Interbnational cricketer Mohammed Shami has lost 20lbs using a diet popular with celebrities. The Indian fast bowelr says he has been following the one meal a day diet (OMAD) sticking to just an evening meal - with no lunch or breakfast.
Shanmi plays for the Indian national team and represents Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. Hehas been one of India's leading pacers, often delivering match-winning spells, especially in Test and ODI cricket
The 34-year-old told Navjot Singh Sidhu on Star Sports.: "I only have one meal a day. I only have dinner; no breakfast, no lunch. It is very difficult to do such a thing, but once you get used to it, then it becomes very easy."
Shamiwas the standout bowler in India's Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh, claiming five wickets in Dubai, returning aftera 14-month ankle injury layoff. Shami had surgery and suffered swelling in his left knee - which lead to weight gain.
Shami said: "I have lost nine kgs (20lbs). The most difficult thing is you have to challenge yourself. When you are in this condition... when I was at the NCA, it was a very difficult phase," Shami revealed.
"My weight was touching 90kgs (198lbs). The best thing about me is that I do not crave for delicacies. I stay away from sweets. I stay away from a lot of things, things that generally one shouldn't eat. So, I stay away from them."
He added: "And, as far as the biryani is concerned, sometimes it's okay."
The OMAD diet (One Meal a Day) is a type of intermittent fasting where a person eats only one meal within a one-hour window and fasts for the remaining 23 hours of the day. The meal should be balanced with proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbs.
During the fasting period, only water, black coffee, or unsweetened tea is allowed.
While OMAD can be effective, it may lead to nutrient deficiencies if not done correctly. A 2016 study in theJournal of Translational Medicinefound that intermittent fasting (including OMAD-like eating patterns) can promote fat loss while maintaining muscle mass.
Another study in Obesity (2019) found that eating in a restricted window helped with calorie control and metabolic health. A 2021 study in Cell Metabolism showed that time-restricted eating (like OMAD) can lower insulin resistance and stabilize blood sugar levels, especially in overweight individuals.
Hugh Jackman used intermittent fasting, including OMAD, to get shredded for Wolverine and Terry Crews follows a modified OMAD, eating one large meal after fasting all day
