I want to share something I did not learn in medical school. It has been 42 years since I left medical school. I trained at University College Hospital, University of Ibadan. As at that time, it was one of the best in the world. In fact, the King of Saudi Arabia used to send members of his family there for treatment.
I don’t know whether I missed the lecture where this was taught. But I feel both sad and happy — sad that I didn’t know this earlier, and happy that I’m discovering it now at 67. Maybe by accident… or by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
My tummy was getting unnecessarily bigger. My clothes were no longer fitting well. I am not a heavy eater. But from age 60, my blood pressure started going up. My sugar level has always been normal.
I decided to fast — one meal a day. I prefer to call it OMAD (One Meal A Day), not intermittent fasting. I eat once daily between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Smaller quantity. That’s all.
I also do 15 minutes of exercise on my vibrating flat machine. It vibrates from the feet when I stand on it.
The first day I checked my blood pressure, it dropped to 138 over something. I thought it was a joke. I repeated it. The first few days were tough. But I continued.
Now, after over two weeks, I checked as at the time of making this post: 127/77. My pulse is normal.
I feel like I am in my 30s again.
I sleep early. I sleep soundly.
I hardly wake up to urinate like before.
My energy is up.
The first few days my brain felt cloudy. I even had to give lectures in two universities. I was nervous, thinking my blood pressure would rise the next day. I checked — it was normal!
So what happened to the theory that my blood vessels had become stiff like old water hoses? What happened to plaques in the arteries? What happened?
I usually don’t eat much salt. But this One Meal A Day has changed so much.
I wake up without strong hunger pangs. My appetite has reduced. Drinks in the fridge no longer attract me. Many cravings are gone.
It is wonderful.
Imagine what this is saving me:
• Food expenses
• Medication costs
• Psychological stress
The relief! The hope that I will live longer. My tummy is now soft and flat. This morning I touched my abdomen and just smiled.
I have never been admitted in hospital since 1973 when I had chickenpox at Government College, UI. I’ve never been stitched. Never had a blood transfusion. Yet since 60, I was already on antihypertensives and wondering — will I continue like this for life?
Now I feel rejuvenated. I have hope. I will not eat myself to death. I will not drink myself to death. I want to live long.
Ancient people did not eat three meals a day. They hunted. Some days they had no food. They ate natural foods. This “three square meals” culture is not that old.
The exciting part is that I can eat my normal African meal once a day — and enjoy it fully! It becomes more valuable, more satisfying, more meaningful.
Please note: I do not recommend this for everyone. If you are not well, consult your doctor before starting. I do not have peptic ulcer disease or other illnesses. My main issue was blood pressure.
But for me, this has been life-changing.
Maybe we should start a One Meal A Day movement. Share your experience. Share this post. Let’s encourage those who can practice it safely.
