Nutrisystem Diet Plan Review
How I lost 35 pounds in 5 months
After years of trying to lose weight, I was encouraged by a friend to try a commercial diet plan. She had success with Weight Watchers and felt that one of these programs that limit calorie intact would work for me. I was intrigued by the Nutrisytem claims on TV and in print ads that the food was delicious and the pounds came off easily. So I decided to give it a try.
My results? I lost 35 pounds in 5 months.
It just melted away while I ate Nutrisystem’s pizza, lasagna, chili, chicken salad, pasta, burgers, pancakes, oatmeal, biscotti cookies, shakes, puddings, granola bars, soups, chocolate and so much more. I’m not a cheerleader for all their food: I loved most of the meals and found their were a few items I didn’t care for, but isn’t that true of any weight loss food program?
Along with the easy meal plan, you just add your own fruits, veggies and dairy to your daily diet. Even with an occasional beer or glass of wine – even eating out – I still lost weight over 5 months. In fact, every few weeks when I found I had dropped a dress size or that favorite pair of jeans I once wore years ago now fit (and made my butt look fabulous!) – that’s when I had a celebration meal and enjoyed a glass of beer with a steak and salad. (And dessert!)
The key to the Nutrisystem Weight Loss Program is a close adherence to the Glycemic Index which was developed at the University of Toronto in 1981 to help people maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Basically, Nutrisytem classifies carbohydrate-containing foods according to how fast they raise blood-glucose levels inside the body. Individual foods with a high glycemic index release glucose into the bloodstream quickly, causing blood sugar levels to rise rapidly. Foods with a low glycemic index release glucose more steadily over several hours and this in term keeps blood sugar levels relatively level. Your energy level remains constant, you feel better, and you can control your appetite better.
The Nutrisystem Weight Loss Way
The Nutrisystem Diet Plan is a reduced calorie program that focuses on balanced nutrition (60 % carbs/ 20% fat/ 20% protein) based on the classic food pyramid. The difference of Nutrisystem is that they uniquely focus on the “glycemic index” which measures the quality of carbohydrates, while training to to limit your caloric intact and grams of fat and sugar. You are permitted to each good complex carbohydrates (vegetables, fruits and whole grains), while bad or refined carbohydrates (white sugar and white flour) are limited.
The online program offers prepackaged breakfasts, lunches, dinners and desserts which are portion controlled so that you can easily reach the calorie target (mine was 1200 cals per day). The foods are high in protein and my time on Nutrisystem gave me incredible pep and stamina throughout the day. Since then, I’m much more aware of reading labels on foods that are:
- low in calories and fat
- high in protein
- low in sugars and trans fat
Speaking only for myself, I no longer look at the amount of carbs on a label – the above listed points are more important to me. Just cut down on white sugar and flour, and have a healthy diet of food rich in plant proteins.
Also on the nutrisystem plan, you are encouraged to exercise regularly, drink 8 glasses of water each day, and keep a daily record of your food intake. You’ll need to add fresh fruits, veggies and dairy products, but there too, the small planner you get with the food shipment will show you the amount of servings you’ll need and the calories involved.
And yes, Nutrisystem even offers tips on what types of food to order when you’re dining out. As for my own tips, I try to follow my daily walking routine, drink water, and watch my portion sizes.
My slim-down technique: Counting calories and walking. I avoid bread and starches (like potatoes). I’ve also cut way down on sugar.
My motivation: I have a trunk full of clothes from when I was smaller. As I lost the weight, I’d try on Size 10, size 8, size 6 – and was thrilled to fit into my old clothes. I’ve since gotten rid of my size 10 clothes, and size 8s, – and I vow to never be that large again.
My favorite desserts: Aside from the yummy Nutrisystem desserts – especially the biscotti cookies, I also used their breakfast granola bars as desserts. For variation, I love plain yogurt with either fruit or a few sprinkles of granola. And Weight Watchers make a giant fudge bar that is just 140 calories!
My snack plan: I love apples and use them as mid-afternoon treat. Or I will eat a granola bar, a cup of yogurt, or a serving of another kind of fruit.
My exercise routine: I am a healthy person at age 48. I don’t smoke and don’t have health problems. Over the 5 months on nutrisystem, I began walking an hour a day. I now enjoy walking so much that I walk up to 5 to 6 miles a day with an exercise partner who is also losing weight. It helps to stay motivated if you have a buddy.
Water is key: You should keep track of the number of calories you consume each day and drink lots of water. Drink a glass first thing in the morning when you wake up, before each meal, and before you go to bed.
Why I like Nutrisystem: The plan is loaded with low sugar, high protein foods. As a result of eating the food, my energy level was off the charts.
Your first shipment from Nutrisystem does not give you the opportunity to select your own foods – but they do give you a 5-week supply of a huge variety. After your introductory order, you can then customize you next shipment (if you need one), or order “a la carte”, or cancel from the program.
With meals averaging about $12 per day, Nutrisystem may seem like one of the more expensive weight loss programs, but I lost 22% of my body weight (155 lbs to 119 lbs) and for that, I considered the plan to be money well spent. (If you’re already on the Nutrisystem plan and want to buy just your favorites – check out the prices of Nutrisystem on Ebay.)
Armed with my new knowledge of the glycemic index and how to drop into a calorie-deficient mode when I need to control my weight, I know I can maintain my weight for the rest of my life.