Opinions on Nutrisystem?

[Allison]

I DON'T care if people want to. I'm just saying that I don't understand why they do when it sooo isn't necessary.

And I'm just saying it is necessary for some people to succeed (in my opinion). Not for you and that is great, but for others it is. Some people need that structure and that is what works for them. I just think to say it isn't necessary for anyone is painting with a rather broad brush.

But, hey, to each his own.

 

[Allison]

OP-I tried Nutrisystem and I didn't like it much.

I was much more successful at the Weight Watchers Online program using the points system. The structure worked very well for me which I needed. Tracking everything really played to my math/accounting skills. I lost 50 pounds in 6 months and it was well worth the $15 a month. I didn't have to buy any expensive, special food. I was very aware of the servings of fruit, vegetables, and dairy I was getting each day. It really helped with portion control and being aware of how many calories and fat grams were in certain foods.

 

[poohandwendy]

Yes it is. I didn't say it was EASY. I know it is work. But it really IS simple.

Like I said above, there isn't any other way TO do it. Eat less than you use. Either diet your butt off or exerise or both.

And you don't have to pay anyone for either of those things.

Exactly.

The truth of the matter is that ESPECIALLY if you have health issues already, binge dieting is NOT a good choice. And what your doctor is going to steer you toward is an eat less/burn more weight loss program, I guarantee it. And the emphasis is going to be on eating smarter without a doubt.

I don't think there is anything wrong with most of these programs, if you can afford them. The point is always going to be to eat less and burn more calories.

Ryanfox- you say that you are structure oriented. If that is the case, you CAN succeed, long term, with a weight loss program- any weight loss program. It doesn't have to be one you pay for, it can be like the online one mentioned earlier.

But, definitely talk to your doctor first.

 

[momrek06]

I cannot speak for NS but I was on WW twice after each of my DS' and lost 65 pounds each time. I found the diet to be easy to follow (not only at home) but esp when you are away/traveling/out to dinner. And I really enjoyed the "motivational" talks during the group meetings. I was in Boston for #1 DS (24today) and New Jersey for #2 DS (21today) and as well as losing weight, getting fabulous weight loss advice, I also met many new friends that wanted exactly what I did = TO LOSE WEIGHT!!!

20 years and counting and I am a lifetime member of WW!!!

OP: It is the GROUP MOTIVATIONAL MEETINGS I found to be a big plus in losing any amount of weight!! I do not think NS has that at all!

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

Why would you laugh hysterically at anyone suggesting that you eat less than you burn


What do you think you will be doing on NutriSystem? You will be eating less, you know that, right

Because telling someone the way to lose weight is to eat less than you burn is an obvious statement? Like captain obvious flying in and smacking you in the forehead. It's not exactly wonder science.

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

Because telling someone the way to lose weight is to eat less than you burn is an obvious statement? Like captain obvious flying in and smacking you in the forehead. It's not exactly wonder science.

Look it's captain obvious! He's captain of a boat!

 

[PrettyInTink]

In the words of the wise Dr Phil, If you keep doing what you're doin' you'll keep gettin' what you're gettin'. That's about all I know for sure

Seriously, weight loss is such a personal thing. Its easy for Joe-Blow-DISer to say eat less/move more but everyone is SO different. Sometimes is not how much you eat but WHAT you eat. I know if I go near pasta my butt grows 2 sizes automatically. Some people can eat truckloads and never gain a pound. Weightloss is a personal journey that you have to conquer alone. It is also easy for people only 10-20lbs over weight to not understand why obese people want a quick fix. Obese people (I, myself being one of them) want a quick fix because the road ahead of us looks so longgggggg. We start adding up how long it would take us to lose like 'normal' people should and it seems like a pipe dream, an unatainable goal, another failure. We know that we can commit for a little while if we see instant results, but taking it slow and easy doesn't give us instant gratification like that taco bell does, or Mcdonalds, or whatever. I, myself, became semi-comfortable being fatty 2x4 for a while. My fat was like a cloak that protected me from everything. When women are fat, especially, we don't have to worry about google eyes from guys, among other things. You can wear tent-like clothes to kind of just be 'comfortable' if you can call it that. You convince yourself you aren't as fat as you think, avoid standing next to skinny people at all costs, and just try to blend in. You become kind of invisible, yet stand out more than anyone else because of your size. And then the day comes. Wedding dress, class reunion, whatever-the day you have to face your fat. You panic and try ANYTHING just to look halfway decent. Reality smacks you right on your cottage cheese thighs. Hard.

I've been there, AM there. In a CONSTANT struggle between myself and food. Don't beat yourself up too much, that only leads to overeating to make yourself feel better.
Good Luck with whatever you choose. Its a long, hard climb- but worth it if you can make it to the top of the mountain.

 

[Poohnatic]

I'm going to chime in with a different twist.

In the past year, I've lost somewhere between 45-60 pounds. I'm not exactly sure where I started on the spectrum. Currently, I'm seeing my doctor for a health issue every week or two and one of the nurses now weighs me once a month. Since December, I've been dropping an average of a pound a week. Even now, after returning to a crazy retail management schedule, I am losing weight.
So that's my foundation.

What did I do or am I doing now? I started managing a meal prep kitchen and as a result, eating the meals I prepared there. What makes them so special? NO refined junk, preservatives or artificial ANYTHING. I made everything the way my family likes them. The portion control started me losing, and minor changes continue the loss.
*One soda a day. I was a soda junkie who can't consume nutrasweet. Now, I go days without soda. Empty calories and colas actually rob your bones of calcium (phosphates).

*Avoid processed food whenever possible. High Fructose Corn Syrup and MSG are used to flavor many foods. I am now convinced that these two are major contributor's in America's obesity epidemic. I still have processed foods, but they're not the main source of my food consumption anymore.

*Make an effort to make a meal without starches. Sometimes, I'll just eat protein for lunch.

*EAT BREAKFAST!!!! I never, ever, ate anything before 11am. My stomach hated me if I did. However, in making the effort, just two weeks was all it took. I have packs of plain cream of wheat that I put some fruit in after microwaving a cup of water. Sometimes it's just an apple or a banana. The point is, your body won't start burning calories UNLESS it's got something to jumpstart it.

If you've got a meal preparation facility nearby (www.easymealprep.com), I suggest giving it a try. Do their smallest session and split all the meals into 2 portions (for you and FH).

It's bound to be less than what nutrisystem charges for the same quantity of dinners and you'll walk out with a freezer's worth of stuff. This is great when you come home wiped out after a full day of classes or work. I just pop one of the entrees into the oven, spend a few minutes preparing some veggies and we're good to go.

You're 24, right? I am 40. Trust me when I tell you that going down the path of a temporary weight loss is not what you want. I have done various diets at times (slim fast, et al), only to gain MORE when I stopped being vigilant about what helped me lose in the first place.

The difference in what I'm doing now is that I see this as a lifestyle thing, not a diet. There is no deprivation (other than the first few weeks of cutting out the sodas). In fact, a co worker brought in easter candy today-I had some. I know better than to deny myself chocolate. I had a few miniatures and I was happy. Tonight's dinner was a huge salad from Panera-I was craving it all afternoon, lol.

Please don't go down the path of fad diets!

Suzanne

 

[PrettyInTink]

Well said! Processed foods are the devil! I bought a microwave veggie steamer from walmart for 5 bucks and it is the greatest thing ever. I steam veggies (cabbage, brocolli, etc) atleast twice a day now. With just a little pepper and earth balance 'butter'. Yummy! I also agree about eating breakfast. Sometimes I have to force it but its better than hitting an afternoon slump by not eating it at all.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

Look it's captain obvious! He's captain of a boat!

 

[hentob]

Because telling someone the way to lose weight is to eat less than you burn is an obvious statement? Like captain obvious flying in and smacking you in the forehead. It's not exactly wonder science.

Oh. OK. You mentioned health issues, so I didn't think you were talking about something obvious You said: I have to say, I laughed hysterically at "Just eat less than you burn" but since no one but maybe one person actually knows my situation health wise, I don't blame you for saying that.

So, really, you are spinning now with your "captain obvious" statement. Mentioning secret underlying health issues as a reason why you can't eat less than you burn is anything BUT obvious.

And, since you asked, I wouldn't do NutriSystem. It is very expensive. It doesn't taste well. Just eat less than you burn.

 

[werty]

I don't see anyone changing their mind here. People do what's right in their own eyes.

 

[Allison]

The just eat less than you burn statement is bothering me. It's really inaccurate and just as harmful as recommending binge dieting. I did that in my younger, less wise years and the result was not healthy. That is not the right thing to do and not how to lose weight long term. You have to factor nutrition into the picture and eating the right balance of foods. It is not just about eating less. It is about eating the right way.

 

[werty]

The just eat less than you burn statement is bothering me. It's really inaccurate and just as harmful as recommending binge dieting. I did that in my younger, less wise years and the result was not healthy. That is not the right thing to do and not how to lose weight long term. You have to factor nutrition into the picture and eating the right balance of foods. It is not just about eating less. It is about eating the right way.

I don't think anyone is advocating unhealthy eating by saying this. It's simple physics. I think exercise is very important too but I've only seen it mentioned a time or two. Exercise is important. Exercise is necessary. There.

 

[Allison]

I don't think anyone is advocating unhealthy eating by saying this. It's simple physics. I think exercise is very important too but I've only seen it mentioned a time or two. Exercise is important. Exercise is necessary. There.

But they are making things too simple which is my point.

People are saying why would you need to do it this way or use this program, all you have to do is eat less than you burn. That's not true. There is more to it than that and some of these programs help teach that concept.

 

[MushyMushy]

But they are making things too simple which is my point.

The OP has made herself pretty clear that she doesn't want to hear a more realistic answer.

 

[Allison]

The OP has made herself pretty clear that she doesn't want to hear a more realistic answer.

I guess I have gone beyond just addressing this based on the OP. I'm posting based on general comments I hear and it just isn't on this thread but in other threads also.

 

[poohandwendy]

But they are making things too simple which is my point.

People are saying why would you need to do it this way or use this program, all you have to do is eat less than you burn. That's not true. There is more to it than that and some of these programs help teach that concept.

I suggested she talk to her doctor about it. I really think that is the most important thing she should do because a doctor knows her health history. IMO, it's a health issue, not a 'how I will look in my wedding dress' issue.

 

[SamRoc]

To the OP, my girlfriend did Nutrisystem last February and lost 65 lbs. This took her 9 months to do. She didnt love all the food, but picked out the ones she liked after the first month. She has kept the weight off since then by ordering Nutrisystem every 3 months now instead of every month. She said she tried everything else, weight watchers, LA weight loss etc. and Nutrisystem worked for her. She also made changes to her lifestyle by drinking water instead of soda, and by purchasing a treadmill which she uses 3times a week. Sometimes you just need a jump start on a weight loss program, to see results and you get motivated and keep going with it.

 

[grlpwrd]

I don't see anyone changing their mind here. People do what's right in their own eyes.

True.

I am getting ACE-certified in Group Exercise this summer. I would not advocate Nutrisystem because it is not a long-term plan.

Yes, it really is a health issue, not a 'how I will look in my wedding dress' issue. Wouldn't you rather do good for your body and look beyond the wedding ceremony? Don't you want to spend the rest of your lives together and really do have a happily-ever-after? It goes beyond a wedding ceremony.

Start small and go from there. I would make it a couple thing where you and your fiance exercise and eat healthily together.

GL!