The Dukan Diet and Pierre Dukan

Is this the new diet Craze?

Have you heard of the Dukan Diet yet?  I was just reading the internet and came across an article about Pierre Dukan and his famous Dukan Diet.  Of course since I just found about the diet I really haven’t had the chance to really look at it in depth.

So far what I know about the Dukan diet is that is has been around for awhile, since around 2000 in France that is.  Now since a few articles and stories have been posted on the net people have been calling it the go to diet for weight loss.

The Dukan Diet Story

The fact is that the Dukan Diet wasn’t something that was supposed to be transformed into a diet plan or mass weight loss program.  What happened was literally someone from Quebec posted in a weight loss forum that she had been losing weight and able to keep it off following a particular program.

Needless to say a star was born, and the Dukan Diet immediately had a following of women supporters.  The women took it upon themselves to start a weight loss community to share with others their success from using this weight loss program.  Once you have people who are able to show others how something works and they see that its working for others you start to have a devoted following.

Before you knew the small group of women who had been able to lose weight and keep it off turned in the millions of Dukan program users.

How the Dukan Diet Works

Basically from what I have read so far the Dukan Diet is broken into four different stages.  There are claims that this particular weight loss program is considered a natural weight loss program to help you get slim.   In order to successfully lose weight using the Dukan Diet you have to follow the diet plan based upon the four phases listed below.

Phase 1 of the Dukan Diet method:

In phase 1 of the Dukan diet you will basically eat high protein foods which they claim will help you achieve rapid weight loss.  The first phase is actually called the ATTACK phase and will supposedly give you immediate results in losing weight.

Phase 2 of the Dukan Diet method:

This phase is known as the CRUISE phase and follows the brief first phase of eating high protein foods.  Phase 2 of the Dukan plan combines phase 1 and 2 so that you eat mostly pure proteins and recommended vegetables.  In the phase of the diet it is said that one will start to achieve their TRUE Weight (whatever that may mean).

Phase 3 of the Dukan Diet method:

Phase 3 of the Dukan Diet is considered to be the maintenance phase and only starts after you have achieved your goal weight loss.   In this phase of the Dukan Diet you eat the same as you did in phase 2 but you are allowed to eat a serving of fruit and two slices of bread each day.  Phase 3 of the Dukan diet also allows you to have a cheat meal each week.

Phase 4 of the Dukan Diet method:

From my understanding phase 4 if the diet is considered a lifelong process as this phase means a complete change in lifestyle.  You can now eat whatever you were eating before as long as you use the rules of phase 3 as a guideline.

My Opinion of the Dukan Diet

Basically I don’t know if it works and can’t really say it’s bad or good at this point.  Simply from what I read I think it would work if only because you will more than likely be eating fewer calories than you were eating before.  I would guess that if you get results quickly it would help you with motivation to continue the diet.

You will also have to look at the fact that it is mostly a low carb diet and you might be tired more often and may experience mood swings.  If you have tried the diet and have a review please post a comment.  Would you try this diet?  Oh just remembered the cost of the Dukan Diet is $26.00 but it’s not available in the US until April 19, 2011.

Perfect Time to Exercise and Lose Weight

When is it the Perfect Time

You know a lot of times it would seem like perfectionism would seem like a great thing to shot for.  You know getting a perfect score on your test, never missing a day, never late and well you know where I’m going.  I mean you can’t get better than “the best” or “perfect”, right?

Though this may be a good trait to have in some aspects it can also be one of the worst trait to have if you only believe in perfection.   I mean if you really ever want to achieve and goals in life you are going to have to sometimes settle for less right?

Let’s Think About this For a Moment

Of course you should have high standards and goals in life and I believe this is important.  No one should settle for the worst just because it’s easy?  Think about yourself when it comes to losing weight and how many times you said that it’s not the right time or you’ll need to wait until such and such is better or perfect.

People who want things to always be perfect end up putting a lot of stress on others and themselves and for the most part end up need achieving anything they set out simply because its needed to be perfect.

When It Comes to Losing Weight

In theory a lot of people on right on track to lose weight and see the changes they wish to see.  Somehow or another they get off track because something isn’t right to them or is simply taking too.  In fact they end up starting something new that they think is a perfect solution to their past problem.

In short they ended up spending all that time in the gym and days eating better only to start over all over again.  Mind you before they start a new program they feel they might as well enjoy a few days of “being bad” before the new better program begins and thus only hurt them more.

In short what I am saying is don’t put off something you can do today for another day.  Don’t think that things have to be a certain way for you to start losing weight.  There is new perfect diet or workout that is going to help you lose weight.  You have to except that everything may not be to your liking but if you keep trying to wait until it is you will never do anything.

Stop Planning and Just Do

I see a lot of women planning to lose weight, join a gym, or make a simple change in their lifestyle.  Of all of those women most have failed to do anything.  I’ve seen them wait for years to lose 10-15lbs or stop drinking.    I’m not sure why this is but I think that they seem to think there is a right time to do something.

You will always feel as though you could have done something different or better.  But let’s be realistic, if you hadn’t done anything would you be able to know what you did wrong?  Getting started is always the hard part, quit thinking you need more knowledge or need to wait until that perfect time.  If you keep that up you will never get anything accomplished.



Incoming search terms:

• perfect
• perfect pictures

How Others Affect You

Losing Weight and the People Around You

Whenever women are trying to lose weight is it very important that they pay attention to the people that they have in their lives.  I’m not suggesting that you have to change all your friends and get rid of your boyfriend or husband but you have to be careful.  Not everyone is looking out for your best interest.

This picture has nothing to do with the post but I thought is would be nice since it is St. Patrick’s Day!

In my life I have realized that there are generally three types of people when it comes to getting help:  dream crushers, the on-lookers, and positive up-lifters.   I am sure that in your life at some point you have met all three and when it comes to you losing weight it will be no different.

Losing Weight Around the Dream Crushers

First of all the dream crusher is the person who thinks that world revolves around them.  They never seem to have anything nice to say about anyone or anything.  They will be the ones that will talk about you behind your back and put you down.  Losing weight is already difficult enough but they will add that extra weight that you don’t need.

These are the people who will usually say, “You can’t do this”, “It’s impossible” or my favorite “I tried and it didn’t work for me”.   Dream crushers will criticize you about everything from working out too much, not enough, you are eating wrong or you are not eating enough.  Dream crushers never have anything positive to say about anything you do.

The sad part is that some of them do it on purpose just to make you feel bad or in hopes that you don’t succeed in completing your goals.  Sometimes it’s just the fact that they fear that you may accomplish something that they couldn’t.

Losing Weight With Positive Up-lifters

Positive Up-Lifters are those who are always looking for ways to encourage you to stay on task and always have positive feedback.  They want you to lose your weight and are looking for any and every way in which they can help.  Not only will they listen but they will even try to find and recommend thins they think will be of use to you.

Positive up-lifters may just be your angel in disguise that you need to help get you through your weight loss program.  These are the people that want to see you achieve your dreams and will be the ones to cheer you on when you reach your goals.

When you are down they will be the ones to pick you up and let you know things will be okay and that you can do this.  Losing weight is not easy and everyone can you someone every now and then.

The On-Lookers

Have you ever seen someone that never seems to have an opinion of their own?  Well these are the people I tend to call the on-lookers.  They aren’t dream crushers nor or they positive up-lifters and they kind of fall where the chips lay.  They are the women around in the group that are always quiet and can easily be swayed to one side or the other.

Sometimes it seems as if they are all about helping you and cheering you on and the next thing you know there are the main ones telling you to quit or that is impossible.  They never voice their own opinions on things that would seem to matter most.

How it Affects You and Your Weight Loss

My belief is that the people around you help make you who you are.  If majority of the people you are around drink you will tend to be a drinker (not always the case). We need to know what kind of people we have around as they play a major role in the decisions me make in our life.

Look at your goal of losing weight, getting in shape, or simply doing anything for that matter.  What do you have around you?  Are you around dream crushers, the on-lookers, or positive up-lifters?  If you find yourself mostly around dream crushers then that may just one of the reasons you goals have been taking so long to complete.

Foods to Help You Lose Weight

Don’t Believe Everything You Read

I just read an article that listed over 300 foods to help you lose weight and I was just thinking are you serious.  Someone actually took the time to list foods that they think will help lose weight.  Now I haven’t posted on the blog in awhile but this made sit down for a moment and think.

Do people really think there are certain foods that can help them lose weight?  I mean I’m just curious to know if people are actually going out and buying food that they think will help them lose weight if they eat it.  I remember seeing something where oatmeal will help you lose weight fast. Come on now are you kidding me?  Oatmeal! 

Foods for Losing Weight

I won’t disagree that some foods aren’t healthier and nutritious than others but aside from that there are not any foods that you can simply eat to help you lose weight.  The concept of eating a so called “fat burning food” gets to me.  I don’t want my readers thinking all they have to do is buy some food that is the “fat burning food” and they will lose weight.

The truth is that losing weight does come from the foods you eat, however, it is more about how much you eat as oppose to what you eat.  Yeah people will say stay away from dairy, fatty foods, alcohol and all this other stuff.  I must admit I have even said it in the past, but it’s not because they are bad foods!

The Problem with Losing Weight and Foods

One of the biggest problems people face when trying to lose weight is eating foods that are high in calories.  The foods aren’t actually bad for you however it’s the amount of calories per serving that makes you gain weight.  Think about alcohol for a minute, one mixed drink could contain as much as 400 calories and that’s just liquid which means you are still going to be hungry.

High calories foods aren’t bad for you they are just what they are, HIGH CALORIE FOODS!  This means eat less of them and still enjoy them.  Don’t think just eating peanuts and broccoli are going to help you lose weight.  Make sure you know the facts.

So now you eat food while you are out and you have consumed over 1500-2000 calories in a few hours.  It’s not that the foods you ate were bad it’s the fact you ate so many calories.  My point is that I want you to be aware when someone tells you they have a special food that will help you lose weight.  

The One Way Foods Help You Lose Weight

Though I have not foods that will help you lose weight I do have a suggestion for people who wish to use foods to lose weight.  It’s nothing I haven’t written before and you will hear it over and over again because it’s the truth.  The key to foods and you losing weight simply comes down to how much of it you are eating.  In other words the only way to get foods to help you lose weight is to “EAT LESS FOOD!”

List of Foods that will Help you Lose Weight

1. All whole grain or unprocessed foods
2. Oatmeal
3. Brown rice
4. Grits
5. Muesli
6. Cassava
7. Wheat Bagel
8. Plain Popcorn
9. Pita Bread
10. Soybeans
11. Spinach
12. Rappini
13. Pumpkin
14. Carrots
15. Beets
16. Broccoli
17. Tomato
18. Apples
19. Apricots
20. Bananas
21. Cherries
22. Grapes
23. Figs
24. Protein Bars (really?)
25. Whey Protein Shakes (come on!)
26. Organic Beef
27. Chicken
28. Bison
29. Eggs
30. Rabbit
31. Deer/Moose/Elk
32. Tuna
33. Sardines
34. Trout
35. Salmon
36. Bass
37. Cod
38. Unsalted Cashews
39. Unsalted Peanuts
40. Pecans

My view of the List of Foods

Those were just 40 of the so called foods that will help you lose weight and fast as they put it.  The sad part is that I know people who will see the list and immediately go out and buy this stuff.  However most will forget that they already eat these things on a regular basis and are still not losing weight.  In fact I know people who eat this and are still overweight and in some cases gaining weight.

Okay so it ended up being longer than expected

Actually this post was supposed to just be brief but it really bothers me that people will tell you just about anything when it comes to weight loss.  I’m not saying just listen to me do your own research and pull from your own experiences.  Have you had success losing weight from eating a particular food?  Let me know, post a comment!

Incoming search terms:

• are grits good for losing weight
• what to eat to loose hips
• what foods will help with weight loss in hips legs etc
• lose weight eating grits
• LOOSE WEIGHT BY EATING GRITS
• grits for weight loss
• gaining weight from eating grits
• foods to eat whole trying to lose weight in waist hips and thighs
• foods to eat to loose thigh weight
• foods that help u loose weight on hips thighs and buns