The Dukan Diet

The discovery of the Dukan diet started quite simply and by accident: Dr. Dukan had a very obese patient whom he had treated for severe allergy. At this particular phase in Dr. Dukan's life, he was a young doctor with no knowledge beyond basic medical school instruction in diet an nutrition. So successful was his allergy treatments for this jovial, obese patient that the patient insisted Dr. Dukan help him lose weight.

Initially, Dr. Dukan refused as he knew his knowledge of diet and weight loss was bare of beyond the aforementioned medical school training. But, the patient insisted. Since the patient loved meat (and said he would do anything Dr. Dukan prescribed, Dr. Dukan told him to come in one day before eating and get weighted. For 5 days, the patient was to eat only lean protein - that was "it." Only lean cuts of meat. Sure 'nuff, when the patient returned in 5 days, he had lost 12 pounds! Through the next weeks, Dr. Dukan, through trial and error determined a set plan for this patient that was successful. And, hence, diet history.

So, the final Dukan Diet is based on 4 separate phases:

1. The Attack Phase
2. The Cruise Phase (gosh, I hope this is when I get to travel...)
3. The Consolidation Phase
4. The Stabilization Phase

All of these separate phases will be detailed below.

Detractors from the Dukan Diet say that, although initial weight loss is quick, it's impossible to maintain the weight loss as no one will eat the way the diet prescribes for the rest of their life. I can already say "nay" to that as the same has been said of Atkins.

Many years ago (about 10 now), I lost 40 lbs on Atkins. I maintained that 40 lb weight loss for 8 years, eating low carb and following the plan in the maintenance phase. I was very comfortable eating low carb and my blood work even improved. Sadly, I did gain back 20 lbs due to stress eating fairly recently (2 years ago) as I quit my job to stay home and become my 94 year old Mother's fulltime caregiver. So, I don't blame Atkins - I blame Gertie!!!!

The Attack Phase, phase I of the Dukan Diet, is fairly restrictive in that it calls for very lean meats (as pure to pure protein as one can get) and 1.5 tablespoons of oat bran every day. The oat bran provides servings of necessary fiber which will not only fill you up but is good for your colon too.

The diet recommends that this most restrictive period last from 2-7 days with most people tending to follow the phase for 5 days. This is the period that will jump start your weight loss and get you motivated and moving. Actually, barely moving as this phase only recommends that you walk 20 minutes a day.

Detractors of the diet will say that the Attack Phase is too restrictive but, imho, I'm a firm believer that I can do anything for a prescribed amount of time. And, since you can decide for yourself how long is too long, you're free to move into the less restrictive phase of the Dukan Diet - the Cruise Phase.

Update June 16; Down a total of 8 lbs which may not seem like that much but I've been taking liberties. The Dukan Diet is a bit hard to stick to, it seems (at least to me). I'm still on the protein phase although I did have some salad yesterday at Legal Seafoods with my crabcake. I'm finding it difficult to eat out - one of the big problems on the diet. Lean meats and seafood are fine but it's difficult sometimes to find a decent steak at a restaurant. Regardless, I'll stick to it - I hope!

Update June 13: Well, the Dukan Diet Protein Phase certainly works. Although I jumped right off the band wagon this weekend (read about the fun HERE, I was back on the diet full force today and am already down 1.5 lbs from this morning.

Even with my temporary weight gain (mostly due to not drinking enough water on top of drinking too many cocktails ), I feel better today being back on the plan 100%. I'm not hungry, my sweet tooth is still gone, but I am feeling a bit tired these days. Not sure if that's because we did some late nights this past weekend.

Update June 10: As of this morning, I've been on the Attack Phase of the Dukan Diet seriously (eating the oat bran and walking 20 minutes a day) for 4 days. I'm down 6.2 lbs. Pretty happy so far and, with just a few more days on this phase planned, I'm looking very forward to adding in vegetables. I'm such a vegetable lover that eating pure protein is getting tiring.

I do find though that I've been eating much less. For one thing, I'm just plain old not hungry - a change for me! I also have more energy than I've had lately and have been sleeping better, even while getting up frequently to check on 94 year old Gertie.

I also find that my sweet tooth is *poof* gone! Yep, that's right. Not the least bit interested in the cookies I keep around to give Mom (she needs the weight!

I didn't measure my inches pre-Dukan and wish I had as I know my shorts are certainly fitting much better.

So, I tried to make a fluffy omelet and jazz it up a bit, which I did.

I took just one egg (with yolk) and added 2 egg whites all of which went into the trusty Magic Bullet. I was looking for 'fluffy' so I blended it about 30 seconds until there was froth on top.

I sprayed an omelet pan with Pam and then heated over a medium flame. I poured in the Magic Bullet omelet and sprinkled with Mrs. Dash Onion and Herb Seasonings. I also added in some fresh basil I had. I cooked it just until set and then placed in the oven at 350 for 5 minutes.

It was delicious!

During the Cruise Phase of the Dukan Diet plan, there are 100 unlimited foods available for your selection, Pure protein, such as those lean meats from the Attack Phase are still allowed as are non-starchy vegetables. Most people stay on this phase of the Dukan diet for an average of 3 days for each pound they want to lose. So, if you have 10 lbs to lose, you'd stay on this phase around 30 days or so.

The Cruise Phase is set up as an alternating protein diet - that is, on alternating days, you will eat either pure proteins or proteins and vegetables. Vegetables allowed are such as tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, rasishes, lettuce, eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, peppers, mushrooms, and fennel. Carrots and beets are allowed but not at every meal. The Dukan Diet suggests that, as much as possible, raw vegetables be included in the diet as that's where you'll get the most vitamins.

The other major change during the Cruise Phase of the Dunkan Diet is that the amount of oat bran used in each day of the Attach Phase is increased - during the Cruise Phase, you will consume 2 T of oat bran a day. Additionally, you 20 minute daily walks will increase to 30 minute daily walks.

Sadly, no bottled salad dressings are allowed so forget that rich, bright salad drenched in yummy olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Instead, scant amounts of oil are allowed - 1 teaspoon to be exact. And, balsamic vinegar is also allowed so get creative and make a great basic vinaigrette with the oil, balsamic vinegar, some basil leaves, and fresh black pepper. Throw in a minced clove and voila - a great and fresh dressing!

It is recommended that the entire Dukan Diet plan be followed with low fats and low sodium.

The Consolidation Phase occurs when you've found the weight you're comfortable with and would like to maintain. It is recommended that you stay in this phase 5 days for every pound lost. For example, if you only needed to lose 10 lbs and have reached that goal, the Consolidation Phase recommended period is 50 days.

It's during this time, the Consolidation Phase, that you will show your body who is boss. A body which has lost weight naturally wants to regain it. But, that's exactly where most people fail. The Consolidation phase is designed to reset your body's weight to the new set point.

The Consolidation Phase allows you to have as much protein or vegetables as you want on a daily basis, so there's no alternating needed like in the Cruise Phase. You'll also be able to introduce new foods into your diet such as

- 1 serving of fruit a day (except bananas, grapes, cherries, and dried fruits).
- 2 slices of whole grain bread daily
- 1 serving of cheese daily
- 2 servings of starchy foods per week

The coolest part of the Consoiidation phase though is you get "Celebration Meals" per week - 1 Celebration Meal during the first half of Consolidation and 1 added weekly during the second half. A Celebration meal can be anything that you want - but, Dr. Dukan stresses that a "meal" is not a full day! A "meal" is an appetizer, entree, dessert and a glass of wine. This is just a way to break up the diet and keep you motivated on your journey to maintain your new lower weight.

Aha! Now you've successfully maintained that newer and slimmer physique but now what? Basically, during this last phase of the Dukan Diet, you will eat a healthy diet based on the principles you've learned but, and here's where it gets pretty goofy for me, every Thursday (no, it doesn't have to be on a Thursday but it must be the same day every week), you will return to eating 1 day of pure protein. You'll also have 3 tablespoons of oat bran a day and will walk steps instead of using elevators or escalators. Sorry, but this just sounds goofy to me...

I'll do it...If I ever get there!

These items were on the news just this morning:

Caffeine laced pants by Lytess! Yes, it's true The theory here is that wearing the caffeine pants will take 2" off your hips in 2 weeks. Now, it is a fact that caffeine does speed up the metabolism when ingested but wearing a pair of pant made of caffeine? Crazy if you ask me...

And, this one is even funnier:

Slimcapsule! Now, this thing looks like a large oven and you're the chicken. The theory here is that heating the body will reduce inches - this actually is a good theory but it's a very temporary fix (until you drink water and plump right back up). With the Slimcapsule, the claim is that you can burn up to 500 calories in 30 minutes just by slathering yourself with cellulite reducing cream and donning something that looks like a science fiction gauze suit. The suit retains heat which supposedly reduces the inches but not on its own! Oh, no, once you're prepared your body for an amazing tranformation (!), you have to get into the Slimcapsule with only your head sticking out. The Slimcapsule then heats up to 180 degrees. Not for me, thank you very much...