Failed attack phase but starting again today, advice?

[skinnyvision]

Hello,

I'm new to the Dukan Diet.

I have struggles w/Fatigue, fibromyaglia, PCOS

(diagnosed), Hypothyroid (undiagnosed) and non stop

cravings for sugar and carbs have taken it's toll.

I started the attack phase last week, I will admit I

cheated on two days by having a mcdonalds small

hamburger and sharing a small fries with my

daughter, one morning I had a thin bagel with egg

and ham. Other than that I ate pure protein, drank

lots of water ate the oat bran I'm not keen on etc.
Needless to say I did not lose one pound!

I lost a couple of ounces but I won't brag

about that.

Despite my cheating and not losing weight, I did

have some of the side effects the book talks about,

dry mouth and bad breath.
I also felt like I "looked" fitter (not sure if I'm

imagining that or not).
One plus is that my usually severe cravings for non

healthy foods have diminished a LOT, but I am still

the same weight and feel really bummed because this

is the diet that works for EVERYONE, it seems like

everyone else is getting through this attack phase

like a breeze.

I don't like the oat bran pancake, I put 1 1/2 T in

a little bit of milk and microwave it like oatmeal

then add stevia and cinnamon. Is that an ok

subsitute?

I am starting the attack phase again today. Any pointers??

THANKS!

 

[locket]

This diet will only work if you stick to it. It isn't very forgiving with any cheating.
If you suspect you have an under active thyroid then you need to get it diagnosed, it's simple and, in most cases take a week or so. It can be managed and may also be a large factor in slowing down any potential weight loss. It really is the first step. If you do not have an under active thyroid then you can start from there. Your GP may also refer you to a dietician, with whom you can discuss any changes you wish to make to your diet.
If I were you I really wouldn't continue with any diet until I had my suspicions confirmed or denied.

 

[skinnyvision]

Thanks Locket for replying to me.

I actually don't have any insurance and can't afford a Doctor right now.
I also would prefer to go a natural route for treating my PCOS/Thyroid issues. When I did have insurance, the medicines they gave me for my PCOS had horrible side effects, I don't want to go through life feeling like a sleepy zombie.

I still plan on doing the attack phase because I really want to lose this weight, so I hope to learn a lot from these forums;-)

 

[jaqys]

Having oatbran as porridge is acceptable and quite a popular way to eat it. Theres no need to struggle over gallettes if youre not keen.


The diet wont work if you go off plan and eat carbs. Attack is all about getting them out of your system, a carb detox which sets you up for cruise.

You need to plan, plan a lot of food in attack because its during attack that the eat as much as you need really comes into play. Eating more protein if youre hungry, and not feeling deprived as you can always have some more is the way to approach attach.

You also need to plan to start when you have a few days without social events that involve food, during attack its just easier to avoid putting yourself in difficult situations.
No mcdonalds, no eating out, no parties. Its not forever, just for a few days. Once on cruise socialising is a bit easier, its still not easy and some situations are still best avoided.

Best of willpower if you decide to give it another shot.

 

[skinnyvision]

Thanks a lot Jaqys!
Part of the problem was SOCIALIZING, including a back to school pool party for my daughter that only had pizza, hot dogs etc! I was strong enough to turn down the cookies, chips etc but had a hot dog w/chili.

One thing you said that has me thinking twice is that I need to eat whether I'm hungry or not (protein only ofcourse). I was so surprised not to be hungry that I wanted to enjoy NOT eating! Maybe that ended up hurting me? I was so afraid of the extra calories of protein.

Will the milk in my porridge hurt me? 2% Lactaid milk.

Thanks!

 

[jaqys]

Ive no idea what that milk is. Over here skimmed milk (which is allowed in moderation) is .1 fat.

I wasnt saying to eat if not hungry, but to make sure you dont deprive yourself.

 

[locket]

The one secret (not really that secret) of this diet is that the more protein you eat the more successful you'll be, if you don't stray. So, there's no need to fear the extra protein calories.
If you do suffer from an under active thyroid then you won't lose weight on this diet either. Give the diet a go, be honest, jot down EVERYTHING you eat and drink. If you see the same results as the rest of us see then you can safely assume that your thyroid is working ok. If it's not working for you at all and all the rules are followed then it's obviously not the diet for you or dieting won't work for you without remedying the thyroid problem.
Are you based in the USA?

 

[skinnyvision]

@locket

Yes, I'm in the U.S.
It's really disheartening to hear that people w/thyroid issues don't lose weight, I'm sure I've heard that some have on this diet.
I will probably seek out dieters w/thyroid issues and ask them how they get on.

Yes, I will definitely be more strict and jot down everything.

Thanks!

 

[locket]

It's not that they don't lose weight but people with hypothyroidism have slower metabolisms and so losing weight is a lot harder and gaining weight a lot easier.
It's not impossible but it may be a lot more frustrating for you as the weight loss may be very very slow.

 

[Poppy03]

I have an underactive thyroid and it is one of the reasons that my weight crept on. It was finally properly medicated earlier this year but the weight did not fall off. I started this diet after I had been properly medicated for a couple of months and the weight shifted easily.

If you follow this diet, there should be not reason why you wont loose weight but like the pp said you will probably find it really hard and slow. Is there anyway you can have some blood tests done to see if you do have an underactive thyroid? You need only the TSH and free T4 to have a good idea.

 

[locket]

Another way, as you don't have insurance, is to follow a traditional low cal diet, or the Dukan diet, if you feel it's the one for you.
If you lose weight at a weight consistent with the diet you can rule out hypothyroidism.