This seems to be working....and well.

Wow, there seems to be some interest in how I am doing on the Dukan Diet.  I have to say, pretty good. For me, this is an easy diet to follow.  I don't have to think too much and I am never hungry...NEVER!

So, I started the Dukan Diet Feb 28, 2012.  I have lost almost 30 lbs so far!  That is 30 lbs in about 9 weeks!  I would call that a success (and did I mention that I am never hungry???).

I won't go into great detail 'cause anyone that is interested can Google "Dukan Diet" and find out how the whole thing works.  But here are the basics: during the weight loss phases you eat lean proteins and veggies.

There are 4 phases; attack, cruise, consolidation and maintenance
Attack: this lasts any period of time from 2-10 days.  I used the free calculation guide on the official Dukan Diet website and it told me to do 5.  During attack you eat nothing by pure proteins (basically, lean, unprocessed proteins).  Ugh, it does get boring, but you can prepare things like chicken with lots of flavorings.  And you can have salmon!  This is easy for you if you have done HCG.

Then it is on to cruise.  This is the phase where you have pure protein (PP) days and protein and veggie (PV) days.  Let me tell you, veggies have never tasted so good to me.  They bring a freshness and variety to the diet that I love.  I alternate PP and PV days and am having a lot of success.  There are a couple of patterns that people follow (5PP, 1PV is the original one).  Some people even do PV all the way through cruise phase and have success, but it is not recommended by Dr. Dukan. I have found some amazing recipes out there and adapted many of my own (just like I did for HCG).  After all, I am still a Foodie and I want to enjoy what I put in my mouth. 

Oh, I forgot to mention...you eat as much as you want.  I eat whenever I need to.  It's awesome!  And, I really don't eat a lot because the pure proteins and the veggies just fill you up. 

Then consolidation involves adding back foods that were forbidden in attack and cruise.  You ahve to do this phase for quite awhile to stabilize your weight. 

Maintenance is regular, healthy eating, but you do one PP day every week for the rest of your life.  I liken it to doing a steak or egg day if you go over 2 lbs with HCG, but this is a regular, planned day.

It sounded daunting to me at first, but it has ended up being so easy for me.  Rarely do I crave carbs (grains or fruit).  When I do crave them it is because I have been reading about some yummy desserts on the web or watching cooking shows on Food Network.  I did have a wicked awful craving for chocolate, but used a couple of Dukan dessert recipes and got through it (with chocolate!).  A girl sometimes needs her chocolate!

Anyway, there's the plan in an oversimplified nutshell!

I just can't...

Hey there,  I don't know if anyone is even checking this blog anymore, but I wanted to write briefly about where things stand with me.

I can't do HCG again.  I just can't.  It worked for me 3 times.  It worked really well the first time when I followed Dr. S's plan to the letter.  I lost the weight and didn't go above that weight again until I had surgery last December.  Something about violating my body sent it back above that first round low weight.

The 2nd and 3rd rounds were harder for me.  I cheated or altered the plan, but only a tiny bit.  I still lost weight, but couldn't maintain it.  Sigh.  So, my suggestion is to stick as close to Dr. S's plan as you can.

So, why can't I do it again?  Well, I got a wicked infection at an injection site on my last round.  I eventually recovered but, it was VERY BAD and I will have a scar for life (unless I have an abdominoplasty...one can hope).   I'm just too scared to inject myself again and I just don't believe the drops (especially the homeopathic ones that don't have any hormone in them) work beyond a placebo effect. (Sorry, but that's my opinion!)

Anyway, now that I have recovered from the infection and the surgery, I am trying something different: the Dukan Diet.  So far, so good.  I have lost 9 lbs in the first week!  I am also going to be training for a unique race called the Warrior Dash.  It takes a lot of stamina and strength and that is just not something I could do on HCG.

So, there you go.  I still admire and support all you dedicated HCGers out there.  You go!  Not sure if I will start another blog about my Dukan Days...but who knows.

Best Wishes,
Amy