Category Archives: Progress Reports

Can you really lose weight by following the principles of the Dukan Diet and have an active social life including drinking wine and spirits? Susie has modified the Dukan Diet to suit her lifestyle. Read about how her weight loss is going.

Survived the festival of food that is Christmas

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Susie Stevens| Leave a comment

It’s New Year’s Eve – last day of 2011.

Image of Bill and Susie Christmas 2011 taken by Bill

Yes, we survived the Christmas festival of food and wine relatively unscathed

I started the Dukan Diet regimen in January and have maintained my goal weight for months now. And even over the Christmas period that has included lots of champagne, roast turkey and gravy and traditional plum puddings – not to mention the home-made chocolates, Christmas cake and so forth, I have only gained 2 kilos. This will be easy to take off with a couple of protein only days. So I am rather pleased with myself.

The lack of weight gain may be the result of continuing our exercise routine throughout. Bill, my husband, and I made an effort to walk before breakfast every day and to include natural exercise in our daily program. For example, while travelling to and from Brisbane by road from Sydney, we’d stop and walk along the beach and swim in the surf at many spots.

So we head into 2012 with renewed energy to maintain our goal weight. With six weeks of skiing coming up in January/February, we should not only be slim but extremely fit too.

All the best to others who want to lose excess weight. My advice: try the Dukan Diet. Even if you are like me and enjoy a good red or a glass of bubbles, it’s an eating program that can work to keep you slim – for ever!

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November 2011 Progress Report

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Susie Stevens| 2 Comments
Image of Susie Stevens after 10 months on the Dukan Diet for socially active people

Feeling fit, healthy and happy at my goal weight

End of November and after a month of socializing, concerts (kd lang was sensational), I have retained my weight at 60 kilos. Bill still on 90 – 92 kilos.

We’re basically at the Stabilisation Phase and we follow some of the Dukan rules!

  • We try to exercise every day and succeed most days – 50 minute walk every morning with longer walks on the weekend.
  • We do one protein day a week.
  • We do not have two celebration meals in a row.
  • We have at least one tablespoon oat bran every day.

On the other hand, we’ve done some liberating things too.

  • We’ve reintroduced chocolate into our diet. We like dark, low sugar which is a bonus.
  • We’ve drunk a lot of champagne and wine.
  • We’re having more bread since we started the program.
  • We eat what we want to a large degree.

The change is that, generally, we’re eating healthier across the board. Our eating habits have changed and our tastes too. I no longer crave fish and chips. I no longer eat corn chips or other wasted-calorie foods at random. I chose healthier foods on a menu when I’m out. And I order Chocolate fudge pudding with vanilla icecream sometimes for a celebration meal treat.

I’m happy at my goal weight of 60 kilos. I can try on clothes in size 12 and they fit. Clothes generally look better on me. I get lots of compliments about how good I am looking. And I feel healthy, fit and strong.

Yoga is a big bonus for feeling great. It’s great for firming the body and relaxing the mind. And I’m sure it is a major factor in feeling so well.

The Dukan Diet – modified for socially active, champagne loving gals and guys – has been a huge success.

I’ve proved it – it works!

 

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Get your figure back for summer

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Susie Stevens| Leave a comment
Image of slim woman running in shallows at a beach

Look great this summer with some help from the Dukan Diet

Weight fluctuation over the winter months, that is, putting on weight, can be a problem for many. With the additional layers of clothing, it’s easy to hide extra kilos from that raspberry muffin we have every day with our morning coffee. Hey, it won’t be seen on the waistline for some time, so why not?

But summer is on the way, we’re wearing lighter clothes and it’s time to take off that extra weight we’ve put on.

Firstly, make a commitment to exercise for half an hour every day. Set your alarm for a 1/2 hour earlier and do an early morning walk which stimulates your metabolism amazingly. If you miss a morning, go for a walk when you come home from work. Just walk!

Add to the walk the principles of The Dukan Diet (which is a way of eating rather than a diet) and you’ll be at your goal weight in no time.

Let’s say you want to take off six kilos, start with a two- or three-day protein only Attack Phase – that can really give your weight loss a big boost. Then do the Cruise Phase of one day protein and the alternate day protein and vegetables repeating until you are at your target weight. Consider taking something to keep your bowel movements regular during this period.

BTW, throughout the whole process, one and a half tablespoons of oat bran a day. I make Dr Dukan galettes but others I know put oat bran on their yoghurt or add to milk drinks.

Following this, Dr Dukan recommends some time to consolidate your lower body weight and to get your body to understand that this is your real weight. During this phase you can have lots more to eat and celebration meals as well (see Dr Dukan’s book for exact details). One protein-only day a week is part of this consolidation phase to prevent a weight rebound reaction.

My husband and I have found that our weight has stabilised at our new weights – that’s what I mean by a ‘way of eating’ as it’s not about continually dieting. And it’s been painless. We can eat well, have treats during celebration meals, and look good in our bathers on the beach this summer. Best of all, we have huge amounts of energy and look and feel healthy.

Oh yes, we do drink wine if we go out for dinner. I try to limit my wine nights to three a week – maximum. So far, so good. I’m still at my goal weight of 60 kilos.

I should have called this blog ‘Get your figure back forever‘ because if you follow the principles of the Dukan Diet, you’ll maintain your real weight for the rest of your life.

And that’s got to be a good thing.

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August on Dukan Diet has ups and downs

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Susie Stevens| Leave a comment
Champagne with icecream in flute with delicious looking dessert

The celebration meals got out of hand in August due to the celebration of the birthdays but we didn't quite get to icecream in the champagne!

Last day of August and with our birthday celebrations (my husband and I have birthdays on consecutive days), we gained some weight in the middle of August. We’re back on track now.

Following the numerous birthday celebration meals (with lots of champagne and wine), I had put on about four kilos – that’s a lot of extra weight! Post celebrations, we decided to do protein only for three days – the Attack Phase – then revert to Monday and Thursday protein days and the other days vegetables and protein – no celebration meals!

The good news is it has worked, of course. I weighed in this morning at 60.3 k and Bill at 91.9 k (still a couple of kilos up on where he wants to be but very managable).

The one issue with protein days for us is constipation. We now make sure we take measures during the three days of protein to combat this problem and that makes a huge difference. Hate to finish on that note, but there it is!

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August 2011 progress report

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Susie Stevens| Leave a comment
Peach blossoms in full bloom are absolutely beautiful at the moment

Peach blossoms are in full bloom – a wonderful sight on our weekend walks

This month has been a bit up and down as we consolidate weight (fat) loss. The celebration of the birthdays is a big August event in our house (with Bill and I having birthdays a day apart). The celebrations went on for over a week so it was inevitable that we might gain some weight.

Add to that the inclement weather and very cold mornings that prompted a break in our early morning walking routine.

The combination was lethal which proves Dr Dukan’s point that exercise is non-negotiable.

However, the past week, we have done our 50-minute morning walk each weekday and embarked on more extensive walks on Saturday and Sunday. We love our two-hour plus walks on Saturdays. From where we live, there are numerous options of great walks to Sydney’s CBD and to any number of inner-city hip suburbs, along some little known bush paths that are quite beautiful. And all the heart of this great city we live in.

So, we’re back on track. The few kilos that we have gained are coming off. The weather has warmed up so the early morning walks are no longer a chore.

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Make some low fat recipes that taste great

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Recorded lowest weight yet!

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Susie Stevens| Leave a comment

During July both Bill and I recorded our lowest weight yet.

I was 58.8 k and Bill was 89.1 k. 58 is where I want to be – my goal weight. Bill is aiming for 80 k.

Those weights were recorded in the middle of July. However, without being really aware of it, we have both gone back up somewhat. Now, the last day of July I’m hovering around 61 k.

The solution for me is to do a mini-Attack phase to get back to 58 and then revert to the two days a week of protein: Mondays and Thursdays with protein and vegetables for the rest of the week.

 

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End of May progress report

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Susie Stevens| Leave a comment
Tape measure as symbol of weight loss on the Dukan Diet

It's not just about losing weight but losing the inches off the waist line

Must admit that my partner, Bill, and I were a wee bit naughty on the weekend if Sticky Date Pudding, pizza and red wine are considered so.

The good news is that after our Monday pure protein day – we do two a week: one on Monday, one on Thursday until we get to goal weight – we both lost weight. I am now 60.7 (the lowest weight yet and 60 kilos is my goal). Bill was also lowest at 89.7 kilos.

Between us we have now lost a total of over 40 kilos. Yeah!

This goes to show that, even during the Cruise Phase of weight reduction, the occassional transgression (celebration meal as Dr Dukan calls it), you can be flexible in the diet and still drop the weight.

More good news – Bill bought size 34 shorts on the weekend. Never before known (perhaps when he was 20 something) and I am now size 10/12 – can now fit into size 10 dress I wore when I went out with my now husband in 1999. Yippee!

Almost time to move to the next phase: consolidation with celebration meals and additional food types – oops, sounds like more of the same on our modified Dukan Diet!

I am coming up with more and more delicious low-fat, low-carb recipes that make this diet so easy to follow.

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May Progress Report on our modified Dukan Diet

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Susie Stevens| Leave a comment
Cracked egg representing cracking 61 kilos on Dukan Diet

Finally cracked the 60 kilo mark: well, reached it!

Hooray, for the first time in God knows how many years, the scales read 60 kilos. Actually, 60.9 but it’s still 60 that I can see.

My partner has hit a low of 91.3 kilos and still wants to lose another 6.

The question I asked at the beginning was ‘can you follow the Dukan Diet and still have a social life, that is drink alcohol, entertain and eat out occasionally?’

The answer is a resounding ‘yes’ but the progress to your true weight and the follow up consolidation and stabilisation phases will take longer too.

We figure, because this is a lifetime eating regimen, that taking a little longer and enjoying treats such as a glass of red wine with dinner, a meal out with friends, is worth it.

 

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Post-Easter progress

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Susie Stevens| Leave a comment

Easter is a testing time if you are still in fat-reduction mode.

However, my partner, Bill, and I managed to get through the holiday without weight gain. And we went to parties, ate out at restaurants and had the odd glass or two of champagne.

My weight hasn’t fluctuated from 62 kilos (my goal weight is 60 kilos so not far to go). Bill also had no Easter-provoked weight gain. He’s sitting at 91 kilos (goal weight is 85 kilos).

Significantly, new board shorts for Bill in size 36 – he says he can’t remember the last time he could fit size 36.

So, the proof is in. You can lose fat on the Dukan Diet and drink alcohol. The important thing for us is that we have only lost fat from our bodies and retained our muscle tone. The 40-minute walk we do each day helps as does my additional gym classes. At Easter, we did a huge walk along the coast at Port Macquarie on the central coast of New South Wales (in Australia). I’m sure that helped too.

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Stagnation on the Dukan weight-loss program

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Susie Stevens| Leave a comment
Runnning feet on road

If your weight is stagnating on the Dukan Diet, try something different. Add some interval training in your daily walk alternating between walking and running.

What is stagnation: simply that your weight gets stuck at a certain point and won’t seem to budge (below of course!) that weight. Dr Dukan writes about this in his book.

Recently I stayed on 65 kilos no matter what I did. Well, that’s not true but even a couple of pure protein days didn’t seem to do the trick.

My solution was to increase my aerobic exercise at the gym. I continued to walk in the mornings (40 minutes before breakfast). I still walked to my yoga classes (another 40 minutes all up) but I also added 10 minutes on a walking machine of two minutes at normal pace, one minute at high rate interval training.

It did the trick. After three days of the additional aerobic workout, I weighed in at 62.6 kilos.

Your solution may be different but sometimes it’s a matter of adding something or subtracting something: a bit more exercise or a bit less food intake.

Remember: it’s vital to drink at least 1.5 litres of water – can be tea or coffee that helps make up the total but I try to drink my water straight unless it has a splash of vodka in it!

Read about what you can eat in the Attack phase which will normally get your weight moving in the right direction.

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