hi all im not a big fan of diets at all, but am sick of trying to count calories, WW etc, it obviously doesnt suit me so im trying something a bit more drastic but safe at the same time. so doing the dukan diet (pretty much based around the low-carb, high-protein idea, but only using lean proteins- not like atkins or anything like that dont worry..in 4 separate steps and 30 mins walking a day.) just wondering if anyone has tried this before? how much did you lose?and have you kept it off?? TIA

Hiya.

i havent tried the dukan diet but I do follow a low c rab approach. i find it works really well for me and I love the way it makes me feel

But having said that, as with any diet, you need to follow it strictly and dont deviate between diets as they all have quite opposite rules and they dont mix. Even one slice of bread can throw off the weight loss for a week on the low carb diet.

I have read the book but decided not to try it, as I didn't think I could stick to it for longer than a week. Too restrictive for me. I find the low carb approach that allows a bit more fat is much more realistic. Maybe do it for a few weeks to kick start weight loss and then relax on the fat a bit? Don't relax on the carbs though!

I haven't tried the dukan but have read up on the body trim system and my Mother has been doing it, she lost 3.5kg in the first week. try googling it, it's quite similar I think to the Dukan

oh cool thanks guys ive been on it a week now (so done the kick-start bit) and lost 2.9kg!! i think ill take your advice and loosen up on it a bit- still no carbs- bread, pasta, potatoes etc, but include more fruit and veg..i have IBS and its not coping with all the protein, even though now im finding it super easy to stick to now im used to is (totally surprises me because i LOVE carbs and fruit!)tonnes more energy and feeling great other than the cramping- its just my stomach that doesnt like it so definitely think ill keep to the low-carb approach but add in a bit of fruit etc. totally happy to lose the weight a bit slower if thats what ends up happening from adding fruit..would almost prefer it really. that, and having to eat pure protein and just a few veggies is SO EXPENSIVE! which we really cant afford right now.. so from today ill add in some fruit

thanks for helping me decide!

it is really expensive huh! Have you considered maybe an enzyme to help break down the protein? My mum has bowel issues and gets some enzyme from the health store to help break it down. Also I have started taking psyllium husks in water.

Great weight loss! Congrats

This was on Stuff today. Just FYI. I still think the diet works in the short term This article is more about the long term.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellbeing/6282468/Is-the-Dukan-diet-a-dud

Most of these people didn't blame the diet itself but their own ability to stick with it.

I guess this is the problem with any "diet"

yeah thats what i think too. personally, ive done the attack phase, lost 3kg in a week now im loosening off a little, still no bread, pasta, potatoes etc, but just eating fruit veg and protein, which im finding really easy. th eDukan book is really interesting- its not just the diet info- its got heaps of nutrition info, goes into detail abotu what each type of food (carbs, proteins, fats etc do for your body, and i totally think that as a whole, we eat way too many carbs for what our body needs- and have almost made our body create a dependence on them, so we feel we need to eat them to be full, satisfied etc, but ive learned that is so not the case and ive never been so NOT hungry in all my life since starting this diet! but yeah, its too strict for my liking long-term, but i think ill keep losing weight if i just cut right back on unnecessary carbs and exercising, as a habit/lifestyle thing more than a diet

so yeah- i do recommend the book to read, even if you dont end up following the entire diet

thanks for all the info and opinions!

I tried it and its definitely not for me. I think there are some very sound principles behind his weight maintenance ideas, but the zero carbing made me feel really sick. I normally a carbs freak, so totally unsuited for me, I'd much rather go vegetarian/vegan than do something like this.

Lost fast but didn't maintain the loss I'd had as soon as I started eating normally again - not being silly eating, but add back in normal foods = almost no overall loss over 5 days.

So is the Dukan an absolutely no carbs at all diet?

On the Body Trim System you are allowed a starch or fruit with breakfast once you have done your 3day detox, and then once you reach your goal weight then more are introduced.

well, the first part is protein only- no fruit or veg or carbs but thats only 2-7 days long so not dangerous or anything on the system..you can have lean meats, milk, yoghurt, eggs, lite cream cheese etc, can have tea coffee and diet soft drink and you have to drink at least 1.5 L of water a day, and 1 and 1/2 Tbs oat bran a day which i mix into yoghurt and eat for breakfast and its actually really yummy- its just like having muesli and yoghurt. so thats the only carb you are allowed in that time. then afte the first phase you are allowed veges every second day- which is easy tbh because by then you are used to not having carbs and dont miss them. still not allowed fruit tho. once you have lost your weight the third phase you can have 2 bits of grainy bread a day, a bit of fruit, "treat" meals twice a week and some more cheese etc i think. so im kind of now going by the 3rd phase, but without the bread. and although i used to live off bread etc hard out i havent had a single bit and not phased by it at all! this morning went out to a cafe and had a trim latte which you are allowed, so dont feel like im missing out on the fun lol. the body trim thing does sound very similar, and i like the sound of that more tbh- sounds more "normal" lol.

I think it (body trim) is more realistic to stick to. They are no yoghurt though, no idea why! But the same diet soft drinks AS NEEDED and sugar free sweets as needed (I got some but they are so blimin expensive they will be a one tiny lolly a day if I need it!!)

And you do get a treat day once a week, where you have whatever the heck you want BUT the next day you have to have a protein ONLY day.

If you struggle with the Dukan I would say try body trim, you wouldn't need to do the detox part though I would think?

ahh thanks Meg, might have a look at it!

How are you finding the expense of doing this? I like my Body Trim and I am losing weight on it but we really can't afford financially for me to do this for much longer.

REALLY expensive! we are on a single income (im a SAHM) and it added a good 50% extra on top of our food bill it was horrendous! but if im not quite as strict like ive said above- fruit, veg and proteins, rather than pure protein then its not nearly so bad. its when you need the protein to snack on because you arent allowed anything else when it gets expensive. have lost another 600grams in a week so still v.happy with that rate of progress and all im doing really is being cautious and healthy with my meals

Do you get hungry much on this? What do you have as a snack?

not hungry at all, I think that is why I have found it so easy to stick to. Snack is 50g of protein so 50g of cottage cheese or 50g of chicken or 1egg as an example.

I'm glad it's not just me finding it expensive! Maybe I should look into the Dukan because at least I can add fruit to the mix, meat and vege

Any chance anyone has the recipe for the Dukan Bread? I tried some once and loved it so just wanted to try making some myself

Do you mean the sandwich bread???. My husband has just got to his goal weight following the dukan and the only recipe we have is for the Sandwich bread. I'll give it to you anyway.

3 generous TBSP Oat Bran
1 tsp baking powder
2 TBSP fat free fromage frais
1 egg + 2 egg whites.

In a bowl combine all ingred in the following order: Bran, bp, ff and eggs. Pour mixture into 2 small round moulds. Microwave for 5 mins and leave to cool. Remove from moulds once cooled, slice in 2 and toast on highest setting.