Hi All!
SMS challenged those who have a success story or method that has worked to share it, so here goes:
May 2011 I began the Dukan Diet, which is high protein, low carb, very strict, and in 4 phases. I believe it is a healthier alternative to Atkins because it is low fat, low sodium also. There is a suggested time formula depending on the amount of weight you need to lose, your maximum weight, and your bone structure to determine the length of time that you are in each phase of the diet. You start with a few days of pure protein, then slowly add a few veg, then go on to more veg, certain fruits, and whole grain carbs. By Oct I had lost 16kg. (I started at 68kg). I struggled to stabilize and quit losing, as I had already lost more than the website which works the formula suggested. (Yes, when you cut carbs and sugar, you don't crave bad food, and the change to good quality food makes it easier to eat more without gaining, and/or to be satisfied with what you eat!)
The last phase is to maintain, and I have struggled to maintain as well, (I kept losing) but am more stable now. In total, I have lost 18kg, and feel much better. We don't own a car here, so I get plenty of exercise just walking to and fro, but have also had to add a bit more carbs back into my diet than I had previously expected, probably due to the climate.
Success demands a lifestyle/mindset change, and as most of the success stories have concurred, maintaining determines one's willingness to change bad/unhealthy eating habits.
One good thing about Dukan is that it "sets" your body to respond to protein (not sure exactly how technically), and you are supposed to take one day weekly to eat nothing but protein - no veg, fruit, sugar, carbs, etc. I find that as long as I do that, and practice wisdom and moderation, I don't gain, but rather have to think about which good carbs and what fruit I will eat to stay at my weight.
Dukan also uses Greek yogurt and Oat bran as 2 key ingredients - Greek yogurt because it has much more protein, and Oat bran for the fiber.
All that said, it isn't easy to follow here, as all ingredients (proteins, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, Greek yogurt) are expensive, and not easy to find already cooked in a restaurant. But it has worked wonderfully for me!
