Has anyone done Nutrisystem? I'm thinking of doing the vegetarian program,

[Critters2]

but I'm wondering how you learn to get off the program and eat right on your own...when they've been providing your food for you. Technically, my weight is within healthy guidelines (just barely), but I have been gaining and would like to lose 15-20 lbs (which would still keep me in the healthy levels for my height). Nutrisystem is one of the few of these prepared meal programs with a vegetarian option. They also will offer options for the lactose intolerant, which could move one very close to a vegan diet. So, I'm considering doing it just long enough to get some weight off and get used to eating healthy portion sizes.

My main concern is how one weans off of it to begin planning healthy meals for oneself. Thanks for any experiences! :hi:

[flvegan]

1. While partaking in the plan, educate yourself.

Just like any other dietary undertaking or any other exercise undertaking learn from what you're given or shown.

[Critters2]

2. The website says they give you educational materials and an exercise DVD.

So, it does seem to be more than just that they send you food. A lot of my problem is that, living alone, I have very little discipline about my diet. So, if I use all the materials along with the diet, this seems like it could be a good thing.

I looked into Seattle Sutton, which seems to have more fresh foods and other advantages. Seattle Sutton is from this area, and actually belongs to a UCC church in the next town over. I'd like to support a local business that way, but she is ABSOLUTELY not open to a vegetarian diet.

So, Nutrisystem it is. Thanks, flvegan. Your thoughts seem wise (as is often the case).

[flvegan]

3. On top of the materials, please

take your own evaluation. Look at each meal, and evaluate it. Look at what there is, how much there is. If it works, replicate it. Learn outside of how they want to teach you.

[pink-o]

11. Living alone is the BEST for your diet!!

Listen, I too live alone, and it's just a matter of not having crap food in the house. You only have to be disciplined when you're at the grocery store (Zone diet doctor says "Shop the edges of the store, don't go in the middle. The middle has all the box food crap, whereas the edges is just produce, fish and dairy.).

Anyway, if you're like me, once you've done your workout and drive home, you're in for the night. No way do I want to venture outside and satisfy any craving for sweets or salt. I do have kosher dill pickles and non-fat yoghurt; perfect snacks to cure what ails you!

[begin_within]

4. I know 2 people who did Medi-Fast

and each of them lost about 20 pounds in the first month, then they quit the plan. What happens depends on your diet and exercise habits. I would say eliminate junk foods, sugar and sodas, and walk one hour a day, every single day. We haven't bought sugar in over a year and it's amazing how you can lose interest in it.

[yellowdogintexas]

5. look in to Weight Watchers before you try a pre packaged plan. WW

can accommodate just about any dietary preference that exists, and there are plenty of wonderful vegetarian recipes in their many excellent cookbooks. The key thing is while you are losing the weight, you are learning to do it with real food, normal food, whole healthy food, the same food you have to learn how to balance when you come off a pre packaged plan.

I lost 58 pounds, by the way

Attend a free Introductory WW meeting and ask lots of questions. Those leaders will be happy to show you how you can be successful at WW and keep your vegetarian preferences. Check out their website
http://www.weightwatchers.com
and also visit the DU forum on Weight Loss Exercise etc. I can't remember the exact name but we do have one.

[driver8]

8. Congratulations!! That is awesome! I have used Weight Watchers before...

WW rocks!!

(Of course, I have not stuck with what they taught me and I am now contemplating returning to Weight Watchers...)

[yellowdogintexas]

9. oh I hope you do. I have decided that if I don't have a job offer in hand by Oct 1

I am going to work for WW.

My leaders are just beside themselves with the idea, don't know why but anyway it is good flexible work that I could scale down to part time if I did get a regular job offer later.

Feel free to PM me with stuff related and do check out that forum too. Meanwhile, Best of Vibes to you, you are doing the right thing for yourself no matter the route you take, I just think WW is easier to live with after goal.

Oh FWIW, my current WW leader introduces herself every week by telling us she did WW three times before it took. She is a hoot anyway.

I am amazed at how many people say to me when I mention how successful I was with it: "But don't you have to eat their FOOD ?" Then I get to tell them they are confusing it with JennyCraig, NutriSystems, Physican's Weight Loss etc.

I actually made a very conscious decision to do WW without the following:

artificial sweeteners
"diet" foods especially diet soda
skim milk in my coffee
frozen dinners

The first point value I looked up was half and half! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[driver8]

14. Half and Half?? I don't even want to know the point value...

My down fall is soda -- I love soda.

I know it is the worst thing in the world for me, but I drink it anyhow.

I quit eating meat about 3 months ago, so WW should be quite interesting this next time around.

[yellowdogintexas]

15. I am NOT drinking coffee w/o good cream. Half and half is 1 lousy point for 2 TABLESPOONS

that is about 7 or 8 fast food creamer cups.

when I saw that, I knew I could live with the program

[Connonym]

6. The food on Nutrisystem is revolting

My experience with it was several years ago so maybe they've improved but at the time it was all dehydrated and MRE-style packaging and the taste and texture were hideous. I agree with whomever it was that suggested looking into Weight Watchers, I've used that plan as well and had really good success with that. I think the key is portion control. We've become totally numbed to the idea of what a proper portion is and with all the sugar-free, no-fat, low-fat etc., I think we've lost a degree of the satisfaction that comes with eating and we over eat the supposedly healthier stuff to make up for the fact. Get a food scale, some measuring cups and do research on what constitutes proper portion size and measure your foods. After a while you'll be able to eye up what a proper portion is but at the beginning measuring is important. That way you can make your own meals with foods you really want to eat. If you need convenience you can try making up stuff in advance and popping single-size portions into the freezer to save for a day when you're pressed for time. For a while you'll feel a bit hungry on smaller portions but once your body becomes accustomed you'll be fine. Oh and another tip here is to make sure you're getting the proper amount of veggies every day, that will help keep you from feeling hungry.

I've kept off 60 lbs for about 7 years now. I'm human, I still eat junk food sometimes, I still pig out sometimes but for the most part I try to stick to 4 or 5 mini meals a day instead of 3 "regular" meals. I watch portion control, I (try to) be conscious of stopping when I'm full. I use low-fat yogurt and low-fat salad dressing but otherwise don't buy "diet" versions of stuff. If I want a cookie I want a real cookie and just eat 1 or 2 instead of a whole bag of low-fat cookies. I'm not an expert but these things work for me. To be sure, I'm still a little zaftig but I'm at least at a healthy weight, just at the upper limits of proper weight for my height.

[RebelOne]

7. Here are some complaints about NutriSystem

www.infomercialscams.com/scams/nutrisystem

[yellowdogintexas]

10. beautiful post! I just want to add, the apple has become my secret weapon.

an apple in the late morning and again in the mid afternoon keeps that blood sugar level as can be.

one of the key things in weight loss and a good food plan is to avoid letting yourself get too hungry.

I enjoy feeling full on much less food. My taste buds will still crave more of stuff that is really good though, and that was hard to work around but isn't much of a problem for me now.

:toast: :toast:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

12. i think rising phoenix had to be hospitalized because of it.,

i could be wrong though

[spinbaby]

13. A good free tool to check into

http://www.fitday.com/

Tracks your food, exercise, and weight and tells you how you're doing. Fun to play with, too.

[The empressof all]

16. If you have 20lbs or under I also would suggest WW

Nutrisystem IMO is a good tool for individuals who have larger amounts to lose. The food is processed (Think Chef Boyardee)--but people with large amounts to lose didn't get that way because they ate food that tasted bad. It has helped me to have a more appropriate relationship with food and get that "love" affair in proper perspective. Like with all weight loss programs it has its benefits and its drawbacks. It is helpful in teaching portion control and it's easy. You do need to add in fresh veggies, fruits and proteins.

Be aware though that Nutrisystem does use fish oil in some of it's non meat meals so you need to be very aware of what you order if you don't want animal products.