Meal: Chicken shawarma, inside of a falafel wrap, half cup of leftover coleslaw, boiled egg, coffee with cream and 1 tsp sugar
Alhamdulillah, I’m down to 69.75 kg — and while I know a chunk of this is likely water weight, I won’t lie: it feels good to physically see and feel the deflation. Clothes are fitting better. I feel lighter. And I feel more in control.
But Day 4 was tough. A festive atmosphere at home made the fast mentally challenging — food was ordered for me two days in a row, and both times I had to say no because my window had either closed or hadn’t opened yet. If I weren’t doing OMAD, I know I would have nibbled without hesitation. That structure saved me.
A few takeaways from today:
• Black coffee is not optional for me. I skipped it this morning, and hunger hit me harder than any previous day. It really does help keep hunger at bay and give that morning clarity.
• Steps are best done early. I kept waiting to walk during my autophagy window, thinking it would amplify fat burn. But by then I was low on energy, and my cravings were at their worst. Lesson learned: get movement in earlier, especially when I’m fueled and focused.
• The itching at my C-section scar has returned since I started OMAD and 10k steps + core work like dead bugs. It may be that increased circulation, core activation, and fat loss in that area are triggering old nerve endings. It’s uncomfortable but feels like part of healing — like something is finally waking up after 7 years.
• Magnesium glycinate continues to help with energy levels and deeper sleep — a game changer, especially when fasting.
I’m using the Fastic app to track fasting, and my Galaxy Watch with Samsung Health keeps me accountable for steps and weight. These tools give me just the right amount of motivation.
Day 1 was hard, but Days 2 and 3 felt easier — Day 4 tested my discipline. But I’m still here. I’m still showing up for myself.
Tomorrow is a new day, and InshaAllah, I’ll show up again.
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Day 5 Update – Feeling Lighter, Looking Slimmer
Today was a good one, Alhamdolillah. The scale held steady at 69.75 kg, but the real win? My family told me I look slimmer — and honestly, that felt better than any number on the scale. Sometimes it’s the small, unprompted affirmations that remind us progress is happening, even when we can’t always see it ourselves.
I stayed within my OMAD window and had a delicious, balanced meal:
• Half a cup of boiled pasta
• 1 cup of sautéed frozen veggies (broccoli, peas, carrots, corn, cauliflower, spring onion)
• 1 tbsp oil for the veggies
• One 100g chicken patty + 30g chicken breast
• Coffee with 1 tbsp cream + 2 tsp sugar
Even after all that, I felt full and satisfied, yet light. I didn’t snack. I didn’t overeat. And most importantly, I felt in control.
Insights from today:
• The mirror might not speak, but people do. Hearing I look slimmer is all the motivation I needed to keep going.
• Clean eating with enough protein and veggies makes a huge difference in how my body feels.
• Even with fluctuations in scale metrics (my watch says I lost muscle and gained fat — hmm, probably a hydration blip), I trust how my body is feeling and functioning.
Still working on hitting 10,000 steps and 10 glasses of water to round out the day.
Onward to Day 6. I’m in this — and I’m starting to feel like me again
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Day 6 – Grace Over Perfection
Today didn’t go exactly as planned, and I’m learning to be okay with that. I couldn’t complete the full 24-hour OMAD fast — ended up breaking it after 14 hours with a Nespresso iced coffee, followed by a chocolate protein shake with banana and honey. Later in the evening, I had a Lebanese chicken shawarma from Mangal (SO worth it), a small square of pizza, and a quarter of a chicken sandwich.
Was it a textbook OMAD day? No.
Was it still a win? Absolutely.
I listened to my body, stayed mindful, and still kept my calories in check (around 1100). I clocked in 8,000 steps and stayed hydrated, so I’m still in a calorie deficit and moving forward.
The highlight? My family noticed I look slimmer! That felt good — a real moment of validation that the work is showing.
This journey isn’t about rigid rules. It’s about learning, adapting, and finding balance. And today, I did just that.
Here’s to progress, not perfection.
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Day 7 Update
It’s the end of week one, and I’m feeling proud of the progress I’ve made—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Today was a bit more relaxed and flexible. I started my day at 2 PM with a warm cup of coffee that had 2 teaspoons of sugar, a little peanut butter, and cocoa powder mixed in. I was feeling low on energy and had a lot to get done, and that coffee really helped. It kept me full and steady for almost 8 hours, which was such a win.
Later in the evening, around 11:30 PM, I had my main meal: a shawarma with a cup of pickled vegetables. Before that, I did have half a serving of caramel popcorn at the cinema (a little weekend treat while I watched Mission Impossible!). I also had a mug of milk tea with 2 teaspoons of heavy cream.
In total, I probably consumed just under or around my 800-calorie target. I wasn’t able to hit 10,000 steps today—ended the day with about 4,700—but that’s okay. Not every day has to be perfect.
What I’ve really taken away from today is that a small cup of coffee in the early part of the day can carry me a long way. On days when I expect social plans or higher temptation, I might build that into my routine—coffee early, one main meal later—to stay within my goals while still living life.
Feeling lighter, more energized, and more in tune with my body. Here’s to heading into week two with intention and grace.
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