My OMAD Vacation in Cabo: Enjoyment Over Perfection

I just returned from an 8-day vacation in Cabo San Lucas, where I stayed at an all-inclusive resort and stuck (mostly) to my OMAD•365 lifestyle. If that sounds like a contradiction—unlimited buffet and booze while eating one meal a day—let me assure you, it’s possible! This trip taught me a powerful lesson: you don’t need perfect discipline to maintain a healthy lifestyle. What you need is flexibility, mindfulness, and the confidence to trust your long-term habits. I’m sharing my experience honestly—the margaritas, the temptations, the little compromises—to show that progress matters more than perfection, especially on OMAD.

Facing the All-Inclusive Food Frenzy

The moment I walked into the resort, I felt like a kid in a candy store. Food and drinks were everywhere—pastries, omelets, taco bars by the pool, bottomless buffets, and multiple sit-down restaurants offering seafood feasts every night. Cocktails started flowing around 10am. Welcome dinners, pool parties, beach bars—every moment of this vacation could have revolved around eating and drinking if I let it.

But I didn’t want this trip to derail me. I’ve worked hard to build OMAD into my daily rhythm, and I wasn’t looking to “escape” that. So I went in with a plan: enjoy my trip and stick to OMAD as best I could—with some vacation flexibility baked in.

My OMAD Game Plan (With a Twist)

Rather than following a strict one-hour eating window, I allowed for a broader OMAD-ish schedule while still focusing on just one true meal a day. Most days I saved my meal for dinner. I’d start the day with coffee while the family enjoyed breakfast, then head down to claim beach chairs or get ready for whatever activity was on the agenda. Around lunchtime, I might sip a margarita or tequila soda, but I’d hold off on eating until dinner.

Dinner was always the highlight—delicious seafood, big portions, and no guilt. On a couple of days, I did have an extended eating window, usually because of excursion timing or just wanting to relax with a small snack by the pool. Chips and guacamole mid-afternoon, followed by dinner later? No big deal. On those days, I was doing more of an 18:6 intermittent fast rather than OMAD, but the shift was intentional, not accidental.

That’s what I love about OMAD•365—it’s a lifestyle, not a rulebook. I’ve learned from the program that being flexible can actually help your long-term results. As the course says, “If you find adherence slipping, it’s better to adjust than to quit.” So instead of stressing, I leaned into that flexibility. I kept my rhythm without being rigid. And I enjoyed every moment without guilt.

Enjoying Food & Drinks (Mindfully and Guilt-Free)

Let’s talk about the fun stuff—yes, I enjoyed the food. Tacos al pastor, grilled mahi mahi, fresh ceviche, shrimp cocktails, and rich Mexican desserts. Each night I built a plate (or two) and took my time savoring every bite. Because I hadn’t been snacking all day, I was genuinely excited to eat. The food tasted amazing because I was hungry and present—not just eating to eat.

And yes, I drank. I love a good tequila soda or a margarita, and I definitely had a few. I was mindful not to go overboard. Most days I’d have a cocktail in the late afternoon or with dinner. I kept alcohol within my eating window when possible and always made sure to hydrate. By moderating my intake—usually 3-4 drinks total—I could enjoy the experience without overdoing it or derailing my fasting goals.

Science supports this approach. Alcohol technically breaks a fast, but when consumed during your eating window and in moderation, it won’t negate your progress. The real danger is in heavy drinking, which can lead to poor decisions, blood sugar spikes, and a loss of appetite control. That wasn’t me. I stayed intentional, present, and in control. I treated drinks like part of the experience—not an all-day binge.

One of the best mindset shifts I’ve experienced through OMAD is learning to savor indulgences instead of abusing them. On this trip, I chose the treats that truly mattered to me and skipped the ones that didn’t. For example, I passed on the mid-afternoon pizza from the snack bar in favor of the seafood feast waiting for me at dinner. That kind of decision didn’t feel like discipline—it felt like self-respect.

Staying Active and Present (Hunger, Who?)

The other thing that helped? I stayed active. We did so many things—swam with dolphins, took boat rides, snorkeled, walked the beach, danced at night, and played beach volleyball. We were constantly moving, and I was genuinely too busy to think about food most of the time. There’s real science behind this—physical activity can suppress hunger hormones like ghrelin. I definitely noticed that effect. The more fun we had, the less I thought about eating.

Mentally, I felt present. I wasn’t focused on avoiding temptation or obsessing over what I could or couldn’t eat. I was just living. OMAD gave me structure, and I allowed myself to enjoy everything outside of my meal. That freedom, that sense of balance, is something I never had on traditional diets.

In the mornings, I’d sit with coffee and watch the sunrise while my family ate breakfast. Instead of being frustrated or envious, I felt grateful—for the moment, for the clarity, and for how far I’ve come. OMAD helped me realize I don’t need to be eating to feel included. I was content. And when dinner came around? I was ready.

Flexibility, Mindfulness, and Planning – The Keys to OMAD Travel Success

This trip could have easily turned into a free-for-all. It didn’t. Why? Because I planned, stayed flexible, and made conscious decisions. I didn’t restrict myself—I just didn’t abandon my values.

Before the trip, I thought through how I wanted to eat. I knew I’d likely skip breakfast, drink coffee, be active during the day, and save my appetite for the best meal of the day. I packed a few protein bars in case of emergency hunger. I decided ahead of time which treats were worth it and which weren’t. I told my family what I was doing so no one would be confused when I passed on lunch. Having a loose plan kept me from falling into reactive eating.

Most importantly, I stayed mindful. Each day, I checked in with myself. Am I actually hungry? Am I eating this because I want it or just because it’s there? Would I rather save room for something better? That mindset—checking in, being thoughtful—was the biggest difference between success and slipping.

And I let go of guilt. If I had an extra margarita or a snack mid-afternoon, so what? I made a conscious choice, enjoyed it fully, and moved on. I didn’t spiral. I didn’t throw out the day. OMAD•365 has taught me that one off-plan moment isn’t failure—it’s just life. And as long as you keep showing up, you’ll stay on track.

Back to Reality – and Loving It

By the end of the trip, I was actually excited to get back to my normal routine. That, to me, was the biggest win. I didn’t feel like I had to detox or punish myself. I didn’t dread getting back on track—I looked forward to it. That’s what a real lifestyle change feels like.

My energy is good. My clothes fit. I didn’t gain any noticeable weight. And even if I did, I wouldn’t be worried. I’m focused on the long game. One vacation doesn’t erase months of consistent effort. It’s all part of the process.

The best part? I proved to myself that OMAD can go anywhere. It’s not a diet I have to pause when life happens—it’s a tool I bring with me. I adapted it, I honored it, and I kept moving forward.

Key Takeaways: OMAD•365 on Vacation

• Plan Ahead but Stay Flexible. Have a loose plan for how you’ll handle meals and drinks, but give yourself grace to adjust.
• Pick Your Indulgences. Choose the foods and drinks that matter most to you and skip the ones that don’t. Quality over quantity.
• Stay Active and Present. The more engaged you are with your vacation, the less likely you are to mindlessly eat.
• Drink Mindfully. Enjoy alcohol in moderation, ideally during your eating window. Hydrate, pace yourself, and avoid sugar bombs.
• Ditch the Guilt. You don’t have to be perfect to stay on track. A few days of flexibility won’t undo your progress.

Summary: Cabo reminded me that OMAD is a lifestyle I can take anywhere. I wasn’t perfect—and I didn’t need to be. I was present, intentional, and balanced. That’s what matters. The OMAD•365 lifestyle isn’t about restriction—it’s about freedom. Freedom to live, travel, celebrate, and still stay aligned with your goals.

I’m back home, back on track, and more committed than ever.

One meal a day. Unlimited potential.

—Mic Foster