Hello From Muscat Oman

[Muscat Moose]

Hello everyone. I'm an American on permanent assignment in Muscat, Oman with my company. I've been on and off the Atkins diet most of my adult life, which has led me to baloon to 200 lbs over my ideal weight, with Type 2 Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and low thyroid. I'm back on the Atkins diet again, not just to lose weight, but to control my blood sugar as I'm on the verge of insulin dependance. Looks like I can't afford to get off the diet again. Every time I fall off the wagon I gain 2 times what I lost back...

[imagood1]

Re: Hello From Muscat Oman

Welcome back Moose–

Because your lifestyle and other things are different, you may not loose as quickly or as much as before during induction, so don’t compare what happened “the last time”. Follow the plan the way it is written – hopefully you have a copy of Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR). Start exercising right away, drink plenty of pure water (64 ounces minimum daily – nothing added) and you’ll be on your way to loosing before you know it – don’t forget to get all your vegetables in daily!.

I was diagnosed Type 2 last July. Since January, when I decided to take control of my health my A1C has gone from 10.3 to 5.0 --- I'm looking forward to getting off diabetis meds plus the other meds I've been on for years thanks to Atkins!!! There are plenty of guys here if you feel more comfortable taking to them -- but the ladies are always willing to help you also.

At the top of the induction page you’ll find a condensed version of the book - http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/77558-atkins-diet-induction-faqs.html. Make a copy of this list http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/6781-what-foods-can-eaten-induction.html - take it with you when you go to the store. If a food isn’t listed on the acceptable food list don’t eat it. Learn to read the label on all foods you buy - don’t just look at the “carb” number look at the ingredients list of everything and check the ingredients against your list. Just because it says "low carb" doesn't mean you can eat it. Also check for hidden sugars (learn the names used in place of the word “sugar”).

Check the STAC Second Time Around Club - Atkins Diet for additional support. Check the stickies at the top of the induction forum to refresh your memory on the plan. http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/5781-before-you-begin-atkins-nutritional-approach.html. Also look at the challenge section to see if there is anything you might be interested in.

The recipe sites are a helpful meal planning tool – just make sure you use Induction Recipes to begin with.

Recipe Sites
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html (Linda’s)
(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html (Induction recipes)
(Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)(Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/6807-induction-recipe-basics-more-recipes-added.html (Induction Recipe Basics)


If you need anything we’re here to help you!! Good luck.

[JulieB]

Re: Hello From Muscat Oman

Hi & welcome!

I hope that this board will help you reach your goals & stay on Atkins long term

[Muscat Moose]

Re: Hello From Muscat Oman

Well... I've been on it for about two months now. I've dropped from 425 to 367lbs... I put down that I was on extended induction as that's basically what I have to stick with. Half the stuff here isn't labeled for nutritional values. There isn't any diet support here at all as there is no obese culture. I get idiotic questions from people like, "Why are you fat?" There are no nice low carb designed products either (like Atkin's bars or shakes or other such things). I have to stick to the basics.

One of the things I was doing during induction was eating McDonalds hamburger patties because they were quick and McDonalds is the only place here with a drive through. However, I noticed that my blood sugar was hanging at 200 and wouldn't go down... It turns out it was the patties. McDonalds must load down their hamburger patties with sugar. I've made my own hamburger patties and didn't have the problem anymore. I've been sticking to eggs, meat salad and the basic vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, etc.)

I noticed they don't have spaghetti squash here, but they have a lot of things that look exactly like spaghetti squash, but without the same name... sort of yellow, football shaped squash. Though vegetables are usually a challenge at the store as they're all named differently (UK English)... Bell peppers are "capsicum", cilantro is called corriander. So shopping is a challenge.

[Muscat Moose]

Re: Hello From Muscat Oman

BTW... Nice to meet you Judy and Carole...

[imagood1]

Re: Hello From Muscat Oman

The Atkins bars and shakes have non-induction foods in them so we don't suggest people eat them -- so maybe you are lucky!! LOL

The McDonald's hamburgers in the US are pure beef -- no fillers and no sugars. The times I've eaten them my blood sugar has remained constant. Were you eating the buns or the condiments? The ketchup is loaded with salt and sugar .... maybe that was your problem. We get "low carb" McDonald's burgers here - that means no bun, no cheese, no condiments (you can have mustard) and they wrap it in lettuce...ask if you can order it there that way.

There are quite a few UK members who may be able to help you with the differences in the names of the foods. I wish you much luck!! You are doing great so far -- keep it up!

[Muscat Moose]

Re: Hello From Muscat Oman

Yeah, I've seen the nutritional info online for McDonalds cheeseburgers with no bun and no condiments, yet the only variable I removed from my diet was the McDonalds cheeseburger patties and my blood sugar dropped 80 points within 3 days. My blood sugar stayed down for about a week and then I went back to McDonalds and order plain patties without anything and my blood sugar when back up again... I've heard that a trick butchers sometimes use is to put sugar into their hamburger to keep it pink in color while it's raw (it turns gray/brown if you leave it raw and unfrozen in the refrigerator for a day). I wonder if that's what's happening wherever McDonalds is processing it's burgers for international locations.

[Andrewswife]

Re: Hello From Muscat Oman

Congrats on your weight loss already! Thats a huge goal on its own! Seems like u have a challenge with the shopping, but life would be boring if we didnt have any challengs right? lol

[chinadoll]

Re: Hello From Muscat Oman

Welcome Moose. I am also an expat. Our family bounced around the oil patch for almost 20 years and are still doing so. This is a great way of eating for diabetes control so I wish you success and health. Welcome to ADBB.