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A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Dukan? Big con or big loss?

120 replies

PosieParker · 29/12/2011 09:30

I've never dieted, never needed to. Mainly because my appetite kicks in and I lose all baby weight, three times. BUT not the fourthSad in fact I'm now putting it on. I'm shattered all of the time and I've never drank so much booze (der...yes I know!!)

Before children I was underweight, size 4....then after baby 1 I was pg after five months,. After dc2 I took about a year to be a small 8...(I'm short so good size), after dc3 I went back to an 8, took a year. DC4 is three and I've got back to a small ten but my clothes are tight now, I'm probably a 12...which is very fat at my height,.

Anyone think Dukan can work for someone with no willpower?

OP posts:
Snapespeare · 29/12/2011 09:59

i have a colleague who swears by it and have bought the book, so if you're seriously thinking of giving it a go in the new year, count me in as a 'buddy'.

NotMostPeople · 29/12/2011 10:03

I did it for about three weeks and it did work well,very hard going at first. Clearly I couldn't keep it up.

I'd do it again, but I'm going to try something design for pms sufferers as that becoming a bigger issue for me.

Original poster
PosieParker · 29/12/2011 10:07

yay!!! Okay Snape you're on!!

OP posts:
TheLightPassenger · 29/12/2011 10:16

It is meant to be v effective, it's a lot lower fat than the Atkins, but seems v strict in the medium term. I don't fancy running the risk of constipation.

Original poster
PosieParker · 29/12/2011 10:22

What book to buy?

Constipation? Because of the protein heavy diet or lack of vegetables?

OP posts:
dearprudence · 29/12/2011 10:40

I think constipation is lack of fibre from fruit and veg, but also you need to drink lots of water.

It worked for me, but I deliberately looked at it as a short term thing. I lost a stone in 3 weeks (am much more overweight than you, though).

After about 4 days it becomes quite easy, but you do need willpower at first.

Snapespeare · 29/12/2011 12:57

okey doakey! after new year.

I take tons of vitamins including psyllium husks, which i hope will help with constipation. The financial cost of the protein in the first phase is a little off-putting but I did score a cheap turkey crown on boxing day, which is happily in my freezer, so i hope that will keep me going. I'll miss fruit and veg on phase one as well.

foreverondiet · 29/12/2011 19:54

Constipation from lack of veggies. This was one of the reasons I gave up following it properly, just aimed for everyday to be a protein and veg day, and ate one piece of fruit each day too - obviously restricting veg in the long term is not a good idea but other than constipation can't see its so bad in short term.

Original poster
PosieParker · 29/12/2011 20:36

I can do cost, it's willpower I lack!!! I'm good with repetitive foods too, could eat salmon and eggs every day for breakfast, a lean steak for lunch and dinner!

I'm about 2.5 stones overweight, but that's 25% at least over what I should be!! And it's all relative, I am smallish framed so carry loads of weight on my arms, thighs and well, everywhere. I don't have a very big tummy though, but if I carry on I will. I look in the mirror and see my, lovely, fat Granny!!

OP posts:
lechatnoir · 29/12/2011 20:59

I started Dukan just under a month before xmas and lost a stone....a few pounds added over Xmas.... and I'm back on it and aiming for 2 stone in 3 months which should be achievable with a bit of exercise. I actually found it relatively easy and bar the initial attack phase haven't suffered too badly with constipation and it hasn't resulted in a lack of energy which I was worried about. It has bumped my shopping bill up (smoked salmon & steak being the main culprit) but the weight loss is very good and that is a huge motivation for me.

A few things I found helpful:

  1. Make sure you drink the 1.5l of water a day as a minimum
  2. Get LOTS of veggies down you on the days you are allowed it - sounds silly but you get so used to having slab of meat/fish on its own or with an egg that it's almost easier to carry on every day like this but things like raw carrots, veggie soup etc make a welcome change in texture and get your system moving. I usually make sure I have 2 veg in each meal on PV days & a typical day would be (grilled tomato/mushroom with egg for breakfast, veggie soup for lunch, stir fry or shish kebab with loads of salad but not the pitta for dinner)
  3. Buy & use the oat bran - gallettes for breakfast with scrambled egg are lovely, muffins (whilst very average) do give you a sweet cake type snack if you're craving something and chicken rolled in egg & oat bran isn't a bad 'nugget' for a change
  4. If you're going out try & plan your week around it so it's a PV day and you don't actually have to go off piste too much. I'll usually order something fishy or a salad to start followed by big steak with veg.
  5. Tell the waiting staff no potatoes/rice etc if you're eating out - if they're on your plate chances are you'll eat them plus you usually get extra veggies.
  6. Plain yogurt is actually quite nice with splenda/sweetex and has become my everyday basic staple sometimes with oat bran mixed in if I havne't got time for cooked breakfast.

Anyway, hope that helps a few of you and good luck to those starting out.
LCN

Snapespeare · 29/12/2011 20:59

I could lose around 4 stone to be honest (but happy with three...) I'm 5ft 10, l
Size 16, large frame so carry it reasonably well... I can see whats under the fat & it's preferable to being quite so large....

Original poster
PosieParker · 29/12/2011 21:01

Wow, thanks for that review. What book did you buy? Or did you pay to go online, or do online free?

OP posts:
Original poster
PosieParker · 29/12/2011 21:02

When will you start Snape?

OP posts:
lechatnoir · 29/12/2011 21:42

I bought 'The Dukan Diet' book and 3 boxes of oat bran from the website www.dukandiet.co.uk but haven't subscribed. I would also recommend printing off this list of 100 allowed foods & sticking it on your fridge.

Snapespeare · 29/12/2011 21:55

I have the dukan diet book & aim to read it between now & new year. Aiming to start on 1st Jan, but suspect I may 'need' to inhale a lot of strong tea, mashed potato & general.comfort food on 1st Jan, so probably more likely for the 2nd... :)

Original poster
PosieParker · 29/12/2011 22:09

I'm starting on 2nd January too!! Thanks so much for the tips lechatnoir.

OP posts:
Original poster
PosieParker · 31/12/2011 08:22

Just read that I can drink both diet coke and Perrier on this diet....fabulous!!

OP posts:
40thisisit · 31/12/2011 11:22

Hi guys so glad I've found this thread!!! I bought the Dukan book off Amazon last night and so keen to get started. Please can I join you for mutual support? Not sure what I weigh cos of Christmas but I'm looking to lose at least 2 stone to get back to my pre 3dd's weight! I found it so easy to lose after the 1st 2 but 3rd time round just couldn't do it! My book doesn't arrive until the 4th Jan so for 1st 4 days am going to use up some old celebrity slim shakes to give myself a mini detox! That list of 100 foods looks fab lechat!

Original poster
PosieParker · 01/01/2012 14:35

Excellent!! 40 yes do join.

Couldn't find any oat bran will scour health food shops tomorrow.
Tomorrow I'm starting with salmon and scrambled eggs for beakfast, prawns with parsely and garlic for lunch, steak with erm steak for dinner!! I may also do 30 day shred.

OP posts:
whojamaflip · 01/01/2012 14:56

Hi may I join you please? Did Dukan at the end of the summer and lost about 1 1/2 stone and felt sooo much better for it. Same story as op - just can't shift weight after dc 4 Sad

Need to lose about 2 stone but not so worried about the weight loss - just want to drop about 2 dress sizes (happiest at size 12 but am 16 at the mo Blush)

So are you all starting tomorrow?

Original poster
PosieParker · 01/01/2012 15:51

Yay!!!

Yes, starting tomorrow!! Have stocked up on the list...if anyone wants to PM their email I can email them my PDF of the book for free!

OP posts:
Original poster
PosieParker · 01/01/2012 15:53

Anyone know if I can have coffee? Thinking of a massive latte.
[hopeful]

OP posts:
whojamaflip · 01/01/2012 17:23

Pm sent

Re coffee - as far as I know you are allowed it as long as you only use fat free milk (cheers my dh up no end that - we're dairy farmers Grin)

Pocksrule · 01/01/2012 17:30

I'd like to join to please? If you have veg every day, can you still lose weight?

mrspnut · 01/01/2012 17:37

Oat bran is sold at sainsbury's, it's the morn flake brand and comes in a big tube.

I lost 2 stone on Dukan beforechristmas but fell off the wagon about3 weeks before Christmas. I hadn't put any back on when I weighed on Christmas eve but I haven't dared look since. I'll start again in a few days when we are back in a decent routine.