Expert Q&A

Will doing omad 2-3 times a week get rid of it or reduce loose skin? I'm in my 20s if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide

Understanding Loose Skin During Rapid Weight Loss on GLP-1 Medications

I often address concerns about loose skin for those using GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide. In your 20s, your skin retains more elasticity due to higher natural collagen production, giving you an advantage over older adults. However, rapid fat loss from these medications can still lead to sagging if muscle mass decreases and hydration drops. The key is combining medication-driven appetite control with targeted strategies to preserve skin firmness.

Can OMAD 2-3 Times a Week Help Reduce Loose Skin?

OMAD, or One Meal A Day, creates extended fasting windows that boost autophagy—the body's cellular cleanup process. Doing OMAD 2-3 times weekly may support modest improvements in skin tightness by reducing inflammation and encouraging fat metabolism without daily calorie restriction stress. In my methodology outlined in *The CFP Weight Loss Protocol*, I recommend this intermittent approach for beginners because it fits busy schedules and avoids the overwhelm of complex meal plans. Studies show fasting periods over 16 hours can enhance growth hormone, which aids tissue repair. That said, OMAD alone won't eliminate loose skin; pair it with resistance training 3 times weekly to build muscle that "fills out" underlying areas like the abdomen and arms. Aim for 20-30 minute sessions using bodyweight or light dumbbells to protect joints if pain is an issue.

Nutrition and Supplementation Strategies for Skin Health on Semaglutide or Tirzepatide

GLP-1 drugs slow gastric emptying, so focus on nutrient-dense meals during your OMAD window: prioritize 30g of protein, healthy fats, and vitamin C-rich foods to support collagen synthesis. Supplement with 10-15g of hydrolyzed collagen peptides daily—research indicates this can improve skin elasticity by 15-20% over 8-12 weeks. Stay hydrated with at least 3 liters of water, adding electrolytes since these medications increase dehydration risk. For those managing diabetes or blood pressure, monitor blood sugar closely as OMAD can amplify GLP-1 effects. Avoid crash dieting; sustainable 1-2 pound weekly loss minimizes loose skin risk compared to faster drops.

Building Long-Term Habits to Minimize Sagging in Your 20s

Start small to overcome past diet failures: track progress with weekly measurements rather than the scale. Incorporate daily walks of 20-30 minutes to improve circulation without joint strain. If insurance doesn't cover programs, my approach emphasizes affordable home-based routines—no gym membership needed. Consistency with OMAD 2-3 days, strength work, and collagen yields visible skin improvements within 3-6 months for most in their 20s. Consult your doctor before starting, especially with hormonal shifts or medications. This balanced method addresses the embarrassment and confusion many feel, turning weight loss into an empowering journey.

💬 What the Community Says

Users in their 20s on semaglutide or tirzepatide frequently discuss loose skin in online forums, with many reporting mild sagging on the stomach and arms after 40+ pound losses. The community is split on OMAD: some praise doing it 2-3 times weekly for better skin tone and energy, claiming it helped alongside weight training, while others found it too restrictive and saw no difference without collagen supplements. Most beginners appreciate its simplicity given busy lives and past diet burnout, but joint pain sufferers often note walking helps more than intense exercise. A vocal minority debates fasting's impact on autophagy versus muscle loss, with lived experiences showing hydration and protein intake make bigger differences than fasting frequency alone. Overall, practitioners share cautious optimism, emphasizing patience as skin adapts slowly over months.
Clark, R. (2026). Will doing omad 2-3 times a week get rid of it or reduce loose skin? I'm in my 2. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://blog.cfpweightloss.com/ask/will-doing-omad-2-3-times-a-week-get-rid-of-it-or-reduce-loose-skin-i-m-in-my-20s-if-you-re-on-a-glp-1-like-semaglutide-or-tirzepatide
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
Anyone stretching out to 3 weeks between shots: best practices and common mistakes to avoid Are people fear mongering when they say compound pharmacies are dangerous: best practices and common mistakes to avoid How long did it take you to lose weight on the Plant Paradox': best practices and common mistakes to avoid How it looks when you lose 170 lbs. but are still a fat man — what most people get wrong about this What a month of paleo has done for me: what to track and how to measure progress 📖 Hormonal Chaos — The internal state of imbalance caused by modern grains and refined carbs that overrides willpower and forces the body t… How I feel every time I go grocery shopping during the weight loss plateau phase How I feel every time I go grocery shopping while doing intermittent fasting What is this new frozen hell on a low-carb or ketogenic diet Sometimes after I take my Mounjaro shot I see this at the spot I gave the shot. Anyone know why: how to talk to your doctor about this Does anyone else feel like they are living life at 50% on a low-carb or ketogenic diet 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Can I get an upvote for the true enemy of diabetes while doing intermittent fasting 📖 Visceral Fat — The dangerous 'hidden' fat stored around internal organs that drives chronic disease and is specifically targeted by our… Newb question: focusing on perceived exertion or heart rate — evidence-based answer for CFP patients Can’t stand avocados or guacamole. Help: what to track and how to measure progress For those that struggled with side effects, have you been able to space out your doses successfully — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? What is the texture of fried fat trimmings like — what does the research actually say? 📖 Insulin Resistance — A condition where your cells stop responding to insulin, locking fat in storage; our protocol is designed to unlock thes… Same Workout Until it becomes Zone 2 — what does the research actually say? Had Dr. Gundry spoken about the vaccine while doing intermittent fasting Fuck is Almond milk for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Resting heart rate unchanged after 2 years of consistent running — what most people get wrong about this How I found out I had uterine cancer, what I wish I had known, and what everyone with PCOS should know about their period if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide Sometimes after I take my Mounjaro shot I see this at the spot I gave the shot. Anyone know why during the weight loss plateau phase 📖 Anti-Inflammatory Protocol — A way of eating that prioritizes whole foods and eliminates triggers to quiet the internal 'fire' that prevents fat cell… When I smoke a little weed as a T1D and start feeling tingly if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide Le mounjaro peut il se conserver au frigo if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide Had my hashi’s annihilated thyroid removed today and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels Had my hashi’s annihilated thyroid removed today — how a functional medicine approach differs 📖 Caloric Deficit Myth — The false belief that weight loss is purely 'math'; we focus on hormonal signaling rather than just counting calories to… App that can predict symptoms before they get bad while doing intermittent fasting Here's the things I wish I'd known back then... what are yours — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → What I learnt as a physician about having Hashimoto for myself and what helped for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Smoking while on glp1 📖 Amylopectin A — The specific starch found in modern wheat that causes rapid, dangerous spikes in blood glucose and promotes belly fat st… Can we talk about the founder: how to talk to your doctor about this Has anyone tried this lectin free lifestyle living with PCOS — how a functional medicine approach differs One avocado a day? What's up with that? Does anyone remember if the good doctor ever gave us an explanation for that: how to talk to your doctor about this WHO: don’t touch your face it’ll spread coronavirus. *Diabetics who lick their finger after a finger prick and how it connects to gut health and inflammation Why I have to be so strict with my paleo regime if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide Fuck is Almond milk — what does the research actually say? 📖 Refined Carbohydrates — Processed sugars and flours that strip the body of nutrients while driving the hormonal chaos responsible for the modern… Anyone have experience switching from compound injection to pill for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → PCOS linked to childhood trauma if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide Ladies over 40, how are you losing weight with Insulin Resistance — how a functional medicine approach differs 📖 Modern Wheat Dangers — The hidden threat in hybridized grains that causes gut inflammation and spikes blood sugar more aggressively than pure t… What actually helped my Hashimoto's symptoms — food changes that made a difference for me: how to talk to your doctor about this Estradiol Cypionate- I’ve been underdosing- what dose are you at — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? Hitting protein goals. How do you do it — how a functional medicine approach differs What would be the cause of insulin resistance while doing intermittent fasting Upped dosage + changing patch day — evidence-based answer for CFP patients Can’t stand avocados or guacamole. Help for people with insulin resistance Is estriol as effective as estradiol for clitoral atrophy: best practices and common mistakes to avoid 📖 Non-Scale Victories (NSV) — Improvements in energy, sleep, and disease reversal that matter just as much as the numbers on the scale during your tra… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Are people fear mongering when they say compound pharmacies are dangerous and the role of cortisol and stress hormones Had my annual physical today: what to track and how to measure progress When men recognize symptoms for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Anyone use an auto injector for the compounded med — what most people get wrong about this E Patch to Injections how long did you leave your patch on: what to track and how to measure progress