I am new to this, as many of us are. I am determined to get this weight off of me! I have never been heavy and it is weighing very hard on my self esteem so this IS the time! I am 5'5" and weigh in at about 214. I have about 80 pounds to lose. I am on my 4th day and feeling pretty good. Drinking LOTS of water and been to the gym each day! However, being overseas puts me in a bit of a predicament. I have searched old posts, but haven't found answers and hope you can help.

1) Living overseas limits the products that I can find that are suggested on this forum. Can someone tell me if I can and with what can I substitute

A) Atkins Bake Mix
B) Soy Protein Isolate

2) Is it alright to eat the OMM and MMC on Induction???

3) Is it alright to eat the pancakes listed on the recipes during the induction? with sf syrup?? (please say yes, haven't done it but i so miss pancakes and syrup)

4) It was mentioned on another post to not eat sweets or anything to kill the sweet tooth. I usually drink one diet coke or something, maybe a cup of coffee, when I feel an urge coming on. (this is per day) Should I just stick it out? Is this going to hurt me? And if it is okay then can I eat, say, the mascarpone parfaits and such on the atkins website. It says they are okay for Induction, but I don't want to do ANYTHING that will stall my weight loss.

Thanks so much for your replies!!

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Welcome, Philly.

I don't know the answers to all your questions, but I'll try a few (not in order).

Many people say that it's best to avoid anything sweet tasting during induction. I did not, since my version of DANDR (Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution) didn't proscribe any avoidance of sweet things. When I had a hankering for something sweet, I made something sweet, but legal. This worked for me, because it didn't cause me to crave other "non-legal" sweet things. If it has this effect on you, then it's not a good thing.

As for a diet coke or coffee, well, Dr. Atkins recommends giving up all caffeine containing products. I didn't. I like coffee. It still worked (although it may have been partially responsible for my slow weight loss.) Just make sure you don't skimp on the water, in favor of something else. Get at least 64 oz of water (or, better yet, half your weight in ounces) each day. Other acceptable beverages are ok, but not INSTEAD of the water.

Sugar free (if made with Splenda) syrups are fine during any stage of the program.

As to pancakes, I guess it depends on what they're made of. One should avoid grains during induction. This means that flax (technically a grain) should probably be avoided. However, many people eat Maggie's cereal or OMM without any adverse effects. YMMV (Your mileage may vary)

As for substitutions, I don't know where overseas you are or what might be available. There are substitutes for soy protein isolate - such as whey protein, but I don't know if they're available to you.

Hopefully others will have further suggestions.

Hope you'll make yourself at home here.

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Slim, you can use the OMM batter, maybe thinned a bit, to make pancakes. Yep, they are tender and really good. I've even made them with ground unsweetened coconut, and then who needs syrup?

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Nita

Thanks for your replies!!

Can I use a protein shake that has whey isolate? There are some things that confuse me!

I have definitely been drinking LOTS of water! My potty is in full use if you know what I mean! I think another thing that makes me drink SO much water is working out! I mean there is no way that you can do all of that physical exertion and not drink a ton of water after!

As far as the sweet thing goes, I will try my best. I dabbled a bit with the South Beach diet before, but found I couldn't stay on because of my sweet cravings. I can get through not having bread and pasta, but I am a devout CHOCOHOLIC! It seems as if I can make it if I sub something legal in there, but if it is going to stall my weight loss I may have to think again or ONLY have something in case of dire emergencies!

I am going to attempt to make the muffin after my morning workout. Will let you know how that goes! But now that you are saying to steer clear of the wheat I am not so sure. I guess my next question is how do I know if my weight loss is stalling? Will I just not be losing any weight?

Thanks again for your replies! I look forward to any help you can give me!

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welcome philly.

first of all, take a big, deep breath. you've found a way of eating that has worked for many, many people to take the weight off and helped us live healthier, while still enjoying great food. that's good news.

if i may, i'd like to gently suggest to you to stop worrying about stalls (which, for the record, are extended pauses in losses, at least a few weeks long). you're on day 4 of your program. stall shouldn't even be in your vocabulary.

i understand the drive to lose it quickly. i do. however, it won't serve you well. in order for this way of eating to make you permanently thin, you have to permanently change your habits. you go back to your old ways, the weight will come right back. you have your LIFE to lose the weight and maintain it. so no hurry.

the other thing you need to know is that there are inevitably times where losses slow down and pause as you continue with your program long term, even if you're following it closely. this is normal and natural. if you're half a blip away from getting freaked out already, when this comes up it could throw you off course. discourgement and frustration are the real danger of slowdowns.

patience, grasshopper, will serve you well.

good luck to you.

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