Starting my journey, looking for some encouragement

Hi everyone, I (30’s M) recently started IF + OMAD it’s been about 2 weeks, I’ve been fasting anywhere from 18-24 hours and it’s such an amazing experience so far. Growing up I was always heavy no matter what I ate, it haunted me for years until I lost everything and finally got into amazing shape in my teens to early twenties. However, in grad school I lost balance in my life and gained everything back. The pandemic was the icing on the cake, I started my dream job but became more sedentary, have been working 7 days a week and I got to the heaviest I’ve ever been. I’ve been extremely embarrassed of how I look and it’s eaten away at all my self confidence. My gf is very supportive but she deserves better, and it’s not fair to her either of what I’ve become. I’m sick of the person I see in the mirror. I started training 6 weeks ago, 5-7 days a week weights with lots of cardio. Im making progress but I hope Fasting can be the icing on the cake to make a real change. Goal is to lose 50 pounds by July, hopefully 30 by April.

Answer

Good on you for recognizing and making some positive changes! Lots of folks don’t even make it that far.

If I can offer one bit of advice, try to focus a little less on the outcome and more on the process. It’s fine to set goals and challenge yourself, but weight loss is ultimately the result of a bunch of smaller changes. And lasting weight loss is the result of those being permanent changes to your habits and routines. Almost anyone can go hard at the gym 7 days a week and go down to eating once a day, but setting yourself up for success the next time life gets complicated, getting into a better relationship with food, and such also needs to be a priority.

I’ve seen the suggestion to think about getting these new routines into the same condition as brushing your teeth, even when you don’t really want to do it you do it anyways.

Answer

You can do it!

I started OMAD at 28 and now I’m 31. Down 130 pounds and trying to lose 20 more. Like you, I’ve been overweight a large majority of my life. The last time I weighed what I weigh now (180), was in 5th grade!

Keep it up and stay consistent. I don’t allow myself cheat days as even after years of OMAD, my binge eating habits will appear if I allow myself anything more.