Excuses

There are so many possible excuses and reasons not to go on this diet.

1. I am too busy.

I work full-time at one job and also do two other jobs. Who isn't busy these days? Make time!

I spend about 1.5 hours a day on this diet. half hour exercise and an hour shopping and cooking.

2. It is too expensive

This is true. There are ways to do a budget version of the diet but who wants to eat Morrison's smoked salmon? The diet can get boring and a dozen oysters now and again are expensive. As is good quality chicken and low-fat steak. I am spending more on food BUT I am saving a fortune on booze. Getting healthy is much less expensive in the long run, after all, once the NHS has been dismantled who is going to look after an unhealthy you?

3. I eat out a lot/I have to take clients to lunch/for a drink.

I ate out once on a PP (pure protein) day in an average restaurant. I ended up eating two grilled chicken breasts with tabasco sauce. On PV (protein and vegetables) days it is a lot easier but you have to do a bit of research. Obviously Pizza Express is not a good choice. If I have to eat out and it is on one of my PP days, I switch to PV and follow it with two PP days. I also ask for no salad dressing and just use lemon and balsamic. Client lunches can be solved by just doing them on PV days and choosing the right restaurant. A good Japanese restaurant is great for Sashimi (and if the company's paying you can have the good stuff!). Drinking is not allowed AT ALL - I usually get round this by arranging it on PV days and drinking Virgin Mary's. On a PP day you can drink diet coke.

4. I have a wedding, birthday, bar mitzvah coming up...

You are really just going to have to deal with the fact that you can't drink or stuff your face with canapes. I've had a couple of friends who just don't 'get it' and are constantly trying to get me to have 'just one'. These kind of events are boring if you are not drinking but IT IS NOT FOREVER.

5. It is hard to find places to get food near work/home.

This takes planning. If there are no good food places or supermarkets near you then you should maybe consider moving anyway? I have VERY busy days and know that sometimes it will be impossible to get something other than a sandwich so I take a 'packed lunch'. Chicken in spices and a 0% Greek yoghurt to add to it. It is a pain but IT IS NOT FOREVER.

6. I am a busy mum.

This is a really good excuse and I don't have an answer.

7. I will miss my gym (apart from 30-minute walk there is a 'no exercise' policy on the Dukan).

Well go then. This is the kind of 'cheating' that won't harm you. I still go to the gym but believe me, you don't have the energy to do a big work-out. My advice would be to suspend your gym membership and spend the money you save on Oysters.