I started Dukan as a favor to my mother, who was concerned for my health. As a single mom and sole income for a household consisting of me and my 12 year old Autistic daughter, I NEED to be healthy because I NEED to be there for her.. After losing the first 20lbs, my motivation changed. I stopped avoiding mirrors and shopping. I began feeling better. My long-term acid reflux resolved. I stopped waking up at 4am with the reflux. I became more and more motivated for the right reasons. In about December, I entered the Dukan Photo Contest on Facebook and won personal coaching as a runner up. The coaching helped me break through a plateau. I am now down 70lbs. Several doctors have asked me how I lost the weight and have written down the diet for other patients. My friends at work all want me to help them with Dukan. I look younger today than I have in the past 10 years and feel better. My before photo is of me at my cousin’s wedding. Shopping for a dress was so depressing and no matter how much time I spent on my appearance, I felt like a shapeless blob and want to cry when I see these photos. My after photo was taken about a month ago (I have lost about 7 more lbs since that photo), at my 25 year College Reunion. Our reunion theme was « Shine » and I feel as if I truly did shine! I have become more self-confident and feel as if I am in the process of reclaiming my life.
My favorite support Dukan food: I love my Dukan breakfast of non-fat Greek yogurt, plain, to which I add my daily oat-bran portion and either use cinnamon or goji berries for a real treat! Also, the chocolate oat bran muffins.
My Dukan treat: I truly love the Dukan oat-bran cookies. They are filling and so tasty!
My favorite form of exercise: I love to walk! I walk everywhere. I live in New York City and do not have a car, so this makes walking a large every-day part of my life, as it is my primary form of transportation.
The nicest compliment I’ve been paid: You look fabulous!!!
What keeps me going: Feeling healthier, being there for my daughter, and the happiness on my mother’s face when she sees I am me again.
The advice I’d give to other « Dukanians »: Plateaus are inevitable, but do not give up. Keep doing the food plan, maybe change a protein source to avoid repetition, and your body will respond. I had a 2 month plateau and stuck to the program like glue. That was 15 lbs ago. Also, fluctuations are natural. A large meal, water retention, … do not let it get you down. Follow the program and you will see the long-term results you are looking for.
