I was at my mothers home for Christmas 2011 and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and did not even recognize the girl staring back. My personal life was a mess and showed in my appearance. On a whim, I had purchased and read the Dukan Diet book a few months earlier and agreed with Dr. Dukan’s methods, but had not put the effort forth to begin the diet. Well, that image of me in the mirror was just the kick in the pants I needed to get started. After vacationing with my kids the first week of January, I came home and got serious. I followed the diet to a T Monday-Friday and would be a little more laid back on the weekends, and this worked for me! I reached my true weight in August and have been able to keep the weight off using Dr. Dukan’s advice. Along with the weight loss, my personal life has turned itself around, I’m in a new, healthy relationship, have gotten myself back to school working towards my RN to BSN and hopefully the docto rate program at the University of Iowa in Occupational Health Nursing, the attendance in my yoga classes has picked up (my thinking is that I look the part of a yoga instructor, now. Would you take yoga from someone who looked like my before picture?)I am back lifting weights and running (ran at least 12 5k’s last year)(a half marathon and a Tuff Mudder are my goals for this year). I became a certified health and wellness coach, cpr instructor certified, earned my specialty certification in Occupational Health Nursing and began a course in Reflexology working towards certification as a Reflexologist. I love that in my position at work, (Occupational Health Nurse in a factory setting) I have been able to affect change in many lives through the example I have set. Obesity is a major problem with the population that I work with on a daily basis, and I am a positive role model in many lives. I frequently joke that I should be working for Dukan, that book I purchased has gotten around. The Dukan Diet is amazing.
My favorite support Dukan food: Oat bran
My Dukan treat: Flan
My favorite form of exercise: Equally love yoga, weight lifting and running.
The nicest compliment I’ve been paid: Upon arriving for his annual respirator physical, and employee told me « Since I saw you last year, you have lost half yourself. You look great »
What keeps me going: I feel absolutely wonderful! Staying active is so much easier when you’re not dragging around and additional 35 lbs.
The advice I’d give to other « Dukanians »: On previous diets, if I cheated, I would be so hard on myself and just give up, thinking « I’m just not disciplined enough to do this. » This time, my mantra has been « It took a long time to put this weight on , it’s going to take a long time to get it off. » is what would get me right back on to the diet plan if I had a wavering moment. Be gentle with and love yourself during this journey, always honoring the place that you are at.
