In late July 2011, my friend Lucy and I were in the bookstore in Abu Dhabi, where I was living at the time, and I was looking for diet inspiration. My friend Lucy encouraged me to buy the Dukan Diet book in Abu Dhabi, and I did, and I threw it in my luggage and ignored it for my entire time at home. Then I saw the picture of my big behind and put the book in my carry on. I read every single word of the book on the flight from Miami to London and then I read it again on the flight from London to Abu Dhabi. In this moment it was like a light bulb went off!
Then I started doubting myself, was I setting myself up for failure? Then my brain kicked in and said, « um yeah… HEART FAILURE! ». Starting August 20, 2011, I took it one step at a time, one day at a time and it took a while to notice the changes, but now they are undeniable. In the first 6 weeks of the program, I moved from Abu Dhabi to Hangzhou, China finding the foods I needed became a challenge, but I endured!
I started the Dukan Diet** weighing 255 pounds and calculating that Dr. Dukan’s True Weight* for me was 165. During the questionnaire it asks what you think your true weight should be, I answered 145. So I’ve compromised and made 155 my goal weight. Today I weigh 163 pounds! I’ve lost 92 pounds and feel great! I had purchased thirteen Dukan Diet books and had given them to friends and family.
I blog nearly every day about my journey at https://flamidwyfe.wordpress.com, where I post my triumphs, my struggles, my daily food recipes and exercise routines. The blog has kept me honest with myself and held me accountable, which is awesome. I cannot say enough good things about this program.
I am healthier, and I run! In January, I started the Couch to 5K program, I was crying through each 45 second run on Day 1. I have now completed the 9 week program** and now run 5K five times a week! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Dr. Dukan! Changing my life style through the Dukan Diet** has saved my life, again THANK YOU!
My favorite support Dukan food*: Steak and onions with garlic stems
My Dukan treat: Fat Free Greek Yogurt with 2 Tbs of Bran and a sachet of Splenda.
My favorite form of exercise: Running 5K five times a week.
The nicest compliment I’ve been paid: Here in China, last month. A nurse I met last year when I came to do a 2-week training said: « I met the other Sandi last year ». My reply, « the other Sandi? ». « Yes, the fat Sandi »… I then showed her the picture on my iPhone with her and I last April… she was astounded.
What keeps me going: The support I get from my friends and family and fellow bloggers!
The advice I’d give to other « Dukanians »: READ THE BOOK! Every single word and follow the diet to the letter. The 4 musts are essential. You MUST drink a minimum of 1.5 liters of water, you MUST weight yourself daily, you MUST take your bran and you MUST get a minimum of 30 minutes of walking in each day. You incorporate these MUSTS with the food plan Dr. Dukan set out for you, you WILL succeed!
