Hi there!

After reading your post, I thought I would tell you about my little journey on the Dukan Diet.

Willpower is the first thing you need and you need to follow it completely, otherwise once you reach the last phase and start eating normally, that's where the dangers are to regain weight.

Why is it going to cost you so much money? I bought the book and followed that and also by using lots of random sites from people on the diet. After completing the diet, I thought I'd try the official site but I needn't have because everything you need, you can access from the Internet!

So anyway, I've been following the diet since September. Okay, I only needed to lose a stone, not a lot, but I did it within a month! However, you may reach your 'True Weight' that quickly but it's not the end of the diet as such. You need to 'own that weight' which is where the Consolidation and Stabilisation Phases comes into it.

So would I recommend this diet, definitely! Friends at work saw immediate changes in my body image and have now joined in too, with success! To make all this even better,I did it without doing a shred of exercise! Not something I would promote, but at the time I had a very bad back and hadn't done any for months. Now, I am at my target weight and have been maintaining for about three months with absolutely no bother. I wanted to lose a few more pounds just to see if I can (mad!!)

Also, might I add, at the end of the diet, you are allowed two celebration meals and two starchy meals a week as long as you keep Thursdays as a protein day only. It works, and although the first few Attack days can be hard, you will soon reap the benefits and you won't mind! I weigh myself everyday (obsessed but advised) and although it is up a pound or two in the week, I guarantee, by the Friday (which is my weigh-in day) I will be either below my target weight or spot on!

If you do decide to give it a try, I'm more than happy to give you tips, recipes etc. I can't talking about the diet because I love it. My son's eyes just glaze over as soon as I get started!!!

I am in my 50s and have had a tough time losing weight. My sister used the Dukan to lose 10 pounds she didn't need to lose (lol) and we are twins so I didn't have the excuse that it was my age keeping me back. I started about 4 weeks ago and have lost 10 pounds so far. I was very strict during the attack phase but have lightened up during the cruise phase. By this I mean I allow myself some extra goodies to keep me on track. These include a square of dark chocolate a day and a little more fat for dressings and such. I also eat vegies everyday. Despite these lapses, I have continued to lose about 2 pounds a week. I love the "no counting calories" aspect of the plan. I work nights so pretty much eat around the clock.

This plan really works, it doens't have to be expensive if you look around the web and/or buy the book on Amazon. There are plenty of low cost lean protein options out there too. GOOD LUCK!

Wow! Well done you! It's good to hear other success stories. Are you still quite strict about the Protein Thursday days? I swear by it and because I am on the Stabilisation Phase it's nice to know I can have the odd choccie bar etc without it hindering my weight. In theory by this stage you are supposed to eat as you please, but to be honest I've adapted my diet to the Consolidation Phase of two starchy meals/two celebration meals a week because I think it's too easy to overindulge again otherwise.

Best one to go for is Total 0% Greek Yoghurt. More expensive but more filling too. I mix it with sweetener and a flavoured essence.

I am also contemplating starting the Dukan next week, I did the diet last year for a wedding i was going to be in and had great results,( 140 to size 117) but over the winter i slid back a little not much, but enough that i would like to see my weight back to what it was, if not a little less. Last week I started the Jillian Michaels Body Revolution, and find that the diet portion in ways it's similar to the dukan diet ( no sugars, not so many starches, lots of protein and veggies) so I think it would be easy to convert over since i've pretty much eliminated the sugars and starches from my diet already. I didn't have a problem with pure protein days the first time around and I used a lot of sugar free items , but i'm thinking this time i would like to steer clear of aspartame and use the Agave nectar, truvia or Honey, if i use any at all.

Best of luck to everyone

i heard a comment the other day that artificial sweeteners were like fertilizer to cancer, and it kind of haunts me. I've always been weary of them but it just seems logical to avoid them. Jillian recommends using organic and stay away from hfcs and artificial sweeteners and It just makes sense to me. I've been quite happy with the agave nectar so far.

Hey new Dukaners! I am just wrapping up my first 5 days and think I have to agree with the "make it your own" theory. It is a pretty restrictive diet, but has incredible results.

I have lost 5.4 lbs in 5 days, with one night having a birthday party (ate a cupcake) and one night drinking (2 vodka sodas). I am sure that I could have increased my results by skipping out on these indulgences, but at the same time I don't think I could stick with this diet without a alcohol and a sweet once in a while. It's entirely up to you and how your body responds, but mine dropped 2lbs the day after I ate the cupcake and .5 this morning (the day after the alcohol) whereas other days I have had 0.

I'll check back in with you next week to let you know how things are going - I'm hoping to lose 10-15 lbs on this and can't believe I'm 1/3 of the way there already! I know the first 5 are always the easiest... but the kickstart of this week is really motivating to me.

Good luck - we can all support each other!

I restarted this last sunday and have so far lost half a stone which is great. It is hard to stay motivated sometimes as a depressed student far from home but it is worth it and I just keep telling myself that. I have a dinner party next tuesday and the healthy options are as expensive as the non healthy and It will be on a pp day so guess I might just wing it for a night
glad to hear your all doing well
xx