My last day of the Attack Phase went well and Friday I started the Cruise Phase.  It was great!  Wanna know why?  Since you are reading this post, you probably do, or you are just really bored that you want to read about this crazy Dukan Diet that I am on!  I GOT TO EAT VEGGIES!  I know, I was only without veggies for 4 days.  But it was a huge deal and made me miss veggies a lot.  I also miss fruit, which I get to eat in the third phase – the Consolidation Phase.

Total pounds lost during the Attack Phase: 4  (only .2 lbs for my last weigh in on the phase)
The overall loss – that is very exciting for me!

What’s is this Cruise Phase I have been hyping up?
 The Alternating Protein Diet – Protein + Vegetables.
This phase will take me to my true weight.  I’m well on the way too, even after 1 day!  Which is very exciting.  I am also preparing myself for days that I might not loose or even gain, as Dr. Dukan says could happen because of adding in veggies.

Veggies
I’m allowed all cooked or raw veggies, without restriction of quantity, time of day, or combination.  But veggies considered starchy are forbidden: potatoes, corn, fresh or dried peas, beans, and lentils.  No rice, quino, badly, wheat berries (not sure what that is), millet, and other grains are not allowed.  Those are the restricted veggies!

I can eat them raw, boil them, steam them, or bake them.  The only catch is I can’t use any oils or butter.  No dressing either!  I don’t mind except it is nice for a salad.  Dr. Dukan says, “an ordinary salad bowl containing two heads of lettuce and 2 tbps of oil, the salad accounts for 20 calories and the oil for 200 calories, which is why so many edits based on mixed salads fail.”  I’m not allowed to prepare green veggies with no more than 1 tsp of vegetable oil.  He does give a recipe for a vinaigrette (mustard, balsamic vinegar, vegetable oil) and a yogurt dressing (nonfat plain yogurt, mustard, vinegar).

Dukan also cautions the quantity of carrots, beets, and artichokes that I can eat, as they have a little bit more sugar than other veggies.  He says that if my weight reaches a plateau to reduce or eliminate these three veggies until my weight loss starts again.

This means still no COOKIES (or sweets or chips).
Last night I was eating supper with some very special people and one person decided to have cookies.  The Chocolate chip kind from Superstore that are so utterly delicious!  They were frozen so it wasn’t quite as tempting until he heated them up in the microwave.  Mmmm… the smell.  Beside me were a bowel of cucumbers.  So I had one and said, “It’s round like a cookie.”  We laughed because I was trying to make it  feel and taste like a cookie but the only thing that made it similar was the roundness.  Oh well, I survived and the temptation fleeted and I won … not the cookies.  Huge, very HUGE step for me!

I need to include 2 tbsp of oat bran a day which I will in the galette (like a pancake).  I also need to up my exercise from walking 20 min/day to 30 min/day.  I must admit that I haven’t been walking everyday.  Thursday night I did 20 min on the Wii doing the stepper while I watched Grey’s, but that is about it.  It does help that 2 out of the days I worked which is physically demanding.  I really need to step up the exercise and do it!

I can also have all the same foods that were in the Attach Phase.

There are four different alternating patterns you can follow on the Cruise Phase.  I am going to try the 1/1 rhythm.  This is 1 day of pure proteins followed by 1 day of veggies + proteins.  Dr. Dukan suggests this as it is easier to follow then doing the 5/5 rhythm which is more for people who have a lot to loose and more hard core.  That’s not me.  Later I might switch to the 2/7 rhythm depending on how the weight loss is going.  This includes 2 days of pure proteins per week, on Mondays and Thursdays, followed by 5 days of no particular diet but avoiding any extremes (I would probably make these veggie + protein days).     Dr. Dukan says, “This is the diet that best suits some women with cellulite, who are slim on top but heavy around the hips and the thighs especially.”  This definitely is me!  The fourth way is the same as the last one but it is strictly 2 days of protein (Mon & Thurs) and 5 days of proteins + veggies the rest of the week.

For now I am doing the 1/1 rhythm for the first week.  I will re-evaluate next week to see if I will switch to another rhythm.  According to the book and website it will take me about 2 months to reach my true weight.  Then I can move on to Phase 3 – the Consolidation Phase (I can incorporate fruit again!).

What tempts you when you are trying to healthy?  Is it chips, chocolate, ice-cream, candy, french fries?    Let me know by leaving a comment below.

[This is part of the Dukan Diet series.  Check out the rest of the posts by clicking HERE.]

I am thankful that today is the last day for the Attack Phase of the Dukan Diet.  I’ve had enough hamburger and I am looking forward to having some veggies tomorrow!  A turkey is going in the oven tonight and there is a lot of fish and chicken in the freezer.  These meats I can handle and I love, so that is good.  Tomorrow you will learn all about the Cruise Phase.

Pounds Lost:  1.6 lbs for a total of 3.8 lbs.  Tomorrow morning is my last weigh in for the Attack Phase.  I’m sure I will be over the 4 lb mark.  I wonder what my weight will be?

How I felt today:  Today was good because I didn’t go anywhere.  I was home, which makes the Attack Phase easier to regulate.
Although I did realize that I need to eat throughout the day so that I don’t get hungry.  That is when temptation to eat something “bad” for me comes into play.  I did feel hungry once today, but that is because I hadn’t eaten enough to keep me full or I should say enough times throughout the day.  Eating a lot of small meals and drinking lots of water through the day keeps me full, but today I just didn’t do that.  I will make sure I am eating more and drinking more water too.  I think because I didn’t do this it has kind of thrown my day off for eating wise and feeling hungry.  I must eat more!  With that said, today was a much better day than yesterday.  Sorry, no crazy stories for you today.

Todays Menu:
Breakfast:  I slept in… so there wasn’t breakfast.
Snack:  Did I mention I slept in!
Lunch: Poached egg, chicken strips, and pickles. (We are only allowed to have a certain amount and after that point they are considered a veggie.) I made the chicken strips the night before using the oat bran and herbs as a coating.  So this morning I didn’t get to have a galette.  Perhaps if we kept a better eye on the chicken strips we would have gotten them out of the oven earlier so they weren’t so dry and crunchy!  Next time less cooking time.
Afternoon Snack: I don’t think I really had one – hence the hunger by supper time.
Supper:  Seafood chowder
Evening Snack 1: Lemon Meringue fat free yogurt (I still haven’t heard from any of you if there is another fat free flavoured yogurt out there for me!)
Evening Snack 2: Imitation crab

Tomorrow I start the Cruise Phase, as I already mentioned.  This I am excited about.  I found out that I am working again tomorrow, so I am very glad that I can have veggies in my lunch!  I would like to crunch on a veggie right now, but I will wait.

In the evening I will post the final weigh in and about the Cruise phase.  I will tell you that in this phase I alternate protein and protein-veggie days.  I am limited to certain veggies, which is ok because I like pretty much all of them.  To find out what veggies I can and can’t have and more about this phase be sure to look for my update!

What kind of diets have you tried?  Did it work for you?  Leave me a comment below.

[This is part of the Dukan Diet series.  Check out the rest of the posts by clicking HERE.]

I would like to tell you all that I am glad this phase only lasts 4 days for me and on Friday I can eat veggies!  Now on to Day 3!

Pounds Lost:  Down 1.4 lbs this morning from yesterday for a grand total of 2.2 lbs.

How I felt Today:
I had to work (cleaning houses) which is a little rigorous so I was feeling a little bit tired at the first house. Maybe not so much tired, but weak.  I was talking with my partner in crime and she said she read that sometimes if you have low blood pressure to not drink the required amount of water because it flushes away the salt your body needs. (I haven’t read that yet.)  I’m sure that my body hasn’t been getting enough salt and I have definitely been drinking the required amount of water and more.  I haven’t been officially diagnosed with low blood pressure, but a specialist did tell me that my blood pressure is lower when I am standing.  Anyway, half way through the first house I had to get some water and I had a little snack of yogurt to pull me through.  After we were done I was able to have lunch and I was fine for the rest of the day.

I seemed to be less hungry today, except when I got home from work.  I was definitely craving chips and cookies today!
I had to go to Canadian Tire to pick something up and it was tempting to get something, especially because I was hungry.  But I refrained!  Success.  Then I got home and was hungry so I had some left over salmon (which later I found out was made in oil and flour – that wasn’t suppose to be for me!  Oops!).

I cooked my supper and just as I picked it up I dipped it on the floor and it went flying all over the place!  On the stove, the side of the freezer, up my sister’s pant leg and the dog was quick to dig his nose in and eat it up!  I through my spoon on the floor and said, “I hate this diet!”  Ok, I don’t hate it and I might have been a little bit over dramatic.  I was just really looking forward to eating my supper.  I remade my supper and was able to enjoy it (although a person can only eat so much hamburger).

My evening went well and I didn’t find myself wanting anything more.  I had a little snack later in the evening, but it was good.  Chewing sugar free gum helps too!  We are allowed to drink pop like Coke Zero.  I decided to get one today when I was having my cravings at Canadian Tire.  It didn’t help since I don’t really drink pop and when I do I usually eat chips or something like that with it.  So I think I associated the pop with junk food.  Not a good thing!

Now I am going to head to bed and start the day again.  But tomorrow is Day 4!  My last day on the attack phase!  How exciting.  Friday I can eat veggies – but as I read tonight only certain ones.  That’s ok with me!  I’m game.  I’ll fill you in on the Cruise Phase on Friday.

Today’s Menu:

Breakfast:  Dukan Galette (see DAY 2) and some turkey bacon (which I don’t get tomorrow because I used my daily portion of oat bran on home made chicken strips).  I love this little galette, it is pretty tasty.
Morning Snack: Fat Free Lemon Meringue Pie Yogurt (we can have flavoured yogurt but not with chunks of anything in it).  If you can find me another flavour like cappuccino that is Fat Free you would be awarded the title of Being Awesome!
Lunch: 1/2 can tuna mixed with dill and greek yogurt, boiled egg, slice of fat free cheese
Afternoon Snack: salmon steak (I don’t think it will make a huge deal that it was cooked in oil n flour…I hope.  Wish I had of known!)
Supper:  Hamburger with salad herbs and Mrs. Dash mixed with greek yogurt and a fat free cheese slice.
Evening Snack: the meringue yogurt and a little bit of seafood chowder Dukan style.
Liquid: coffee, tea, Coke Zero, and lots of water!

*Exciting Stuff*
My friend who is doing this with me is also writing about her experience on this diet.  She has a bit of a different take on it so be sure to visit her blog and encourage her!  She has posted some information about the diet, recipes, and what her journey has been like!  Visit Life as a Suitcase

[This is part of the Dukan Diet series.  Check out the rest of the posts by clicking HERE.]

First off, sorry this post is so late in the evening!  I ended up going out for the afternoon and evening, which made for a very interesting time!

A few things before I get to how Day 2 went.  If you are contemplating doing this diet, please read the book!  Don’t just follow this blog.  I am leaving a lot out! Also, please make sure you listen to your body!  If you are not reacting well to the diet, stop!

I know I will be listening to my body, as I am not a huge meat eater in the first place.  That is why there are some meats I won’t be eating.  I will probably focus more on chicken, turkey, and fish as red meats don’t always settle right with me if I eat too much of them.  Gotta remember I get to eat dairy and eggs too!

I am glad I only have to do the Attack Phase for 4 days.  This phase can last from anywhere from 1 – 10 days depending on how much weight you want to loose.  The book and website helps you determine your true weight, making sure it is a realistic goal for you.

I also have someone who is doing it along side me, so we have accountability to each other.  This person has been on it for a bit now, but is redoing the attack phase with me.  I think it would be hard to do it on your own.  Especially when everyone else is eating everything else!  It makes me feel for the person who started it before me!

Now on to how my day went!

Day 2 is over!  Only 2 more days to go in the attack phase!  This morning I stepped on the scale and I am down .8 lbs.  (Please be sure to notice the . (point) before the eight before you get all crazy and think I lost a whopping 8 lbs in 1 day!)

Today I felt normal.  More visits to the bathroom as I have been drinking a lot more water than normal.  Now the eating was interesting along with a visit to the grocery store and already wanting the yummy foods there and I’m only on Day 2!

Here was today’s menu:

Breakfast: Chicken bacon and a Dukan Galette – it’s like a pancake which has oat bran in it. I can have one galette each day. 
Lunch:  Chicken breast with no fat cheese slice on top (it was pretty good).  We are not allowed to use oil or butter so this was done on George (you know – the grill).
Afternoon Snack:  Homemade beef jerky (I mentioned this in yesterday’s update).  It was pretty good, although a bit on the salty side.
Supper: sliced roast beef and no fat yogurt.  This was the interesting part.  I had supper prepared but plans ended up changing so I had to find something to eat at the grocery store.  A small selection on this phase when you don’t have access to cook anything.
Evening Snack:  a nice large boiled free range brown egg (our eggs from the back yard!)

Today was a much longer day, and I am tired.  Although, that could be because it is 1am!  I do have a headache again tonight, but I didn’t get it until after watching War Horse and I cried at the end and then the headache appeared (Have you ever had a headache after crying?  I really cried.  Shoot me!  The movie really got to me, ok!) … and did I mention I’m tired from being up late?

What does tomorrow bring?  I have to work cleaning houses which is pretty physical work.  Hopefully I will find enough fuel in my food to keep me going throughout the day.  I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow night!

Now, I need to get to bed so I can stay awake during work tomorrow!

Thanks for following my progress!  It is definitely encouraging and helping me to stick with it!

[This is part of the Dukan Diet series.  Check out the rest of the posts by clicking HERE.]

My day is just about over and I have survived day 1 of the Attack Phase of the Dukan Diet.

How do I feel?  A bit hungry.  I might need to find a snack before bed.  Beef jerky is being made as we speak so maybe it will be ready and I can snag a piece of that!  Definitely excited to try it.  Earlier I felt a headache coming on, but it seems to have lifted … I think.  That could be the fact that I didn’t have sweets today!  First day in a long time that I didn’t have any sweets or candy.  I feel a little bit
tired, but that also could be from staying up later than usual lately.  I will get to bed at a decent time tonight.  Other than that I feel ok.  The book says I will start to feel really good and have lots of energy in a couple of days.  It also says that I won’t feel hungry by the second day.  I’ll let you know tomorrow night!

Todays Menu:

For breakfast (or should I say lunch – I slept in this morning):  scrambled eggs and a side of sardines in tomato sauce (only sardines we are allowed). We are also limited to 2 eggs per day.

Mid afternoon sack: beef cubes dipped in mustard (we aren’t allowed ketchup!) and a few sugar free pickles.

Supper:  Seafood chowder (shrimp, salmon, muscles, and some other seafood things mad in skim milk with a little bit of onion, chalets, dill seed, and pepper).  It was pretty tasty.  I did miss vegetables though.

Evening Snack:  Low-fat flavoured yogurt (we are not allowed yogurt with chunks of fruit in it).

I do think I need one more snack before bed.  I’ll find something.

I have also drank three classes of water, 2 cups of tea, and 1 cup of coffee (yes, I know I said I wasn’t going to drink coffee anymore – I’m working on it! See Coffee Pu’reh)

Side Note: My cat just decided to drink my water!  Thanks Milo!  I’m off to get new water and find a snack!

**UPDATE**  for my bedtime snack I am frying up some lean hamburger and putting some Greek Yogurt with it.  This is definitely a first!!  If you love meat you will love this diet!

[This is part of the Dukan Diet series.  Check out the rest of the posts by clicking HERE.]