Has anyone tried the Nutrisystem diet?

[rluey29]

My husband has GOT to lose about 50 pounds or his health is going to start going downhill. He has tried diets before but even though they're successful at getting some weight off, he gets sick of eating the same boring foods over and over. I think his willpower is shot and I'm getting a little worried about him.

I keep seeing commercials for Nutrisystem. They deliver meals to your door right? This plan seems very expensive so I need to get some feedback before I invest that much money.

For those of you that have done it, do the foods fill you up or leave you hungry? Do they deliver all the meals at once? Are snacks included? Is it around $300 per month? Any comments are appreciated.

 

[happymommy]

I can only answer with my personal experience - about 15 years ago I worked for Jenny Craig. Yes, it can seem expensive, it was about $50 a week for the food back then (they only had the centers, not the delivery that they have now). I was a program director, but wanted more personal involvement, so stepped down (?) and was a consultant.

I really think that if you follow the program, you WILL lose weight. I think that it is better for the client to maintain their commitment if they are seen weekly. It is hard to stay motivated and on track, and if you know you have to be seen every week, you will be more compliant. It is only a few minutes, but I really think you'll be more successful (this goes for whatever program you choose, and they both similar).

Even though it may be a lot of money, I really think the weight one can be carrying around is more costly. The health consequences are in the long run much more costly. Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and also gall bladder problems are only a few of the problems associated with overweight. These can affect your costs as well as your quality of life.

It really doesn't matter which program you choose (with the exception of some really wacky or unhealthy programs). If you can find one close to home, it is worth it!

Good luck and congratulations on making the first step!

 

[Bibbidi]

I haven't tried the system, but did you know you can purchase it online at QVC? At least with them you'd have the 30 day guarantee if your husband didn't like it. I've seen it several times as a Today's Special Value.

 

[paysensmom]

I tried it and yes he WILL be hungry!! At least for the first week of it. But, it does work, I lost 15 pounds in a month and thats about all I needed to lose. The bigger you are, the quicker and more you will lose, so he would probably lose more.
It is expensive and you do have to buy all of your own fruits and veggies to add to it. And, the food is okay, not nasty, not good, but okay! I hope he likes cucumbers!! They are FREE food!! I ate a lot of cucumbers when I was hungry!! Hope this helps!

 

[Karenj2]

Have you thought about Weight Watchers? The food is whatever you buy at the grocery store, and we paid ~$40/month for the meetings. DH lost about 40 pounds on WW. I've lost 30. (My sister lost 60, my Dad so far has lost 25, my mom has lost 30, and my in-laws both lost too.) We've made lifestyle choices (we're not on a diet), and we'll be able to maintain this weight for the rest of our lives.

My dad still has dessert every night - he just varies it... Sometimes it's ice cream, sometimes it's a low sugar sorbet, sometimes a piece of fruit. But he isn't depriving himself of his dessert.

If you find a good leader, you're husband will enjoy the meetings... The lady we go to has a HUGE number of guys in her meetings 'cause she's no-nonsense and funny as heck!

One thing you have to think about with whatever "diet" your DH uses - not only do you have to get the weight off, you have to keep it off... And you'll have to be able to do that in the real world. (Full of dining out, holidays, parties, etc.)

 

[semo233]

All I can say is YUCK! I purchased a one week supply from QVC and returned it the next day! I tried 3 or 4 different things and could not bring myself to eat them. Let me follow that by saying that I am not a picky eater (hence, my problem!) My mother just happened to get the same one week supply and did not return it. She also did not eat it and lost her money.

I started on Jenny Craig this past February and have lost over 30 pounds. My friend's husband did Jenny Craig also and he was able to stick with it.
Weight Watchers is a great program, but for me, there was too much freedom! I was totally consumed by points and what I was going to eat nexxt. On Jenny Craig, I don't. I even FORGOT to eat lunch today (a no-no) and the food is very good.

Good luck in whatever happens.

 

[AnnaS]

My husband has GOT to lose about 50 pounds or his health is going to start going downhill. He has tried diets before but even though they're successful at getting some weight off, he gets sick of eating the same boring foods over and over. I think his willpower is shot and I'm getting a little worried about him.

I keep seeing commercials for Nutrisystem. They deliver meals to your door right? This plan seems very expensive so I need to get some feedback before I invest that much money.

For those of you that have done it, do the foods fill you up or leave you hungry? Do they deliver all the meals at once? Are snacks included? Is it around $300 per month? Any comments are appreciated.

I can only tell you that my son purchased the meals for the month and he only lasted two weeks. Snacks are included. I have a ton of food left at home. The food was not that great. I tried to finish off some snacks/bars, soups myself. You will still need to purchase the extras, salads, condiments, etc. in addition to what is delivered. Good Luck.

I have not tried it but I would also recommend Weight Watchers just based on what I have heard and seen for the long term.

Not to get off topic regarding the Nutrisystem but I can also tell you that my husband just lost over 30 lbs. He had no choice. Two heart attacks, quadruple bypass and another surgery recently for fluid around the heart, all in the last 11 months (48 yrs. old). I can tell you he follows it to a T. Nothing fried, no salt, butter, cream cheese, vegetable oil, etc. Only has chicken, turkey, and certain fish. Beef only about once a week. Lot's of fruit, water, vegetable, whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta. You get used to puchasing the items and blended it in with your shopping.

 

[semo233]

I can only tell you that my son purchased the meals for the month and he only lasted two weeks. Snacks are included. I have a ton of food left at home. The food was not that great. I tried to finish off some snacks/bars, soups myself. You will still need to purchase the extras, salads, condiments, etc. in addition to what is delivered. Good Luck.

I have not tried it but I would also recommend Weight Watchers just based on what I have heard and seen for the long term.

Not to get off topic regarding the Nutrisystem but I can also tell you that my husband just lost over 30 lbs. He had no choice. Two heart attacks, quadruple bypass and another surgery recently for fluid around the heart, all in the last 11 months (48 yrs. old). I can tell you he follows it to a T. Nothing fried, no salt, butter, cream cheese, vegetable oil, etc. Only has chicken, turkey, and certain fish. Beef only about once a week. Lot's of fruit, water, vegetable, whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta. You get used to puchasing the items and blended it in with your shopping.

WOW! good for him! Please tell him what a great feat this is!! My brother-in-law is a walking coronary and has not changed his habits at all. I worry about him and his family all the time.

 

[Mary Anne]

I cannot comment on Nutrisystem as I have never done it. I am sure though that it works well for a lot of people and I agree with the poster above who said that making sure you meet with a counselor once a week will really help. I am currently on Weight Watchers and for me that is the road I wish to travel. YOu are eating REAL food. Let's face it, eventrually you are going to have to eat regular food and not prepacked stuff. Weight Watchers is not a diet, it's a way of living.

As you can see from my diet ticker, the weight does come off. But more then that I am learning (relearning) how to make better choices. I am a firm believer in the meetings, they do hold you accountable.

I will tell you something else you probably don't want to hear but you cannot do this for him no matter how much you want to. He has to be the one to want to do it or it will never work.

Good luck, I really hope he can find a plan that he wants to do and will be committed to.

 

[pilgrimage]

Big Lots stores often have the food for sale if you want to sample it.

 

[tinytink]

Big Lots stores often have the food for sale if you want to sample it.

My sister in law did it for her wedding and it worked great for her. Then she tried it again after the honeymoon and it worked but then she got pregnant. After my nephew was born she ordered it but before it arrived she got pregnant again so you might want to be careful. J/K

On a serious note it really did work for her but let me tell you the food comes in not very appetizing packaging and the portions are super small. I am talking about 10 small flavored pretzels in a snack bag or a "chocolate dessert" was about 1 in wide 2 in long. I have personally have found if you use will power it can help you lose the weight w/o having to pay $$ for it. I've stopped eating everything on my plate and as soon as I feel full I will stop eating and it's helped me shed the remainder of my pregnancy weight which was about 10 pounds. I still eat what I want but I don't over do it and I've always loved fresh fruit and veggie but I have a serious vice for chips and bad for you snacks.

Good luck

 

[sorul82?]

I tried Nutrisystem, but was not satisfied. I found a few favorite items, especially breakfast, but evidently they were everyone's favorite. I ordered 15 of a particular breakfast bar and my warehouse was always out so I got 15 of the most untasty blueberry muffins. I would send them back, make another request, and another 15 muffins arrived. Same with the snacks. I had about 5 favorites, and usually 2 were out. They would sub something chocolate which of course would melt so I got a bunch of squishy bags a few months, but once cooled, I had a bag of chocolate lump.

 

[Feeln'Froggy]

NutriSystem does not taste very good.
Try calling your local hospital many have weight loss programs that may work for your husband.

 

[TrulyMadlyDisney]

I have been on Nutrisystem and have lost 80 pounds (40 to go). Yes the meals take some getting use to but they are not bad. If you are like me and do not want to be bother by measuring and weighing then this will work for you. Meals are ready, portioned and easy to heat.
There is such a large community on their forums that spend time and post recipes for the food to enhance it. My fav is for the choc cake. Add splenda, cocoa powder and peanut butter, microwave and top with cool whip. There are hundreds of tips like this. There is a great bundt cake recipe for the pancake mix that I have every Sunday.
It works out to about $9 a day but after the 3 order you get 15% off each order.
Bottom line, each person has to find what works for them.
Good luck

 

[averill94]

Using Medifast right now and have been very happy with it. It is 5 prepackaged meals a day plus you eat one of your own meal ( I do dinner)

It is meant for rapid weight loss and really works if you work it!

Good luck to your husband!

 

[marcyinPA]

Have you thought about Weight Watchers? The food is whatever you buy at the grocery store, and we paid ~$40/month for the meetings. DH lost about 40 pounds on WW. I've lost 30. (My sister lost 60, my Dad so far has lost 25, my mom has lost 30, and my in-laws both lost too.) We've made lifestyle choices (we're not on a diet), and we'll be able to maintain this weight for the rest of our lives.

My dad still has dessert every night - he just varies it... Sometimes it's ice cream, sometimes it's a low sugar sorbet, sometimes a piece of fruit. But he isn't depriving himself of his dessert.

If you find a good leader, you're husband will enjoy the meetings... The lady we go to has a HUGE number of guys in her meetings 'cause she's no-nonsense and funny as heck!

One thing you have to think about with whatever "diet" your DH uses - not only do you have to get the weight off, you have to keep it off... And you'll have to be able to do that in the real world. (Full of dining out, holidays, parties, etc.)

I second Weight Watchers. I lost about 25 lbs a few years back, and have managed to keep most of it off. I still want to lose 10 more, and have thought about joining again. I think you need to eat real food and learn how much of it in order to maintain for life. You can't eat those packaged things forever. That's why I loved weight watchers. If you want that bowl of ice cream or package of chips...eat it. BUT, you need to count the points. In "real life", there will always be ice cream and chips...so you just need to learn how to eat them and maintain!

 

[branv]

I don't know much about it, but I can tell you what my uncle said after he used it. Yes, he lost weight, but (again, in his words) it wasn't a realistic, long-term solution. He never learned how to make healthy choices on his own, so once he went off the diet (i.e. couldn't afford to keep paying for it), the weight came back. He and his wife started going to Weight Watchers, and they are much more happy (more realistic weight loss that stays off), and he feels, not just "lighter" but healthier.

Personally, I don't get the "limited" menu your husband mentioned. I've been going online and searching the Cooking Light recipe database. Wowee!! I can't believe some of the AMAZING recipes we've eaten that we would never have guessed were light. And everything is so fresh and healthy. At first glance I thought that Cooking Light was up there with Bon Appetit and Gourmet for expensive ingredients and time consuming prep, but I've found lots of recipes that were fair in cost and in time. Honestly, since we've started eating this way, we're kind of getting spoiled. I haven't had what feels like a decent meal out in over a month...and then I realized that it wasn't so much the restaurant, but that I've just gotten too used to truly good, non-bloating, non-mass produced food

 

[nilseks]

I agree with Weight Watchers. I'm a firm believer that if it's not a plan you can do for life, it's really not worth it. Because if you are on 'special' food that you have to order, at some point you have to go off of it, and you won't have learned new eating habits. I like WW because it's realistic and I can eat anywhere. I can go to a restaurant and find something to order off the menu. I even sneak in a McD's happy meal every once and again, and fit it into my points allotment.

If he really wants to go with a pre-made food plan, I have heard that Jenny Craig is better than NutriSystem. I've had several friends who have done both plans, and they all say the Jenny Craig food is much better (although I have not tried either b/c I've been on WW for 4 years and it works for me).

 

[jerseygirl81]

I tried Nutrisystem and would never do it again, I thought most of the food was terrible and threw a lot of it out. Linda

 

[Julia M]

Another option, utlilzing Nutrisystems style, is to attend WW and follow their points system, but use primarily packaged foods.

That's what I'm doing. You can personalize it to your tastes, and buy "regular" food.

For example, my prepurchased foods include: TV dinners, 100 calorie packs, Fiber One Bars (and other in that style), string cheese, puddings and misc. "fresh" items from Trader Joes (their salads).

Then I supplement with dairy and fruits and veggies, just as you have to do for Nutrisystem.

So, breakfast may be a light yogurt and fruit, a snack of a 100 cal. pack, lunch of a TJ's fresh salad, Fiber One bar and fruit, snack of a Weight Watcher shake, and fresh veggies, and then a frozen dinner with salad.

I've also expanded into prepared foods that aren't single packaging, my current fave is white bean hummus from TJ's, with a serving of low fat pita chips and carrots for lunch.

Good Luck

Julia