True weight v. target weight

My true weight is 6lb more than the weight I put in for my target weight. I have used my true weight as my goal for the coaching, but what have others done? Do you stick to your target weight, or listen to what Mr Dukan has to say?

I only ask because my target weight is a weight which I know I feel good on. But I haven't been that for nearly three years and I know things change with your body as you get older.

My "true weight" was determined to be nearly 2 stone heavier than desired weight - 140lb to 165lb. But Mr. D has it spot on... I have never even been close to 140lb (or 170lb for that matter!) so why think at my age and history I should sustain that size. My biggest goal is MAINTENANCE. I've been the same weight for 11 years and quite content - I just don't want to lose more weight now finally and then actually put it back on and then some. That's my biggest fear and biggest hook for choosing Dukan... the plan to keep it off.

So, for me... I'm going with Dukan (thereabouts - my real goal now is 159lbs just to say I've touched the 50's ). For my body, that will likely mean a size 12/14 UK or 8/10 US. I'm good with that!

To be honest my target weight was a litle below my 'true' weight, but I based my target on a weight that I had comfortably maintained previously, and, as you say, a weight that you feel good on.

Having said that, after 2 weeks on conso, I did have somewhat of a gain. However, I was ill last week and am now back below target - it's difficult to know how well I will maintain it as I've had a couple of false starts already!

I started the diet with two friends who reached their goal long before me and continued to steadily lose - they're both done, well past the stabilisation period and have maintained their new weights for some time now.

Well the Dukan true weight is what he (or his system) reckons you can maintain without excessive effort. It takes into account your weight history, age, number of children if appropriate etc. In my case I had no clear idea of 'target' ought to be, having 'maintained' at 1.5 to 2 st overweight (70-75kg) for ~20 years... and 'true' was sort of in the same region (64kg).
I have now maintained in the region of 62-64kg (10st is a nice round figure) for 6months and it was OKAY so far - Conso only ended in January... I do have to watch what I eat, and never go back to the old biscuit habits... But I have had meals out, treats at weekends, glasses of wine etc, been able to say yes to (the odd) celebratory cakes at work. As long as I don't do this every day and keep a little eye on the scales to pull me back when I get too relaxed (errr last week!) it would appear I *can* maintain the 10st.

So take the 'true' weight as an advisory. If you think you will feel better at a different weight (lower or higher), then go with that, bearing in mind that you will probably not be able to maintain the weight you were as a teenager, or a weight that is excessively low... Apologies, of course I have no idea how old you are....

Some people get to 'true' and then decide whether to head for a lower target, or after maintaining that for a little while... On the other hand, DrD also says that if you are finding it too hard to get to true, to stick with what you've achieved and enjoy your new weight.

As an aside - it helps if you fill in your personal details (height and weight etc) then we can all see what you're talking about... Do that by clicking on 'User CP' at the top.

I may be an oddity - but my target weight is more than 14lbs GREATER than my true weight.

I just happen to know that at that weight my figure settles into the most appropriate shape - I have narrow shoulders and broad hips, which means that at 10 stone I am flat chested and look "fatter".

I went with Dukan recommended true weight as my target *172 lbs - I haven't seen that number on my scale in 18 years. I would be very happy to get there by the date that the Dukan site quoted me (18/12/2011). But as long as I don't hit a plateau, I will perservere past that date to get to the target. If I plateau a few pounds heavier than my target I will just try to consolidate at that point and not gain back. The lightest I have been since I had my son was 183 pounds, which I wasn't happy with, but which felt a whole lot better physically than where I am now.

Sander23 said:

I went with Dukan recommended true weight as my target *172 lbs - I haven't seen that number on my scale in 18 years. I would be very happy to get there by the date that the Dukan site quoted me (18/12/2011). But as long as I don't hit a plateau, I will perservere past that date to get to the target. If I plateau a few pounds heavier than my target I will just try to consolidate at that point and not gain back. The lightest I have been since I had my son was 183 pounds, which I wasn't happy with, but which felt a whole lot better physically than where I am now.

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Sander, the date quoted was vaguely right for me. I had not seen this weight for 20+ years! In fact I don't really even remember being this weight s an adult.

Admittedly I had less to lose etc, and also I took not much notice of the given date at the time but seem to remember that it was in September. I managed to stick with the diet well, doing a 3-week 'holiday conso' in the middle where I could not stick as tightly as some things were just not available (0% yoghurt being one), etc. one small extra every day, but no alcohol. Plus caved completely for the last brekkie (buffet on the ferry with pancakes and croissants) Came back, gingerly stepped on the scales and had actually managed a loss! Not a huge one, but dropped another kilo within a day or two of being back in the saddle.

So if you manage to stick with the plan, the date is probably a fair estimate. My losses were never linear, more like 5 days stall, even an increase, followed by a drop and so on.

Good luck I'm sure you can do it!

Has anyone noticed that the 'true' weight on the Dukan sites both UK & US fluctuate? I have tested this out by inputting the same data on both sites a few times, always the same data but each time I get a different 'true' weight but always 4lbs heavier on the US site as opposed to the UK site.

I am taking the 'average' and going with that! lol :S

Rocksy that's an interesting point. Have you tried the French site too for a third perspective? (Without trying, I'd dare guess that the French site would have one slimmer still...). Go on, who's got the time to try? (I only know my "French true weight" as have never tried the others.)

I remain convinced, however, that this diet, is not for people with a "normal" BMI at the outset.

im following Dr Dukan's advice on this. I was quite comfortable at 12 stone, looked really good and felt quite confident, but when i filled out the questionaire i put in 11 stone even, and Dr Dukan reccommended 11stone 8lbs.

its all very well saying i want to be lighter than can reasonably be maintained by eating normally, but i will be let down, whereas if i get to 11 stone 8 and manage to lose weight or maintain it without the pain of very restrictive diets then this is better for me.