I'm cruising! I am actually doing a 5 + 2 rhythm as don't have a huge amount to lose and its easier to eat protein only on days when my husband isn't around! This is the second time of doing Dukan. I lost about 2 stone the first time and put back on a bit so want to lose it. My biggest challenge is the lack of energy I have at the gym when I cut out carbs. I really struggle to do my weight programme and high intensity rowing! Went on a two day hike recently (12 miles a day) and had to have some carbs as was too exhausted! However, I know Dukan works and quickly Good luck!

Welcome back to Dukan, I love the fact that this diet has different patterns of protein days to suit each persons lifestyle or preference. With regards to the lack of energy omitting carbs brings......I feel your pain ! On days where I know I need to do strength training, I eat my oatbran around it so usually the morning before or even the night before relative to what time I plan my workout.

To be completely honest, I have added my own little deviations from the cruise phase this time around....nothing major, but enough to make it a little more realistic to my lifestyle. An example would be, goji berries where I eat slightly more than 2 tablespoons allowed on cruise days. Also, I will have a no fruit muller light yogurt if I need a quick energy spike on the run. So both practices are away from 'the rules' but so far seems to be working fine.

As a little inspiration for those who may have just started cruise. I just reviewed my very detailed diary from cruise last year (1st Dukan attempt) and day for day comparison, I am only -0.5lbs behind last years lost. Also, I noticed after week 4 on cruise, I had a sudden 4lbs loss whereas weeks previous seemed really slow.

Keep going to you and everyone cruising and don't be afraid to switch up your eating pattern every now and again. Calories don't seem to matter on Dukan so eat more if you need to and stay hydrated ))))

Louisa1979 - I hope not either and I hope it was delicious! I am new at this so cannot speak from experience, but I would drink more water and increase exercise and maybe do an extra PP day??? On past diets, I find when I transgressed the food did not taste as good as I expect and I then I would beat myself up. Please do not do that to yourself.

....totally agreed. If you cheat for whatever reason be it a general craving, social gathering or just a momentary weakness to a devilish delight, you just carry on. This s my second time around and certainly after reviewing last years successful 'cruise phase' , I had a number of unforgivable cheats and still lost weight.

Although deviating from the main diet is highly discouraged, an occurrence of sin will always be just that. Carry on as normal or as toadqueen rightly suggested, an extra PP day whichever cruse pattern you are on. If this serves as any extra encouragement, I had my biggest loss on cruise so far in cheat week where I caved into so many different temptations whilst having my 7yr old niece staying over. Don't forget , the diet has a lot more additions to it in terms of choices now so don't forget to splash out by indulging the 'tolerated items' list .......stick to maximum quantities allowed

@toadqueen, going to try the Kale recipe tomorrow .....THANK YOU

Hi girls. It's my second cruise day today and I have a big psychological problem to eat something which is not on a list. I am sure that once I have reached at least half of the cruise, I will be able to treat myself without a guilt feeling!

Well done on finishing attack and finishing your first couple of days on cruise. The cruise club gets bigger ))))))

Depending on what you are craving, don't forget the tolerated items that you are allowed in certain quantities . Remember though that you are only allowed up to 2 ptolerated items per day in total. I tend not to have tolerated everyday..,,although I have become a little addicted to Goji berries which are on of the tolerated items (see quantities).

So the point is, if you are craving sweet you can try hot chocolate, making sweet desserts/ sorbets, custard, muffins etc using oatbran. For savoury urges, there are lots of recipes you could try especially on your PV days like cauliflower mash, protein and veg dishes using shirataki noodles, kale crips, Dukan pizza etc etc.

Stick with it, don't give in to cheating yet. I have cheated a couple of times this and last week but purely due to a very hectic social life at the moment. When you see the pounds start to fall of then maybe just maybe you can then chose what is best at that stage .

We are here for you

@toadqueen I really think you should try and up your calories to at least your minimum. It's not really healthy for any opus to go that low with calories. And we must remember that Dukan isn't really about calories restriction. I know you are finding it difficult to eat right now because of a reduced appetite, but maybe you could try modifying each meal to incorporate more calories. For example, I think red meat is higher is calories lb for lb vs fish/ chicken . On days when I eat lean beef steak, I find my calories for the day a lot higher. For example yesterday, I went over my daily recommended but it really doesn't bother me in the slightest as I know it was a lot of protein.

Being this is my second time around on the diet, I didn't want to ever experience that dreaded feeling of being 'bunged up' as I really suffered on my first time around. My top tips :

Water water water....oh and a peppermint tea just before bed usually helps me. (Mentioned above but so true)

EAT OATBRAN as recommended, do not reduce quantities.....big mistake as this is fibre and also oatbran actually helps in these processes. (Remember : 1.5 attack, 2 cruise DAILY ALLOWANCE in tablespoon measures)

Rhubarb - allowed on cruise PV days only. Treat as a vegetable and not a to,errand item.....works wonders trust me. Lots of good preparation ideas in various blogs etc. my favourite is sweetened stewed rhubarb with chilled 0% Greek yogurt (topped with cinnamon....gorgeous)

Exercise where possible always helps , doesn't have to be vigorous activity . (again mentioned above and makes a difference)

Hard boiled sugary re sweets have a laxative effect. So I use these sometimes whilst satisfying any sugar cravings. Yes, I am the one that still has sugar cravings on the Dukan. Obviously have these when required to maximum Dukan limit guidelines