Firstly sis, you have to nourish your body in order for it to be it at its best! So don’t starve yourself or punish yourself. Period! 🫶
When I first started my fitness journey, I focused on cardio because I was totally clueless when it came to strength training. But no matter how much cardio I did, I still had my “fupa”. Truthfully, I still haven’t been able to get rid of it and I’ve just learned to love my body and accept that it’s my fupa that’s protecting my uterus and reproductive organs :)
However, I still wanted a stronger core. So I implemented a routine of either intermittent fasting or omad fasting depending on my hunger. My hunger would vary based on my workouts and how hard I went at the gym, which is why I was not entirely strict about it and listened to my body. Some days I’ll eat one big meal. No snacking in between and drank lots of water (omad fasting). And some days I’d eat two meals and just make sure they were 8 hours to 12 hours apart.
If I was on my period I was not strict at all!
So this was my journey, it may help you or may not. Some people like having smaller meals throughout the day. I found eating one big meal once a day and avoiding snacks benefited me.
... Read moreHey fitness fam! So, you've heard about intermittent fasting (IF) and One Meal A Day (OMAD) and you're probably wondering, 'does it really work for fitness?' From my own experience, I can tell you it's a journey of listening to your body and finding your rhythm, especially when it comes to an intermittent fasting omad timeline.
When I first started exploring IF and OMAD, I wasn't just looking for weight loss, but a way to feel stronger and more in tune with my body, particularly my core. The beauty of these eating patterns is their flexibility, which is crucial for anyone with an active lifestyle. For me, a typical intermittent fasting omad timeline wasn't rigid. Some days I'd stick to a 16/8 window (16 hours fasting, 8 hours eating), having two solid meals. Other days, especially if my workouts were intense or I just felt less hungry, I'd lean into OMAD, enjoying one big, nourishing meal. The key takeaway here is: there's no one-size-fits-all timeline. You really have to experiment to see what fuels your body best for your fitness goals without making you feel deprived.
So, does intermittent fasting really work? For me, yes, it played a role in enhancing my fitness journey. While I initially focused on cardio, integrating IF and OMAD helped me feel lighter and more energetic during my strength training sessions, which was essential for building that core strength I was after. It wasn't about magically melting away fat, but more about improving my body composition and energy levels. Many people ask, "omad does it work?" and I'd say it can, but it requires mindful eating during your feeding window. You can't just eat anything; focusing on nutrient-dense, satisfying foods is paramount to ensure you're getting all the energy you need for your workouts and recovery. The image from my journey, asking "Intermittent fasting, Omad fasting, and does it work?" pretty much sums up the big question, and my answer is a nuanced yes – with the right approach.
Beyond the physical aspects, these eating patterns helped me cultivate a better relationship with hunger cues. Instead of constant snacking, I learned to distinguish between true hunger and emotional cravings. This mental clarity was a huge plus for my overall well-being. However, and this is a big one, I learned to be incredibly flexible, especially around my menstrual cycle. During that time, my body needed more fuel, and being strict would have been counterproductive. Listening to those signals and adjusting my timeline accordingly was vital for maintaining consistency and avoiding burnout.
If you're thinking about trying intermittent fasting for fitness, here are a few practical tips based on my experience: Start slowly, maybe with a 12-hour fast and gradually extend it. Prioritize hydration during your fasting window – water, black coffee, or plain tea are your best friends. When you do eat, focus on balanced meals rich in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs to support your workouts. And most importantly, be patient and kind to yourself. It's not about perfection, but about finding a sustainable routine that supports your health and fitness journey. Hope this helps you on your path to feeling amazing!