One Meal a Day Results -Letters
Tracy~Jacksonville, Florida
Being that I had tried every diet under the sun, I was in what many would call a “diet rut.”
I didn’t know where to turn, what to do next, or which new fad was the right craze to try. Weighing in at about 250 pounds, I was desperate, to say the least. So, I dug down deep, did a little research, and when searching for “diet success,” I came across the Complete Guide to Eating One Meal a Day.
How simple and clear it all became at that moment. One meal a day—no guess work, no prepping several small snacks a day, no need to buy supplements or try new magical diet pills only to have the water weight creep back on a few days after I stop taking them.
It seemed so simple, so clear, yet it was the last thing I had ever considered doing. How could I actually lose weight eating only one meal a day? Diet experts and nutritionists state you have to eat 5 to 6 times a day so your metabolism doesn’t slow down.
But, when doing my research and reading one meal day results, I learned this way of thinking was also a different way of looking at dieting. There was little to no proof showing that eating a few times a day, rather than once a day, slowed down or sped up your metabolism. As a matter of fact, from reading one meal a day success stories, I learned people had more energy, they didn’t feel hungry, and the cravings they had while eating several times a day were now gone.
So, was it possible to eat one time per day and truly reach my weight-loss goals?
In a few short months, I found those one meal a day results others had were not unrealistic. I was able to finally shed the weight, and this time, I kept it off.
By doing the one-meal-a-day approach, I lost a total of 40 pounds in a matter of four months. I ate foods I liked, learned that tracking macros did make a difference, and realized that when I ate only one meal a day, I was far more productive. I was able to keep my mind off food; I didn’t think about eating that giant pizza each night or a tub of ice cream, which were the cravings I had when eating several times a day.
I learned that like others who had successful one meal a day results, when eating only once a day, I was able to consume foods I actually enjoyed.
I still ate pizza a few times a week and snuck in a dessert every now and then, so long as it fits into my macros for the day. But, as was the case with the other one meal a day results I had read online, these cravings simply no longer lingered. I felt energized and healthier, and simply seeing my waistline slim down was reason enough for me to want to stay focused and to stay away from those unhealthy snacks.
Today, I feel more confident, and I actually enjoy going to the gym. I do not look at exercise or food as the enemy any longer.
Why had it taken me so long to do a little research to see how the one meal a day results of others could also be my own results?
Basically, I was listening to the “experts.” Those who work in the industry try to sell you diets, and yes, I was looking for a quick fix or an easy way out.
What I actually learned by reading those one meal a day results, was that this was actually an easy way out. As a matter of fact, it is quite possibly the simplest diet you are ever going to follow. There is no guessing, there is no meal prep for several nights a week, and yes, you are going to learn how to make a lifestyle change as opposed to simply dieting for a few months, only to see your weight creep back up in a few months after you stop.
Food is no longer my enemy or something to be feared. If I want to go to dinner with friends, I can. If I choose to have breakfast out with the family one day, even if it is not the one-meal-a-day mentality, I can quickly go back to what I was doing the very next day.
From reading the stories of others online, I learned that I did not have to stick to one diet for the rest of my life in order to see results and in order to be happy with myself. What I learned with the one meal a day results others had (and now I have had) is that you need to learn to be comfortable in your skin and love the person you are in order to make progress and to move forward.
I still do follow the one meal a day diet; however, I do mix things up from time to time.
So yes, I will still have those refeed days, or I will throw in a couple of snacks a few days a week if I choose to do so. I’ve learned this should not be a diet or a race, but it must be a lifestyle change that includes changing how you look at food. You also must do what your body tells you to do. Not only am I a happier person, I am also no longer the person who stresses out about my weight each and every day. I have learned that with the positive one meal a day results I have achieved, I can build a healthy relationship with food, I can enjoy food, and I can actually enjoy eating the things I like, as long as I am able to keep a positive focus and stay the course. It is possible to achieve the results. You can dispel those myths you think are true and finally learn how to be happy and how to have a healthy relationship with food.
Another Success Story
Rob~Austin, Texas
It was just about the time I turned 30 years old that I decided to do a little more research about the OMAD diet, so I read one meal a day results and success stories online. What I found was the constant with most of the stories I had read, was that people were in a similar situation that I was in. They were unhappy with the way they were eating and with the way they looked, and they did not know how to maintain a healthy relationship with food. This was exactly the point I was at, being nearly 300 pounds at the age of 30.
So, I decided to find out a little more about the best one-meal-a-day results people had who were a similar weight and age as myself. What I quickly learned was that like any other diet you jump into, when you do the OMAD diet, you are going to have to recondition your mind and body. This was probably the toughest thing for me to do when starting the OMAD diet. I was healthy growing up as a kid and did not have issues with weight until I was in my mid-20s when I ate and drank to my heart’s content. After reading one meal a day results, I found that others who were in a similar situation as myself decided they had to make a change internally in order to see the external success.
So, making the transition, which included taking the time to accept myself, was the very first thing I had to do if I wanted to see the success on the scales. I also made a conscious effort to not beat myself up about mistakes. As is the case with any diet you start, you are going to have slip-ups, so keep this in mind if you are trying the OMAD diet. If you don’t eat at the exact same time every day, or if you accidentally go over your macros when you dine out with friends, you will not see the results you desire for that week. But, when reading other one meal a day results, I learned this was normal. I also came to realize that as human beings, we are flawed. So, I had to deal with the fact that I was going to slip up, I was not going to do things accurately each and every day, and if I chose to do something a little different, or did not stick to things as they should be for a few days, I wasn’t going to beat myself up over it.
Your are probably wanting to know what my one meal a day results have been like. So, it’s been a little over 6 months, and I have managed to drop nearly 75 pounds, and it’s been relatively easy to do when eating in this manner. What do I like most about the diet, and of course the OMAD results I have seen? Well, some of the easiest things I have learned is that there is no guessing with this diet. You are not going to have to make small meals, prepare little snacks, or stop somewhere every few hours, in order to get a meal in. You can live your life, you do not have to think about food every minute of the day, and no, you are not going to feel hungry. The first few days were tough, but I found that after that, I really was not thinking about food nearly as much as I thought I would. It is truly about conditioning your mind and the way you think about and look at food, which is going to ensure your success if you so choose to jump into an OMAD diet routine.
What else have I learned after seeing such great one meal a day results so far? I have learned that what works best for one is not necessarily going to work for all. After reading other one meal a day results, I found some people strictly followed OMAD each and every day and never went off the beaten path. For me, this did not work. What I have found to work instead is to do OMAD a few days a week and to have a refeed every few weeks. I also try to count calories once a week, as well as eat 3 to 4 meals a day once a week. The reason I chose to do it in this manner is because I like variety. I am the type of person who gets tired easily and will do something crazy if I do not have at least a little variety when I am dieting. So, I decided to go with this approach after reading other one meal a day results and seeing the different ways people achieved their goals.
I am still about 20 pounds from my goal weight, but I do not believe it is going to take me too long to attain that goal. What I have learned with the OMAD results I have achieved so far, is that for each and every person, the journey is going to differ. You have to learn how to focus on yourself, and you have to fix some of the internal conflicts you have with yourself—not only in terms of your weight, but also in terms of being able to stay motivated, to stay on track, and to learn how to change the relationship you have with yourself to attain any type of positive success in your life. For me, it took a few weeks before I finally saw the results I wanted to see. When the results started to come and my clothes were fitting better, I found this was going to be the change I needed. This was a lifestyle change that would last the rest of my life.
Although I still have a ways to go, I know I am a healthier and much happier person today than I was six months ago. I have learned how to change the way I look at food as well as other obstacles I have had to deal with in life. You will find this to be a personal journey you are going to go on, and the one-meal-a-day results I have seen are not going to be the same exact results you are going to see. I have learned to deal with the fact that I am not like others, and I need to find what makes me happy in order to succeed. Of course, I am not where I want to be, but I am much closer. In addition to being closer, I have made peace with the issues I have dealt with as it pertains to food. I no longer see food as the enemy, I no longer run away from a night out for dinner, and I am no longer afraid to make a mistake, because I know I can get right back on track. You have to learn how to change your way of thinking about food to succeed and finally become healthy.
It has taken some time, but I am much happier today about myself than I was only six months back. I am going to keep updating my one meal a day results, and I hope you also find a way to make those positive changes and see the great one meal a day results you want to see once you start on the road with this great lifestyle and way of eating.
A Great Ending
Jennifer ~Cincinnati, Ohio
If you are anything like me, you were probably weary of the one meal a day results you were seeing others achieve. First and foremost, let me tell you a little about myself. I am 45 years old and currently weigh 150 pounds. Just two years ago, I was nearly 275 pounds. I lost over 100 pounds, and I am one of those many one-meal-a-day success stories you are probably weary of as well. What I have to tell you is that it is not only entirely possible to achieve your results while following this meal plan, but it is also much easier than any fad diet out there.
I have had plenty of experience with fad diets: Jenny Craig, Medical weight loss programs, doctor visits, nutritionists, water pills, diet pills, starvation, and even the grapefruit diet. If you can think of it or have ever heard of a diet, I have tried it. So, why did I decide to read up on one meal a day results and finally cave into it? Well, I knew a friend who was in the fitness industry who told me to do so. Since I had tried everything else to no avail, I figured, why not try one more? What drew me to the OMAD diet was the fact that I only ate once a day. So I was pleased with the idea of eating a huge plate of food each night.
I’ve learned that with the OMAD diet, as well as with every other diet out there, things are not the same for each person. Yes, the one meal a day results I have had are exceptional; but this does not mean you are going to have the same results. I want to preface this by stating that not all people are going to see the same results. I also want to say that my results happened because I changed my life entirely. I became far more active, and I no longer sit at home all day. I feel comfortable going out, and I do workout twice a day. So, you are going to have to make some changes, and if you want to see results, you must stick to the plan. But, with this in mind, for me and the one meal a day results I have seen, these changes were well worth it, and I am a far better person today because of them.
Now, let’s discuss my one meal a day results. I am 45 years old and have had several health conditions that caused me to be immobile. I couldn’t fit into my clothing, and I had become extremely disgusted with myself. A friend of mind told me to read some one meal a day results and success stories. In doing so, what I learned was that people from all walks of life were having success: old people, young people, fit people, and unhealthy people, regardless of their body type. All kinds of people were doing this simplified diet approach without any difficulties.
When I started, I slipped up several times. Not only did I have a few small meals or snacks during the day (several times a week), I really was not mentally there entirely. So, I had to make big changes both mentally and physically. Believe it or not, after a few days, I was no longer hungry. I believed that was going to be the toughest thing for me, but knowing I had a huge meal to look forward to each night helped keep me focused and on track.
Early on, after I had gotten those “cheat” snacks out of the way, I noticed that after only 2 months, I had dropped nearly 50 pounds. I started off very overweight, so most of the weight was water weight (and my weight loss did eventually slow down). But, with this positive success behind me, I knew it was something I could stick to. Since the one meal a day results were so easy for me, I was still skeptical. I started doing more research and learned that the lower my weight, the lower my macros needed to be. I was constantly adjusting and the weight continued to come off. When I was a little closer to my goal weight, I began incorporating workouts into my regimen. So at this point, I was doing OMAD, but I was also including whey protein simply to have the energy I needed during the day.
Eventually, I got to the point where I became a bit bored with OMAD. This happened when I was creeping in on my goal weight, so along with one meal a day results, I was also learning about refeed days, cheat days, mixing things up, and adding variety to my diet. I decided to do the same. I was at the point where I was on OMAD 4 days a week and having 3 meals a day twice a week. I also got to a low enough body weight where I was having refeed days once every two weeks, which helped keep me sane and allowed me to refuel when my body was depleted. At this point, I was working out extensively, tracking all macros and avoiding those horrific cheat days I had experienced in the past.
It was about 1.5 years into it that I realized why OMAD was so different from other diets I had tried in the past. The simple fact of the matter was that I had to make a lifestyle change, and I was not ready to do so prior to doing the one-meal-a-day plan. I finally realized that it was about building a healthy relationship and mentality with food, as opposed to simply going on a diet for a few months, to see the numbers go down on the scale. This was what I had always considered, so I was shocked to learn that I was able to maintain this lifestyle change.
I finally got things in order. I was not only able to change the way I looked at food, and about working out, but also in the manner in which I viewed myself. I believe the great one meal a day results I have achieved were because I made that change, and I was able to look at myself in a different manner. I am not going to claim the OMAD diet is easy or that it is for everyone. As a matter of fact, it is not. You have to choose to make the change. You simply can’t read one meal a day results others have had in hopes of them becoming a reality for you as well. The change has to be one you do for yourself, not for others. If you want to see results, you have to dedicate yourself entirely. It is possible, but know it is difficult. You are going to have ups and downs, and you are going to slip up. What you have to realize is that it is not simply a diet you are going to follow for a few months, only to revert to your horrible habits; it’s a true lifestyle change that will have lasting results.
Have your own success story?
Leave a comment below or visit the Omad Diet Community Forums.
