topic Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem? in Wellness

Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

q-girl — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 14:56:03 GMT

I'm wondering if anyone else here is doing Nutrition-System? Today I weighed in after 13 weeks and I am down 33.0 pounds. I would love to be able to share tips and tricks, ups and downs, and general encouragement with others on this journey.

I was very successful losing weight on this plan before. However, just before reaching goal I went on vacation without my food, and without a care for discipline. Despite eating in a relatively healthy way,I never returned to the disciplined lifestyle I neede after returning home. Two and a half years later, I'm at it again, this time knowing I need a transition and maintenance plan in place.

Please feel free to join me here with either your experiences with your Nutrition-System journey or questions if you are considering trying this.

Hugs. . .

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

lolakimono — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 14:58:08 GMT

@q-girl

I don't have any love for Nutrisystem, but I wanted to congratulate you on your weight loss!

I hope the next 13 weeks bring you closer to your goal, whatever it may be.

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

q-girl — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 15:01:19 GMT

@lolakimono wrote:
@q-girl
I don't have any love for Nutrisystem, but I wanted to congratulate you on your weight loss!
I hope the next 13 weeks bring you closer to your goal, whatever it may be.

Thank you. I know there are mixed feelings about Nutri-System. But my doctors approve of it, I feel good and not hungry on it, and it works for me . . . I just need to Oman for maintenance.

Hugs. . .

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

q-girl — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 15:02:36 GMT

@q-girl wrote:
@lolakimono wrote:
@q-girl
I don't have any love for Nutrisystem, but I wanted to congratulate you on your weight loss!
I hope the next 13 weeks bring you closer to your goal, whatever it may be.
Thank you. I know there are mixed feelings about Nutri-System. But my doctors approve of it, I feel good and not hungry on it, and it works for me . . . I just need to Oman for maintenance.

Hugs. . .

"Oman"? . . . That's supposed to be plan. OOPS! !

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

hckynut — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 15:04:11 GMT

@q-girl

Never been one that used ready-to-eat type foods for weight management. It obviously is working for you, when you stick with it. Not much of a fan, but also realize these work for many people.

If you feel better and your nutrition needs are met with the foods that is a good thing. Congrats on your weight loss.

hckynut(john)

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

jaxs mom — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 15:39:41 GMT

I'm glad that you're losing weight on it, but I don't see how prepared foods teach you how to maintain the loss when you go off it. I've lost over 70 pounds and kept it off over the last two years with calorie/portion control, logging everything I eat and exercise. I make 90% of my food from scratch and on those times, like over the holidays that I go off, I've never gained more than 3 lbs and that was mostly water weight that came off in a week.

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

chrystaltree — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 15:59:48 GMT

I did lose 55lbs on a meal replacement program but it was a medical program that rquires 18 months (at least) of classes and counselor after the weight loss. I have done Nutrisystem in the past, more than once. I didn't care for the food, I couldn't eat much of it and it wasn't filling at all and the few pounds I did lose returned with a vengeance withing in weeks. Which honestly, is how those commercial programs are supposed to work. They count on the repeat business.

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

q-girl — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 16:26:23 GMT

@jaxs mom wrote:
I'm glad that you're losing weight on it, but I don't see how prepared foods teach you how to maintain the loss when you go off it. I've lost over 70 pounds and kept it off over the last two years with calorie/portion control, logging everything I eat and exercise. I make 90% of my food from scratch and on those times, like over the holidays that I go off, I've never gained more than 3 lbs and that was mostly water weight that came off in a week.

@jaxs mom I think the learning happens on the two days each week that I eat "on my own". I follow their guidelines for three meals and three snacks each day, but must use my own food. If you plan ahead for transition and maintenance, and can be disciplined enough to follow it, you can be successful. Ultimately, it all comes down to conscious choices of properly portioned healthy foods in the correct calorie needs for you.

But, that's what you said, isn't it?

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

Meowingkitty — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 16:26:36 GMT

Funny, I just cancelled my Weight Watchers membership at $50.00 a month a few minutes ago. After 7 years and only being able to lose 15 pounds I just got sick of it. There are so many other free or cheaper apps that accomplish the same thing if you stick to it. I did not go cold turkey. I stopped counting points back in April and have been using the Lose It app with better results. Plus I was getting nothing out of the meetings that I didn't already know or haven't heard before. I was also getting sick of starving myself on Tuesdays so I could weigh a bit less only to come home and pig out because I hadn't eaten much that day.

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

PINKdogWOOD — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 16:29:30 GMT

The deal with NutriSystem is portion control. If you do this plan for a few months to maybe up to 7-8 or so I think you could really learn, understand and firmly get into portion control.

Then after you get off this system, if you can make a commitment to much better food choices, the two combined can not just be a maintenance but a lifestyle.

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

q-girl — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 16:37:44 GMT

@PINKdogWOOD wrote:
The deal with NutriSystem is portion control. If you do this plan for a few months to maybe up to 7-8 or so I think you could really learn, understand and firmly get into portion control.

Then after you get off this system, if you can make a commitment to much better food choices, the two combined can not just be a maintenance but a lifestyle.

@PINKdogWOOD I agree. When I did this previously, maintenance was perhaps not my first priority due to other issues in my life at that time. I need the structure to get through the weight loss. I learned from my last experience what I did wrong, and. can correct my mistake. Thank you for your considerate post.

Hugs . . .

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

PINKdogWOOD — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 16:44:04 GMT

@q-girl Hugs back to you Ms. q-girl, and good for you for recognizing what you know needs changing. Good luck this time!

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

KonaKat — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 17:10:51 GMT

Congratulations upon your weight loss. I lost a little over 50 pounds with Nutrisystem. I started with one of the Q offerings but switched over to ordering directly from NS in order to have a choice of foods. As you know the program is far more than eating packaged foods. It teaches portion control, healthy choices, how to eat out, things to do to make things tastier without overdoing it, etc.

It is a lifestyle change but the packaged foods do a great job of teaching portion control with the addition of approved fruits and veggies. I still get an order about every 4 months as I like to have it on hand if I am in a hurry from work demands, etc. I love the veggie lasagna and some of the other Italian entrees. I live in an area of limited choices for food, unless is country-style cooking laden with fat, so I shop in the city. The local supermarket discontinued its products for diabetics, etc. It no longer carries low-sodium products as most people did not buy them. Their choices of Lean Cuisine or WW entrees are even limited.

I eat out often but I know how to make good choices. A choice of meat, for example, will not be more than 4 oz. If it is, then part of it will go home. I will at times have a dessert treat while out but don't eat these at home and limit it to once a month. I read the nutritional info of various restaurants' menus and know what is acceptable in those restaurants when I go to the city.

The scale can be your friend when maintaining so if the once or twice a week weigh in shows a gain, you just adjust what you have been doing. Continuing to log your food is good as calories can be added easily from small snacks that may go forgotten. My snacks are things like low fat greek yogurt. I don't eat chips or similar things that don't contribute much nutritional value.

Nutrisystem is not just packaged food; it is an educational system that permits you to learn how to eat NS style without NS food. I just choose to keep ordering some of the entrees I like to use when busy as I don't like to spend much time in prep and cooking. The George Foreman is my friend also.

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

hoosieroriginal — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 17:17:48 GMT

Congrats! I think the key is to transition to good regular food, not stay on the Nutrisystem. That's the only way you are going to learn portion control. I have tried Nutrisystem, but found it all tomato based and to me everything tasted the same. I did not lose weight on it. I find high protein diet works best for my body.

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

q-girl — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 17:35:10 GMT

@KonaKat wrote:

Congratulations upon your weight loss. I lost a little over 50 pounds with Nutrisystem. I started with one of the Q offerings but switched over to ordering directly from NS in order to have a choice of foods. As you know the program is far more than eating packaged foods. It teaches portion control, healthy choices, how to eat out, things to do to make things tastier without overdoing it, etc.

It is a lifestyle change but the packaged foods do a great job of teaching portion control with the addition of approved fruits and veggies. I still get an order about every 4 months as I like to have it on hand if I am in a hurry from work demands, etc. I love the veggie lasagna and some of the other Italian entrees. I live in an area of limited choices for food, unless is country-style cooking laden with fat, so I shop in the city. The local supermarket discontinued its products for diabetics, etc. It no longer carries low-sodium products as most people did not buy them. Their choices of Lean Cuisine or WW entrees are even limited.

I eat out often but I know how to make good choices. A choice of meat, for example, will not be more than 4 oz. If it is, then part of it will go home. I will at times have a dessert treat while out but don't eat these at home and limit it to once a month. I read the nutritional info of various restaurants' menus and know what is acceptable in those restaurants when I go to the city.

The scale can be your friend when maintaining so if the once or twice a week weigh in shows a gain, you just adjust what you have been doing. Continuing to log your food is good as calories can be added easily from small snacks that may go forgotten. My snacks are things like low fat greek yogurt. I don't eat chips or similar things that don't contribute much nutritional value.

Nutrisystem is not just packaged food; it is an educational system that permits you to learn how to eat NS style without NS food. I just choose to keep ordering some of the entrees I like to use when busy as I don't like to spend much time in prep and cooking. The George Foreman is my friend also.

@KonaKat Thanks much for sharing your experience and knowledge with me. You've given me some valuable ideas.

You our are so right about learning to bring flavor without adding the bad stuff. Some of the NS food needs to be "flavored up". But you learn how to work within your free foods and limited extras to make your food tasty - and you can transfer these lessons to your own food prep.

One of my favorite discoveries is Riced Cauliflower. It provides a non-starchy veggie, but can be used in place of rice under things like chili, soups and stews. The stinger flavor of the entree mostly masks the flavor of the cauliflower. Works for me, anyway.

Thanks agin

Hugs

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

q-girl — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 17:53:49 GMT

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
Congrats! I think the key is to transition to good regular food, not stay on the Nutrisystem. That's the only way you are going to learn portion control. I have tried Nutrisystem, but found it all tomato based and to me everything tasted the same. I did not lose weight on it. I find high protein diet works best for my body.

@hoosieroriginal I think different things work best for different people. It's important to find what works best for you. My son was able to lose over 100 lbs over seven years ago by healthy eating, portion control and moderate exercise. He has kep it off. Despite my best efforts, that was not successful for me. I need a more structured plan with a road map to follow.

Ok, before we begin to post about me being overweight, my son was overweight . . . so it must be the food I provided . . .I always tried to provide a healthy, but not overly strict diet. Both my husband's and my families were overweight, particularly mine. Can you have a genetic tendency (no, I am not using this for an excuse, not at all - I and only I control what gets put into my mouth) to gain weight easily? My brother was over 400 lbs most of his adult life, despite repeated attempts at weight loss, including gastric bypass surgery. I am not sure everyone could attain that weight if they tried.

Anyway, most importantly, both my husband and son maintain a healthy weight and I am on my way. They are unendingly supportive, so I am anticipating success.

Hugs . . .

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

GCR18 — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 18:50:15 GMT

I have two friends that lost 100 pounds on the program. One didn't follow maintenance and one did. Maintenance is key. Congratulations on you success.

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

q-girl — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 19:00:43 GMT

@hckynut wrote:

@q-girl

Never been one that used ready-to-eat type foods for weight management. It obviously is working for you, when you stick with it. Not much of a fan, but also realize these work for many people.

If you feel better and your nutrition needs are met with the foods that is a good thing. Congrats on your weight loss.

hckynut(john)

@hckynut I always enjoy reading your posts. They are thoughtful and well written, whatever thread they're posted in.

I feel sure my nutritional needs are being met. I had routine blood work done a week or so ago as part of my annual Medicare physical and my doc was pleased that all was well within normal limits. While I understand this was not a complete nutritional assessment, all "regular" things like cholesterol numbers, thyroid numbers, sugars, basic cardiac and kidney markers . . . All were good.

Weight loss and and management can only enhance my overall health, and certainly can't hurt either my fibromyalgia or my issues resulting from degenerative spine disease.

As always, looking forward to seeing on the boards !

Hugs

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

susan kay — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 19:53:49 GMT

@q-girl, I don't think there's only one answer to weight loss. I lost about 20-22 lbs on nutrisystem, and that was over 10 years ago! It just worked for me for a number of reasons. I was going to lose weight. Period!! I did the 5 days on/weekends off program. Carefully wrote down in my little notebook what I consumed. Did I like all of the foods? No, but there were only two things that I wouldn't eat during the weeks that I was on their program. I exercised during the weight loss, too. I remember eating a McD's ice cream cone on one of my off days and remember how good it tasted to have that small treat, but I didn't overdo things on those off days.

Again, everyone is different, but if you are determined to lose weight, it will work for you. Clearly, I've realized what I can and cannot do, food wise. I just now weigh myself periodically to make sure that I'm not gaining weight. Exercise has always been part of my routine over the years

Stay with it. Get down to the weight that you have as your goal. It's not forever.....it's just a few weeks/months. CONGRATULATIONS on your weight loss.

Re: Anyone else doing Nutrisystem?

Foolywooly11 — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 05:11:03 GMT

@q-girl: I've been considering trying it for quite some time, so, if you wouldn't mind answering a few questions: Did you start off with the "fast five"? Was it difficult that 1st week? How often did you feel hungry? How would you rate the food? Did you exercise while on Nutrisystem? Thanks for your time!