Nutrisystem Reviews, Cost, Information and Analysis
People wanting to lose weight can read this and find out for themselves how Nutrisystem diets work and also what customers can expect to gain when they sign up with Nutrisystem to eat great food and lose weight, improve their health and get a great figure.
This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Table of Contents
If getting yourself started on one of the easiest dieting programs around is your aim, then choosing a Nutrisystem diet plan is a very wise decision. In fact it's the right decision for so many great reasons.
This fully detailed and in-depth review explains everything you need to know about this popular home diet meal delivery program, providing more information and genuine customer reviews than any other that you will find anywhere online.
Don't believe it?
Then please read on and see for yourself!
What's New with Nutrisystem for 2024?
The new year is going to be a totally amazing one with a set of new promotions and deals to attract dieters to the most popular diet meal home delivery program around!
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You may be looking around for honest information that includes the kind of unbiased and balanced viewpoint you'll find right here.
You are still going to find advertisements for Nutrisystem everywhere you look.
What people need is just a plain, honest review of this cost effective diet and that's exactly what I've put together here.
Before I get into the details of this program, I first want to tell you what's new for this year and some of the great improvements you can expect to see from this company. Don't be too surprised to discover that this program is getting better and better each year with new ideas and tried and tested methods to help you achieve your goals.
So let's take a look at what's new for 2024 and exciting developments that are waiting for you now!
The first big deal you'll notice from their promotional material is that the latest big sale that's available right now is:
The new promotion comes with a great dollar-busting $30 OFF your first month when you sign up right away... and yes, FREE SHIPPING!
Grab this awesome deal NOW by clicking the advertisement image on this page!
High protein meals
Control hunger
for up to 5 hours!
The latest promotion gives you a real great head-start by making a big promise you simply cannot ignore:
It promises that their biggest meals yet get you over the hunger gap for up to 5 hours!
Now that's the kind of promise that anyone will love!
Especially people that are serious about jump starting their body into weight reduction mode and shrinking it down to a more agreeable size.
Getting your waist down by inches less than it was at the start is a dream come true for many folks who are desperate to wear those smaller size jeans and look great too!
Other Updates for 2024:
Here is a fairly major change in the diet plan structure, as all the previously advertised plans have been discontinued.
In their place are two main plans each for men and for women.
One is a standard plan for all ages and the other is a more specialized plan for men and women over the age of 50.
Each plan encompasses the full menu of shelf-stable and frozen meals which customers can select their own preferred options from. They include vegetarian-friendly meals as well as diabetic-friendly options, enabling people to make their own selection to suit their dietary needs.
How to Lose Weight Fast and Easy?
The TV ads tell you that Nutrisystem is one of the easiest ways you'll ever get to lose weight and they are right on that score. Here is what makes this diet so easy, time saving and successful:
- All the food preparation is done for you. No cooking, no hassle
- All your meals are delivered to your home. Now that is convenient!
- The meals are calorie controlled, nutritionally balanced, interesting, tasty and varied. You'll never get bored eating it!
- The diet is structured to keep you on track with full support if you need it.
- You just eat and you lose weight -- it's as easy as that!
You can visit the official Nutrisystem website to sign up right now simply by clicking your mouse on the big promotional image for Nutrisystem above and to the left of this paragraph if you want to get started right now.
Nutrisystem Discount Code
You may have heard of Nutrisystem discount codes and coupons that were available online to get special deals on the various diet plans. You need to know that these codes no longer exist, simply because there is no further need for them.
The company regularly runs special offers and discounts that are available to anyone regardless of any old codes or coupons you may find published on out of date websites.
Things like free delivery, customer counseling and support all come as standard now with auto delivery. To take advantage of their current promotion, all you need to do is click on the Nutrisystem ad pictured top left on this page and you will automatically receive any bonus the company is running when you sign up with Nutrisystem.
There are plenty of reviews around many websites that tell you about all its great points. But how many of them tell you about the things you should really be prepared for before you click on the ad and you then decide to sign up?
Well, this one does just that. It makes sense to provide an honest review. This way, readers have a better idea what is involved in getting on one of their diet plans. This makes it so much more easy to lose weight when you are fully prepared for it.
About Nutrisystem
First a little background on the company. Nutrisystem, Inc. is a company that provides a convenient and easy to use weight loss system for dieters and has been in business since back in the early 1970s.
To begin with, they set up brick and mortar stores where customers could go to get diet and nutrition advice.
The business soon expanded to providing specialty diet meals that could be collected from the stores. The next expansion came when the business moved into selling their diet meals meal order or by phone, eventually moving to an Internet-based platform with their official website and the backup of in-house nutrition experts and counselors.
You can see it's a long term company that has been there helping people to lose weight for a very long time.
The company is well established and has been providing weight loss solutions to dieters for all that time with a high degree of success. You don't get to be one of the most popular diet companies without providing your customers with a successful means of losing weight for all that time.
Nutrisystem does just that for its customers and has been doing it for almost four decades.
What Does Nutrisystem Provide?
In the Nutrisystem package, you have over 100 ready meals and desserts that you can choose from for each four week shipment of food.
You get three main meals, one dessert plus one or two protein bars (one for women, two for men) and a protein shake each day. For this reason, you won't get tired of serving up and eating the same foods repetitively like on some diets.
The system works quite simply, in that you just order what you want from their website or you can do it over the phone.
The foods used in the Nutrisystem set up use low Glycemic Index (GI) carbohydrates combined with the correct amounts of fiber and protein, while being low in fat. To make a meal, you just take any of their prepackaged meals (you may add some grocery items that they recommend, such as protein power foods, salads, fresh fruits, fresh green vegetables etc) set it on a plate and either microwave for a hot meal or not for a cold one, and you're done.
One of the nice parts about this diet is you get to eat five times each day. This is especially useful in helping reduce any food cravings you might get between meals on standard diets.
The best part is of course you get to keep eating all your favorite sweets and pasta. There's no need to count calories any more and you have full access to Free Live counseling, which is available both online and via telephone.
Does Nutrisystem Provide Low GI Carbs?
OK, here's the science bit: Low Glycemic Index (GI) carbohydrates is a measure of the quality of carbohydrates and how they impact your blood sugar levels.
Carbohydrates that are broken down slowly by the body are considered low on the Glycemic Index, which is good.
On the other hand, carbohydrates that break down too fast cause insulin levels in the blood to rise, which then causes the body to store fat and make you feel hungry even straight after a meal. So it makes sense if your food includes carbohydrates to ensure that food is made up of low GI carbs (eg. most vegetables, pulses, whole grains etc) and to avoid the high GI carbs (eg. refined grains that go into things like white bread, pasta, cakes, cookies etc).
What are the Nutrisystem Diet Plans?
Nutrisystem has discontinued the separate diet plans that offered certain menu options specific to each.
The company has replaced the several discontinued plans with two main options each for women and for men:
- For all ages
- For people aged over 50
What Are the Nutrisystem Meals Like?
There is a really big selection of different meals, far too many to cover in this single review.
The best way to review the particular meals that are on offer is to visit the official Nutrisystem website (you can click any one of the Nutrisystem image banners on this page to go there) and see for yourself.
Alternatively, if you want to make yourself a cup of coffee (or better, weight busting green tea!) and enjoy a good long read through all the comments on this post. Many people who have written in have talked about some of the meals they liked or disliked.
In general the meals are of reasonably good quality as far as can be achieved with pre-packed meals (something is always lost in the packaging process) but they are not gourmet meals by any stretch of the imagination. As long as you are prepared for this, then you should have no problems expecting something better than what in reality are fairly average, albeit tasty, interesting and extremely varied meals.
What Are the Plus Points?
From time to time, you will find bonus offers for a variety of great deals, so keep checking back for new ad posters.
The bonus may be along the lines of getting a free week (or two or even more) of food extra at no additional cost when you order a 28 day food program from Nutrisystem. Or it may be a money discount on a 28 day plan.
It provides a convenient way to diet that is especially suited to busy people who simply do not have the time to work on conventional diets. The food is delivered to your door and any frozen meals can be stored it in your freezer, while the rest of the meals can be stored in a cool, dry place such as a larder, pantry etc.
You can just take out a meal as you need it and follow the instructions on the pack. Some meals are ready after simply place it in the microwave for the time stated on the packaging and in no time at all you can be sitting down to your own calorie controlled, healthy diet meal.
Nutrisystem's latest weight loss programs are heavily based on the Glycemic Index (GI) being rich in good carbohydrates and protein while being low in unhealthy fats.
Nutrisystem Support
If at any time you need support, or if you need to chat online with a support person you can.
Nutrisystem has their own online chat support system where you can contact someone any time of the day of you are worried about anything at all. This includes things that you might think are silly and you wouldn't want to bother anyone about.
It also provides you with a one-on-one weight loss coaching service devoted to helping you through those first few days on program. They are there to help you, even with the seemingly silly things. That's because if there's something even minor that is bothering you and you don't tell anyone, it can grow into something major and stall your progress.
Whereas getting it off your cheat early on can make all the difference to your chances of success. It's there for you if you need it, so use it!
What Does Nutrisystem Cost?
The general Nutrisystem cost varies depending upon the plan you choose and any discounts you take advantage of.
Visit their website by clicking any one of the links on this page to get the most up to date information on their current published prices. The price includes online nutrition classes, counseling, access to their customer forum as well as FedEx delivery of the food packages to your home.
The goal here is to promote sustainable, long term weight loss. You are provided with four week's worth of meals including daily breakfasts, lunches, dinners as well as protein shakes and snack bars (plans for women provide one snack bar, while plans for men have two) for each day.
What Are the Minus Points?
No review would be any good if it only told you all about the great things a system provided while ignoring any disadvantages or negatives, so this review gives it to you straight.
First up, with regards to the frozen meal options, you'll need sufficient space in your freezer to store the food packages when they arrive, which is seven sets of three meals plus snacks so make sure you're prepared for that. Shelf-stable meal options don't need the freezer, but they will still need to be stored somewhere that is cool and dry, so a cool pantry or larder is ideal.
While the packaged meals are complete meals in themselves, they are smaller than many people are used to. Lots of people go on the Nutrisystem diet and believe that the meals they ship to you are the same as what they're used to, then complain when they still feel hungry after eating them.
If you find the meals are really too small for you, then Nutrisystem do allow you to include some additional grocery items with your daily meals. These include high protein power foods, low fat dairy products and fresh green vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, kale etc that you buy from the store and cook yourself to bulk out the meals.
What About Adding Food to the Meals?
Read the information brochures that come with your packaged meals as they will tell you what you can add.
Fresh green vegetables will not add many calories or bad carbs to the diet but will aid it by providing essential vitamins and minerals plus important fiber while helping to curb any feelings of hunger.
Alternatively, drink one or two glasses of plain water before each meal. This will help with digestion and help make you feel more full after the meal.
The thing to realize here is that if you are used to meals of a certain size (by that I mean large, it could be part of the reason you have gotten overweight in the first place. Large meals, especially if they are full of high GI carbs, starches and hidden sugar, are a sure way to pile on the pounds.
So when you are faced with the smaller meal size of this product, you really should make an effort to get used to it, because after all, you want to lose weight and one of the ways that's going to happen is if you eat less!
Does Nutrisystem Cause Flatulence?
Next, some people report getting flatulence (gas) after eating the food, mainly in the early stages of the diet.
So you might be tempted to ask, "Does Nutrisystem cause gas?" OK, this might appear to be a little unpleasant, but it's a natural byproduct of metabolizing some high fiber and protein rich foods.
If your previous diet was lacking in certain healthy foods, the body will need to adjust to the new types of food. If you never ate fresh vegetables before and start doing so as part of any diet, you'll get gas until your body gets accustomed to metabolizing them.
To counter this, make sure you drink plenty of fresh, plain water (NOT soda!). This will help with digestion.
Apart from that and the Nutrisystem cost, which is comparable to and in many cases cheaper than most over the counter diets, as far as Nutrisystem tips go, it does exactly what it says it does... as long as you follow the plan that you decided on and stick to it. This is true of just about any healthy, nutritional diet, really.
What You Can Do To Help Yourself Succeed with Nutrisystem?
You can help yourself immensely by doing some light exercise while you are on the plan as well.
This is because it's a scientifically proved fact that exercise improves metabolism and when combined with a healthy, low calorie diet really does cause sustainable weight loss.
Having a positive mental attitude towards losing weight also helps a lot. This is because when you are positive about something, there is a greater chance of success because you want it more. When you adopt an I CAN attitude, you can achieve things that will surprise you!
Lowest Price Nutrisystem
While this review is mostly about the Nutrisystem diet and the plan itself and is generally only updated when these get updated, it would be missing something of there were no mention of the price.
To get the lowest price diet plans, it usually just means clicking through one of our own image banners advertising the company's products on this page.
While the most up do date price should always be taken from the company's own website as this may fluctuate with special offers etc, we can give you some background on how this company compares with other diet delivery companies.
Nutrisystem Price Comparisons
You will find that this program is actually one of the least expensive of all the home diet delivery companies in the United States.
They can do this because they are also one of the largest and the food is prepared and packaged at their own company premises.
In fact, in a recent price comparison with one major competitor, Jenny Craig, it was found that Nutrisystem's base prices taken for a week supply of food were as much as four times cheaper than Jenny Craig and considerably cheaper than BistroMD and Diet-To-Go.
Nutrisystem Coupons
As already mentioned above, there are no more Nutrisystem coupons and any you find on websites will be out of date.
This is because all offers are available to everyone now and to get them you only need to click one of the image ads on this page which will take you directly to the official website.
When you sign up for a Nutrisystem diet plan you are paying for a great opportunity to lose weight with a proven formula that works for the vast majority of its customers. You are getting a fully supported diet system that provides it customers with ongoing support and professional counseling if you need it and a proven track record of over three decades of experience.
Note: The author is a qualified hypnotherapist specializing in weight control hypnotherapy and a nutritionist. While he is an affiliate of Nutrisystem, this review is comprised of his own personal views, opinions and professional observations, written honestly and objectively as possible.
There is a follow up to this post that you can read at: Lose Weight with Nutrisystem that focuses more on the special offers being promoted by the company. Here are some external resources that give more detailed financial and economic information on the company itself in pdf format: Integrated Company Analysis; SJU Magazine
Additional: Genuine Real Life Reviews of Nutrisystem
If you're happy with the information I've provided about Nutrisystem, that's great because it means I've done my job and provided an honest and useful information resource for you.
I would also urge you to please take some time to read what my readers have to say about it as well.
There are plenty of differing views from real people who have tried the various plans and had a variety of results with them. What follows are their own stories, failures and successes laid bare - all published, the good and the bad, in the name of fairness.
Add Your Own
You can also add your own story of your accomplishments or otherwise with Nutrisystem. Simply fill out the comment form at the end of the page and submit it.
Comments are queued for moderation to prevent spam so they will not appear right away. But generally they are approved and published within 24 hours, so please call back later to check.
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Originally posted on Fri, February 27 2009 in Lose Weight | 677 Comments
Last Updated on Wed, January 17 2024
677 thoughts on "Nutrisystem Reviews 2024: Cost, Information and Analysis"
Comments Are Closed Until Further Notice
Thanks for the great review of this program. I read it about three months ago, then signed up for a month's supply of meals on their Nutrisystem for men plan. You know, everything went exactly to plan. I was somewhat taken aback by the rather small meal size as you mentioned here, but then again I don't think I truly appreciated the difference as to what I'd become accustomed to eating.
This taught me that I had been overeating for way too many years and had become the norm. Sure, that was why I had gotten so overweight. I'll be honest and tell you I needed to drop 80lbs. I really didn't think it'd be possible and figured I'd need way more time than only a months to achieve that in. Well, in the first month I lost 24lbs and was totally amazed. I signed up for a second month supply. I was fired up about how good I did. In the second month I lost a further 15lbs and I felt I was on a roll. I signed for another two months and lost another 22lbs.
Sure, I didn't hit my target. I still felt I needed to write in and tell your readers that losing all this weight probably saved my life. Would I recommend Nutrisystem to others? Hell, yes!
I only have one complaint - it sure is tough getting used to half sized meals. But you know I succeeded and now I eat fairly small, regular home cooked meals instead of buying so much junk like I used to.
Thank you for this review. It guided me to decide to do the right thing. It might not be for everyone, sure. But I believe anybody who can alter their way of thinking about meal size and what's on the plate can do this, cause it sure worked for me.
John Hansford
Identifying exactly where you're failing to lose weight must be the hardest part. However I agree with you as to the many benefits of doing the Nutrisystem diet. It's a really convenient diet and for people with busy schedules and lives, it sounds like the perfect way to lose weight while not wasting your time doing complex diets, counting calories and getting stuck with all the paraphernalia that accompanies them.
I'm going to do some extensive research of my own, but hey, your review is probably the most comprehensive one I have seen anywhere yet.
Thanks!
Thanks Tesmer, the whole idea of the diet is based around convenience so if you have that measure of determination then you can succeed at losing weight with this diet food delivery plan.
I started a Nutrisystem diet 2 months ago. I chose my own preferred customized plan to make it as pleasant for me as I could. To be honest, I started a little shakily and just as you mentioned, the meals were smaller than I'd anticipated. Sure, I knew I needed to eat less if I truly wanted to lose weight. In the first week I admit cheated some. I thought I'd blown the diet! But you know when I weighted myself 7 days later I was surprised to see I'd lost 4lbs! That really inspired me to go for it with renewed dogged determination.
By the end of the month, I'd lost a truly amazing 15lbs without doing anything else such as working out or anything. So far I've maintained the same weight for all the last month by watching what I'm eating/drinking and sticking with smaller meals that I got accustomed to the previous month with the meals from Nutrisystem. I would recommend it to people who won't quit because it worked for me and I do not believe I'm such a determined guy…pretty average really.
I'm always on the lookout for more tips when it comes to keeping my weight stable. You've got them in spades right here at this site, thanks!
Aaron
Aaron, that's really great that you lost 15lbs overall. I know the meal size is really something that gets a lot of customers when they first open them up, but if folks can get past that then they'll lose weight as long as they don't cheat.
Thanks for your honest review of Nutrisystem and its pluses and minuses. Any tips or advice that can help is always appreciated.
Lisa
Hey there, Nutrisystem was a total failure for me I have to report to you, sorry! The meals were too small and I felt hungry all the time so I ate peanut butter sandwiches between the meals. I've tried plenty of diets and the same thing happens every time. How can I have a diet and still feel full after eating and still lose weight?
Thanks, Dean.
Dean, I'm sorry to hear you failed to lose weight with this diet. I need to be a little in your face and ask. “Did it ever occurred to you that you must eat less to lose weight?” You say you tried loads of diets and they all failed, including Nutrisystem. Please realize that to lose weight you really need to eat less food - you have to train yourself to grow accustomed to eating smaller meals. I hate to say it, but its plain common sense!
You didn't actually mention anything about your lifestyle. Maybe you should also consider doing some exercise if you really can't cope with small meals. That's one way you'll at least burn off excess calories.
I bought the Nutrisystem for women plan last summer and stuck to it for a month. I found it a little hard at times, especially in the early days cause I felt hungry a lot. Its funny after reading your review that this is normal, but at the time I didn't put 2 and 2 together and get 4! I thought there might be something wrong with me, but now I see why I felt hungry. Yeah, a real duh moment!
I still lost weight and I'm glad I did it cause it worked out pretty cheap as I didn't have to buy my regular groceries so one cost balanced out against the other. I lost 14lbs in that month and I dropped three dress sizes, so it was worth it for me.
Oh yeah, your review is very well written. I think it is the most honest review I have read so far and wish I found it last year before I went on the diet cause it would've helped me a lot, I think. You really raise some great points here, thanks for the post. 🙂
Thanks Beth. Its good to hear from people that have done well with this diet and stuck to it for success.
Good information and a really good review of the Nutrisystem diets, thanks for posting that. Losing weight has been so challenging for me that the more information I have the better as I'm considering this product but I've been sitting on the fence as to whether to take the plunge or not. I believe I will try it now that I have read your assessment as it appears to be something that will fit with my own busy lifestyle. I can totally identify with what you are saying here as I really don't have the time for regular diets and all the time consuming stuff that goes with them. There are so many ideas out there and a lot of them are conflicting, but yours is the most obviously honest review I've read so far.
I'm looking forward to coming back and learning some more to help make a difference to my body weight. David
Jonas, the small meals are a real stumbling block for many people when they are not expecting it. When you know what is coming, you're better prepared for it and can cope so much better. Congrats on losing 12lbs, by the way!
It's pretty awesome having tried Nutrisystem and lost a load of weight because of it, as I believe it probably saved my life. I was way overweight and my doctor told me that if I didn't lose weight soon, my heart would likely give out. I made the decision there and then to do something positive and found Nutrisystem online.
I always tell people when they ask me what kind of diet I went on to lose, like over 40lbs over a two month period. They are amazed but I'm not really amazed because I was determined to make it work and I stuck with the plan, no cheating! After the first two weeks I'd lost around 16lb I started to do some exercises every day too.
I believe that combining the diet with the exercise is what made it so successful. Start with the basics and get used to small meals, then start light exercise and build it up each day, doing a little more. I walked some, then went for a swim every day to start, then after I started feeling stronger, I started simple stuff like skipping, running on the spot and using a stepper machine my wife had. I never once set foot inside a gym, and I probably never will. Waste of time when you can do most of that stuff at home. I also took multivitamins just to be sure. But I also know that the thing that made it all happen was doing the Nutrisystem diet plan because it forced me to put all my attention on it because I'd paid for the thing! Funny how money can be a motivator, even to lose weight!
Anyways, wanted to say thanks for the review cause it tells it like it is.
Christian, that's a really motivational story thanks for sharing it with us. yes, motivation is the key to making something work because you have to want it enough to get past the obstacles like the temptation to cheat. And yes, adding exercise to the diet is absolutely the way to ensure success.
You have created some really good and usable weight loss tips here in this blog and then I came across this Nutrisystem review. Well, all I can say is you have got it pretty accurate! I tried there plan almost a year ago and failed miserable. I thought it was all the fault of the the company for sending out such small meals. I was hungry after eating them, so I bulked out on salted peanuts. I guess that was pretty stupid, but I'd cleared out all the junk food out of my home before the delivery of food from Nutrisystem came. I was pretty determined to make it work at the start, but I became dissatisfied.
Now I realize the mistake. Too late but maybe not too late to try again. I guess I just didn't understand back then what you are saying here in your review that part of the reason I was overweight was cause I ate too much! How crazy not to make the connection, but I didn't probably cause I didn't want to believe I was eating myself fat.
Now I understand it better – those smaller meals are small for a darn good reason! Yes, eat less to lose weight really does mean you have to eat less and not eat to make yourself full. That's how so many people get obese cause they don't know that!
Thanks for your honest review, it really made me think differently now that lightbulb has finally switched on inside my brain!
Hey, you're welcome Leonore. I'm so glad you have “seen the light” LOL and understand why their diet meals are the way they are.
You know this post and its motivational as well as educational qualities made me think of a quote. It's something like: “All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Hello! Your post NutriSystem Reviews is so good that I would like to translate it into French, publish on my french blog and link to you. Is that ok? Regards
Great review buddy! Nutrisystem worked for me too even so I didn't lose as much weight as some. I still lost 10lbs and for me that is the first time I ever lost any weight on any diet! Take it from me, you are right about the good and the bad on this diet. But for me those small meals were worth putting up with cause it trained me to eat less and watch what I eat from then on.
You know, its a sad thing to say but obesity really is a major problem of this generation. I read a recent report that states that there were something like 6.5 billion obese people living in the world back in 2006. The medical expert undertaking the study says that over 155 million kids in the world are also obese.
This is one of the massive and still rising problems that must be controlled in some way. It really depends on each individual to do their part for themselves. They have to take any or all of the necessary steps to reduce their weight. You know, obesity is a preventable issue. If people cooperate and work with certain diet plans such as that provided by Nutrisystem and others like it and adapt to the habit of doing exercise every day, there would be far less obesity and more healthy people in the world today! Great review, by the way.
Both my sister and myself tried Nutrisystem three months ago and the results were really weird. We both were overweight and needed to lose around 40lbs each. Well, my sister was a real champion and she actually lost 30 of those in her first month. I was a total failure and only lost 8lbs over that same month. What gives? We are both very similar in build and height, only two years apart in age, my sister is younger, and neither of us smoke or drink much. So howcome she lost all that weight and I didn't?
She went on it for a second month and lost another 16lbs so she ended up losing even more than she needed to and looks fabulous now! I didn't because I was so upset and gained back every pound I lost plus now I'm 8lbs heavier than when I started.
I read your Nutrisystem review and I enjoyed reading it as it is a good article. I learned some thing that I didn't know before, or maybe I just didn't want to know them. Like the problem of feeling hungry between meals and sure enough, I snacked on potato chips. How'd you know that LOL? I guess if I had been s little more determined and had the will power that my sister obviously has, then I would've done better I think.
I will try the diet once again, but this time I will force myself not to cheat on it and try figure out how to stave off the hunger. I read more articles on your blog and I think I see the other problem I have which is I don't do any exercise. My sister has two dogs that she takes for long walks every day, while I sit around in front of the TV. Hey, how'd you know that too LOL???
So lets see if I can do it better this time around and I'll try go for walks with my sister and her dogs cause she only lives in the next block. Thanks for the advice, I think you may be a life saver!
Georgiana
Georgiana, I'm glad to hear you are not giving up and giving it another go. You're right in that your sister had a big boost in walking her dogs every day because its that extra exercise that really helps your body burn off the excess fat and when you combine it with a healthy diet, you will lose weight. Just don't have any potato chips in the house this time LOL!
I will be receiving my first shipment of Nutrisystem today. I'm excited. I'm worried about the smaller meals as I've read here, but I understand that I need to train myself to eat smaller portions. I recognized why I have failed in my previous attempts to lose weight. But I hope that this time will work if I can stick with it and include a little exercise (currently activity level is nil). I'm aiming at losing 80 lbs (at least)! Wish me luck guys!
Hey Theresa, you sound really positive and determined and you are right that a little exercise every day goes a long way when you're losing weight. So here's wishing you all the best of luck, even though you probably know deep down inside its not luck you need, but the qualities you already have in abundance: determination, persistence and motivation coupled with knowledge and understanding. A winning formula, so go get 'em!
There are now, however, some very effective products that were designed to deal with these very complex issues such as convenience and diet food delivery. They work with the body to give you control over your eating habits, help to metabolize (break down) you food better, control blood sugar, and help you lose weight quickly and safely. Nutrisystem is one such weight loss diet product that appears to be highly successful, although I haven't tried it yet, I'm certainly considering it. Thanks for the honest review my friend!
Nutrasystem: “Real food for real guys,” that's what the TV ad says. Don't believe it. The food is awful and the portions are tiny. But it's a lesson in what an overweight person needs to know.
It's a lot of work, a lot of calorie calculations, a lot of cooking, shopping and preparing.
The food they send tastes like cardboard or mush.
If you really want to loose weight, it's all down to calories in, calories out. Smaller portions, lots of exercise – a complete change of lifestyle. Nutrasystem just figures for people who eat enormous portions and never exercise.
Here's what you need to do: 1) quit your job, 2) eat like a bird, and after two weeks you'll loose five pounds. OR pay pay for Nutrasystem, be hungry all the time, miserable, and cranky. And yes, loose a few pounds.
If you truly appreciate food – “real food for real guys” – this ain't the diet for you.
Meant to write:
1) quit your job in order that you can 2) exercise aerobically five hours a day and 3) eat like bird.
I hear what you're saying Joe, but the problem is that if you want to eat “real food for real guys”, you are not going to lose any weight unless you work out like an athlete. Its a tough call and this is not the only solution, of course.
Nutrisystem is for people who don't want all the hassle, as you say of all that calorie counting, shopping for just the right foods, then all the preparing and cooking. Its fast, convenient and helps for people who lead busy lives and probably eat high calorie, high GI carb, tasteless cardboard flavored MacHamburgers (you know who I mean) and fries every day, so a switch to Nutrisystem meals is probably a big step up the flavor ladder for them!
Yep, the meals are small there's no getting away from that. If you want to lose weight and not exercise, you have top eat smaller meals that are low calorie with low GI carbs.
Nutrisystem is not for everybody for sure. There are other diets out there and some work better for some folks while others work better for other folks. But cost for cost, for busy people who want convenience as a priority in their diet, its a pretty good shot at losing weight.
Hey, I just wanted to say thanks for pointing out all the good and bad things about Nutrisystem. I decided to give it a try last month and I'm real glad I did cause I lost 14lb just switching my diet to theirs and I'm real happy about that. It wasn't so hard like some folks here said about getting used to the small meals, cause I took your advice and added some vegetables to the main meal – in fact I used broccoli and carrots mostly and it really helped and they fill you up and taste good if you don't overcook them! I also started eating an apple and a pear every day with lunch cause I heard they are real good for you so I wasn't feeling hungry through the day at all.
Now that my month is over, I try and eat a much healthier diet than I used to and still eat my fruit every day instead of the donuts and cookies I used to eat and I feel tons better, more energy and don't feel so tired any more. A week in and I have not gained an ounce!
I'd tell anyone to give this a try and get them to read your stuff here first cause if it helped me, it sure should help others too!
First day of NS, oatmeal was good with orange in the morning, turkey dog on wheat bun, a little mushy but good taste, with an apple, mint fudge bar snack was great with 1 cup skim milk, meatloaf and mash for dinner was pretty good had with salad, and will have a NS cookie later with another cup of skim milk. I cant believe i will only eat 1313 calories today.
Hey everyone!… I just started Nurtisystem 2 days ago and I'm actually feeling great so far. Not too hungry either! I'm only trying to lose about 25 pounds for the summer and hopefully keep it off by watching the portions and the calorie intakes. The only problem I have is the times I eat my meals. I'm in college and i have classes early in the morning and I don't get home till the late afternoon. I try to grab the Nutrisystem breakfast before class, but I don't have time to eat the lunch, so when I get home after 3pm I eat the lunch and a fresh fruit (orange or apple) usually. I was wondering if I don't get the protein or dairy in the morning could I come home and have the protein/egg along with the Nutrisystem lunch and fruit then? Or is that too much. I know its all going to the same spot. But is it cheating/less effective by having a different eating schedule? Thanks!
I want to take the plunge into the NutriSystem, but having been a yo yo dieter for years ( I have pants ranging from size 6 to 16) I am well aware of the effects once you get “off” a diet. Has anyone done the Nutrisystem, gotten to their healthy weight and maintained it? Can you comment to what is like after you get off the diet ? How hard is it to get back to cooking your own meals and maintaining the weight off.
Addie, I commented awhile back in here that I lost 12 lbs last year on Nutrisystem and I have not put any weight back on since. You have to be strong both while your on the diet and when you come off it – its up to you and nobody else can do it for you as the guy who writes this blog says.
When I came off the diet, I was careful what I bought at the store and never again picked up anything that was processed,, you know pizzas, cakes, biscuits an supermarket brand ready meals etc. I went for fresh stuff mostly and cut down on bread and pasta too.
I made myself a promise not to go back to my old eating ways and that I would do some light exercise everyday, like walking in the fresh air and I go for a swim some days too - nothing too strenuous only stuff I enjoy doing! I stick to that promise to this day and have stayed slim and looking and feeling good. You can do it too if your determined enough!
Addie it will only be as hard as you make it on yourself. When you have gotten used to eating less and healthier food, the trick is to just get determined and be tough with yourself! When you shop for groceries, avoid the stuff you know is bad for you - just don't buy it! If its not there at home in your refrigerator or pantry then you aren't tempted to eat it! Instead buy fresh fruit and vegetables and use your own good sense as to what is right for you. You'll know instinctively what is right for you and what is not.
But its up to you to make your decisions and stick with them, because no one else can make them for you!
I lost 5 lbs in 3 weeks by supplimenting nutrisystem lunches and dinners and eating raw fruits and veggies. I bought the prepackaged nutrisystem from Big Lots and saved alot of money! I love the southwestern chili. When it cooks in the microwave at work, everyone says, what's that? It sure does smell good! For breakfast I have either a low-glycemic energy bar or glucerna cereal. I could not find the NS breakfasts at my local Big Lots. Otherwise, I would have bought those too. I hear the muffins are really good. Low-glycemic means low in refined carbs and sugars. Once you eliminate these, you lose weight quickly. I lost alot of water weight the first week. I also exercise 20 min/ day using a Denise Austin Cardio boot camp DVD. It gives me a great workout in a short amount of time so there are now excuses!
Hi Addie, I just saw this and felt I had to write in. The last thing you should worry about is what will happen when you finish a diet. If you start worrying that you will put the weight back on again, then you are much more likely to do exactly that.
Instead, its much better to get yourself into a positive frame of mind and convince yourself that you will stay slim and look great after you finish your diet! Tell yourself that every day, over and over how great you will always look and how slim you will always stay! It works!
I did that after I finished Nutrisystem almost a year ago and I am still teh same weight today as I was when I finished my one month plan. I lost 21lbs on that diet and after it finished, I took a friend's suggestion that I constantly tell myself how great I look being so much slimmer and how happy and grateful I am to look so wonderful.
Does it sound a little like vanity? Okay, maybe it does, but I look at it more like having a healthy respect for my own body and I am in control of what I eat and how I look and nobody else is going to take that away from me.
You can do it too, because its really so easy. You know you will lose weight with Nutrisystem, because its designed that way as long as you stick to it. Be determined and be strong for yourself and what anyone else thinks is not important – its what you think and believe that counts for everything to do with your body. Anyways, go get 'em girl!
I finished a month on Nutrisystem at end February after being talked into it by some friends and I was feeling fat after the Christmas food binge! I decided I would only weight myself at the start and then once at the end of each week.
Well, at first I wasn't convinced it was doing me any good cause in the first week i only lost 2lbs and I was feeling hungry a lot. I would of quit but for having a freeszer full of the stuff and my friends were you know supporting me real well. So I kept at it and was really surprised I lost 4lbd the second week.
I was feeling better and actually could get into clothes I wore last summer already, so I kept going. I lost another 4lbs in the third week and at the end another 5lb, so I felt wonderful and was so pleased with myself I got some new clothes for this summer already 2 sizes smaller than I wore last summer!
Someone here was saying they were worried they would put all the weight back on again when they finished. Well, honey don't just stop when you finish this diet!
I started doing some swimming four times a week or sometimes five and i believe that really helps too. Any exercise you can do is better than sitting in front of the TV fretting your going to put it back on, cause if you do that, sure enough you'll get your wish!
You just spent all that money and went through a month getting used to smaller meals, so keep eating the same size meals from when you finish and keep away from the sweet stuff (you know what not to eat!), plus get yourself doing some some exercise and I promise you won't put it back on.
Hey Tina, that is absolutely the way to go with this diet. Adding veggies to the meals makes them more filling and exercising burns off the excess calories to make the weight drop on a more permanent basis. Congrats on losing that weight!
Clara, thanks for those wonderfully motivating words. 21lbs is a lot to lose and I have to say congrats to you for losing it and keeping it off all this time.!
Shirley, that is a really inspiring comment and I'm really glad you took the time to write it. Plenty of people will get a great deal of motivation from hearing you say how you not only lost weight with Nutrisystem but also worked with yourself to keep it off. its so important to get a good dose of high self esteem and a positive frame of mind going to make sure you get what you set out to get! Congrats on losing those 15lbs by the way!
No one seems to comment on the actual taste of the products. I have read other reviews that say the food is very high in sodium. I am very interested in starting this program but am concerned about the high sodium content. Anyone out there care to address my concerns? I would appreciate any help.
Hey Kim, I know some people talk about high sodium levels in some meals, but I think they're talking about the “eat like a man” plan where there are pizzas and stuff that I can't see how they're low calories, but I'm no expert. But I remember the meals I had tasted pretty normal for me, I mean not particularly salty and certainly no worse than the ready meals and processed meals you get in the supermarket. I don't know what the actual sodium content is cause I never kept any of the packaging and it was about 8 months ago when I did a month of diet meals. I think if your worried about too much salt, I'm sure you can contact their support and just ask and they'll tell you.
There is a customer services contact number on the Nutrisystem website “contact us” page (I don't think I can publish it here) as well as a contact form where you can address any concerns about the specific makeup of any of the meals they provide and they will tell you what you need to know.
I'm a frustrated Weight Watcher dieter about to start Nutrisystem. None of your advice comes as a surprise, it's just having the will power to follow the rules! LOL I've started exercizing by taking a long brisk walk, just to get into the habit.
My question: do coffee, tea, or diet sodas count as water? I've seen conflicting research on this and wondered what Nutrisystem says about it. I drink a lot of tea (no cream or sugar except a little creamer in black tea, but I drink a lot of green) and some diet soda. Can I count those?
I have another question. A month after I start NS, I have two week long trips, one to my son's college graduation and a cruise. I won't have access to a fridge or microwave for either. I plan to really watch portion size and what I eat, but it won't be NS. Am I likely to just gain back everything I've lost?
Hey Lynn, walking is great exercise so do as much as you can! Green tea is good for you, but tea and coffee, even though they are liquid will also dehydrate you a little. The jury is still out on whether they count or not with many conflicting arguments, so I personally just count plain water or fruit juice (apple) as my quota.
Soda, even if its diet is bad, bad, bad!
Diet soda contains aspartame and this artificial sweetener has been linked with cancer and even some say they were a possible cause of Gulf War Syndrome (because the wood alcohol in aspartame turns to formaldehyde at temperatures upwards of 86F and the troops were flown in a certain cola by the caseload that was not cooled – temperatures were over 90F most of the time - anyway, that's another story, if you are concerned search aspartame danger or aspartame formaldehyde in google). But diet sodas are also bad for dieters because those same artificial sweeteners increase your appetite and make you want to eat more! So they may be low sugar, but they'll make you want more food.
As for your second question, what you eat is totally your call. If you want to stay at the post Nutrisystem diet weight, you are really going to have to be careful what you eat, so although it won't be NS, you can make sure most of your food is home cooked prepared from fresh ingredients, lean meats, fish or vegetables and use your own common sense as to what is right and what is not. You'll find you'll have a better idea than you think!
Oh, and keep walking and doing as much exercise as you can without it becoming a chore - I mean you have to enjoy what you're doing so choose activities that bring you a lot of fun. Swimming is excellent, and if you have some friends that like to play some sports like volleyball or badminton or tennis, anything that you will enjoy, then join in and have fun knowing it is doing you the power of good!
My husband and I did Nutrisystem for two months and we both met and exceeded our weight loss goals. This is the first diet I have actually ever been on so I was a little apprehensive about starting and sticking to it. It was SO EASY!! Yes..they are smaller portions..but that was defintely how we put on the excess weight that we did..so we knew that going in. I have to admit that I felt hungry for a bout the first 5 days..and then I had to remind myself to eat. The food…although not gourmet..was decent..some of the entrees were even really good! We especially loved the Rice and Bean combinations. And the desserts…..oh that peppermint patty..out of this world!! I honestly felt guilty eating those at night and then I would remember..these are part of my diet!!! I lost 20+ lbs. and my husband lsot almost 30 lbs. We look and feel great! I don't usually do reviews and/or posts..but I just have to share our story and recommend this program to others!!!!
I tried Nutrisystem last summer and liked it a lot. The food isn't as bad as some folks say and I think a lot better than is made out by folks who probably failed through their own fault - maybe they couldn't get used to eating less, like they didn't really want to lose weight, just get the product and then complain!
But I lost 18lb in a month on this diet and I've never done so well at anything before this. I learned to eat less and I still do. Consequently I never put any weight back on after the diet cause I was careful what I ate and I took a friends advice and started swimming four days a week.
I read this article and yeah, I can totally identify with what the author is saying on every point. Anyone can lose weight with this and keep it off if they stick to the diet and then after just be sensible what they eat and get some exercise too. Thanks for the article!
I'm considering having a go but was put off in the past buy all the hype and so many articles just passing off as sales pitches. But now i read what you're saying plus all the folks that have left their own reviews here and I can see this is not like all the others. This article is actually the most honest I've seen yet on this Nutrisystem topic. So thanks for telling it like it is and publishing everyone's opinions too – good and bad… I like it a lot, thanks!
I always learn something new and this article was a real eye opener. I wish I'd found it before I started with the NS women's plan last year then I might have been a little better prepared for what I was getting.
The first problem was I really underestimated the amount of food that was delivered. Sure, I knew it would need a big space in my freezer, but I shoulda made more room! I had to get my neighbor to store some in her freezer! Anyways, I did ok, but was hungry a lot and just like you said it, I snacked on potato chips! I even knew i was doing wrong but I couldn't help myself.
So I didn't lose as much weight as I know I could've and at the end of the month, I was still 6lb lighter than when I started but I wasn't real pleased with that. Like I said, if I'd read your article first, maybe I wouldn't of snuck in those packs of potato chips and maybe lost more weight. Who knows. Anyways, this is a really great article and I hope it helps a lot of folks do better than I did. You never know, I may be tempted to have another try at this!
Hi Regina, you snacked on potato chips and you still lost 6lbs? That is something to celebrate, so be pleased about it LOL! I hear from folks who get quite a shock at the volume of the month supply of food. So yes, everyone - do make sure you have plenty free space in your freezer!
Sal, I'm glad I've set things right with you on this diet plan. Your right too many sites hype it up and just try and sell you when they should be informing you about as much as possible that you need to know about before you get your credit card out.
Hey Dorian, congrats on losing 18lbs - that is quite something. And keeping it off too. You are a true champion and a great example to anyone who thinks they can't do it. They can if they want to and you proved it to yourself. Awesome!
Hi, I am thinking of trying the nutrisystem diet and have a few questions I hope you can answer. My husband and myself like to eat out on the weekends, is there a guide that tells you how to order when eating out, can I eat out on this diet? Also can I drink coffee with milk and sugar on the nutrisystem diet? Looking forward to your response. 🙂
Hi Lesley, the short answer there is you have to ask yourself how much do you want to lose weight? Eating out is ok if you want, but expect restaurant food to add calories and negate some of the good work you are doing on the NS diet. If you really must eat out, choose obviously low calorie menu items such as salads but watch out for dressings - they are loaded with calories. Meals with vegetables are better but watch out for sauces - again loaded with calories. Use your common sense and you'll be okay. You could even be proactive and ask the waiter what they recommend as the best menu items for dieters!
As for milk and sugar in your coffee, milk is fine but the sugar will have to go I'm afraid! I personally made the switch from sweet, creamy coffee to black and natural and you know, it wasn't long before I came to prefer it this way. I can't abide artificial sweeteners anyway cause they're downright dangerous to health. But you know, if someone gives me coffee with sugar in it now, I spit it out in disgust LOL 🙂
Hi, I just read through this monster with all the comments etc and it took me awhile, but at the end of it, I can honestly say it was worth the time spent reading it! What a great resource of information on this diet - I'm floored by so much on both sides, good and bad!
I lost 21lbs on NS over two months last fall and I have never looked back. My weight stayed off cause I made sure I never went back to my old eating ways and I also cycle a few miles every day. It keeps me fit and I love watching the world go by at a pace that I can take it all in - not like in the car where it all flies by so fast. Anyways, I just want to say thanks for writing an accurate and honest assessment of NS and also thanks to everyone that wrote in and added to the mix.
I have been on Nutrisystem for over 4 months and have lost 45 pounds. It has worked for me, but I have also been very strict about sticking to the program. Making sure that you supplement with ALL the vegetables and fruit is important to help stave off hunger.
My one comment is that in your review and in several of the comments you and others complain about all the space it takes up in your freezer. Only the “Select” program foods require freezer space. The standard program foods do not require freezing or even refrigeration.
Hi Sparrow, losing 45lbs is a real achievement, congrats! Thanks for pointing that out about the freezer space problem. Yes, you are right I didn't point out it was only Select that needs the freezer - my mistake for not making that clear! I'll update that right now, thanks!
Hi Gerald, I'm beginning to wonder what is tougher, doing a month of NS or reading through this post and all the review comments lol! 21 pounds in two months is great going, congrats! Cycling is great exercise but for anyone thinking about taking it up, remember to start slow and build up the distance you cycle. If you try to do too much too early you'll have aching legs and some saddle soreness to deal with!
Let me share my experience with you. It is not nearly as positive as the review above. But it will serve as a buyer beware for those who may have a similar experience as me.
Nutrisystem's food is subpar and mediocre to say the least. Beware that if you are unhappy with or have any digestive issues while using the product, you need to complain immediately. Do not wait to see if you system adjusts. The counselors will try to get you to keep eating it, DON'T!
I had the first month of food all was well. The second box gave me stomach cramps and gas that made me not fit for public. I thought it was just my system and the stomach issues were my fault. I now had an entire box of food. So I gave a few weeks worth to a co-worker who had encouraged me to give Nutrisystem a try in the first place and the food I gave her caused her the same issues despite her having been on the program for more than 3 months with no gas or stomach issues.
I called their so called customer support line that told me basically “so sad, too bad” it had been two months and there was nothing they could do to compensate me on what was a 300 dollar loss for me. Obviously, I received a bad batch of food products. They even said to not eat it and destroy the product.
Seriously, I feel they have a faulty product that they acknowledge as hit or miss and will not stand behind.
DO NOT waste your money on their product. Weight loss is hard enough without having to deal with issues like this!
Janet, that is a disturbing story for sure. The gas that people often complain about is usually not serious and is as described in the review.
But certainly if you get gas and it is coupled with stomach cramps, then it is more serious and you must report it as soon as possible as you could have a contaminated meal in there. Get on to the company ASAP if you get anything serious like this.
On the flip side, something like this can happen with any food product - it happens with supermarket ready meals too on occasion. While it is a bad experience, it is not the norm and you shouldn't be lead into mistrusting a product solely based on the occasional complaint. If you did that you'd never eat anything from a supermarket or ever visit a restaurant again! You must make up your own mind on this.
Remember, complaints always sound much louder than praise because that's what fires people up. You only have to read a newspaper to understand - its nearly always bad news because bad news sells!
Janet, I really loved to hear your opinion and I'm sorry you had a bad experience with NS.
But to hammer on to folks that they shouldn't pay money for a system that does work when yours is just an isolated case just came across as complaining. Plenty of folks don't like to hear endless complaints, which is probably why we read this blog and not some of the others that are just nothing but complaints from people who are looking for someone to blame because it didn't work for them.
Sure, you had a legitimate problem and it sounds like you got a bad batch of meals in your order. So why didn't you get on to the company right away? Instead you used your co-worker as a guinea pig and gave her a bad stomach too! That's so irresponsible.
Sorry, you don't have my sympathy for that. I have used NS for two months and my meals were fine. They weren't gourmet, but its a diet for heaven's sake and I lost 16 pounds which makes me very happy and I would recommend this diet to any of my friends.
Got to give credit for the author of this blog for having the guts to even publish your rant. Most would have just deleted it!
It's a rare find a site like this where people are actually talking and debating the pros and cons of such a high profile diet product as Nutrisystem. I read with interest the problems suffered by one reader who had stomach cramps and you have my heartfelt sympathy for your misfortune.
However, I believe “misfortune” is the operative word here, for it appears the vast majority of readers that have written in have given positive reports from this product. I must glean from this that, as the author has mentioned, this must be an isolated case and it is true that a bad batch of meals can affect any company including the large or small supermarkets or indeed any food outlet including restaurants. Even the fast food giant with the “golden arches” brand has had its fair share of complaints leveled at them for selling sub-par meals and food that was contaminated.
This is just a fact of life that we have to accept as food is prepared by humans and as humans we are prone to errors occasionally. To expect any food company to consistently produce a 100% perfect product every time is not feasible. However, I think you will find that for most customers of this product in particular, the experience has been a positive one and it has fulfilled its expectations and they have lost weight from its use.
The author's review is well written and I have to say the most truthful and informative I have read to date. I enjoyed it. Kudos to you. Simon
Two months ago, I went on the silver plan seeing as I'm over 60 and it was better then I expected, although I found many of the meals to be a little on the bland side. Some were really tasty too, so I guess it was a mixed bag for me. I didn't mind the small meal size, I was determined to lose 10 pounds so I didn't cheat. I nearly got there, made it 9 pounds at the end of that month and I'm pleased with that result.
I'm real sorry to hear about your problem Janet. That must have been really awful. I guess you can't be 100% sure of anything these days cause so much is processed in big factories and you never know what you will get. But for me, I was fine and didn't suffer gas any more than the normal for a human body 🙂
Thanks for a great review and its good to see so many folks write in and share their experience here.
I recently lost over 60lbs and went from size 42 waist to a 34 over a three month period on NS. Exercise was a huge factor too, but I think what we eat and when is a big factor. It was a little tough going at first cause it made me re-think my way of eating cause I was doing it all wrong before. Soda was one of the thinks that helped me gain weight, so that was the first thing to go!
Now to maintain my weight, I try to eat 4-5 smaller meals with plenty of fresh vegetables. Also, I now eat my main meal of the day in the early afternoon and taper off with two smaller ones later in the day. I now know that this helps get the metabolism going and keeps the appetite under control.
Obese people may eat less than I do, they may skip breakfast but then drink sugary sodas all day. They also snack on greasy junk food and gorge before their main meal and also up until bedtime. Thats just telling your body to store fats and metabolize food at a slower rate.
I'm glad I broke free from that way of eating and I think doing NS for three months really taught me that I can eat smaller meals and stiff feel satisfied. This is a good diet to change your perception of food and how to be more disciplined with meal size as well as what goes onto the plate! Great review of this diet, by the way!
Simon, thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you gained something from this rapidly growing discussion.
Glenda, you're welcome and congrats on getting so close to your target and power to you for being upbeat and pleased with your result!
Mohamed, that is an incredible amount of weight to lose over a sustained period, so well done! You are definitely on the right track by exercising and eating healthily, this way you should not gain that weight back and may even continue to lose a little here and there over time.
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on Nutrisystem as an option to lose weight. There are several different companies that provide a similar service by delivering diet meals to your home and so far, this one seems to be the best on features although it does cost a little more than some. I guess you get what you pay for and when it comes to food, you can't really take any chances.
Thanks for a tell it like it is review and these comments are awesome!
You have a real talent for writing! I'm stunned at the amount of information you managed to cram into this long article.
I had some pretty good success with Nutrisystem last fall when I lost 21 pounds over two months. The first month was pretty tough cause I cheated a little in my first two weeks and only lost 3 pounds. But you know its funny… I saw the scales when I weighed in and i was so happy that I'd lost something even though I'd been stupid and ate a load of popcorn in the evenings that afte that, I stopped eating popcorn and started losing more weight. At end of the first month, it had turned into 12 lbs and I was so happy I signed on for a further month!
Well, after I finished, I never ate popcorn again to this day! I was determined that I was never going back to that fat person I used to be and now I feel great. I go swimming with my friends four times a week and we all marvel at how much more energy we all have. I would definately recommend this to anyone who wants to lose weight!
You've done a fabulous job with your review and it must be popular cause look at all the people who came in here to leave their story… me included. Thanks you so much!
You're welcome Jon and give my regards to your colleague and wish him well.
Well I did a month on NS in March this year. Over the 4 weeks, I did lose weight… 12 pounds! I was thrilled by this cause I never lost anything with any diet before. And I read what the other folks had to say in here before I started to write this. Seems most folks agree with me its a pretty easy diet to do. I liked most of the meals, especially the vegetable lasagne I think was my favorite. Sure, there were a few in there that I though, hey, pretty bland. But overall it was better than anything I tried before. And it worked out pretty inexpensive when I worked it out. I would spend almost that much on my regular food, pretty much the way you tell in in your review. So I hope you publish this cause I'm now a big fan!
Colette
Hey Colette, I'm really glad to hear you did so well. And do you mean your a big fan of Nutrisystem, or a big fan of my site LOL 🙂
I began NS 2 1/2 weeks ago and have already lost 10 lbs. Like EVERYONE else, I initially thought the portions were entirely too small. I wondered if I had recieved the woman's version instead. Now, I have adjusted to the size of the meals. I have the hardest time with lunch. The soups seem bland to me. I add broccoli or zucchini in with the soups to make them taste better. Several of the desserts are outstanding. I plan to stay on for two months as I have about 30 more lbs. to go! Thanks for sharing this great information site. It's nice to see others being successful too.
Hey Robert, that's great to hear. Adding some veg to the soups is a good idea and one that NS recommends if you have trouble with feeling hungry. Yes, it also adds some taste to the more bland ones! Good to hear you so positive and doing great!
I have Hypothyroidism, and it's a nightmare trying to lose weight. My medication is being adjusted, but I'm afraid to spend the money on something that may not work because of the metabolislm issues I face. I have to fight for every ounce I lose, and eventually give up-just can't get past the 10 pound mark. I eat healthy as a vegetarian, so even the meal sizes don't scare me. Any advise?
Hey Sharon, a former partner of mine also suffered with hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) and had similar problems with weight. Part of the solution according to her doctor was constant tampering with the dosage of thyroxine (medication) which I'm sure cause more problems than it solved because if the dosage was altered and was slightly too high, she would become more much more active, sleep a lot less then be tired because of the lack of sleep. Too low and she was tired all the time and lethargic and it was at those times she gained weight pretty easily. It took a lot of tinkering but eventually the doctor settled on “as close as he could get” with the dosage, which was not perfect but at least reduced the symptoms of lethargy and tiredness and her weight stabilized.
Eventually, she teamed up with some co-workers and went swimming four times a week and that helped a lot. They all pushed each other to swim more lengths of the pool and it became a sort of competition between them who could swim the furthest! That led to them also joining a yoga class which was also very beneficial.
All the while our diet together was very good. Back then I was still training with nutrition but I knew enough to be able to buy food that was as healthy as possible. I was the person nobody wanted to shop with because I would read every label of everything I picked up (still do!)! If there is something I don't like the look of I tend to slam it back on the shelf in disgust, like a grumpy old guy!
So if you ever see me in a grocery store, walk the other way lol!
Hi there, I am a also a NS success story and after reading your review and what the other folks are saying in here, just wanted to add my own brief story. Well, I had been gaining weight pretty bad after the breakup of my 12 year marriage, till I got to the stage where i just woke up one morning and said to myself, enough is enough. I just found the strength from somewhere to get out of my depression and decided i should lose the weight I'd put on and start dating again.
Well, the scales were not kind to me and I needed to lose a huge 30 pounds. Didn't think I'd do it either, but i went on NS for one month and was shocked that I lost 18 ponds in that month! I straight away signed up for another month and I did it! Lost a further 14 pounds so i ended up 2 pounds better than I could have imagined in my wildest dreams. So yeah, if anyone is doubting this plan, stop dreaming and start doing! It worked for me and I did nothing special. Just stuck to the diet right through.
Not all the meals were great and some were pretty bland, but I didn't care about that. It was a load better than eating a plate of rabbit food like some diets! Anyways, that's my story and I'm happy to say i kept the weight off eight months on now. I look good and feel great and have my confidence back and a new man who appreciates me too. Am I happy? You bet!
I have been considering Nutrisystem as an option for losing weight to the tune of around 20 pounds. I have read all these people's views and in balance it sounds far more positive than not. The cost doesn't really bother me although I hadn't taken into consideration the fact that this system actually replaces all normal meals. This means it can actually work out very inexpensive on balance. I will follow one of your links to their site and will most probably give this a try for a month to see if I like it. Thank you for your candid review and a similar thanks to all of your contributors who have made this one of the most comprehensive I have ever seen.
Mathi
Hi Connie, that is a really great story! Congrats to you on both fronts – a successful weight loss project that has lasted the test of time and a new relationship to bring you happiness. That's really wonderful to hear!
Hi Mathi, I'm so glad you got so much from this. Yes, its really great that so many people have written in to tell their story and give us all a wide variety of opinions and viewpoints. Its a great mix and shows that good things can happen when you put in a little effort and reap the rewards. I wish you every success with your project.
Hi guys,
I felt I had to write in and tell you all that I am still amazed at the results I got with NS. I went on the diet in January for two months and lost an incredible 16 pounds. It was incredible cause I never lost an ounce on any other diets I tried, so you can imagine how knocked out I was by this result!
I decided I was never putting it back, so I started exercising regular. I joined a gym and workout four days a week. I also go jogging and other stuff that I find I now enjoy. At first, you know I didn't think it would work because I tried more then 10 different types of diets and even tried pills for losing weight, but none of it was any good. But NS gave me the smile on my face again for sure and I'm fitter and stronger than ever, plus I look totally great in a swimsuit!
Thanks for your great article and also thanks to everyone who wrote in here - it gave me the motivation I needed back then and I still read through your stuff to keep me on track!
Hey there everyone, just wanted to add to this discussion here. I had a month of Nutrisystem food and while I wasn't all too impressed by the food itself, I can't say anything real bad about it cause I actually lost 9lb in that month without doing anything special. All I want to say is that if they can figure out how to improve the texture of some of the meals that can come out of the microwave looking and tasting like soggy cardboard, then they would impress a whole load more folks. That's not saying all the meals were like that, just some. There were some really good ones in there, so if they can make some meals good, why not all of them?
Anyways, that's all I really want to say and not to sound like a grumpy guy complaining and such, cause like I said, the diet worked for me all the same. So come on Nutrisystem, I know you can do it, so make with the quality stuff in all your meals and you'll beat out any competitors for sure!
Hi Jeana, I'm so glad you have done so well and its no wonder you are so happy if nothing else worked before you tried Nutrisystem. You're doing all the right stuff now, so keep it up and congrats!
I chose the Nutrisystem for Men diet and tried it for a month. I liked some of the meals, while others I felt were a little bland. But overall the quality was better than average I guess for this kinda diet. It was pretty good for me and I lost 10 total, so I was pretty happy about that.
On the downside, I didn't really get the point of including pizza and similar in the meals - this is supposed to be a diet, right? I think if your gonna do a diet tailored for men, then make it a diet with good, wholesome meals that taste good and have good texture. Like home cooked meals would be. Pizza is garbage food and including it in a diet I think is a little stupid. But that's just my opinion. Guess everyone has theirs.
Anyways, thanks for the great review and the chance to put my own two cents in about what I thought of it.
-Victor
I have not started Nutri-System but am seriously considering it. I have recently gone off anxiety and depression meds after having gained 35 pounds! I would like to ask those of you who have done this program and gone off, if after you went off the plan did you gain back the weight and then some? That is what is holding me back. I want to be assured that what I do lose when I religiously stick to the program won't come back when I've reached my goal and proceed to go off the plan. Thanks. Any info would be appreciated.
Hi Pam, I was just reading through this again and saw your question, I had to answer. For myself, I never put the weight back cause I was determined that was not happening, period! But I can't say for everyone cause we're all different, only for myself. In my own comment that's back a few, I said I joined a gym, stared running and stuff cause I believe exercise is the way to keep the weight off. You don't have to go crazy, but just keep active.
You know, I was pretty depressed before all this, and that's why I was trying everything I could get my hands on to lose weight bit nothing worked. You know, I believe I needed to get my head straight first and I don't mean taking happy pills or seeing a shrink. I mean getting getting my head straight inside of me. The decision to try NS came after I had what I hear folks say is a moment of clarity. I suddenly realized all my anxieties, depressions fears and all were coming from inside me, not out there. So the fix was also in me, and I just made up my mind that I was going to be in control on me from now on instead of letting life control me. You know it worked - and it worked so well i knew I was on the right track.
Sure, I was still amazed when I lost all that weight with NS, but I also knew a load of it was coming from me and now I enjoy exercising, getting outdoors and breathing the fresh air. My depression was gone, I felt and still to this day feel great and I proved to me that I could so it.
Once you prove it to yourself you can do it, then you can do amazing things. Even something as simple as going for a walk in the fresh air takes on a whole new meaning when you start believing in yourself and wanting to have a better body, a better way of life. I'll never go back to my old, bad diet of bad food and I will never put that weight back.
Pam, if you believe you can do it and you want it bad enough, then you'll do it and you'll never put the weight back either. Cause your the only one who can put that weight back - nobody else can do it for you, same as only you can keep that weight off by eating right and living right.
Hi Pam, I think the answer to that lies in you. I hear a lot of people say they did this or that great diet, lost weight, then as soon as the diet ended, they went out and ate themselves fat again. Why would anyone want to do that? I think there is a feeling of liberation both because the restrictions of a diet have ended and there is the need to celebrate that plus the feeling of exhilaration for losing the weight. Sure, celebrate… but just once. Then instead of going back to your old diet which you know full well will make you gain weight, stay eating healthy stuff. Its easy enough to keep it up after eating a diet. Eat smaller meals. Exercise – that's an important one. Some daily exercise, even if its just light, like going got long walks does you so much good you can't imagine! It lifts your mood, specially if its a sunny day and brings you right up. When you feel good, you don't even think about eating high calorie snacks. You think health and health is what you'll get!
So don't worry about putting weight back after a diet. Cause “after a diet” doesn't mean you have to go back to your old eating habits. Stick with the good way of eating that you spent a month or two training yourself to get used to and you'll never need to slip back into old, bad habits. Bottom line was summed up by Jeanna perfectly just now. Its only you that can make yourself either get fat again, or stay slim. You choose!
Excellent write-up on Nutrisystem – the best I've seen anywhere and I mean it! I signed up for a month Select plan three months ago and I was actually quite taken back by the quality of the majority of the meals. Sure, there were some that I thought were a little bland and some of the main meals left me feeling hungry, but their desserts were really good, so I wasn't really disappointed at all. I lost weight too… 11 pounds in four weeks which I was really happy about! Its a really good diet plan and a friend of mine is doing the same plan right now. She's two weeks into it and has already lost 7 pounds and you could say she is more than pleased with how its going. Great diet and thanks for the great article and the chance to say my piece with everyone else.
Lauren
I'm seriously considering signing up, I think my biggest concern is that the majority of the food is frozen. Does a months shipment fit in a standard size freezer? Also, I work in the afternoon and likely won't be home when the food is delivered. Does it need to be put away immediately or is it packaged so that it can wait until I get home?
Hey RG, its only the Select plans that the food is all frozen. If that's the plan your aiming for, it will all go in a domestic freezer, just make sure yours is empty before the shipment comes. You should probably arrange to have someone to take the delivery especially if you live in a hot climate, maybe have a neighbor help out there. Regular plans are not frozen and can be stored anywhere, although preferably someplace cool. You can check with the company via the contact page on their website and they'll tell you exactly how much space you'll need and any other details you need to know.
I've been offered a chance to get Nutrisystem for free as I am a weight-loss blogger. I'm doing some research to see if I should give it a try, and I came across your site.
I found it somewhat alarming that you wrote, “Fresh green vegetable will not add calories” in your review. Do you really believe that vegetables don't have calories? Really? All vegetables have calories! Even that fabled “negative calorie” celery has calories (so no, we don't burn it off by digesting it, sorry). I think that it's a bit misleading to give advice that is based on a blatantly false idea. Guess what? You could gain weight if you ate nothing BUT vegetables if you ate too many of them (might by hard to do, but possible!). Too much of any food can cause weight gain. This is even more possible with higher-calorie veggies like potatoes, and if people add butter, oil or margarine to their veggies.
So maybe you will consider editing that bit of false information out of your post. I hope so.
Thanks for this well written article, perhaps you can give me some advice.
I just started the program and am wondering if you or anyone else had trouble restraining from ripping them all open and nibbling? Not because of the portions but out of curiosity of the taste and not being able to wait 28 days to taste them? It sounds kinda funny but it's true. I can only resist so long. lol.
Also I wonder would it be okay to eat a day of dinners then replace the dinners with the missed item the next 3 days? Due to the issue above I really want to taste 4 of the dinners so I can edit them in my next shipment ASAP (and Im curious) but if I eat one for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack, can I just eat a breakfast, lunch or snack entree for dinner the next 3 days to even it out or will I screw it up?
Any suggestions?
Hi Tammy, thanks for pointing that out. I have made a minor adjustment as the statement is still valid although I will not edit it out of my review, I will amend it slightly to read: “Fresh green vegetable will not add many calories” – you see I only mentioned adding green vegetables, which are so low in calories that they will not upset the balance of the main meals by their addition in reasonable amounts. I made no reference to adding any other kinds of vegetables such as potatoes, which I and my readers are well aware are higher in calories. So if we are slinging the “let's get our facts straight” kind of mud, then please get yours straight first. By including that in your comment, you put the idea in people's heads that I wrote it and I did NOT write that.
People are sensible enough to only add a small amount to the meals in any case. Who on earth wants to eat a plate full of cabbage? No, it will only be a small additional amount, and this is recommended by Nutrisystem themselves.
I welcome any constructive comments here and will publish them as I believe everyone has a right to their voice. If I have made any glaring errors in any of my articles, I similarly welcome sensible and accurate corrections via these comments, just please don't make it sound like you are a zealous teacher lecturing a naughty schoolboy!
Kelly, I hate to say it, but you really must resist the temptation to open the meals before you are set to eat them. They are set out like that for a very good reason and that is to balance your food and nutrient intake for each day. If you go eating the meals out of turn, you will upset that balance and risk your diet's success. Please, remember you have just paid for a top rated diet plan and you are doing it because you want to lose weight - so please don't jeopardize it by giving in to your curiosity!
I am considering Nutrisystem too but I am disappointed that the “Select” version is not available in Canada. Will this be an option that will be coming soon to Canadians?
Hi Margs, I'm sorry but I don't have the answer to your question. The best thing you can do is contact Nutrisystem via their website contact page and ask them directly.
I am a wife and mother to 4 children. I am considering the NutriSystem program, but wonder how how other people have done on the program while still having to cook and prepare meals for a family.
I have been on Nutrisystem program 10 days and have struggled to eat all the food required per day and I have not lost an ounce. I started at 165.4 and weighted this morning, 165.4. I called yesterday to cancel next shipment and told them I couldn't eat the food (tried to be positive and not cut down food, as a gourmet cook, I do have strong food issues). They tried to get me to take 1/2 order or they will charge me $52.00 to cancel. I was not told that or shown that when I started this diet. BE VERY AWARE OF CONTRACT IF YOU SHOULD TRY THIS DIET.
I STARTED THIS DIET BECAUSE A FRIEND HAD GOOD RESULTS.
BEFORE I STARTED NUTRISYSTEM I LOST 14.2 LBS IN 5 WEEKS DIETING ON MY OWN. (SO I CAN LOOSE WEIGHT).
After reading the commenter who is a chef and didn't lose any weight after 10 days that there is something very, very wrong with that.
Why does a gourmet chef even need to use Nutrisystem's diet?
Come on for heavens sake, you should have known what the food was gonna be like - nowhere close to the kind of quality you must be used to!
And you say that you lost weight with your own food, did you? So what stopped you doing it again?
And you paid for two months? Now I really don't believe you would do that. Any sensible person tries something for the first month and if they don't like it, they part company. You want to pay for two months straight off - even on someone else's recommendation you don't do that unless you tried it before and you know for yourself its good.
You sound to me like a person who is looking for someone else to blame cause your overweight and you probably write that same comment in a dozen other websites cause your sore at the world when you should really be looking to yourself to take responsibility for your weight. A gourmet chef ought to know a thing or two about diet and nutrition, so you never needed to use NS when you coulda easily done it all by yourself.
You get no sympathy from me cause it just sounds like your getting at the company for maybe another reason. I hope the blog owner prints this like he had the guts to print your negative self serving rant.
Tiffany
Hey Shirley, are you serious? Sounds to me like you are pretty mad at NS but then hey, your a chef right? Since when does a chef, who knows plenty about food and what's good and what's not, need to eat packaged food from a company like Nutrisystem?
I don't buy it. I tried NS for a month late last year and even my unprofessional pallet knew the food was not gourmet rated, but it wasn't so bad either. It was a diet that I lost a total of just 8 pounds in that month. But was I complaining to anyone who would listen and asking for my money back?
Hell no! I was so pleased that I could even lose anything!
Listen, if you're a bricklayer and you want a wall to be built, do you go pay another bricklayer to do it for you? If you're a car mechanic and you need to change the oil, do you go pay another mechanic to do it for you?
No and no.
So why does a chef need NS to lose weight? Doesn't make sense. And what's with all the uppercase typing-shouting? Do you think that will make us take more notice of your complaining and whining? No to that too!
Hey Angie, I'm a busy mom of three boys all under 10 and I saw your question here and felt I had to write in.
I managed to do a month on Nutrisystem last fall and also cooked and prepared all the food for my boy's and husband while sitting down to the diet for myself. It wasn't so bad either. Now I'm a fair cook if I do say so myself and I always make home cooked meals for my family. No packaged stuff from the supermarket, its all home made from fresh meat and vegetables. So my guys are used to good food.
But while I was eating the NS meals, often the boys would ask why mommy was eating something better then what they got! It used to make me laugh so much and I had to tell them that mommy was having special food for girls to make her pretty. They were okay with that cause they didn't wanna look pretty like girls!
But I stuck to the diet and I was amazed that each week I had lost between two and four pounds and at the end the total I lost was 11 pounds!
So yeah, you can do it and its not hard, really. Just be creative with your answer when your kids start asking the questions 🙂 !
Hey Angie, I saw your comment and wanted to put your mind at rest. As a mom of four young kids who tried Nutrisystem and got through it while losing 18lbs over two months on the diet, I can tell you that it is not just possible but definitely worth doing!
I just prepared the family meals as usual and had mine ready the same time as theirs so we all sat down to the table together and ate as a family. I think my Italian background helps as we believe in the strength of the family and always eat meals together. No TVs are allowed anywhere near the dining table so as a family we talk to each other and this bonds us and makes us strong. I never had to make up stories for the kids as to why I was eating different stuff to them. I just told them straight out that mommy was on a special diet so she could lose some weight to get into that new dress that papa bought her!
The only thing that sometimes bothered me was that I always cook healthy meals for my family and that meant they were eating better than me with a lot of the meals. NS are okay, but nothing to get all worked up over for sure. I'm not being conceited but I think my home cooked meals are better! But I stuck to the diet and lost the weight and you can do it too, especially if your family support you through it.
Well I see that your article on NS is rather good as it talks about lots of interesting aspects to the program that I never knew about. In any event, was curious whether you could choose your own menu from the plans and I see that you can. This is really important for me as I never want to get bored with a diet. NS looks right for me, so I'm gonna give it a try and hopefully I'll lose weight. I need to lose about 16 pounds to get back to a decent figure. I don't want to be skinny, so that seems about right for me. Wish me luck!
Alice
I just started NS yesterday, but I have to say, after two days on it, I'm having a hard time fitting in all the food. I have yet to feel hungry and find it strange that I am eating every two hours to get in the required meals, fruits, vegetables, and fat. But as a “bored eater”, I find this eating every two hours thing good. I'm just eating the right foods now. I've been very pleased about the taste of the items so far and am so glad to have such a variety for my meals. One of my problems with dieting before was that I would get tired of eating the same things over and over. My only complaint is that it's not cheap eating healthy. I just went to the grocery store to get all the fruits and vegetables I need for the next week, and I spent over $60 just for me. That, on top of the $299 for the 4 weeks (plus one week free) seems mighty steep – but, if I loses the weight, it will be worth every penny spent. Plus, I know I'm eating healthier than I was before.
Just wanted to drop in and say how much I enjoyed your article on Nutrisystem. I was successful when I went on their silver plan for men in the Spring and even though I was about 20 pounds overweight when I started, i got rid of 15 of them in the month and I was very happy with that, as you can imagine.
To all of you who have written in and complained about this or that, I say you cannot have given it your best shot. But to those who shared your successes here, I say many congrats to you all cause I'm now one of you. This stuff sure works when your determined to make it work and I'm living proof of that!
Thanks for allowing us to share our thoughts with each other.
Matthew
hi everyone, just wanted to join all the success stories here with my own briefly. Nutrisystem sent me a delivery of food that when I first saw it I was really not sure I did the right thing. But I guess I was in the frame of mind that, well I'd paid for it and I was gonna do it no matter what!
Well, I got a pleasant surprise that the meals were better than I was expecting. Not great, but better lol! But the real pleasure was on weighing in at the end of the first week to see I was already 4lb lighter than when I started. That gave me so much of a boost that I got all the way through the food and ended up an incredible 14lb lighter at the end and my 38 inch waist is now 34 inches. Oh yeah, I could get into the pants I was wearing 4 years ago! Can't tell you how good that feels!
I see there are some folks that had a bad time with this. All I can say is you must have been doing something wrong. Cause I did nothing out of the ordinary except eat only the food out of those boxes and I couldn't believe how great it worked for me! I guess you get out what you put in, same as most things. Anyways, thanks to the author of this blog for the review and thanks to everyone who wrote in to share their experiences. It makes me feel better to know there's a whole bunch of folks who are doing as good as me out there too!
Hi everyone, I'd like to add my own experience to this Nutrisystem group. I had two months on the select plan and in that time, while I only cheated once or twice when my daughters stupidly left some candy bars in the fridge, I still lost 21 pounds and was so happy. That was early in the spring this year and so far, I've been real good and kept my weight the same by eating small meals and all fresh stuff which I never did before.
It has totally changed my life. I went on vacation to the Caribbean for the first time and was confident to wear a bikini on the beach. That's something I haven't been able to do for over 10 years cause I was always overweight and looked 10 years older than my real age cause of all the fat. Now I look and feel great and you know, cause I eat less now I never get that horrible bloated feeling I used to have all the time.
Would I recommend this to anyone else? Absolutely! While not all the meals were great and some were a little bland and lackluster, most were fair to good and I think if you are determined enough, your gonna stay with it and succeed cause you just have to!
Anyway, to the author of this blog, thanks for the honest review and a great collection of comments from folks that have had all kinds of experiences with Nutrisystem, good and not so good! Let's hear from some more of you, please!
This is exactly the kind of honest info on Nutrisystem I've been looking for. I've tried to find unbiased info on the popular diet systems but its hard cause too many websites just write sales talk and no real info on what is really happening with real people. I just started working out with weights and now I want to get on a good diet for the first time as I need to lose about 16 pounds. I want to do it the right way, and that includes eating and exercising. From what I read here on your blog, you agree with my own ideas on that, so finding your review of Nutrisystem was a real bonus for me. Thanks for making it useful and on the level man, I appreciate it!
Well the silver plan i tried three months ago worked pretty well for me. I'm 67 and not as mobile as I used to be, so I needed a convenient kinda diet that was easy for me to use. Nutrisystem's silver plan was perfect for me and the meals were a load better than I expected after reading that some folks found them bland or boring. Sure, it wasn't perfect but what diet ever is? I stuck it through and can say that I really enjoyed eating most of the meals and some of the desserts were exceptional – for a diet, anyways! I lost 15 pounds in that month and can say without any hesitation that I would do it again if I had to with no problems! And a BIG thanks to the owner of this site for the great review by the way!
Hi, I was really happy with Nutrisystem after being on the diet for three months through the early part of this year. I lost a total of 34 pounds in all from the time I weighed myself before I got started. At first I found it tough getting used to eating such small meals, but I got used to it and then it was just a natural thing for me. Some days I didn't even want the snacks cause I just didn't feel hungry in between meals anymore. Got to say it was a good experience for me and their support was real good in the early days when I needed help getting through the feeling hungry stage. If anyone is not sure about it, I can say its worth it to lose weight and didn't even cost much once you figure you don't spend any money on regular food for the whole time your on the diet.
Irene
I discovered plenty of beneficial diet ideas on this site and now I find this great review of Nutrisystem! That company has been advertising on TV and I often wondered if it was any good. Seems a lot of folks are writing into this one site for some reason and I wanted to read them all to figure out why. Now I know - it's probably the most honest review and collection of real customer assessments I've seen online. It made it easier for me to make my mind up about that company and I believe it must help a ton of other people out there struggling with weight loss to see there really is a solution that looks like it works for most of those who wrote in.
Thanks for telling it like it is, both to the author of this blog and all the folks who told their own personal stories.
I feel like I'm constantly looking for interesting things to read about a variety of aspects of losing weight, but I manage to include your blog among my reads every day because you have honest entries that I look forward to. I was seriously considering trying one of the Nutrisystem diets until I saw some websites that had tons of complaints from customers about a variety of things they were finding wrong with the company and its diets. I was quite disheartened by all the negative mud slinging that I found. It was only when I read your review here and then all the comments by real customers who had a mixture of great success and failure that I realized that most of those complaints were from people who just need to complain about anything and everything. Most of their failures were self inflicted - I can see that now. So many people complained they were always feeling hungry but they didn't mention they probably used to eat like ravenous pigs before they went on the diet and expected to still eat like greedy pigs and lose weight! Unbelievable!
Your reviews do contain some people who didn't succeed and of them, some even had the guts to admit they approached the diet wrong or were misinformed before trying it and were unprepared, not knowing what to expect. I admire the honesty here and I put far more faith in what you have provided here than in anything else I've read online.
This is what we, prospective customers, need from a review - not a collection of empty complaints but constructive criticism where its needed and truthful and accurate information about what to expect so that we can go in with our eyes wide open and be able to get the full benefits from the diet plans. Now that I've read this, I've changed my mind and will take another long, hard look at Nutrisystem as a viable means to lose weight.
Sorry to go on a bit, but I think some things needed to be said. Thank you so much for your review and for all the people who wrote in with their honest assessments, successes and even failures. Its a really great motivator when you can actually believe what you're reading for a change!
Hey everyone, it looks as though this place is something of a magnet for successful dieters! Well, I guess it attracted me too, cause I also had a really good experience with my Nutrisystem diet and I just had to join you guys and tell you about it.
I tried NS last year in the fall with the standard womens plan cause I got a good discount and when I worked out the full cost it was even cheaper than paying for my normal food for a month, so I jumped at it. Like a lot of folks, I thought the meals were rather small, but I just went for it and you know after the first two or three days, I didn't feel at all hungry between meals. Some days I didn't even feel I needed the snacks, so I skipped them and saved them for another day. By the end of the month, I had 11 of them left!
I lost 14 pounds over the month and dropped two dress sizes, but it was probably nearer three as I used to really squeeze into some clothes before I started the diet. I was and still am amazingly happy with the results. I still eat small meals to this day, I guess in part because I found it so easy to adapt to the size of the Nutrisystem meals, so I haven't put any of the weight back. Not a single pound of it!
Thanks to Nutrisystem for making it so easy to lose that weight and thanks to this website for providing such a great resource and a place to yell about it from the rooftops LOL 🙂
Cheryl
You wouldn't believe it but I've spent ages searching for some info on Nutrisystem that would help me and after reading a ton of what amounted to little more than hyped up ads, I find this gem amongst all the garbage!
At last, an unbiased review that actually tells me what I need to know about Nutrisystem diets instead of just trying to sell it to me. You're a lifesaver! It was a really great read and has definitely helped me to understand what this diet is all about. Now I am interested in trying it for real as you seem to have attracted a lot of successful dieters who wrote comments here, so there must be plenty right about it.
Thanks,
Danny
Being pretty overweight and over 60, I decided to try Nutrisystem silver plan starting in May. I already read your review, so I had a pretty good idea what to expect and it was pretty much as you said. Small meals was right! I thought there was no way I would be able to get used to them. So I tried one of your tips you wrote in another article about eating slowly and putting the fork down after each bite. You know, it actually worked! I deliberately put less food on my fork and only had small bites, chewing them over real slow and concentrating on the taste and texture of the food.
I would love to tell you and your readers that your tip was the answer to a problem they all need to know about. The meals really do fill you up when you eat real slow like that! I lost an amazing 16 pounds in that month doing just what you said and I never felt hungry or even needed to cheat by reaching for the potato chips!
Thanks for everything. Peter.
I want to loose 40 pounds. i ordered the NS yesterday and I'm so excited! wish me luck!! im determined to change my eating habits and start a new life.
Hey Joanna, here's wishing you all the best for your success!
Hi I just finished reading your website and I'm very impressed by what I have read. You have a good, in depth knowledge of your subject and you put it across very well, so that anyone can understand it easily.
I actually do have some questions for you though. Do you think you're intending on performing a follow-up posting on this review of Nutrisystem? Are you going to keep updating as well? I can see there are plenty of comments from people who have tried or are thinking of trying NS, so I guess that part of this post stays pretty well up to date.
Anyway, keep up with the posting and keep us up to date with any new developments from Nutrisystem as I'm sure your readers will be only too pleased to hear about them from you.
May
These are really interesting comments from your readers, and so many! It took me ages to wade through them all but I'm glad I did. It looks like most folks have had a positive experience with NS. I have to agree with them.
I lost 10 pounds over a month with their Silver plan as I'm another senior member of the “need to lose weight” club and I'm very pleased with the result. I read somewhere that 1-2 pounds a week is recommended, so I guess I succeeded in the eyes of the experts too! I found most of the meals to be perfectly acceptable, with only a few that I thought were below par but certainly none were so bad I would ever feel the need to complain. Overall, I was very happy with the plan and I would most certainly recommend it to any of my friends if they were interested in this type of diet.
Oh, one last thing. I don't know what other people spend on their weekly groceries, but as I live alone I get to keep a very sharp eye on what I spend. I was quite taken aback when I sat down and did my sums. The overall cost of my Nutrisystem Silver plan was actually slightly cheaper than what I would otherwise spend on all my food in a four week period. So I spend less, don't have any cooking to do and lose weight. Now that is a pretty good deal!
Thanks for the chance to add my comments,
Leigh
I want to start with NS but my concerns are :
(1) I am a vegetarian and dont have much of a sweet tooth. When i look at the meal plans for vegetarians, they dont have a select plan that means no frozen food. Plus they have a whole bunch of sweet stuff which i dont think i can eat.
(2) I am an East Indian and consider myself a very good cook. So am being a bit skeptical about the taste of the food although by now my palette is fairly non-Indianized.
(3) I know all the basics of healthy eating and successfully lost 40 lbs by just eating healthy and power-walking. But after the birth of my daughter, i am unable to go back to the gym as my husband travels for work and i just dont find time for doing things for myself.
(4) Finally, when i spoke to someone from nutrisystem, she said something about the “Maintenance Program” to follow if you stop the nutrisystem plan. Has anyone tried that ?
(5) Whats the hidden cost of cancelling auto-shipping plan ?
Will really appreicate inputs from all you helpful people out there. Thanks!!
Anamika, I have the feeling that this may not be the diet for you. You say you are a very good cook and used to fine foods and as such you would, I'm sure find the menus from Nutrisystem a little lacking in many areas. I will be honest with here and stick my neck out with my own opinion if the author doesn't mind publishing it!
NS is mainly for folks who have been used to a pretty unassuming diet, shall we say and have gained weight through poor eating and often also through lack of exercise and are looking for an easy way back. NS is designed to be simple, convenient and fast while providing reasonable food that is nutritious, balanced and low in calories and suits people who have little time for all the work that goes into a regular diet.
When I hear of people who are good cooks and are used to preparing and making their own, healthy home cooked meals talk about dieting with NS, I wonder… why they would do that?
I believe that they are setting themselves up for a big fall because there is no way you can compare NS meals to wholesome, home cooked meals and you would be left feeling that you'd paid for a pile of food parcels that resemble the processed garbage that is sold in supermarkets as “ready meals” for lazy people who can't be bothered to (or simply won't) prepare fresh foods and cook real meals for themselves. Admittedly, I am one of those people who can't be bothered to cook for myself, so I talk with experience!
As for not being able to go to the gym, I think that is not a very good excuse for not exercising. There are ways to exercise all around you that do not have to be strenuous, such as walking in the fresh air, gardening, running up and down your stairs etc. I got those ideas just by idly browsing this very website as the author does provide an extraordinarily comprehensive selection of ideas for losing weight naturally that I'm sure you'd find something to suit you amongst.
On your other points, I can't really comment but I think this point alone is enough for you to consider looking elsewhere for your means of losing weight.
I hope this helps you with your decision.
Peter
If everybody is interested in hearing success stories from NS customers, then I guess this may or may not qualify quite in the same way, but I'll tell you my story and see what you make of it.
I am 72 years old, a vegetarian and live alone. In the last few years, I had steadily, albeit slowly gained weight until I reached the point where I had to do something about it. I am not much of a cook and to be honest, cannot be bothered to go to all the trouble to cook meals just for myself. I believe many people who live alone will share this trait. So I have been existing on ready meals from the supermarket, Chinese take out, pizza and the like. Not a very healthy diet to say the least. despite my age, I still get some exercise every day by going for long walks and swimming at my local pool where they have special rates for seniors.
I heard a lot of good things about Nutrisystem and when I saw they had a dedicated vegetarian plan, I decided to give it a try. After all, it could be no worse than the food I was already eating and at least it would make me cut down on the calories! Well, the food was as I suspected. Not great but not bad either. I stuck it out, didn't eat anything else besides the food packs and actually did lose a total of 12 pounds over the course of the 28 day diet.
The cost overall was very affordable considering I wasn't paying for my usual lackluster fare and as I paid on my credit card (yes, they do still give them to use old'uns!) it spread the cost over the month. My only real beef was that I believe that the weight I lost was likely down to my regular exercise than their food. Granted, I wasn't eating the poor diet I had gotten used to, but I could have bitten the bullet and made my own food for a lot less and still lost the same amount of weight. Sure, the NS meals were convenient and easy, which is why it appealed to me. And sure, i already said that I can't be bothered to cook for myself. So in one sense NS was a success for me, but on another, I know that if I had taken action and not been so lazy, I could have cooked my own meals that I'm sure would have been superior and still produced the same result. There you have it, folks.
Thanks to the author of this website for allowing me to add my story to the collection here. It has been an interesting, albeit long read, to say the least!
Carter
PS: Anamika, you asked for opinions and I think I agree with Peter that NS may not be the right kind of diet for someone such as yourself who is a good cook. Being vegetarian too, I believe I could have done better myself and felt more could be done to improve their vegetarian diet meals.
Hey, I just wanted to say I tried NS last summer and lost 26 pounds over two months. I was amazed at how easy it was to do that with very little change to my lifestyle except I made a point of taking my dogs for longer walks twice a day instead of the short one I usually did in the morning. Probably thanks to that, I kept the weight off to this day, so I'm real pleased I tried it and it worked for me.
That's a real thorough review you got there and I guess you're a popular writer cause of all these people writing in. Thanks for putting this out there for everyone to see cause the more that know what to expect from NS, the less will fall, I reckon.
My entry is inquisitive, not informational. I need some answers if anyone has the time 🙂
I'm a 60-yr-old female, 4'10.5″ tall, 43 lb overweight (according to the charts). BTW, the charts agree with the weight I was as a slim, fit 20-year-old; so I may need to weigh even less than the charts suggest now that I am older and not fit.
My caloric needs to maintain my ideal of 92 lb are VERY low (only 900 to 1200 calories per day….yikes!) given my age, activity level, short stature, small build and bone structure. I certainly would want to add fresh fruit and vegetables, avoid beef/bison fed anything more than grasses or hay, avoid anything genetically modified, and avoid food additives, sugar substitutes and colorants that are often believed to be unnecessary and perhaps harmful. I need primal nutrition, perhaps unavailable in a packaged diet plan. Every calorie I eat must be nutritional! It’s just so hard to make family meals AND my special meals, too.
1.) On average, how many calories does your program provide each day?
2.) Does your program suggest low GI grocery choices?
3.) Do your meals contain sweeteners other than cane sugar or natural fruit juices? If so, what are they?
4.) Do your meals contain flavor enhancers such as MSG, MSG precursors or others?
5.) Are your beef/bison used in your meals from animals fed only grasses and free of antibiotics and growth hormones?
6.) Is your fish farmed or wild?
7.) Do you have a program that would be useful for someone with gluten intolerance or celiac disease?
8.) Is brown rice on the menu in your entrees or mostly white-wheat flour?
9.) Are any of your desserts made with only cane or fruit juice sweeteners (not to include high-fructose corn syrup, fructose, splenda, aspertame, stevia, saccharine etc)?
FINALLY:
Does anyone think sacrificing optimal nutrition for awhile to lose weight would be a good idea for an old, unfit short lady?
I'm tempted to give it a try, because I'm so tired of counting calories and researching nutrients to make every bite count!! Maybe if I lost the weight I'd have more energy to take better care of myself.
Thanks, y'all!
BB
Hey BB, some exceptional thoughts here. Are you sure this is the right way to look at it? It sounds like you are putting up a lot of barriers with your questions and if you are really so concerned about additives and sources of foodstuffs, you should re-think your objective.
Nutrisystem provides ready meals and this type of meal will, of necessity, include some additives including sodium (salt), although only they will know if there is any MSG in there. I suspect there probably is, but don't quote me on it.
My own thoughts are that perhaps the best diet for you would be a totally natural one that you source and prepare yourself. get hooked up with a good nutritionist and devise a good, fully nutritional diet that will control your calorie intake while not omitting any essential nutrients.
Hopefully, this allows you to make just a little better informed decision. –Roland
Hi BB, it seems you have some pretty in-depth questions there. I think they would be best put directly to Nutrisystem support as they will answer your questions and concerns and you'll be getting it straight from the horses mouth rather than relying on opinions that may or may not be accurate. Here are some ambiguities that will probably arise:
Different programs provide different levels of calories per day, while they offer low GI carbs with most meals, but not all, so you'll need to be more direct with them. Its also best to ask the company direct about additives and sweeteners, as well as the source of their ingredients because they will know what goes into their own food.
As to your question about sacrificing optimal nutrition to lose weight, this is a sticky one that will have a lot of differing opinions, I'm sure. My personal feelings are that you should not reduce nutrition to lose weight, but if anything to enhance it while combining a good quality diet with regular albeit light exercise to suit yourself and your personal circumstances. There are several good articles in here on different forms of exercise and many of them won't even seem like exercise! My grandmother is 97, eats very well although she is of very small build but still runs for the bus at her age! She exercises every day although they are very light and involve mainly walking and just moving and stretching her arms and legs to keep everything mobile.
So I don't think age so much as mental attitude are responsible for preventing anyone from exercising to some degree, but a good, balanced and healthy diet is hugely important for maintaining a good level of health.
I tried Nutrisystem in July 2010. I found the food inedible. Supposedly one of their best selling dinner sections, meatloaf with mashed potatoes, was downright gross. It tasted horrible but I got about halfway through it before I gave up…and I could still taste it the next day…ewww! Each of the Nutrisystem meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and dessert) has some form of fiber in it. I am a high fiber eater (at least 20 grams per day) but my body could not take the type of fiber in these products. I was constantly bloated with stomach pains and awful bowel movements. Many fake flavorings, too. There were some meals that tasted “ok” but nothing that I wanted to eat again. If you have taste buds, this may not be the plan for you. Oh – the cost. I spent at least $100 per week at the grocery store for my “fresh grocery additions” on top of the $300 I paid for 28 days worth of Nutrisystem food – that's $700 monthly! A family of 5 could live on $700 in groceries per month. My advice is to see a nutritionist, learn a few tricks and try eating non-processed foods. I liked the idea of having prepared meals so much that I have started cooking large meals on the weekends and freezing my next week's worth of lunches and dinners in Rubbermaid Take Alongs (they are freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe). It is working out very well so far. I also suggest Food Network's Ellie Krieger – her web site has great, healthy recipes that include all of the nutritional information! Having daily goals regarding calories, fiber, fat and sodium plus keeping a daily good log are essential. Good luck to all no matter how you choose to lose weight. God Speed.
Patti, you say you spent $100 a week on fresh vegetables. Where on earth did you buy them? Nobody spends that much just on vegetables!
Granted some of the meals are not wonderful, but its also possible you got a bad meal in there and you should have contacted NS direct straight away if it tasted bad, rather than wait and then complain about it in my blog where nothing constructive will come of it.
Dietary fiber is just that – I doubt that was the cause of your bloating and stomach cramps. More likely it was tied to that bad meal you ate.
Their support people are very helpful and will fall over themselves to help if they believe they have sent anyone a bad meal. Its not good for their business to have unsatisfied customers and they will go a long way to make amends if you contact them right away. Leaving it and then complaining to potential new customers is not the right way to go about it. You have to be strong, take responsibility and direct your complaints to the company, and not my readers!
Terry,
Your “Nutrisystem Reviews” post suggests that although you are PAID by Nutrisystem to moderate this blog, you are willing to post reviews that are not positive. I appreciate that you posted my comments (as all I wanted to do was share my experience with others), however, it wasn't necessary to make assumptions that I ate a “bad” meal or that the fiber in Nutrisystem products cannot cause bloating, abdominal pain, etc. I'm quite old enough to know what “bad” or spoiled food tastes like, and unless you've earned a medical license, please refrain from making medical judgments about my experience.
Regarding the fresh grocery add on items required for the women's basic plan, for a seven day period they consist of:
– 21 fruit servings;
– 21 dairy or protein servings;
– 21 vegetable servings;
– 7 servings of fruit OR vegetable;
– 7 fat servings.
I do not live in an agricultural area; all of the fresh fruits and vegetables in my local grocery store are shipped in and are generally expensive. I purchase apples, oranges, etc, not kiwi fruit or other very pricey specialty fruits. I even avoid grapes because they are so expensive. I don't pay extra for anything marked “organic” either. I buy pre-packaged salad mixes. My typical dairy/protein choice is yogurt, and it isn't cheap. There there's fat – typically in the form of salad dressing for me – again, not an inexpensive item (plus I usually have at least two or three flavors of dressing on hand at a time).
That's a total of 77 servings of food per every 7 days period that must be purchased outside of the Nutrisystem basic women's plan. At about $100 per week (as I spent) that averages out to be about $1.29 cents per serving. That is NOT unusual for fresh produce/dairy products. Think about it this way – per each 7 days period I ate 28 servings of Nutrisystem food plus 77 servings of fresh grocery add on items. Nutrisystem food accounted for only 26.6% of my weekly food intake.
I am a well educated professional. I can add. Just because Nutrisystem didn't work for me, and I have taste buds, doesn't make me a moron. Moderate, don't attack.
Hi Patti,
I apologize if my response to your comment appeared unfair. From what you wrote, I believed it was plausible that you could have eaten a bad meal and said so. I didn't “attack” as you put it, merely pointed out what looked a probable cause. $100 a week also seemed a large bill for the grocery items, which are not obligatory, only recommended. Also, NS does have good support that you can contact with any problems which is what they are there for. Its important to contact them immediately if there is anything you think is wrong. They want to help and right any wrongs because its good for their business to have customers that succeed.
I also agree with other customers who have pointed out that you can do a lot better if you prepare and cook low calorie meals yourself. A big proportion of the articles I have written for this website are dedicated to natural ways to lose weight and on more than one occasion I have made it clear that a visit to a good nutritionist is probably the best way to design a personalized diet plan that is far better than any “off the shelf” diet.
Not everyone will agree with everything I write in here, that's human nature and weight loss is not something that is exactly the same for everyone, so there will always be differences of opinion. Which is why I believe in fairness and will publish comments whether positive or negative.
I can see both sides here. Patti, you didn't like NS food and that's your opinion, and we're all entitled to that cause its a free country. Terry, you have to do a little defending of the product if your an affiliate. I don't know the rules but I bet your bending them some to even allow negative reviews, and that's probably losing you some sales, so I got to hand it to you for being fair and honest here.
For my own opinion, I thought the womens plan was very average but I didn't beef it up with all the extra stuff. So for my $300, it was a pretty inexpensive diet that I lost some weight with. I didn't come close to some folks here, but i was happy to lose 9lb in the month for doing nothing special and just eating what was mostly small meals that varied in quality from pretty bland to some that were even pretty good.
I would not recommend it to anyone who loves tasty, good home cooked food or to anyone who is already a good cook. I noticed some other folks say the same and its true. If you can cook, you should go see a nutritionist or read up on nutrition and start cooking your own healthy meals to lose weight.
I would recommend it to anyone who is like me and can't cook past making waffles LOL and anyone who is already eating a bad diet of fast or junk food.
I really like this site cause there's plenty of honest discussion that real folks are writing in with. Makes a difference from all the contrived so-called reviews I read about on other sites that all seem to give such a glowing report of the NS diet that they just cannot be all real.
So whats my story?
Not a glowing report, that's for sure, but it isn't so bad either. In fact I lost 12 pounds by going on the mens vegetarian plan and you can't argue with results. What I want to say is that while the majority of the meals were pretty okay, there were some that could of been better. I realize its a packaged diet and you can't really expect too much from that, cause your going to lose something in the packaging process. I just hoped it would be better than it was, is all.
When you look at the pictures of the meals on their website, they look real tasty and inviting. In reality they don't look as good as their promo images. Saying that, the promo image of a Big Mac looks great but the real thing is a let down! So I guess the lesson is don't believe all you see in pictures cause the camera certainly can lie!
What I got out of the diet was a result in a drop in my weight and I didn't find it too hard to stick pretty close on the diet meals. I cheated once or twice by drinking some beer and eating popcorn while watching the ball game. If we're going to be honest here, might as well admit to it! But the rest of the time I just ate the food they sent me and told myself it was for a good reason.
So my advice to anyone thinking about Nutrisystem as a diet to lose weight is that you can do it. Just don't expect the meals to be wonderful, cause they are not. What they are is okay and if you stick with it pretty much then you'll lose weight cause if I can do it, I think anyone can.
Ned
Hi there, I found you on Google and wanted to write in cause so many other folks have too and you wrote a really good review. Well, I finished a four week course of Nutrisystem meals just two weeks ago and I was really happy with the diet. I didn't feel the need to snack on anything, so I guess your not right about the potato chips with this customer lol! But I did lose an amazing 14lbs in that time and I'm really happy! I didn't have any issues with the meals and thought them all quite nice, actually. I was quite amazed that you could eat such nice desserts and still be on a diet. I started doing some swimming three times a week about halfway through the diet cause I heard that its good to get some exercise too and I'm sure that helped me. I still do that and so far I haven't put on any weight. Its a great diet and I don't want this to sound like an advertisement, but it really did work for me. Sorry for the cliche, but its true!
Thanks,
Doreen
I have been looking at the comments and the biggest complaint I see is small portions. After looking over the grocery list, my husband (who is doing the program with me) and I went out and stocked up on tomatoes(unlimited), cucumbers (unlimited), mushrooms, (unlimited), and so on. See my point? When we are unsatisfied with how we feel, we drink another bottle of water and fill up on unlimited selections. The first day was the only day that I felt unsatisfied because as yet we didn't know what to supplement our fridge with. I hope this helps. I am really looking forward to the scale at the end of the week!
No, not all the selections are my favorite but it sure makes up for it in convenience! I am also not tempted to cheat because we have eliminated temptations from the house. The family has been very supportive as well. When we go visit the kids we pack up all our meals, hit the Walmart in their town for fruits and veggies and bottled water and we're good to go.
So I tried the Nutrisystem for women plan in May for 28 days after I read this review and decided it was worth a shot. I lost 7 pounds in that time. At first I thought I could've done better but then I read 1-2 pounds a week is the norm. So I guess I did pretty well after all.
The food was passable but nothing really stood out for me as being great. But nothing was really bad either. So it was an okay diet and I don't think it was expensive at all. Like someone else further back, I didn't buy all the extras to go with cause I figured If I needed to eat more I probably wouldn't lose so much weight. So the cost was fine and I loved it was so convenient. Not having to cook was great for me cause I hate cooking! I live alone, so not having to go to the store to buy groceries was also great and I think I even saved some money that I would've spent on junk.
I was starting to feel great too so three weeks into the diet I joined a local Pilates group and we meet three times a week and I even made some new friends. So yeah, this was a great diet for me that worked and so far I have not put any weight back on. Thanks for putting me onto this I'm so glad I found your review. Indirectly I actually got more than what I expected!
Eva
I got to say Nutrisystem was good for me. I went on their womens vegetarian diet in April and I was pretty surprised at how good the meals were after I heard from folks saying they were bad. I didn't find them too small either and so I didn't have to bulk them up with anything. I'm a pretty active person and don't have time to cook and stuff, so the convenience was just what I needed. I lost 11lbs on that diet and if anyone asked me to recommend it, I sure would. Thanks for your review – its pretty accurate and honest and its good to see so many folks writing in here.
I am a veteran of the Nutrisystem diet, having succeeded in losing a good deal of weight over two years ago on their Flex plan. I was very impressed by the diet back then. It taught me to eat less, smaller meals and the right foods. In all that time, I never put back the weight I lost because I knew I had to keep eating right and getting some daily exercise if I wanted to stay at the right weight.
It took me some time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article on Nutrisystem. It proved to be very helpful to me and I am sure to all the commenters here! It's always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained. I'm sure you put a lot of time and research into writing this review article. Thank you!
I have read quite a few of these post did I overlook a diabetic's perspective of NS? I am insulin dependent and it seems harder to lose weight. If anyone that has diabetes would like to post their experience with the program I sure would be interested in reading it. Thanks in advance!
Okay, here's my Nutrisystem review after using the mens Select plan for a month and completing the diet two weeks ago.
Overall, the meals were average to good. Some were better than others but I never came across any real bad ones. The desserts were definitely the best aspect of the diet although I was surprised at how good some tasted and could still be part of a diet. The frozen meal packs didn't take up as much space in my freezer as I expected, either. I didn't have any problems with the size of the meals probably because I don't eat big meals normally. I never felt hungry inbetween meals and some days I even forgot to eat the snacks, so towards the end of the diet I had some spares. Overall I lost 10 pounds which I was quite happy with. I'd tried other diets in the past and was always less successful, sometimes not losing anything. So I guess I had a good experience with this diet and I would recommend it to others.
As for getting extra exercise, well, as I don't drive I do walk a lot. But I never gave it a second thought till I read this site, so I guess I've always had some exercise every day without realizing it.
Thanks to the blog owner for providing a great review for people who haven't tried Nutrisystem yet and also for publishing customer comments, even bad ones as I see here and there.
Jim
Hey all – I'm leaning toward starting the Nutrisystem-D program and have a few questions. I am a relatively good cook and am not expecting miracles in terms of taste/texture. That's not the issue for me. I've read all the comments and feel that I have pretty realistic expectations about the food itself. My biggest hope from this program, aside from weight loss, is learning portion control and low GI food parings – that's why I'm interested in this. I'm also a “boredom eater” and hope that the eating-several-times-a-day thing will help with that. Having the meals planned out for me in advance will help me schedule-wise.
One concern I have is that I'm a night shift worker and wonder if anyone has any thoughts on how this program will work when, half the week I'm up all night and the other half, all day. Also, I prefer not eat my largest meal at the end of the day, but rather in the middle. Is there any issue with switching lunch & dinner on this program?
Another issue is that I have 2 week-long trips coming up this year (vacation in October, Thanksgiving in November). Any feedback regarding what to do when you're out of town?
Any/all thoughts would be appreciated. I'm anxious to get started but want to have as much information available as possible before I do.
jen
Hey Jen, I saw you reach out for some advice and I may have some for you, at least with regards to working shifts.
I work a week of days then a week of nights and I didn't have any problems with eating Nutrisystem meals at strange times. While working days, I ate as normal. On nights, I just took the meals I needed with me to replace the ones I would normally eat on the night shift. It was pretty simple and made easy cause the meals are already packaged up for you. We have a small canteen area with some facilities including a microwave, so it was no problem to heat up a meal that needed it.
My weight dropped by 20 pounds over two months on the diet and in that time I got used to eating smaller meals and just carried that on when I went back to regular food. Also, I took their advice and started doing some light exercises every day (or night LOL). Nothing too strenuous, just followed one of my wife's fitness DVDs. Consequently, I never put back on any weight, so it was a real success for me. Good luck with yours!
Hey Jen,
I would advise against taking on a diet if your planning a vacation in the middle of it! You can't really let loose and enjoy yourself knowing that you are restricting your food choices. Lets face it, that's what you must do if you want a diet to succeed.
So the way I see it, you have two choices. First, do your diet and complete it before you take your vacation, so at least you'll be slimmer and look better in a swimsuit, if that's the kind of vacation your planning. The other option, specially if there is not much time to spare before your vacation starts is go ahead and take your vacations and when your back to normal, then start your diet.
Oh, while I'm here, I also want to say to anyone who is thinking about doing Nutrisystem… do it! I did and in the 4 weeks I lost 12 pounds. But stick to it – no taking sabbaticals or vacations mid-diet! Do one or the other, not both together if you truly want to lose weight!
Nicole
It's so refreshing to find an honest review of a diet like Nutrisystem and so many responses from customers on your site.
I also had some success with NS, gong on the womens diet in May this year I lost 8 pounds in a month just by swapping out my regular meals for the Nutrisystem meals. I'm not one for eating large meals anyways, so I had no problem with that kind of adjustment. To be honest, their meals were as good and sometimes better than those I generally eat, so it was really easy for me. I'm kinda busy so many days I didn't have time to grab the snacks, so at the end of the month I had some left over. As for the cost, when I worked it out over 28 days, it was no more expensive to eat NS meals than it was to buy my own stuff.
So far I've kept the same weight, but I am going to have another month on NS to see if I can lose a few more pounds. Wish me luck!
Suki
Ok all you dieters looking for quick results. What happens after you reach your target weight. If you quit NS you return to regular food. Will you know how to combine these foods and protion control to maintain your weight? Or do you continue to pay the crazy $$ for preserved food.
The key to weight loss is a LIFE STYLE change. Exercise is the most important part. You can eat what you want but portion control. Eat alot of fruits and veggies. It has worked for me. I'm not taken into these high priced quick weight loss gigs. Too many people I know do these fad diets and return to being overweight and sometimes more so.
$300 a month to eat out of a styrafoam container?? Give me real food!!
Hey Skeets, I hear where you're coming from and I agree that exercise combined with a healthy diet is absolutely the way to long term weight maintenance and good health.
But give these people some credit. A lot of them have written in to say how they are maintaining the weight they lost with Nutrisystem through, guess what? Oh yeah, continuing to eat smaller portions of healthier food and doing some exercise.
And eating straight out of the container? I doubt many people would do that. Most of us prefer a plate with a knife and fork.
Hi everyone, glad to join the party here! I guess I'm another one of those folks who was looking for an easy solution to my weight problem. But I found that solution with Nutrisystem and lost 32 pounds over three months on their diet plan for women. I helped it along by going for long walks every day with my dog and that's something I have kept going, where I didn't do that before the diet. Poor dog only used to get a quick trip around the block! But now he gets the two mile round trip to my local park and its another good mile to walk all the way around it up and down hills, which I hear is better for burning calories.
Anyways, I just wanted to chime in here cause whatever you might say about the quality of the meals or complain they're too small or whatever, it works if you give it a chance and put a little extra effort in for yourself.
That was a pretty good review by the author, by the way… nice writing!
I have read a lot of interesting reviews and articles about Nutrisystem and I would really love to try it for myself for a month to see what its like for real, but I can't see how that is possible for me as I live in the UK. So far as I can tell, NS is only available in the US or Canada. That's a shame because I think the UK has its fair share of overweight people who are also leading very busy lives and need a convenient diet system like this to help them lose weight. Anyway, great review, thanks for that.
That was some review! Whew, it took me a while to read all the customer comments but I feel it was worth it and it inspired my to add my own voice to the collection.
I lost exactly 7 lbs over the first month and only a further 5 in the second month on Nutrisystem. At the time, I felt it was not really a success. The sales pitch on another website that hooked me in seemed to promise that I would lose so much more and I guess I fell for it. Now I've read what you and your guests have written, I realize that I did pretty well considering the expected rate of weight loss should be between 1-2 lbs a week.
I wish I had read this before I went on the diet. I probably would have done more to help myself rather than rely entirely on the diet to do the work for me. Just lazy, I guess! Anyway, thanks for opening my eyes wider than they were before and making me feel much better about as I see it now, was really a success for me!
Thomas
When I came across this site after looking for places to tell my story on the NS diet, I was ready to let rip on all the things I didn't like about it. But after I read your review and then what other folks wrote in with, I saw something I missed about my diet.
I sure complained loudly to my wife and kids over just about every meal on some thing or other, but I still ate them all and I really did lose weight. I guess I was looking for excuses and was pretty angry with myself that I let it get to where I needed to lose weight in the first place. For me the meals were small, average and not like they look in the glossy pictures! But I'm a stubborn mule and I stuck to those meals like my life depended on it and in one month I shed 16 pounds of the total 30 I needed to lose.
It was enough to prove to me that I was capable of going all the way, but I did the rest on my own through eating right and exercising every day. That was two months ago and I still keep to my right weight, eating right and exercising. Doing Nutrisystem for men taught me what I was capable of in discipline of eating right. The rest was easier, so I guess I owe the company my gratitude and I also owe my family an apology for being a grumpy dieter!
Thanks for that article and to all the folks that chimed in here. It was a real eye opener to me. - Sean
I've lost 7 lbs on NS so far. The NS dietician shared some tips with me to help with the hunger issues between meals and snacks:
-choose protein over dairy
-select fruits and vegetables that you eat the skins (apples, plums, peaches, cucumber etc.)
-use spinach and napa or another type of cabbage in your salad (much more satisfying than just lettuce)
-move your servings of grocery foods around (if you're used to eating a bigger breakfast, move your fat and one veggie to breakfast and eliminate it from dinner)
-if you don't finish your meal, save the remainder for a snack later (careful to follow portion guidelines though)
These tips really helped me. I'm still somewhat hungry, but it is fading every day (on week 3 now).
Hi Jaime,
They are some great tips for using with Nutrisystem and plenty of readers will benefit from them for sure. Thanks for sharing them with us!
Hi everyone, I just finished two months on NS and just wanted to say that I got it because of this review and I'm real glad I did. I still can't believe I lost 16 pounds over that time and I'm convinced it was because I did all the things you recommended in this and other articles on this blog. Like walking every day, drinking loads of water, getting all positive and motivated and it really came together for me. I'm keeping up with my exercises and I will never go back to eating so much junk food or such big meals like I did before. And I got to liking plain water, and that's something I never did before, just coke or some other soda.
I am so glad I found this blog and took your advise cause it really worked for me and can't thank you enough!
Hi there. Nutrisystem sure helped me to lose quite a lot of weight over three months on the “mens” plan, all 32 pounds of it! My first month was a real shocker to me cause I shed 14 pounds in the first four weeks and that's what prompted me to re-order for the next two months.
Okay, I agree with folks that have written in here that the food wasn't so great, but it sure was better than some other diets I tried in the past. And I liked that I could eat pizza every so often, even though it was usually gone in a few bites! I used to be a big eater, and that's why I got too heavy in the first place. getting used to eating less was a little tough at first, but I was pretty set on making this work, so I stuck it out and was real glad I did. I did start getting more exercise too, so I know that helped some. But I realized early on that had to happen, so it was no big deal to me.
My message to anyone who is scared of feeling hungry and eating small meals is this: You will soon get used to it and to be honest, they aren't so small really. If you want it enough, you'll do it and you won't cheat. I did it and I am real happy with my results.
Anyway, thanks for the review and all the many other articles you have here. This weight loss blog has so much good information in it that I could spend all week reading it!
Hi everyone, I have been on nutrisystem for 3 days and have already lost 2 pounds! I have one question though, is it okay to havr the desert as a snack between lunch and dinner, or am i suposed to eat it after dinner? I am planning to loose 30 more pounds so wish me luck everyone! 🙂
Hey christy, I had a similar dilemma to you when I was on the NS diet three months back. Someone told me it was okay to eat the dessert as a snack if I wanted to, cause part of the way to succeeding with any diet is to keep it as interesting as possible. So if that means eating a dessert for a snack between meals, then go for it! Its tons better than reaching for something worse and it keeps you inline with the diet calorie count
for the day.
It certainly helped me get through the diet and lose an amazing 19 pounds in just eight weeks. I was over the moon with my success and it inspired me to continue eating healthy and small meals but keep up with small, low calorie snacks in between to stop any temptation for those darn high calorie snacks that used to be the reason I gained weight in the first place.
Hey, good luck, by the way!
Tony
i bugged my parents for weeks to try this and after ready horrible reviews i decided not too (thank the lord)
my parents went out to wall mart and bought me frozen trays instead, i got spaghetti, lasagna, macaroni with cheese, and a whole bunch of others, they taste good (probably better than nutrisystem food) and way cheaper(at 99cents a dinner), i eat cereal for breakfast, for a snack i would eat an apple, for lunch i eat one of the portion controlled dinner trays, than a banana for another snack, and a nice big bull of soup for dinner. and my parents bought personal snack sized microwaveable pop corn for an evening snack, it's been going well, i lost like 25 pounds with no exerciser in 4months and i feel like im not on a stick diet like NS 🙂
I really enjoyed this article. We (as a community), appreciate it and the chance to comment and tell our own version of our NS stories. Its good to read about so many successes and so few failures or the occasional disaster. It shows that its like most other stuff when mostly it works great and only sometimes goes awry.
I am one of the successes I guess, losing 22 pounds over two months on the Nutrisystem womens plan. I enjoyed the meals and the whole spirit of the system.
Bill, you just wrote in and said your doing great on Wal Mart frozen trays and I guess you can do that too. But you don't get the backup and support like you do with NS. I often contacted them over issues I was concerned about and they were really helpful. They put my mind at rest on everything that I thought might get in the way of me and my goals to lose weight. Bill, your doing great but don't negate exercise for just diet. You need exercise to get your metabolism running right so you burn more calories by building strength in your muscles. Anyway, everyone has their way and whatever works for you is great.
I told my friends about what I was doing with NS cause I thought they should all know I was trying to lose weight and they were supportive too. One of my friends also tried it for a month when I started my second month and she lost an amazing 14 pounds.
I also believe that up to a point, you also get what you pay for. A meal that costs 99c just doesn't sit right with me. How can a company make a meal so cheap and what must they be adding to it to make it look and taste good? I know there's no substitute for a home cooked meal made from fresh ingredients – I read plenty of other articles in this blog to see that now! But if you don't have the time for preparing and cooking meals that way, I feel a whole load more comfortable with Nutrisystem than I would with something Wal Mart churns out for under a buck!
Just my 2 cents!
Betty
Hello all, I really enjoyed reading everyones comments. I have just ordered the womens plan and am anxiously awaiting the food. I hope I have as good of luck as some of you. I would be over the moon to lose even 10 lbs in one month. I have about 30 in total to lose. Fingers crossed peeps. thanks for all the advice both negative and positive.
I have a question: would you recommend Nutrisystem for a heavy exerciser? I swim and do racquetball all the time; I do an hour of one or the other 5 days a week and I often try to do both in a day. If I find myself getting dizzy during exercise should I use Nutrisystem but supplement it more with dairy/vegetable products? Or do you think it's the type of diet for only non-exercisers or light exerciser? Thanks!
Hi Heather,
It all depends on how much weight you feel you need to lose and what your current diet is like. Generally, people who exercise quite heavily don't tend to be overweight unless their diet is bad. If that's the case, then switching to Nutrisystem will make a huge difference. Your exercise will burn off the excess fat while the low calorie meals will mean you won't be storing more fat. You should lose a good deal of weight that way.
Feeling dizzy through exercise will only happen if you really are malnourished or your getting too much salt in your diet, or you're not drinking enough water. If dizziness is affecting you, its really important to check with your doctor – you could have high blood pressure which needs to be dealt with.
Nutrisystem diets are built around providing all the nutrition your body needs, so you should not have a problem with malnutrition causing dizziness. Make sure you drink plenty of water during the day and especially after heavy exercise as your body will become dehydrated. Plain water is much better than soda or sports drinks (which in themselves can be a cause of overweight or obesity).
If you do decide to go with Nutrisystem and heavy exercise makes you feel hungry soon after eating, you might want to supplement the meals with foods recommended by Nutrisystem, such as fresh green vegetables, salads, some fruits etc. Go with what they specifically recommend if you need them, but remember its only a recommendation and not obligatory!
Thanks for the quick reply! I'm within about 5 pounds of a normal weight, but I'm not happy with the way I look, especially considering how much exercise I do, and will continue to do. The dizziness actually comes from the opposite, very low blood pressure (it runs in my family) and I was worried about whether it might be exacerbated by such a low-calorie diet.(As you can imagine, the one place one REALLY doesn't want to pass out is in the water…) Thank you again for your help!
You're welcome Heather, glad to help where I can.
I can only really generalize here, but I think the best advice on a personal level should really come from your doctor when there is a medical history that may or may not affect you when you diet.
I do know that there are several general causes of low blood pressure that can be remedied (to a point) through diet:
Such as drinking more water, avoiding alcohol, increasing nutrient levels such as vitamin B complex and vitamin C. Also eat more small (little and often), high protein meals with lower carbohydrate levels – avoid white bread and pasta and anything made from refined white flour. Do include salt in your diet, as despite the trend to eat low sodium diets, you still need some of that mineral to stay alive. Include lots of fresh fruit in your diet too.
This is probably a better alternative for you, but still check with your doctor to be safe.
Well, starting day 1 of my plan today. I was planning on doing a 10 day on the plan and 4 off. That works into my husbands schedule, he is away for 10 days and home for 4 and I want to surprize him with some weight loss when he is away. Of course the 4 days he is here I will eat healthy just not use NS. What do you think, will this work or am I expecting to much.Also, I am 52, have 30lbs or so to lose…..how long do you think before there is noticeable results? My job is active, I am on my feet all day and I also plan to do some pilates, and use my Wii…..someone tell me what you think please. :o)
Hi Teresa,
I realize that 30 pounds is a lot of weight to loose, but I think if your active all day and working with NS and you don't cheat on the meals, you can lose a big chunk of that without too much trouble. Sure it gets a little harder as you get older. I'm 64, but I didn't let that stop me loosing 18 pounds over two months with Nutrisystem's silver plan for women without doing much exercise either. I needed to lose more but I was sure happy with that!
Worry and stress are the biggest blocks to loosing weight …much more than whatever diet or exercise you do. My best advice is don't stress yourself about it and take your time. Don't try and rush it cause your body will go just as fast as it wants to and it'll go faster if you just let it be!
With honest devotion,
Jannette
Thanks Jannette for the advice. I find as I get older I am not into intense exercising, the body can't do it. I want to get fit and healthy and not be a slave to the treadmill. Congrats on your 18lbs I hope to do the same.
Teresa
Like the review of Nutrisystem.
Oh also, liking your site layout. I used to have a similar site to yours until I sold it recently.
Look forward to some new blog articles from you in future.
What a great review of Nutrisystem! I have to agree with just about all of it, seen as I must be a textbook case looking at this. I used NS for two months staring back in June and just sailed through it. I found the meals were okay, not too small like many folks say and they tasted okay to me. I lost 12 lbs during that time and I was totally amazed cause it was just so easy. My diet before was pretty bad, I have to admit cause I used to eat a load of pasta and bread plus I often ate large slices of pie for dessert. The NS meals got me used to eating smaller at each meal and I carried that on, never going back to the old diet at all and I kept the same weight all the way through up to now. I think age may play a small part as I'm in my early 30s so I guess its easier than it would be if I was older, but I don't do much exercise so I guess that's something I will have to look into now. Anyways, thanks for a great read with all the replies it took me ages, but I really felt I had to write in too just to say I was one of the successes!
Pam
I went on the diet in 2008- lost 40 pounds. In the mean time have had a baby and just started the plan again to lose the baby weight. Clearly has worked well for me. And if you're used to eating (overeating) then any diet you go on will make you feel hungry- you have to burn more than you take in to lose weight.
I am another one who tried Nutrisystem and had what I believe is moderate success. I ended the two month long diet three weeks ago and weighed just 9 pounds less than when I started. It doesn't sound as spectacular as some seem to have achieved. But for me it was a nice gift, as I have never been able to lose weight with diets before this. I am considering purchasing a third month's diet plan to see if I can reduce my weight even more, as before I began this, I had set a target of 14 pounds to lose. Its not a huge deal, but to me it is and I believe I can do it, especially as I have now begun walking every day on the advice of this website. Wish me luck!
I am just trying nutrisystem for the first time.
i am just hoping for me to loose weight as fast as i can….
i still want to go to the gym and do a little cardio? can someone recommend me if i should still go since th meals are really small and it would want me to save my energy untill i am used to it?
thanks and wish me luck!
Hey Tansha, I just saw this and no one replied to you. Well, take it from me that you can keep going to the gym while on the Nutrisystem diet cause the food still has all the nutrients you need and the workouts will help you lose the weight faster.
I did this while on NS four months ago and kept it up for two months while shedding a totally amazing 31 pounds. I sure needed it, cause i was hitting the scales at 180 and wanted to get below 150 cause my height is 5 feet 4 in and I was pretty overweight. well, I ended the diet but kept eating healthy while I also kept up the work at the gym and now, two months later I'm 136 pounds. I look and feel great, which is so cool seen as I'll turn 40 next year!
So I say, DO IT! To hell with it of you feel hungry, just tell yourself that the hungrier you feel, the more fat your burning! Its what you what you want to do isn't it?
Karen.
I loved the diet when I was doing it in the summer. I read some of these comments and someone said the silver plan tasted terrible. Well I did the silver plan for women and I thought the food tasted okay. Nothing special, sure but it was a load better than some of the stuff you buy in wal mart, which I also tried before that and thought it was awful. I lost weight too, 19lbs in those eight weeks of the diet and I'm 72 years of age. But don't let that fool you, cause us old ‘uns can show you young ‘uns a thing or two on this internet and I still run to catch the bus into town every day. Your never too old to get fit and I was real happy with Nutrisystem and would do it again except I don't need to lose any more weight! Nice review, young feller!
So far I have lost 19 pounds and gone down 2 sizes. The best part is that my cholesteral dropped from 305 to 223 in 3 months without meds. I have had a bit of a gas issue, but asked for and received a list of food items that contain sugar alcohols (news to me, but can cause gas). I have not had cramps or anything painful, but the gas was getting to be a joke at home. Hopefully, if I only eat sugar alcohol containing foods once a day or less, the problem will disappear. I have another 8 pounds to go to reach my goal. Nutrisystem is well worth it. It has made a huge difference for me and when I add the extra foods (veg, fruit, protien, etc.)and drink the water, I am never hungry. Thanks NS.
Hello folks,
I have been on Nurtisystem for days now and although it is not that bad as far as hunger issues I find the lunches and dinners to taste horrible. However, I am sticking to it for at least a month because my boyfriend bought me this as a gift and I promised him I would stick with it. I am 180 pds and 5 foot trying to get down to at least 140. I a 31 years old and sruggled with weight loss for quite some time now possibly because I hate exericse. I can say for me the meals make me go to the bathroom often. The only plus to this diet is the convience of being able to eat in a matter of seconds without preparing food. I thought possibly it was comparable to frozen meals but it is smaller portion and the meals do not have many seasonings.Its worth a shot I guess but I know in the future I will be buying frozen foods and eating my veggies instead of eating food that taste like dog food…although have never tasted dog food!! Best of luck
I have been on the plan for a month already.I so a 10 days on and 4 days more flexible. So far lost about 9lbs. Great for me. As for the taste of the food I honestly can say there is nothing I had that tasted like “dog food”, I find the food to be tasty. the portions smaller but then eating large portions is why I gained the weight in the first place. It would be hard to follow a plan if you find the food taste horrible, so I am pleased that I enjoy the food. I think this is my recipe for success!!!
Oh my Goodness, I am so nervous! I just signed up for my first month of NS, I can't wait for it to get here. I honestly have about 100 lbs to lose, and part of why I decided to sign up is this site, because you were so honest about everything. Thank you for all the info, and wish me luck!
Hi Jennifer, 100 pounds is a lot to lose and this is a good, positive step to going for that goal. Here's wishing you the best of luck!
If you read a lot of what I write in here, you'll already know that its not so much luck that you need, but a positive, go get 'em attitude and a belief in yourself that you can achieve what you believe you can! That's not double-dutch but its just saying that when you believe you can do it, then you CAN do it! 🙂
This is certainly one of the better reviews I have ever read on NS and its pretty close to what you get on the diet.
I lost 18 pounds over 2 months in the late summer with NS and while it took some adjusting to the smaller meals, I was fine. Didn't even have to go buy any extra food to bulk up the meals, cause I got it into my head I was losing weight with this diet and I wasn't about to do anything else that might slow it down.
You know one of the best tips of all I got in this blog? It was drinking plain water before each meal. That fixed the hunger problem right away and I felt satisfied after every meal, so that is one darn fine tip!
Thanks for all the ideas you have written in here cause I used plenty of them to make this diet work better and I'm sure glad I did!
I was wondering how to sign up with Nutrisystem cause I am seriously in need of losing some weight before Christmas and I want it to be as easy as I can make it. Okay, that probably sounds pretty silly but when I read your review it all fell into place and it had that great big poster to click on. Duh!
Anyway, for anyone else whos wondering how do I sign up for Nutrisystem, here is the article that tells it like it is! Thanks for all that info and being honest about it cause that's a rare thing to find these days. Thanks Again.
Ronnie
Oh my gosh! I am so glad I found this site. I googled for gas on Nutrisystem and there you were. 🙂 I am on Day 4 and I can't take a step without breaking wind…it is most embarrassing! I went out and bought “Beano” last night and took it before breakfast this morning. Do you know if that will help, or might interfer with the Nutrisystem foods. I have 80 lbs to lose and am on the Women's Silver. I am up for any other suggestions.
I have been reading some of the comments and wanted to comment on them. While I have only had a few meals I have to say that while they are not gormet; I definitely don't think they taste like dogfood. And while the entree portions are small, I find it hard to eat so much food…by the time you add in the dairy, the proteins, the fruits and the vegetables. Plus eating 6 times a day, I feel as though I am constantly eating. Yet I am still only eating 1200 or less calories a day.
I am excited about the Nutrisystem, but if the flatulence doesn't subside I will have to stop.
Hey Trisha,
I went through something like you did about 4 months ago. The gas was so bad I didn't know whether to laugh out loud or cry my eyes out. After about 5 days, I got some Beano and took it and in a couple days the gas subsided so I was able to carry on with the silver plan I was on. It didn't interfere with my diet in any way and I lost a pretty impressive 15 pounds in that first month and a further 7 pounds in the auto-delivered second month, so I was very happy with it.
I also thought the food tasted okay to me, not as good I would cook for myself, but certainly not so bad I would ever liken it to dog food. That poor person who wrote in and said that must have been expecting gourmet food and was probably just exaggerating about the taste for effect. Some folks like to do that. Takes all sorts, I guess.
Brenda
Hello everyone,
do you know how many calories you eat per day on this diet?
i went on a diet made by a nutrisionist actually 6 small healthy meals a day and i GAINED weight, im 5 foot 1 135 lbs i want to loose about 15 lbs my eating isnt horrible right now, its just i skip meals ….i got myelf a trainer and he didnt help much eaither he bulked me up to much and i gained 6lbs of muscle in a month! so now i have muscle under my fat and it looks terrible
should i invest in this?
I ordered the Diabetic food plan, and after two weeks, decided it was not for me. The food did not taste good to me (except for the lunch bars….which are really just protein bars, they were okay) and they seem to give you 3 and sometimes 4 of the same thing….so the variety they claim to give you really isn't there. But here is the real kicker: When I phoned them to tell them I didn't want another order shipped to me, they told me they'd be charging my credit card $55.00 to reimburse them their shipping fee (which was suppose to be FREE) plus they charged back the 10% discount that they originally told me I'd get. So be warned that there are hidden fees and charges should you decide to cancel out on the the future orders.
I will NOT be recommending Nutri-system to anyone.
Loretta, I'm sorry to hear to had a bad experience with NS. May I ask, why did you order more than one month if you never tried it before? That's tough having to pay for the delivery charge, but I wouldn't have ordered more than a single month to try it out first.
I also went on the diabetic plan during the summer and I didn't think the food was so bad. Yeah, they sent some duplicate meals too, but that was okay. I just set them in order so I wouldn't eat the same meal in the same week and it worked out well.
I stayed with it for the whole month and lost 9 pounds which I was pretty happy about cause I was hopeless at losing weight before that. I hated diets cause they were always so bland. At least NS gave me some interesting food and I loved some of the desserts. I could never eat stuff like that with other diets I tried and failed at. So comparing NS to other diets, their food is way better in my opinion!
I would do it again if I ever needed to lose more weight, but I don't intend putting it back on. So far I've actually lost 6 more pounds all on my own since I ended the diet just over 3 months ago. One thing the diet taught me was to eat smaller meals and be satisfied with that. Hey, it works too!
I WOULD recommend Nutrisystem to anyone, as long as your not too fussy about your food, its great.
I'm not so sure I did the right thing starting NS so late in the year, but with Christmas coming up I wanted to lose a few pounds in preparation so I could fit into my suit I bought for last year's family get togethers that I seem to have exploded out of sometime in the year! Anyways, I'm two weeks into the men's plan and you know its not so bad as I got the impression from reading some people who hated it.
I admit that when I opened the box and saw a bunch of foil packages, freeze dried pasta in tubs and all sorts of odd looking stuff, I was on the brink of sending it back and asking where the real food was! But after I read the instructions and info brochures, I decided to persevere and I'm glad I did. Yeah, there was another layer below the first one in the box with the main meals and desserts. I got some snacks I'm sure I didn't ask for, but I realized that I did get everything I asked for. But this extra stuff must be subs for the free weeks of food, so I guess I can't complain cause its free LOL!
Anyways, just wanted to let you folks know I already lost 7 pounds and the food is pretty okay I guess. I didn't eat anything bad yet and certainly nothing that tastes like dog food, like I'd know what that tastes like - I don't even have a dog LOL! Some of the chocolate flavor desserts actually taste great I wish I'd ordered more of them!
So I'll be persevering and if the weight keeps dropping off at this rate, I just might get into a suit I wore 5 years ago when I was a slimmer 180 back then. Wish me luck!
I tried Nutrisystem for a week and a half. That is all I could stand of the food. I thought most of the meals were disgusting. One actually made me gag. I returned the unused portion of my order and I am refusing any other orders from Nutrisystem. You could lose weight on this diet, because you cannot eat the darn food. Yech. Awful. I do NOT recommend.
I am having a major ankle surgery soon and will be in bed for 6 weeks with no weight bering on the ankle and then another 6 weeks of minimal weight bearing. I already have 60 lbs. to lose, and am worried that this 3 months of in activity will not help. Will Nutri system help me lose weight with minimal exercise during my convalesence?
Hi Scott,
First I want to say that I hope your surgery is a success and your back on your feet soon. Hate to say it, but that extra 60 pounds is the last thing you need right now, but you have to do what you can to reduce it some. Sure Nutrisystem will help you there cause its designed mainly for folks who don't exercise much and its easy enough to follow.
Earlier this year, I decided to give Nutrisystem a shot cause I was 40 pounds overweight and I also suffered with arthritis. Being in my 50s, I wasn't as mobile as I used to be. I found my weight heading in the wrong direction mainly through those days of inactivity and the tendency to eat more when the pain got bad. So I signed up for the mens plan to see if it could help.
The first month was tough cause I wasn't used to packaged food or small meals. But the food tasted okay to me and I got through by taking the advice I read in here about drinking plenty of water and eating real slow.
Two things happened. First up, in the first month I lost 18 pounds so I signed up for another two months and lost 35 pounds in all, which made me very happy. Second, my arthritis eased up a lot, which made me even more happy.
Now I figure a lot of it had to do with all the water I was drinking cause I never did drink enough before that, it was mostly soda or coffee. Plus the diet itself is low in saturated fats and I read someplace that they are bad for arthritis sufferers. So I say give it a shot, cause it worked out just fine for me. My weight stabilized and today I'm much more active than I used to be cause since I finished the diet I kept up with drinking lots of water every day and stayed off anything with saturated fats!
Good luck with whatever you decide to go for,
John
Hey Marlene, sounds like you got a bad deal there. Funny how most folks are okay with the food and some others wanna complain it tastes bad. What I'm reading in all these comments from folks is that most think the food is fine, and I have to agree with the majority. Sure it ain't gormet, but its okay and some of the meals I thought were real nice. I thought it was good enough to order a second month cause I lost 15 pounds in the first month and then another 12 pounds in the second month. With about 25 I had to lose, that was more than I needed.
Hey Scott, if it helps any, I didn't do much of anything by way of exercise for those 2 months, so I think you'll lose weight too with NS.
Yeah, I'd recomend it for sure! – Lynne
A few years ago, both my husband and myself tried the Nutrisystem diet and we were both quite pleased with the food and the results. I have to admit, we picked our own food after the initial order as there were things we found we did not care for, but,,,, the variety is certainly there if you care to sit and make your own choices. We found lots of food we liked and not one that was not tolerable. In using Nutrisystem we were never hungry as we followed the guide to a tee. We ate 2 salads a day, we added yougut and cheese, fruit, fat free milk etc. We found the diet to be very much like a diabetics diet, where you eat every few hours. My husband and I both lost 55 pounds. He lost his quicker than me but I did catch up. I did not excercise as I cannot due to an illness that causes extreme foot pain. The weight came off anyway. We had been cheating for a few months and found we had gained a few pounds (after 3 years) so recently went back to Nutrisystem for some meals to adjust our portions again. We again have returned to our goal weight. Nutrisystem is also a teaching tool, if you really want to learn to eat properly. I have only one complaint and that is the one negative thing that happened recently where I was put on automatic delivery, which I never wanted and told the salesman up front we would only want this for one month. When I called to cancel the next shipment which they notified me I would be receiving, I was told I would be billed extra for not keeping the autoship. I told the young man at the time I called it was for one month only and was still put on autoship. The matter was quickly resolved by the man who answered the call, he told me my charge would be billed for the extra $41.00, I told him I would not pay it as I had not consented to it, the charge was waived and Nutrisystem is back in my good graces for the next time we need to take off a few. I reccmmend this diet to everyone. It has been a lifesaver for me, from a tight size 16 to a comfortable size 6. Love you Nutrisystem.
I just read your review and I am thinking about trying Nutrisystem once I save up enough money. I am in my 4th and final yea of college and since I've been in college
I have gained almost 30 pounds and I've been overweight almost all my life. I have thought about other plans such as weight watchers, but I just can't seem to get myself started. I need a good starting plan to kick my weight loss off and I think this is it! Hopefully I will loss at least the 30 I gained if not more by graduation in May of this coming year 2011.
Hi there,
I guess this is the time that most folks are thinking about doing something positive about their weight and that's exactly what led me here. I was thinking about trying Nutrisystem to shed the weight I put on over the holidays. Plus that added to the extra weight I'd been piling on in the last few months of inactivity thanks to breaking my ankle!
Anyways, your review is the best I read and I'm glad I did cause I wouldn't of known that the meals were real small otherwise. It gave me something to think about. And you know, I still think I'll give it a shot cause I guess I have to get used to eating less. I've been a real pig lately and it has to stop, so I guess a diet with smaller portions is exactly what I need 🙂
Thanks for the review and wish me luck!
You definitely have a helpful blog here and I’ve been reading about Nutrisystem for seems like an hour with all these customer comments too. I want to give this a shot cause it looks like so many of your readers have had a good experience with this diet and only a few had bad experiences. That sounds like pretty good odds to me! Hey I checked their prices and I think its really cheap compared with Jenny Craig or some of those others. Thanks for the quality review!
James
Great read, I've been interested in Nutrisystem for some time but needed a push to make the final decision to go for it! Your review has ironed out most of my reservations, so thanks for telling it the way it is. Now to put my money where my mouth is 😉
After watching the new TV ads for Nutrisystem, I wanted to know more than they were telling. I guess I found it right here LOL. You sure wrote a loooong review and then I noticed you got some other articles on this blog about NS too. I read them all and came back here to leave a short note to say thanks for all this honest and comprehensive info. I guess I'll give it a shot cause their mens plan looks like just what I need to lose some weight I gained over the last month or two.
I would like to start a diet of some kind and was looking at the easiest, guess I'm a little lazy there! That's how I found this review and to me Nutrisystem sounds perfect for my way of life. Thanks for this huge review and also to all the folks that wrote in with their stories. Looks like on balance most folks liked it and lose weight, so I guess its my turn now. Thanks!
Please let me know if Nutrisystem will work for me if I can't do any exercise. I have my leg in plaster after breaking my shin bone last month and I have gained almost 16 pounds in that time through not being able to move around well. I want to lose that weight now that Christmas is over and I need a diet that is very easy to do. From what I am reading, Nutrisystem is the best for me and it is affordable too so please if anyone can help me who tried it and did no exercise and lost weight too. Thank you!
Hi Isabel,
You needn't worry about not being able to exercise. You get everything you need with Nutrisystem's diet plan and because you are eating a smaller portioned, calorie controlled diet you will lose weight. The amount will vary from person to person of course, but as long as you stick to the diet you will succeed! They have an online support program if you need any counseling or other help, so make use of it and never be afraid to ask questions. They are there to help and will do what they can to make your diet experience a great one, because its their business and its good reputation on the line - they want to keep it!
I ordered the nutrisystem 1 month trial to help lose some weight I gained after a leg injury. The food was horrible. After two solid weeks of eating it, I felt like my body was poisoned by all of the preservatives. I felt horrible. Food is NOT fresh, mostly pasta in small sizes. TONS of sodium. Food looks nothing like adds- it's packaged and full of preservatives. I can buy all of the foods and make fresh foods from the grocery for cheaper. Also had a hard time understanding how many calories I should be eating with the program as I got the same lump shipment of food as everyone else (I'm only 5'0 female and the plan was having me eat 2000 or more calories!) Overall a horrible waste of money and now I'm stuck with terrible tasting food (including desserts)that I can't seen to give away! Save your money and go to the grocery store! I'm assuming all positive comments found online are put up by nutrisystem sellers!!
Susan I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience with NS. I don't know if you were aware what the food would be like before you bought it. The ads don't tell the whole story, that's for sure. This review does explain that its not fresh food and that it is processed, pre-packaged and pretty much what you will be getting. If you had known that in the beginning, I guess you probably would not have spent your money on this system. Its not for everyone and we all have different tastes, preferences etc.
But one thing I must pull you up on is that all the people who have written in to this blog's comments are real. They either tried and liked/disliked NS or they are about to try it for themselves. I just approve them when they come in (I filter out the spam). I'm proud to be seen to publish both good and bad reports from people. If I were just cherry picking the good ones, it wouldn't be fair and would look like it was contrived, which it does not.
All opinions are valid and whether you liked it or not, you're entitled to have your say.
You are quite right in that you can buy all the ingredients from the grocery store and make your own, far superior diet to suit you. If you like to eat good food, then the best you can get is what you prepare and cook yourself (or have a spouse/partner/mom who can do it for you). People choose Nutrisystem because they don't have the time/ability or simply don't want the hassle of doing that.
I started nutrisystem 5 days ago.
I would just like to comment on some of the reviews I have read regarding the taste of the food. Some felt the food tasted bad and the portions were to small.
I must say I don't agree with either. I think the food is fine. It is by no means the best food I have eaten in my life, but there is nothing wrong with it and must say that I have been pleasantly surprised.
As far as the portions go, I have not been hungry at all. I feel satisfied after each meal and can even say I have felt full after each dinner.
I wasn't going to weigh myself until at least a week had passed but thought I would weigh myself for this review and have discovered that I have already lost 4 pounds.
Good Luck to Everyone on their quest for weight loss and a new healthier way of life.
PS… I am a real person not someone planted to write for nutrisystem….
Seriously the grossest food in the entire world
(and I'll eat more things most others wouldn't). they say you can select your meals but if they are in short supply they send alternative food and it's always TERRIBLE. It would be easier to loose weight by eating just boring food.
Hey, come on kristin, that was a real low piece of bitchin' with no real explanation of what exactly you didn't like about the food! You just come across like one of those perennial complainers who finds fault with most things. Get real, Nutrisystem's food is NOT that bad!
I just finished my THIRD month on NS! I started by ordering the first month to see if I could get on with it and I found it really okay. So I ordered two more months cause I had a load of weight to lose. Well judging by how well I did on my first month, I lost 15 pounds, it was a no brainer for me. I lost a total of 32 pounds overall and got pretty close to my target. I am totally happy about how it went for me and I really did find the food was okay.
Some people must have real fussy tastes I guess cause I can't see how anyone would say the food was gross when it certainly was NOT!
I am considering NS as I have always been overweight. I am getting married in June of this year and would like to start out my new life with my husband finally healthy. I also have a 10 year old daughter. My concern is spending the $300 a month for me alone and also buying groceries for my fiance and my daughter. I have approximately 60 pounds to lose and I am sick of the counting calories and points and would like to try something that is a little easier…Did anyone else have concerns about the cost of this plus buying food in the house for family members?
Hey Kelly, don't worry about the cost if you need to lose weight then put yourself first. I have a family of 4 kids and a lazy husband who doesn't help out at all in the home, but I still managed to get their food and work with Nutrisystem for myself. I must be cheaper now than when I did it 8 months ago. Only $300? Hey that's only $10 a day! Sure you can do it and if you have to cut down on the family food bill, $10 is nothing. Cut out some of the junk they eat and you can easily save $10 a day, like one large pizza or some soda – hell, I made my family drink water LOL! I found it was very easy to lose weight with Nutrisystem. I lost 26 pounds over two months and I actually enjoyed most of the meals, despite what some people seem to say about them. You can lose 60 pounds if you really want to. I didn't do any exercise but I'm sure if I had done, I would of lost much more weight. Anyways, good luck with it!
I started NS 5 days ago and am happy with it. I have over 100 pounds to loose and started NS out of desperation.
I ordered a pre-selected package and have found the food tasty for the most part (except the mac and cheese- I fed that to my dog). I am struggling with the small portions but solve that by occasionally gorging on a big bowl of steamed Brussel sprouts- not bad sprinkled with a dash of butter buds, garlic and parmesan cheese. Would I prefer a big steak and loaded baked potato? You bet! But I got on the scale this morning and found I've already lost 11 pounds! That made me feel better than ant steak could.
I have ulcerative colitis and its hard for me to eat a lot of raw fruits and veggies and high fiber foods without bothering my colon…I need to lose at least 100 lbs but need to know if these meals have a lot of fiber in them…
Hey Morgan, there is quite a lot of fiber in Nutrisystem meals as this is necessary for a healthy colon. However, in your case I would not recommend NS - more for the fact that you should not be eating any processed foods at all with your condition as the additives that are so often found in these will also irritate your colon. NS meals are made up mostly of processed foods.
Check with your doctor on this to be absolutely sure and maybe enlist the services of a good nutritionist because 100 pounds is a lot of weight to lose. You'll likely need a specialist diet that would take into consideration the colitis plus some kind of exercise routine to lose the weight safely. It won't happen fast and you shouldn't rush it, slow and steady is the best way to lose weight no matter how much.
I was considering trying NS, but I am concerned because the food is processed and I am fluid retentive. Would it be counterproductive for me to try it? My husband and I have not cooked with salt for over 37 years. When we have gone out to eat, which is seldom, anymore, I pay the consequences. Thank you.
Hey Pat, if salt is a problem for you then you should know that NS meals do contain levels of salt consistent with typical processed foods, so it may not be the right diet for you. You may be better off preparing and cooking your own diet menu in this case. The best advice I can give on that score is to go with fresh, healthy foods and keep portion sizes sensible.
If you need specialist advise, it would be worth your while consulting with a good nutritionist who can tailor a diet specifically for your needs. The best ones are those that are recommended by people you know, or if not, ask your doctor to recommend one. Hope that helps you.
I am so glad to see an honest review of NS. I'm on week one of the program and I have lost 4lbs in four days, and my husband who is doing NS with me has lost 7lbs. Ugh, Men!! The food is not 5 star, but it is a decent replacement option. Especially, if you feel you can't live without your comfort foods. Last night for dinner I had pizza and this morning I lost a pound. It's not often you can say that. I also find that if you add in all of the extras they reccomend hunger really isn't an issue. I've seen some people complaiin on other sites about the cost of having to add other things in, but compared to my eating out habit, I'm actually saving money. I'm really pleased with NS. I started with 30lbs to lose and now I only have 26 left and I still have 3 days left in the first week. I hope to keep this up. Once, again thanks for putting an honest review up.
Hi, I am medically retired from the military at 70% disability and am not able to work out as I have back, hip, and leg problems. I am not “overweight” for my height and age etc but I am NOT happy with my size. I am 5'3″ and float between 141-145lbs. I was 133 lbs a year ago when I retired and was still trying to tone up from having my 5 children. I do not eat a lot but I have read my skipping meals sometimes may be a part of the problem as well. I appreciate this forum with the feedback very much as it gave me a lot of insight. I am on a fixed income of course with the retirement and not having found suitable employment as of yet, so I was skeptical, but I think I am going to give it a try. Wish me luck 🙂
Hi Chicquila, you're right in that skipping meals does your weight more harm than good. Its better to eat several small light meals through the day than the standard three square meals but then missing one or more out altogether. Good luck with Nutrisystem by the way! 🙂
I am so glad that I found this blog. I am more pumped up to get started with NS after reading this. My boyfriend and I are planning to diet together with NS and mix in the P90X training also. I want to look like my “WoW” self again. My goal is to get in to that yellow polka-dot-bikini this summer and feel fabulous! I cannot wait to come back to this blog a month from now and share my success. Thanks to all the written reviews, good and bad!
Hey Rachel, you're welcome – and NS plus P90X is a winning combination.
I just ordered nutisystem and I think its really going to work. I'm a busy college student, so anything a can make quick is good for me! I really need to lose weight so I can be in my best friends wedding!
Hey caitlin, good luck with it.
I ordered NS 1 week ago. I was hesitant, but to be honest I did not have much success on WW with only losing at most 20 lbs. I need to lose about 8o lbs. WW was to much planning and cooking. I love to cook, but this gets me into trouble with consuming to many calories. I decided on NS because it is so easy. I am doing 5 days on and the weekends off. This works great for me as it gives me a little freedom to have normal foods and cook a little for only 2 days. During the week I work, so NS really works well. So far I have lost 5.5 lbs.
I know I have a long way to go and my only worry is can I hold out for the rest of the year and reach my goal. Also,my husband is doing WW but he is really supportive of me and thinks NS is a better option for me. So far I don't feel like cheating, because I know I will only cheat myself. Good Luck everyone and stay with it. Being healthy tastes great!
Hey Janie, that's great you lost 5.5 lbs already and only one week into the diet. Congratulations! I'm sure you'll do great and reach your target cause you sound like you're determined to get there!
I've steadily lost weight on NS (down 27 lbs…only 13 more to go) in 3 months. For those of you complaining of feeling hungry, it takes a couple of weeks of being on the plan for your body to get used to the smaller portions and for your stomach to shrink. If you've been eating large portions, your stomach streches. I got over the hungry hump by taking an over the counter appetite suppressant. It helped immensely. I had to actually set the alarm on my watch to remind me of my next meal because I never felt hungry. My body has now adjusted to the smaller portions and I no longer need the appetite suppressant. I get full very fast now and never suffer from the hunger pains. Also, drinking the recommend amount of water is a must as it will also “fill” you up and help eliminate the hunger. Good luck everyone.
Hey Angela, that's really great going there. And that's a really clever idea of using an appetite suppressant - a simple solution for a common problem! Thanks for giving us some great advice - you are a true inspiration to anyone who is having doubts that this diet really works!
I am thinking about trying Nutrisystem- have to finish up the food in my freezer first, so I was just looking up reviews and was happy to come across this. I had my gall bladder removed about two years ago and gained 30 lbs within a month of having it removed and have been struggling to get rid of the excess weight with just exercise (like I used to be able to.) Has anyone that has tried Nutrisystem already had their gall bladder removed and got good results?
I am considering this for both my husband and myself. I am a diabetic and he is not. My main concern are the ingredients used in NS meals. Are there many preservatives? Is it any different than just going to the supermarket and buying say “Healthy Choice” frozen meals?
Hey Sharon,
Nutrisystem do a diet plan specifically for diabetics and it is a lot better than supermarket Healthy Choice which are not so specialized and if you read the label you'll realize they're also not so “healthy”. Nutrisystem meals do contain preservatives but no more than supermarket alternatives.
The NS menu is a lot more varied and of course calorie controlled. Also NS provides all three meals of the day so its a complete diet designed to help you lose weight. Whereas supermarket alternatives are single meals that don't inspire you to stick to any kind of set diet.
Good luck to both of you with losing weight!
I guess from the lack of reply that most people that are trying this diet haven't had their gall bladder out. I will probably try it anyway, but it would be nice to have some feedback from people with similar experiences because I had read that people have some digestive issues on this and with no gall bladder, I already have some digestive issues that I take medications for.
Thanks to your review, I have decided to try Nutrisystem, and am expecting my first shipment this week! I had previously used another mail order diet from a big name company, but found the price tag of over $600 a month too much to accept this time around. When I tallied up the cost of NS, I found that even with food add-ins, it wouldn't be much more than I already spend on food anyhow. And to be honest, after putting on 100lbs during a trouble pregnancy, and only having been able to lose 40 without help, I need the right nudge. So I've committed to two months on NS, hoping to drop at least 25 lbs in that time frame.
Thanks for your thorough reviews, and for posting all of your readers' comments – it was very helpful to read all of this while I was trying to make my decision.
Hi Jen, sorry I didn't reply straight away but I don't have any expertise in that area so its not for me to advise. I was hoping someone would jump in and give their story, but seems no one can right now.
My mother had her gall bladder removed around thirty-five years ago and I remember she had to change her diet to leave out certain foods back then. Most dairy produce and red meat were off the menu for her and still are to this day. She never really gained much weight probably in part thanks to her natural diet, so was not in need of losing any. As she is into her 70s now and still as healthy as she was back then, I can see diet does play a big part in the way we all are.
From what I know of the NS menu, it is quite low in dairy and saturated fats, which may be okay for you - but to be sure you should probably check with your doctor.
Hey Shauna, your welcome and good luck with the diet. 25 pounds in 2 months is very doable with NS and there are plenty of folks who have written in here to say they lost as much as that - and some, even more!
I love nutrisystem. I already lsot 12 lb and want to lose more. It is easy, i am not hungry and i love that i dont need to cook. It also helps that you can refer people and they will get more.
Thanks!
I'm back on NS after trying it a few years ago, when I did okay for a few weeks and then abandoned it out of cravings for other food - especially “real” (fresh-frozen type) food, since back then, NS didn't have a Select option that I was aware of. After seeing the new TV ads for Select and having gained 9 pounds over the holidays, I was eager to try NS again - and I have been pleasantly surprised! The Select items are mostly VERY good, although definitely not gourmet; the lunches are okay now that I've learned to customize my order and not choose the freeze-dried style soups. I'm convinced that had I exercised some willpower and gotten some exercise, NS would have worked better for me last time - but I'm confident that with the new Select option, it's going to work for me this time. In just 3 weeks, I have lost the 9 pounds gained over the holidays and would probably have lost more, had I not indulged a glass or two of wine per week and binged on a few of the desserts or snacks ahead of time. Despite me working against myself, I am settled in to the NS program now and happy that my next order is just a few days away. I look at it this way: next year this time, I could still be at my pre-NS weight - or down probably a hundred pounds at a pretty safe rate of about 2 pounds per week. Hmm, which do I want??
Thank you so much for this post! I ordered my NS and am expecting it this week. This post has encouraged me in knowing that I am doing the right thing. And just a side note, NS does not advertise this, but you can order a la carte or by week, so that you can still make room in the kitchen for the rest of the family. I ordered two weeks, because of lack of room and because I want to try it out first before committing to the month trial.
After i read this site, all my doubt is gone! I need my life to get back and i know my life is more important being looks good is just a bonus. I have a four kids, since I have a four kids i don't care on myself anymore. This time, after i reading your all stories It gave me inspiration to start to get my life back again. Thank you everybody on your stories and wish me luck!!!! anyway please give me more inspiration! God Bless Us!
I ordered Nutrisystem and have been on it for two weeks as of tomorrow. I have to admit, I was a bit apprehensive as I read some reviews after I had placed my order, and there were quite a few reviews that weren't all that great. After receiving my food, I am actually pleasantly surprised. There are a few of the foods that I would absolutely never order again, i.e., the chicken salad. In 14 days, I have lost nine pounds and feel great. For the people that say they don't feel full after eating the meals, you probably don't feel full if you aren't supplementing your meals with the fruits and vegetables that Nutrisystem encourages you to eat. If I went without the vegetables/fruits, which make you feel full, I would be hungry all the time. One must realize that this isn't gourmet food, but it will help you drop weight if you do as recommended. I just bought my second month, so here's to the weight continuing to fall off!
Today is my first day on NS. I am hoping this is a diet I can stick too. I'm in the military and my hours can get kind of crazy so it's nice that I don't have to worry about my meals. I also like that I can track everything on the website. That to me is a very handy tool. I even got the app on my IPhone so that I can just log in and update it as my day goes on. I'm really hoping that this diet works. I am hoping to lose 30 lbs in 2 months. Thanks for the website, it really helped me make the decision to try NS.
Your welcome Megs and good luck with your diet - it works!
I used NS for 2 months. In that time I lost 20 pounds and was actually never hungry nor did I have any problems with the food. I don't see why anyone says it tastes bad cause I thought it really was okay. The best part is I never gained the weight back after, probably because I started eating healthier food everyday instead of going back to my old diet of really unhealthy stuff. Oh yeah, and I look your advice on drinking water and you know, that really helped. Funny, my skin feels a load smoother since then too… I guess there's more to what we eat than we think. Thanks for the review!
I just started nutrisystem about 4 days ago and have already lost 4.5lbs. Could this be right? I work out every day, and out 2 out of the 4 days i did hot yoga for 90mins. As well as working out I have been drinking at least 9glasses of water every day and following my meal plan. Is 4.5 lbs too much for 4 days?
Hey katyeg, that sounds like a lot of weight pretty fast, but you have to consider you're also working out and that will really cause a big negative balance with the calories, seeing as NS meals are low calorie. The weight loss will likely slow down as you go further along with the diet and your body gets used to eating that way. Check with the Nutrisystem support experts if your still losing weight fast after another week or so, they may have some good recommendations for you.
I do know it was my option to learn about Nutrisystem and I'm glad I did because I started on my own diet just over 2 weeks ago and I have already lost 8 lbs. I'm really incredibly impressed buy this cause I don't feel like I did anything out of the ordinary. The food is better than I expected after listening to some whining about it.
So for me, losing weight is now something that I can fix for myself and I'm no more on the lookout for attention or for someone else to take control for me cause I'm taking control for myself and it feels good. Thanks for the review!
I started NS on 2/11/11 and as of 2/18/11 I've lost 7lbs! I find the program easy to follow. I look forward to the next couple of weeks and reaching my goals.
I know some find the meal size small, but if you add the extra vegetables that they suggest, you will be full. I find that I can't even eat as much as they want me to after only one week!
I eat slower, I savor each bite. This helps me feel full after the meal since I've heard it takes about 15 mins for your brain to realize that you have eaten. Makes sense since before I used to over-eat and feel bloated after each meal!
Cheating shouldn't be an option. I know that its hard not to since eating is the one addiction that is totally accepted by society, but a drug addict CANNOT take “just one little taste” of a drug… an acoholic CANNOT take “just one little drink”…and over-eater CANNOT eat “just one chip, one cookie, one taste of food” that will trigger an over indulgence episode! When my brain says.. oh just go ahead and cheat ..no one is looking…I know its my food addiction talking..andI have to be strong to fight it. Eventually its voice will become a whisper..and I wont hear it so much.
I would recommend Nutrisystem to anyone who wants to lose weight. Whether it be 25 or 525 lbs! the website offers lots of tools to keep you on track, including a chat room with real time chat and you can connect with others who are going through the process.
Good Luck to all of you on this journey!
Thanks Peggy, you are a true inspiration to people who are thinking about or doing the Nutrisystem diet! Seven pounds in a week is really impressive, good luck to you for the rest of your diet, although I don't think you need luck as you seem to be making your own and plenty of it! 🙂
I'm thinking about doing this diet. I know how to lose about 30 pounds on my own but after that the weight loss stalls and sometimes I even start gaining. After a month my resolve is gone. If a person really needs 2500 calories a day, consuming 1800 a day and exercising seems like it would ensure success. But it doesn't seem to work like that. How many calories a day will I consume on this diet? Is it possible to exercise too much and starve your body of energy? Sometimes I don't understand why I'm so heavy when I exercise an hour a day. I know I'm eating things I shouldn't but some of the thinnest people I know enjoy fast-food and sweets on a regular/daily basis. There has to be more to it than just calories, carbs and fat. Is this where the glycemic index comes in to play?
I've enjoyed reading all the testimonials. The NS website says that 1-2 pounds a week is common but there seem to be many losing 10-15 pounds a month. I hope to be one of them.
Hey stan,
Much of the fat storage part comes from eating a lot of high GI carbs, so that's where the glycemic index comes into it. An hour of exercise a day should compensate for some of the bad foods but it may not compensate for all of them and that may be where you are coming unstuck.
The NS diet is around 2000 calories a day but the important part is the food is low in high GI carbs, so your exercise will have more effect but you won't run out of energy… at least not until you are really thin and there is no stored fat left to use. But it takes some serious working out to get anywhere near to that stage, so you'll be fine on the NS diet. Plus exercise every day and drinking plenty of plain water should see you losing more than the average 1-2 pounds a week.
good morning to all 🙂
so glad i found this site to get everyone's feedback. a little background: in 2001 i was diagnosed with m.s. i weighed in at the neurologist that day at 208. that's a lot on a 5'3″ frame, but both of my parents and other family members are 300+ pounds, so i had that “it's in my genetics” attitude. my doctor gave me a wake-up call by telling me that those within their ideal body weight have a 70% less likelihood of having another exacerbation. my weight loss journey began that day.
i basically just cut out things like ice cream, little debbie snack cakes, sodas, chocolate milk, and such out of my diet. i started doing some light exercising with an elliptical and when the wii came along, you can bet i was on it every night!
i got my weight down to 175 just by doing that. not breaking any land-speed records, but realize that this is a marathon and not a sprint.
i most recently did a 23 day round of the homeopathic hcg diet and lost 15 lbs. of course i was heavily restricted in what foods i could eat, and then could only have 500 calories a day! and while i can't complain about the results of losing 15 lbs in 23 days, it is certainly not something i would want to do again anytime soon. since i'm used to the teeny tiny portions i was allowed on the hcg, i don't think the ns portions will be a problem…
so now that brings me to nutri-system. i tried it several years ago, but the sodium was a bit overwhelming, and i was doing it alone in a home with my husband and two sons. very difficult to watch them eat the delicious meals i prepared while i was gnoshing on a salt lick.
however, now the boys are grown and have moved out and i have this last pesky 20# to lose, and my husband is going to do it with me this time! plus, i'm very excited about trying the frozen foods, assuming there is less sodium since they don't need the preservatives.
it just makes financial sense, too. with gas prices rising, and diesel prices going through the roof, the cost of farming and trucking items such as milk, eggs, wheat products, vegetables, fruits, meat, well…pretty much everything is going to rise to levels never seen before in the U.S., and i'm already spending anywhere from $6-$10 a day on lunch alone (and my husband another $6-$10/day just on lunch), my grocery bill was going increase to more than the cost of my hubby & i both on nutri-system, so we feel like this is an investment in our short-term and long-term futures. i'll keep in touch in about a month to let everyone know how it's going, if anyone is at all interested! 🙂
Hey Lorena, that's a really inspiring story! There's plenty of people who read this page but who don't want to leave a comment. So I'm sure there will be loads of people who will be looking forward to your update, me included 🙂
thanks for the vote of confidence *and the comment!* it looks like our order will be delivered on monday. i spent a good part of this afternoon cleaning out my pantry, thanks to those on this site who made that suggestion. starting to get really amped up 😀
Thank you for the review of the NS plan. There is diabetes on my mothers side of the family and my doctor told me to stay within the weight range of 130-140lbs. Well right after he said that my weight went up to about 143, was around 132 when he said that less than a year ago. I am thinking of trying the NS plan, does the typical person (who doesn't cheat) lose about 12-15lbs in the month, or does it depend on their beginning weight?
Hello! Im 23, and a full time college student. I'm 5'11” and weigh 211 lbs. My doctor says I need to shed a good 40 lbs to have the standard bmi raitio. Since my doctors visit, I've started fast walking on the treadmil for 96 minutes and weight lifting for 30 minutes daily. Will the NS help me lose my desired target of 40 lbs in 3 months? Also, do you think the combination of working out and eating right with NS will be a bit of an over load for my body?
Do the meals have an expiration date and do they need to be refrigerated?
Hey Angie, the amount a person loses is really an individual thing and differs from person to person. That's due to a number of different factors with starting weight being only one of them. Its hard to say what a person will lose and while there plenty of people who do lose 12-15 pounds in a month there are plenty more who will lose less and some will lose more. Health experts tend to agree that a safe weekly weight loss figure that people should aim for is around 1-2 pounds, which is more typical. That figure can increase when you add daily exercise into the routine because you burn more calories and it also helps a lot to drink plenty of plain water.
Hey Marc-Anthony, working out like you already do combined with a Nutrisystem diet will help you shed a lot of weight for sure, but there's no way to predict how much as every individual is different. 40 pounds in 3 months is not unreasonable if you keep up the exercising. You won't overload your body doing this - you'd be surprised at how resilient our bodies are!
Hi Charlie, the meals will have an expiration date as customers are expected to start their diet soon after taking delivery although the date will vary for the different types of meal. Most don't need to be refrigerated, just kept somewhere cool and dry while the fresh frozen meals need to be kept in a freezer.
I was skeptical about trying this diet but I need to lose weight so bad. My goal is to lose around 80lbs. I started NS exactly 1 week ago and have already lost 10lbs!!! I'm so excited. The food takes some getting used to but it's a diet after all and if you want to lose the weight bad enough you can do it. The thing I appreciate most is if you try something you absolutely can't stand you can call NS customer service and they let me swap out certain items I didn't like. If you are skeptical, I say give it a shot because so far I'm impressed. Can't wait to weigh in after 1 month.
Well as almost everyone else I have been on the diet roller coaster as well. About five years ago I lost a total of 80 pounds using LA Weight loss and it worked well for me, it was your own food but portioned out. I have kept most of the weight off but need to lose another 50 now and LA is no longer in my area. I just ordered my first month of Nutrisystem and am waiting for it to be shipped. I am the type that even though I have a bit of will power I need to have something over my head so to speak and paying for the food should be the right motivation to stick with it. I have read most of the post on here and everyone talks about how small the portions are, which I figured would be so, as it is a diet. But what I am wondering is, can't you add to the meal? I have already logged on to the NS website and it looks like you can add stuff or they want you to add fresh fruit/vegetables to the meals. Am I wrong in that? Cause if you think the portion is way to small can't you add a salad to the meal? Or other vegetables? If so that seems like it would fill you up. I will write again after my first month to see fill in my results.
Hey Lisa, that's really great going! Its always good to hear people are getting such amazing results with NS.
Hey Sherrie, you're right that you can add to the NS meals. On the NS website they do recommend certain vegetables and salad items that bulk the meals and don't add a lot of calories if you need them. Also, make sure you drink plenty of plain water especially a glass or two before each meal as that will also help you to feel fuller sooner. I look forward to hearing how successfully you get on.
Hey Sherrie, I have been o NS for 3 weeks. You have to add the fruits/veggies/proteins/dairy as the program directs to get the full benefit. Example: breakfast is NS breakfast (cereal/oatmeal/eggs, etc), a protein or dairy (usually an egg or yogurt), and a fruit. Beingon the women's basic plan, I do not have a scheduled mid-morning snack so I usually save my breakfast fruit for midmorning. Lunch is NS, plus 2 servings of veggies (one can be a salad with FF dressing) and a dairy or protein. Midafternoon snackis dairy or protein, supper is NS, fruit or veggie, 2 more servingsof veggies (again one can be with FF dressing) and a fat. Then dessert is a NS entree. I have not been hungery one day. You also have extras that you can add – these are sugar free – Jello, hard candy, whipped topping.
I love the ease of the program. The lunch bars are so easy for those of us on the go! I tried the frozen food, but at this moment you cannot customize these and I do not like frozen eggs. SO I am on the ready to go program. Also, there are many recipes to revamp the entree through the addition of the veggies, spices, sauces. Also, I am a carbohydrate junkie – I love breads!! I have not felt the desire for bread! Amazing!!!
The community area on NS is full of support and the counselors are super!! Good luck!
PS – my husband is also in the program and doing great. He has received a real eye-opener in realizing how important portion control is! He also hasn't felt any hunger on the program!
Hi Vicki, I just started the NS plan yesterday and was surprised I was not hungry either. I believe the main difference is the foods I used to eat compared to what I am eatting now. My first breakfast I had a glass of milk, I have not drunk milk in a long time and was surprised how good it tasted. I think the NS plan is opening my eyes to how I should have been eatting.
Good luck to you and your husband!
Ok, I'm scared. I am 5'2. I am 49 years old and I weigh 265 pounds. I am absolutely miserable and afraid I will have a very short life. I have read through all of these comments and I have decided to go with NS. I will exercise and I will supplement with fruits and vegetables (I'm type 2 diabetic, so it sounds like there's a specific plan I can order). I have SO much fat around my mid-section, does anyone out there have a success story to inspire me, who was as obese as I am and didn't have to have surgery to remove loose skin? Most folks on this blog are talking about losing 20 to 50 pounds, or so. I don't want to resort to bariatric surgery. I got myself this unhealthy, I'd like to take responsibility and reverse it. Please tell me this can work for me.
Hey Beth, I won't lie to you and say what you have ahead of you will be easy. But you are taking action and that is the most important thing. You have to remember Nutrisystem is a diet and like all diets it restricts the number of calories your body will get. When you stick to the diet, you will lose weight because your body will burn more calories than your consuming. If you can get some exercise that's even better because you'll burn more calories.
When you have a high starting weight, what often happens is you lose quite a lot of weight over the first few weeks. That's your body having to use up its store of fat to keep it running. Because it takes more energy to run a large body than it does to run a small one. As you get smaller, the rate of weight lost will slow down, which is the way it should naturally be.
When you exercise, you force your body to use more energy and it burns more fat. This is especially so when it's not getting anything it can store up from your diet. Start your exercises small and build up gradually. Don't try to rush things especially if you haven't done any exercise for a while. You need to get your body used to the exercise. It will over time and you'll be able to do a little more each day.
But the most important thing is to believe that you can do it. Have a definite goal in mind and write it down and put it up somewhere prominent so you see it every day. Then believe with all your heart that you can achieve that goal. Believe it every day and “want” it every day and know that you CAN do it! Often the difference between achieving and failing is your belief in one simple little phrase: “I can!”
I think it was Martin Luther King who said “Take the first step… you don't need to see the whole stairway, just take the first step…”
You have taken that first step. Now keep going until you reach your goal.
Hi – I am considering trying NS. I am 5'2 and 125 lbs. I tried Jenny Craig about a year and a half ago and had to quit because the food made me so sick. I am wondering how NS is different from Jenny Craig's food. Also, although according to every single weight loss chart I am within my weight category, but I would like to lose about 15 lbs to be where I would like to be. It was interesting to read about ordering foods with no sugar alcohols though…
Jackie, the meals from Nutrisystem are processed and pre-packed and while the range is a lot wider than Jenny Craig, it is not dissimilar in that it will never be as good as freshly cooked or home cooked food in taste or texture. The emphasis on these diets is convenience and ease of use. That's why they're so popular. But they don't suit everyone.
You are within your correct weight for you height. So is it more weight you want to lose? Or do you really want a slimmer, more toned looking body? If that's the case, then exercise while eating healthily is generally a better option than just dieting. Its a better long term solution and you will improve your figure too!
I really enjoyed this review of Nutrisystem. I am 20 years old and have been struggling with my weight for years. I did some research on nutrisystem before, but this review gave me the extra push to go through with it. I'm 175 pounds and my goal is to drop 40-50 pounds. I struggle with over eating, especially the tempting foods like pasta, pizza, and other junk foods. I am really hoping this plan works for me, as I am really unhappy with my weight and summer is coming! thank you for this insightful review, as it may be the boost that will help me to finally do something about my weight.
Your welcome Alicia. I hope you reach your goal cause you sound determined enough to get there!
This is my 7th week on the NS plan, and have to say I'm disappointed. I am 5'6″ and 161 pounds down from 167 pounds 7 weeks ago. I have followed the plan faithfully, and have exercised (walking/biking/weights 60-70 minutes) 4-5 days per week since beginning the program. I expected to see better results than I have. I lost 5 pounds the first week, and only 1 pound in the past 6 weeks!!
The good thing about the program is I have never felt hungry, however, much of the food is barely edible for me, and some I just could not eat. I called NS counseling and was told to try the program for 2 more weeks and then call back. I am discontinuing the NS program since I'm not seeing results, and will continue to work on an additional 10-15 pound weight loss purchasing grocery store-bought weight loss meals (which although not as convenient, will be tastier). The NS program HAS given me a better understanding of incorporating vegetables into my meals and portioning protein, which of course is a health benfit even if I did not take off the pounds.
Denise,
I am sorry you have having problems with the program. I just completed my first week and have lost 4 pounds.
With all the exercising you are doing could it be that you are building muscle, which I am told weighs more than fat and that is the reason you are not seeing a weight loss? Are you losing inches?
I have a problem of my own with the plan, its the excess gas that I am experiencing with all the added vegetables. Does anyone have a suggestion to help with this?
Hey Angie,
I had a problem with gas for the same reasons - all those vegetables! At first it was kinda funny but after two days I realized something needed to be done. I got some Beano and took it. Well two days later the gas had subsided so I was real glad about that. I kept up with the diet all the way through and the vegetables too!
Hi, i just started nutri system today and im having trouble. the meals are so small and i eat a lot and i have to admit that i cheated today and ate an icecream cookie sandwich which im not proud of. This morning,for breakfast, i had the nutrisystem breakfast cereal along with a hard boiled egg and some fruit to fill me up more. Is that okay to do? Will i still lose weight or will it take longer for me to lose weight? i really want to lose weight and do this diet and no cheat and be able to wear tank tops and not be embaressed to wear a swimsuit!
Hi Amelia, If you check the Nutrisystem website, they provide a selection of foods that you can eat along with their diet meals if you find them too small. Things like some fruits, vegetables and some dairy like low fat yogurt is okay. BUT…
If you are really determined to lose weight, you will make yourself learn to eat less! Smaller meals are the way to a smaller waistline!
You can also reduce the feeling of being hungry by drinking 2 glasses of plain water just before you eat each meal. That will help you feel fuller for longer and there are zero calories in water, plus its the best for re-hydrating your body. It has to be plain water and NOT juice or soda, not even diet soda – these are totally NOT allowed (read my article in this website on why soda is bad for you here: https://weightlossgo.com/top-100-weight-loss-tips/why-soda-is-bad-for-you.php to see why).
Hang on in there, try my suggestions and repeat to yourself over and over every day: “I CAN”
Hey Kelly, that is truly inspiring, thanks for writing in! It'll really help people reading this to see that anything is possible when you are truly determined to succeed.
Thank you for writing such an informative article.
I used Nutrisystem in January of 2008 when I was weighing 270lbs.
I was tired of not feeling well and I was ashamed because I knew it was up to me to make smarter I choices.
I chose NS, because it was easy. I didn't expect the food to be top notch but I did find many meals I actually enjoyed. It also allowed me to have chocolate for dessert.
I ordered NS and used it faithfully for about 8 months and then used my new found knowledge to eat sensibly.
In a year I lost 100 pounds and in the following 6 months I lost another 36 pounds. I no longer needed blood pressure pills and I was proud of myself.
There isn't a program out there in my opinion that will work, if you don't commit and work the program.
Hi,
I just started NS a week ago! I love it! I have lost four pounds in one week! I also exercise. I have been doing Zumba five times a week. Before I started NS my problem was that I didn't eat during the day and had a large dinner. Now eating all these meals I am so full. I think the meals are perfect servings. Especially because you eat many vegetables and fruits with it. To me it is not to much but not to little. All the food I have ate taste pretty good too. There is a couple meals that I had to add some seasoning but for the most part no complaints! Well I have 35 pounds to go! Wish me luck!
Hi Shan, sounds like your going the absolute right way about this - Zumba is great exercise and really compliments the Nutrisystem diet. Good luck and remember to drink plenty of water 🙂
I have read many reviews on Nutrisystem and not one (at least that I saw) mentioned the fact that you have to still buy your own snacks, as well as veggies, fruit, dairy, proteins and wheat rolls!! I was ready to eat small, ready to work out and ready to spend the money on this system, BUT not expecting to have to still buy more food! The food is full of fiber and protein to fill you which I liked and they taste pretty good except for some of the non-refrigerated meals for dinner, they were mostly gravy and very processed! I'm glad I tried it and lost 6 LBS so far in 2 weeks… but this is not for me long term… I could and need to do this on my own, with fresh foods! It's all about having many small meals, low in sugar, plenty of water and working out. Hope this helps someone who is thinking of doing this!
Thank you for your review. I've been on NS for three months.Years ago I lost alot of weight, when NS had centers. I went to one in San Diego. I got into the best shape of my life. Unfortunately, I gained it all back, and then some. Since I've been back on the program, I have lost only a couple of pounds…..which is nobody's fault but my own. I work in a Social Work type setting, which means that I'm in in the field all day. Unless I am organized with my meals, I wind up stopping and getting something stupid. I have new motivation lately….these posts really helped too! I'm determined to be more prepared…like packing my meals the night before I leave for work….so that this lifestyle will work for me. It's a wonderful program…I know that firsthand….but I'm the one who has to make it work 🙂 Thanks for the great article and for keeping up on these posts….here I go!!
Vicki (V), This review does state you have the option to buy additional foods to pad out the meals as a recommendation from Nutrisystem but it is not mandatory. It doesn't mean you have to buy them!
Many people get along just fine on the diet without adding anything to the meals.
You've already done really well losing 6 pounds in just 2 weeks and you will lose more before the end of the diet. Sure you can replicate this diet with your own foods and you are encouraged to do so once you end the diet. This is so that you don't revert to bad ways of eating and put the weight back on. Your own home cooked meals will taste better and will be better for being made from fresh ingredients - and that should be your long term diet. Nutrisystem is good for the short term weight loss and especially for people who simply do not have the time to prepare and cook their own diet meals.
Debby, your welcome. You sound like have a really great attitude so I'm sure you'll succeed this time around too. You're right that preparation and planning are the key to success especially as your out all day. And if you have your meal already with you, that'll stop you from grabbing something stupid, as you said! Good luck with it 🙂
This food is toxic. Gave it a week. Everything tastes like chemicals and poison. Lunch Tue was so bad that i stuck finger down my throat and threw it up. No financial bargain due to the added foods to purchase. This program and added costs are significantly more than I spend on my regular grocery bills. Stomach upset and diarrhea from day 1. Even after diarrhea lost zero.
Debbie, your comment is rather dramatic and unnecessarily negative.
The food is certainly not toxic or there would be a lot of lawsuits from relatives of dead customers.
You didn't like the food. Just say so.
We understand not everyone likes this kind of diet. Did you have any idea that NS was made up mainly of processed foods? Did you read reviews and learn all you could before you signed up.
If you had, you would have known what to expect and not signed up for a diet that is clearly not suited to your tastes.
Hey Debbie, I think that comment was totally uncalled for. I am on my third month of Nutrisystem meals and I find the food is nearly all pleasant and in some cases actually very nice to eat. I have lost a total of 34 pounds so far and I am VERY happy with the diet.
Toxic is a word I would describe your attitude to this diet, not to the food itself. You clearly do not like processed food, yet you still signed up for this diet. Did you actually do ANY research on what it entailed beforehand? Did you think that you were going to get a package of gourmet, fresh cooked meals that would last a whole months in a single package delivered to your door?
I doubt you had any idea what you were getting into. It must have come as a shock to you when you opened the box. Did you complain to Nutrisystem? You don't mention any contact with the company, or any attempt to resolve the issue with them.
Yet you sure thought it was okay to write a negative, caustic attack on the diet and take advantage of this forum owner's goodwill because he publishes all the comments that customers write in. Shame on you!
I am just about to start the program.Read all reviews twice and also watched some YouTube reviews.All were helpful and I am hoping to be successful.My family made a major move recently from east coast to west coast…my eating has been terrible.Now that we are settled I want to get my weight under control.I also have hypo thyroid which makes weight lose even more difficult.I'll check back in when I get started…until then thanks for all the info.
Hey Kim, I know from a friend that getting the right dosage of thyroxine is very important for helping to get weight under control. Even if the dosage is slightly out it can make a big difference. Good luck with the NS diet and to your success.
I've been on the system almost 2 weeks, and I'm amazed at how easy it is to manage my eating. I've been logging my eating on their website, and it's very helpful to see the actual caloric intake daily. I'm noticing that many of the people posting on this site aren't supplementing their NS meals with the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables every day. I think that makes a big difference with feeling full and satisfied. I notice I sometimes get very hungry right before mealtime, but then I'm satisfied. I am expecting a rather slow weight loss rate, perhaps 2 to 6 pounds a month, and am surprised to hear how much weight people are losing so quickly. Some of the dinner foods, (beef stew with gravy; most of the beef dishes) taste like cat food, so I'm changing my order for the second month. I think one thing that is really working for me is that my sweet tooth is totally satisfied with the breakfast, lunch and dessert choices. I've been very adherant to the plan, and have found it very easy.
Hey NBL, its good to hear your sticking with the plan. Its the secret to succeeding! I can't say I ever tried cat food, so I wouldn't be able to make that comparison, but not all the meals will taste so good to everyone and there will always be favorites and those some just don't like. You have a great attitude and changing your next order is a positive step in the right direction.
Some of the folks that comment in here have been losing more weight, some less. Generally, those with heavier starting weights are more prone to losing more weight in the early days of their diets. Others will lose weight faster if they are exercising to compliment their diet. But health and nutrition experts agree that that 1-2 pounds per week is the recommended rate of safe weight loss for most dieters. That puts you squarely in the safe zone, so you are doing it right!
I ordered Nutrisystem back in 2007, and I fell for the “Smoke and mirrors” illusion of “Okay! I'll order this and never have to leave the house or be tempted by the grocery store again!!! Not true, once you've paid your $250, you then have to go to the store and get MORE food. Yes! I was spending about $40 extra a week thats over $400 a month for one person on food! If you can afford it, it's AMAZING, really love it. It roadmaps everything for you, but if you have more self dicipline, I'd suggest Weight Watchers. I personally do Slim-fast, I love not having to think, measure, weigh, and waste. Slim fast is a bit more pricey the Weight Watchers, but it works for me. You may have to go through TONS of weight loss plans before you find the one for you. Not everyone is the same.
One thing I'd like to add…
The Nutrisystem Team is VERY helpful, and always answer when you call, it's always a person when you want. My mom tried it and decided, she didn't like it, and sent the unused product back, and they gave her a full refund. So even if you want to “test the waters” you've nothing to lose.
Here I am again,been on program for almost one week and all I can say is…thank you Nutrisystem.I was afraid I wasn't going to like the food due to some comments.Instead I have really liked everything so far.I am a pretty good cook so I do have a taste for good and bad.It has all been good…really!I feel good and hopefully when I go to the Doctor I will see a good weight lose.I really should get a scale..but I hate them…Anyway,for anyone considering this program all I can say is GO FOR IT…and good luck.
I am going to start NS in a month or so and this site has helped me make my decision. Can I use Mrs dash or hot sauce to liven some of the meals up?
Hey Kim, that's great to hear. From what I'm seeing here, there is really only a very small minority of people who didn't like the food, but its down to personal taste and nearly all the people that wrote in said they liked it.
Hey grouchyeve, you can use herbs and spices to liven up the meals for sure. With bottled sauces, read the label first cause some of them have hidden calories from added sugar or corn starch. Probably the best of them is Tabasco sauce if you like it real hot!
Or you can even get adventurous and make your own fresh spicy dressings. I do this often myself by using a little cider vinegar and olive oil mixed and some finely chopped chilies, regular peppers (capsicum), onions and garlic, maybe some ginger or whatever spices I'm in the mood for. Like freshly ground black pepper, cumin, turmeric etc and herbs like chopped parsley, cilantro (coriander), basil, oregano etc. Spices and herbs have no calories and you only need a little to really give any meal some real zing!
Unfortunately I had a terrible experience with Nutrisystem. I They food was awful and they charged my debit card without me permission. When I called to cancel they would not provide truthful information, they would not except a complaint and would not remove my personal information from their system. Please spread the word that this is a shady business looking to fool customers who are not checking their finances carefully. I worry for people who may not have the ability to be so vigilant.
Sarah, I'm sorry you had a bad experience with Nutrisystem.
I'm a little surprised at the nature of their dealings with you, as they are generally most helpful in all cases. I wonder just how your call went with them? Was it a level headed conversation that led to a successful compromise between the two of you? It seems not.
I happen to know that in cases of complaint, the company are most assistive and will try to work things out with customers who are not satisfied with their service. If you set up a re-charge to your debit card, then they will have taken the money quite legally and properly. The onus is on you to make sure that you monitor and maintain your bank account and its cards properly. It is not for you to worry for people not being able to be so vigilant, for heavens sake. Its their bank accounts and their money and they should take responsibility.
Now, I'm happy to publish all comments that are left here, good and bad. But I only ask that they be reasonable and if of a complaining nature, then to be truthful and provide verifiable information and not just be an empty rant.
This is not a forum for “spreading the word that this is a shady business” as Nutrisystem is NOT a shady business. They are a long standing and highly respected company that have been providing successful diets to customers since the 1970s. The vast majority of people who leave comments here are or have been more then happy with their diets and the support they got from NS.
I just completed my second month on Nutrisystem for men and hit my target of being 20 pounds lighter. I have to write in because it was your review that prompted me to try this diet and I am really happy I did. I felt I was prepared for the food, but I got a really pleasant shock when I started eating it because it was way better than I thought it would be.
After reading some of the comments from other people here, I guess I must like the taste of cat food or something, cause I thought the beef meals were quite tasty LOL! I liked all the meals I ate and the only thing I felt could be improved some would be to make the portions a little bigger. Sure, I understand that part of the plan is to learn to eat less and it wasn't so much that I felt hungry after eating any meals, but I wanted to eat more cause they tasted so good!
Okay, now I'm starting to sound like someone's paying me to write this. But I have to agree with most folks that have written in that the food is pretty good and you can lose weight with this diet and the best part is it really was easy! Thanks for your review that got me started and thanks to everyone that wrote in with their positive experiences.
PS: To that last commentor, Sarah - You clearly must've gotten someone over at NS riled up if they weren't helpful. What did you do wrong? I found their customer support really helpful and I just canceled my repeat order, cause I didn't need it anymore, with no hitches at all. They guy I spoke to on the phone was most helpful and had everything finalized real fast.
Nutrisystem is a GREAT diet. I lost 11 Pounds in the first month. Food was good. Lots of flavor. Didn't taste like diet food. Your review was very helpful.
Only issue is with food delivery. READY TO GO items come directly from Nutrisystem but FROZEN FOOD does not…subcontracted to another company.
Never received my second FROZEN FOOD Shipment. Much to my surprise, when I contacted Nutrisystem they could not track the order or tell me when I was getting the food. Instead they gave me more READY TO GO items free of charge.
In my opinion, fundamental flaw in the company. If you pay for Nutrisystem Food…Nutrisystem should be able to assure delivery. They cannot.
At this point I do not know when I will be receiving my second shipment of FROZEN FOOD items…neither does Nutrisystem.
Hey Scott, good to hear your doing well with NS. First time I ever heard of subcontractors losing a frozen food shipment and I can't believe Nutrisystem can't track it. Surely they must be in contact with the contracting company and be able to get them to come clean about what they did with your shipment.
If I were you, I'd get back on to NS and see if they can do some more on this, cause I'm sure they can. They can put pressure on the contractor to provide answers and I'm sure they will if they want to keep doing business with Nutrisystem. Good luck with getting your order soon.
I started Nutrisystem exactly 2 weeks ago, and so far I have lost 15 pounds! I was quite hungry the first few days, but I made sure not to cheat and I got through it. It is a bit difficult at first, especially since I have a husband and a 5 year-old son to cook for (it's hard watching them eat the foods I enjoy), but if you stick with it the payoff is way worth it. I lost nearly 10 pounds in my first week alone.
I found it much easier to get by if I stretched out my “add ons”. For example, I would have a nutrisystem breakfast and a glass of milk in the morning. This would fill me up okay for about an hour or two, and then I would have my fruit. So, rather than eating all of my add ons at once, I would sometimes eat them over a period of time. (Another example: I'd eat my lunch with a lowfat string cheese, and then snack on cucumbers an hour later). It was pretty helpful, in my opinion. Once I got over the initial hunger, I found that I didn't need the extras anymore.
I would like to lose a total of 50 pounds, and at this rate I feel like that would happen.
I also have your site to thank for pushing me towards Nutrisystem. I had been thinking about it for quite some time, and your site finally convinced me. Thank you!
When people say SMALLER PORTION SIZE I am curious what they mean.
I eat microwave meals 1-2 times every day (Stoufers, lean cuisine, smart ones, etc).
Are the smaller than those?
ALSO – would I better off just going and buying 120 healthy low calorie, low fat frozen meals/deserts for $1-$2 each at my local supermarket? It seems way cheaper.
What is the benefit of eating the frozen meals from NurtiSystem or the Lean Cuisines and Healthy Choices at my local store for just a couple bucks a portion.
One other comment. When signing up online the price for the SELECT PROGRAM is $289.
It doesn't seem to say anywhere that it's only that price IF you committ to doing the program for two months.
Someone on the phone (customer service) at NurtiSystem just said that if I quit after 1 month they will bill me extra for the shipping and 10% discount because I did not try the second month.
This seems like a rip off - can anyone confirm or deny whether I can do just 1 MONTH for $289?
Hey Myah, your most welcome. I'm really happy for you that its working so well and your positive about it, which is so important!
Hey Dan, the “smaller” portions are about on par with the lean Cuisine meals. By smaller, I was talking about the way people tend to eat very large meals and how much of a difference they would notice when they made the change to Nutrisystem.
Your right its cheaper to eat supermarket low calorie meals, the math speaks for itself.
The benefits of Nutisystem or any other similar diet delivery program is that its a structured dieting system. It makes it easier for people to stick to a set diet plan, plus you have access to the full support of their nutritional staff and even counselors if you need them. There's also the psychological effect that by paying for a month-long diet you feel more duty bound to stick to it because you paid for it.
Hi Dan,
I know some people who pushed that point with Nutrisystem and got a single month for the advertised price and no extra charges. They were pretty firm about it and agreed on the deal up front and got it in writing to cover themself. You gotta remember there's competitors angling for your business and NS sure know it.
Otherwise if you just say nothing, they can charge you extra if you cancel after only one month. Its in their small print someplace. Yeah, its basically “bait and switch” and it sucks and it ain't fair but its the same for most of those companies. You just gotta be assertive.
One thing, I did my diet with NS over a longer term and I found that even two months is pretty short to get good results. I worked it over 3 months and lost a total 26 pounds in that time, which I was real happy about. I guess it depends a lot on the individual, their needs and of course what they can afford to pay!
Hope that helps - Richard
I am looking to purchase old nutrisystem phamphet which unfortunately is not available from the official site. If anyone has it, I would like to buy it from them. It has practical mental excersises to work with issues such as:
making self as priority,
developing compassion for self,
resolving past issues (mental floss)
reducing excuses (cutting down the Buts)
setting goals (life mapping)
etc. ….. There are 7 totals written on 4 folding pages.
These were most helpful for me.
Please if anyone has it or knows how I can find this, send me an email
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Terra
I don't display comment emails to help prevent spam.
If anyone can help, please drop a comment in here with a valid email address and I'll pass on Terra's email to you.
I just joined NS and am on day 4. I do not want to get on the scale for at least a week. My spouse and I are doing this together and I think that will really help with motivation. Everyone here is right about the size of the meals; but by adding in the vegetables, it makes a pretty darn good meal (For Diet Food !!!) I can honestly say I have not been hungry on this diet. I have struggled with weightloss my entire life. In 1988, I lost approx 80 and have put about half back on. Now that I am over 40, I am noticing issues that were not there as a younger person, High cholesterol and high blood pressure.
I would like to write back again and tell you of my progress. Like I mentioned, 4 days in and absolutely no cheating !!! Yippee
Karen
Hey Karen, good luck and we look forward to hearing how you're doing!
I just wanted to say that Nutrisystem has changed my life! I have about 40 pounds to lose. I started it over three weeks ago and between following the meal plans and exercising I lost over ten pounds and 3 inches!I have a little less than 30 to go! I know many people are thrown off of the portions but to be honest I have found that by adding my vegetables, fruits, and proteins into the portions I stay full. I recommend to anyone who is using nutrisystem, if you are still hungry eat extra vegetables rather than eating junk food. Also make sure to drink a lot of water! Just remember it does take a persons body about 15-20 minutes to realize they are full. I found that after following this plan I cannot even think about eating anything that is to much of junk food. I am not going to lie, I have cheated and I paid for it! I was craving Thai noodles and I ate some, maybe to much and I was so sick for the rest of the night!I just ordered another month of nutrisystem and I think I should be able to do it myself! I just know that I have felt so great the last few weeks and I owe it to nutrisystem opening up my eyes to my lifestyle! The only down side I have found was some of the meals to me were not very tasty to the point that I had to throw it out. Such as the sweet and sour chicken and the sloppy joe. I switched my meals around for my next month. I do however, love the breakfast burritos, the pastas,the pizza's, and all the desserts. Again I definitely recommend nutrisystem to anyone who has weight to lose and need help planning their meals to do so! Good luck! Hope this post helps!
Hey Shan, Thanks for your comments and sure it helps, cause people want to hear from others who are having great results with Nutrisystem. It motivates folks and gives them hope that they can do it too!
Just started my third week and so far so good.Really happy with the food,take it with my family when we go out to eat.Usually tell the waitress and they are so positive and supportive.If I can do this then anyone can…really! Good luck to everyone starting the program.I'll check in again soon.
Hey Kim, its great to hear from you that your enjoying the diet and being so positive. You're a true inspiration to others! We look forward to your next update.
Tried NS last year and was disappointed after the first month. Food was bland and portions small. Energy level took a nosedive. Found a piece of a plastic lid (1 in by 1/2 in) in one of the bars and called customer service expecting some concern about the safety of their product and was met with total disinterest. Was told I would get a call from a customer service rep, which I thought would be for more information concerning what was found in the bar, call never came. Instead I received six replacement bars in the mail, which I threw away. If their not interested in their food then neither am I, quit and will never go back.
Ted, maybe you should have read up on NS before you purchased, then you would have known that the portion sizes were small. As to the food being bland, you can spice it up using your own herbs and spices or add some vegetables to the main courses.
I'm sorry you didn't get much help from support, this is not the norm. Did you follow up with more phone calls? Because sometimes you need to exert a little extra pressure if things don't get done right away. Its the same with any company no matter what products or services they sell you.
Sure you can argue that they should be doing a better job than they did, and I am surprised they didn't take you more seriously. Something like that can be worrisome enough to any company with the potential threat of a lawsuit in the making. But no one is perfect and even a customer support person can have a bad day. You just have to keep on top of things, instead of waiting around for someone else to take action for you.
Hey Kim again…just called ordering department and must admit I was disappointed.As you know I have been very pleased with the program and have been doing well.I called to find out if I could switch a few things on the frozen list as I don't do well with green peppers os too spicy…there were about 3 items I wanted to change.The answer was…no way,can't be done then the person from Nutrisystem said,” well,maybe this isn't the right program for you and you should consider stopping.” Wow…wasn't expecting that…how's that for supportive ?? Honestly I'm not wanting much and I really think this was a poor approach.I'm not going to let this ruin my motivation and I thought maybe you could pass this on for me…Thanks.
Hey Kim, that's not a good response from a support section that's supposed to “support” you. Sure, I'll pass your comment on to NS. I can't promise anything cause I'm only an affiliate of the company, so I don't really have much say.
But they might just take notice when they realize four to five hundred people come to this website from Google/Yahoo/MSN etc each day and read these comments!
Hey…Kim again…don't know if you did something but anyway had to give an update.Got a call from customer service this morning.They were incredibly helpful and apologized for the comment that was made to me.The frozen foods cannot be customized yet but they are working on it.The representative worked out a plan for me and said I could call her anytime.Wow…isn't that great.You know it really made me feel encouraged, normally I would just let something like this go and then feel frustrated….hence…eat something.
Anyway thanks for listening and by the way…12 pounds gone in 3 weeks.
Hey Kim, that's great news - and 12 pounds lighter too! 🙂
I am about 2 months into the system and about 20+ lbs lighter. I still have ways to go, but when you get positive reinforcement from the scale it helps a lot. I got around small meal size by supplementing liberally with veggies, raw or cooked very healthily, but still maintaining the ratio of the food groups. I am having fun experimenting with new veggie recipes. I also added plenty of excercise. The reality is that what it always boils down to is DISCIPLINE. The biggest challenge, and the key to success here, is learning to eat until no longer hungry, and not until full.
I do have to say that the taste of some of the meals is left to be desired, but its a small price to pay. What will have a big price tag is the new wardrobe you would have to buy. Unless you still have the clothing from your slimmer days, but who wants to dress like it's still the 80's?!
P.S.
The low glycemic index is the key here. The very first thing I have noticed even before any significant weight loss was the disappearance of acanthosis nigricans. It is a specific skin change usually present in the armpits and the neck, it is a sign of hyperinsulinemia. Being a physician this is the kind of things I notice.
Hey Greg, thanks for sharing your experience with us. You got the whole ethos of weight management summed up in that one word: “discipline”
When you possess that quality in good measure, you can achieve just about anything you set your mind to.
I am considering trying NS to lose 20-25 lbs. I have a crazy, busy job where I sit at the computer all day and am on conference calls all day, so sometimes don't get for a break to eat. I also have no time to exercise lately, so I think that's where the last 10 lbs creeped on over the last 6 months. Packaged diet meals may just work for me since I have no time to cook.
I appreciated all of the useful comments here, but unless I missed it, I didn't see any comments on food allergies. I have some weird ones related to mold/fermentation, so I can't eat things like mushrooms, beans or soy. I'm guessing it would be safer to customize than order the Favorites. Also, aside from including frozen foods, how is the Select different than the Basic? Has anyone lost more weight on one or the other?
Since the comments about customer service are not too positive, I want to make sure I sign up for what fits me best from the start. I would appreciate any advice. I'm ready to try NS ASAP!!
Hey Khaki, I can tell you that you would definitely need to customize your order, cause some meals do contain beans etc, although you will have to work it out with customer support. Don't be discouraged by the recent comments on support issues. There were only 2 of them and one happened last year, so these are pretty isolated cases. In the main, support is very good, but if you don't feel your getting the best service from the person your speaking with, you can always ask to speak with a supervisor. Its important to get your order right from the outset and make sure that NS are very clear about what you can and cannot eat.
Here's the difference between Select and Basic. With Select, all the main meals are fresh frozen, while the Basic is 30% fresh frozen meals. This is a recent improvement on the Basic plans. As to whether you'll lose more weight on one plan or another, I think that's got to be dependent on the individual and a tough one to really quantify. That's because we're all different and we all lose weight at different rates depending on what we eat (or don't eat), our height/build, start weight, physical makeup and a whole load of other variables.
If anyone has any more help for Khaki, please feel free to add your 2 cents!
The food is great.
However, good luck getting your frozen portion. Nutrisystem contracts Schwann's to deliver it. If Schwann's screws up for whatever reason, Schwann's will claim you “refused” shipment, even if the fact is you were home the whole day by the phone and no truck came, and no one called.
Then when you call Schwann's they will say they don't have info for your Nutrisystem order. Then you will call Nutrisystem and they will say oh we'll get you another shipment out. IN TWO WEEKS. Then when you beg to differ, they will say sorry, nothing we can do.
Unbelievable.
Hey Michael,
Sounds like there needs to be more communication between Nutrisystem and Schwann, because this is not acceptable.
If I were running that side of the business and found out the contractor didn't deliver and refused to be held responsible for their mistake, I'd make it clear they better get their act together or I'll be looking for a new contractor rather than risk losing my valued customers, present and future, to someone else.
As for the “nothing we can do” comment - there's always something that can be done when you try!
Hi,
I am Diabetic and am interested in the Diabetic program,but have not read any blogs on it… anyone out there try this yet? how were the results? how do they compare to the regular programs?
I have steadily gained weight over the past twenty years and could never get the weight to come off. In addition to the weight, I became extremely tired and was in alot of pain. The forced sedentary lifestyle created more weight! Now I find out that I have been suffering from lyme disease, the doctors say they have cured me (a whole different story there!), but the pain and fatigue are still with me. My question to you is.. Does this diet take into account differing metabolic rates? Could the food provided increase metabolic rates? Is there some kind of guarantee if the diet does not work? I can walk now, but I will never be able to walk fast or work up a sweat, but I know if I get some weight off, my pain will decrease somewhat and my joints will be happier – any info you can give would be appreciated.
Jackie, sorry to hear about your struggle with Lyme disease. Getting back to some measure of fitness must be your priority. As for being told that you may never walk fast again, if the determination and spirit is in you to go the extra mile, you may actually surprise yourself what obstacles you can overcome.
The Nutrisystem diet does not come with a guarantee if it fails. No diet does. I don't mean to sound harsh, but the truth of it is the only person that fails on a diet is the dieter - for whatever reason. By the same token, the only person who can succeed on a diet is the dieter!
Your right that you need to raise your metabolism. Eating a low carb, high protein, high fiber diet is one of the better ways to do that, although any exercise you can do, no matter how light, will help you. I know of many people who had mobility issues try swimming and found it very theraputic and beneficial.
Nutrisystem meals are designed to be balanced between protein, low GI carbs, unsaturated fats and fiber. They will help but you may need to add more fiber to them by getting fresh vegetables as they recommend. It would also help you to talk to their customer support about your specific needs as they can advise you on ways to customize your diet to better suit you.
Another thing that you can do that will really help you is to drink plenty of plain water every day. Aim for two or more pints per day and you can add a little fresh squeezed lemon juice (straight from the lemon, not out of a bottle!) if you want to give it some flavor. Don't drink it fast, its best to sip it regularly through the day. This will go a long way to helping detox your body and it doesn't cost a thing (apart from a few lemons).
Hope that helps. If anyone else has anything to add, please do!
Jackie, for what it's worth..I was diagnosed with Hashimotos disease several years ago.This is a hypothyroid disease that really slows your metabolism down.Created a big problem with losing weight.Talked to doctor about Nutrisystem and he supported this decision.You got to keep moving even just walking but the program has been very good for me..Fill in gaps with fruit and vegetables and I think you'll succeed too.Sometimes you brain wants to say..this won't work…too much working against it.But try and let us all know on the message board hear how you're doing.Good luck!
I am seriously considering the nutrisystem plan….My only concern is eating out. In my job I have client lunches and dinners. Would I be able to maintain the diet on those ocassions buy ordering something healthy or salads?
Smittie your success with NS would depend on the frequency of these lunches and dinners. If they are only, say once or twice a week, then no problem. Just order something low calorie/healthy from the menu as best you can. You can easily counter any increase in calories by getting some exercise and being sure to stick to the diet the rest of the time.
I'm wondering how to frozen meals compare to the shelf stable meals. I do not have a lot of freezer space I have probably 25 pounds to lose and i'm a nurse that works midnights so I do not cook much.
lbk0123, do you mean in terms of quality or volume? They are generally better quality than shelf stable meals, but if your worried about storing them, they don't take up a great deal of space. Most domestic freezers can easily swallow them up as long as you don't have too much other stuff in there.
This is by far the WORST experience I've had with any weight-loss company. Their customer service representative assured me that this was not a membership program and that I would not be auto-billed or shipped. He walked me through which program to join and how to order.
The dried food was disgusting!! I had to throw half out because it was not editable. The eggs, for example, are dried… yuck! The fresh food is good but it's through Schwans. I recommend going to Schwans directly and ordering their healthy choice. They are very yummy and we're doing bi-monthly shipments now for the entire family.
I got an email about my next auto-delivery from Nutri System. I was shocked because I had been assured that this wasn't a membership program. There is no way to cancel online – you have to call. I called and was told that there would be a $62 penalty for canceling early. I told her of my previous conversation and she told me that if someone had told me that, they had probably already been dismissed. I said that didn't matter, he was a representative of the company at the time. She said it didn't matter.
I'm going to dispute the charge with my credit card. I also filed a complaint with the BBB and Nutri System itself. Do NOT order from them. Go directly through Schwan's, which isn't a membership program at all!
Alana, I agree with you that their customer support has not been very supportive of its customer, which is its job. Nutrisystem is in business to sell their diet program and they rely on regular people to buy it. Its not good business practice to have employees go telling new customers the wrong information. They say they sacked the errant employee. That's not much comfort to you. I think they can do better than that and I think you ought to get back to them and be more assertive.
Now on to your other point. Its no great secret that Schwann's provide the fresh frozen food part of Nutrisystem's program. You have to realize Schwann's is an online supermarket where you can buy a whole range of foods.
But Schwann's is NOT a diet company and they do NOT provide any backup, support or counseling for people who want to lose weight. They sell food. Most of that food is regular food that will not help anyone lose weight. Please remember that when you go recommending people go buy stuff in here.
On this website, we are committed to helping folks lose weight, not go shopping for regular food! Please show us you have done all you can and have some real results before writing a complaint. Complaints don't motivate anyone - and we're here to motivate folks to lose weight!
Incidentally, if you really want a diet menu that is only made up of fresh frozen meals, choose Nutrisystem Select plans. The food quality is much better.
If you want an alternative that, like Nutrisystem is delivered to your home but provides only gourmet chef prepared, fresh frozen meals and if you don't mind spending more money:
Bistro MD.
That link will take you to a review I did on them recently. Its a much better alternative to supermarket food and customers only need to buy 7 days of food at a time.
I have to disagree with your last commenter when she said the food was bad. I don't really understand how anyone can say that cause I found the food was really okay. Sure its never going to replace mom's home cooked meals, but this is a diet for losing weight, not a gourmet meal course! Anyhow, I stuck to the diet and I lost weight, which is why I did it. It took me three months to lose 28 pounds. That might not seem like a lot to some folks, but to me it was amazing seen as I've never lost weight on any diet before I tried Nutrisystem for men. I believe that any one can see good results depending on how much discipline they have. Going around complaining you didn't like the powdered eggs is not the right way to do it. If it upsets you so bad, go buy some real eggs at the store and eat them!
As for the stuff on customer service, all I can say is I had to contact them on several issues. The person I spoke with each time was friendly and really helpful. But one thing I don't get is why would she needed to ask if NS is a membership plan? It says so all over the website if you look! It also says that you have to set up auto delivery to take advantage of the offers, or you just pay the full price. Is that so hard to get?
I just want to say thanks to Nutrisystem for working for me when other diets failed. What other folks do is up to them. I just know I recommended this to some of my friends and they are also doing great, so it's not just me. And thanks to the guy that runs this site for the review that got me started in the first place!
Hey Geoff, thanks for the mention!
Never mind about people complaining, they have to get it off their chest if they didn't like it. Although I just wish they'd give us better detailed info on what they did to try and resolve their issues rather than just sound off.
Its great you lost that weight and now your friends are on their way to success too. It just shows that it works and when you put your mind to it you can achieve what you set out to do!
I feel the same as Geoff..I have found most of the food to be good.After the first month I simply customized my order to get the foods I liked as well adding a few more to try.Frozen still cannot be customized yet but hopefully soon…As I wrote earlier I did have one bad experience with customer service but unfortunately some people just have bad attitudes..it happens.
Long story short I am into my sixth week on the program and have lost 13 lbs..slow but steady.I hope others will have good luck.
What a good review. Thanks for publishing both good and bad comments. This helped me make my choice in ordering my 1st month of NS last night and I will hopefully get it next week. I am 23 and have been struggling with my weight since high school. I have about 30-40lbs I want to loose and this seems like the perfect way to go for me. I also got a gym membership and will be signing up for Zumba and Kickboxing classes. Hopefully that will help the pounds come off a little quicker then 1-2 per week. Thanks so much and good luck to everyone else as well!
Your welcome Laurie B. Here's wishing you all the best with your diet and weight loss plans. You sound like you mean to succeed and I'm sure you will!
Hey Kim, you're doing great at 2lbs a week. Its textbook weight loss at that rate, and that's perfect!
I just ordered my first month! I'm really excited about it. My sister tried it and looks amazing after just one month! My only worry is…how do I make sure they don't send and charge me for anymore months?
Hi Sharee, its great you are giving this a shot. If you only want a single 28 day shipment of food, chances are you signed up for auto-delivery and will have to phone NS to cancel subsequent deliveries. The only problem with that is they will bill you for the cost of delivery plus any discount you had on your initial order.
It sounds harsh but when you think it through, the company is there to make a profit. Nutrisystem offers discounts and other bonuses like free delivery on the premise that you accept at least 2 months of food. That's how they make their profit. If everyone got just a single month of food for a cheap rate and let Nutrisystem foot the bill for delivery (someone has to pay for it), the company would soon go out of business!
I know its tucked away on their website, but there is a FAQ that explains it and I have posted a link to it in the body of the review above.
On the flip side, a diet that lasts for only one month is really not long enough to get back into shape for most folks, especially if you want the weight to stay off in the long run. Two months or more are usually needed to make any appreciable difference with a rate of weight loss at 1-2 pounds a week being recommended by experts.
Chances are it took you considerably longer than a month to put the excess weight on, so it makes sense that it should take a while to lose it again safely and sustainably.
I will be trying nutrisystem for the first time soon since this and other websites have helped me make my decision. I have pretty realistic expectations on the food and I think that I will actually like it because i'm used to eating processed food and eat fast food pretty often. With this diet i'm hoping to lose about 30 pounds and not only that but get used to small portions and quit eating fast food as often as i do.
I'm only doing 2 months of NS since that is all i can afford for now and it's going to be a gift from my boyfriend. I hope that 30 pounds in 2 months is doable with this diet and I have already joined a gym so i'm set. I thought I would comment before I start so I can let you know on my progress within the next 2 months. I will be ordering sometime this week.
for the record I'm doing the women's basic diet and i'm 22 years old 5'3″ and weigh about 165 lbs (i'm scared to weigh myself now but since all my clothes fit the same i figure i'm still the same weight) i do look less than i weigh but i have that extra fat i'm in very much need to lose so i'm looking forward to my success. Good luck to everyone on NS =)
Hey Lissy, 30 pounds in 2 months is doable on this diet especially as your going to the gym as well. Plus you sound positive, which is the right attitude and is so important to success. We look forward to hearing about your progress and good luck to you too!
I am interested to sign up for this program but I have a question…I am not looking only to lose weight(I am 185lbs, 34 yrs old and excercise 2-3 times a week)I just want to get in better shape and eat healthier…is this a good option too??? I cant prepare my meals and tired of eating in restaurants all the time…what would be a good option for healthy foods, quality meals and home delivery??
thanks
Thanks! I have a question though, im gonna get the auto delivery plan which right now they are offering at 50% off for the first month and then the 2nd month at regular charge. I want to cancel after the 2nd delivery so i can do the full 2 months. If i cancel after the 2nd delivery will i still be charged the extra shipping fees and price for the first month? Or will i be able to safely call and cancel before i get charged the 3rd month? Im really concerned about that since this is my boyfriends money, not mine and i dont want then to charge an extra fee for canceling.
Hey Jaime, this is a pretty good option of you want to eat more healthy than in restaurants and you don't need to cook any food yoruself. The meals are a mix of processed and fresh frozen, so if your okay with that, then this could be good for you.
Hey Lissy,
Its only when you try and get the first month at half price and don't take a second that they charge you the extra.
But once you have accepted your second month delivery of food, you can cancel further months with no penalty. Just be sure to cancel in good time and you'll be fine.
Hey Wes, sometimes its not so much about what the scales tell us, but how we feel and how our clothes fit! The nice thing is when we need to get a new wardrobe but in a smaller size, you know 🙂
I decided to start Nutrisystem a few days back. Just got my foods and started yesterday. I am familiar with this type of Diet, as I did Jenny Craig in the past, but found myself always irritated by the forced counselling sessions. LOL. After more than a year of unemployment, I really packed on the pounds. I'm 5'11, and close to 250 now (2 years ago I was 215)… I figured I have to do something…
Now that I am working again, I figured it was the best time to start again (instead of buying a whole new wardrobe…) Anyway, I am adapting to the food, and will try to be vigilant.
I dont plan on weighing myself that much since I like to go by how my clothes fit… The scale also scares me…. Maybe I should though, just for a reference point…
Wes in San Francisco
I guess I am not like a lot of people who have posted on your site because I don't think the meals are too small. I always add vegetables and also eat more fruit than I ever did before. Also drink more water. I prefer some of the meals more than others but it is easy to go online and adjust what will be sent in the next order. I look forward to each meal but never feel uncomfortably hungry. If I feel a little hungry I eat another small apple. One of the greatest tools is the meal planner. I have that app on my iPhone & love the way it immediately updates the online planner. For me, NS has been better than Weight Watchers or counting calories or eating Lean Cuisine. I like to think I am a gourmet cook and that is not what NS is. That's OK. When I have lost 25 pounds, I am going to occasionally have a gourmet dinner – but not every day.
Hi Joan, good to hear you're working with the diet and have totally the right attitude to succeed with it.
I've always been very pro fruit. I eat an apple every day and have done so since I can remember, they're something I never tire of!
I am really dissapointed, me and my husband join the program 2 mo ago, we reach our goal we lost. Around 20 pounds (10 each one) and we decided to stop the program, when I call, because I cancel before the next auto delivery the charge us the 10% off the gave us when We start the program… At the end we ending paying the program like they never give us any discount.. The food, some of them good, the one w tomato sauce and beef on it, are really bad, I even found some grease on beef one, sure I trashed. But if you want to be in a diet program, you sure can Find something least expensive; support , we didn't had any w this program… So next time will be better to get some slim fast or Kellogs to star diet… Good luck..
Hi Jaditza,
First congrats on reaching your target. I'm guessing that is not what your disappointed about. I posted a link in the review to the NS FAQ that explains this.
I am very disappointed with Nutrisystem. Nutrisystem diabetic program is not for diabetics because its menu includes mostly pasta, cereal, energy bars, all cheap stuff full of flour and sugar which are NO-NO for diabetics. Food is unhealthy and uneatable. The advertising is misleading without clear explanation about program additional charges and cancellation policy.
Don't I know how to loose weight? It is nothing new - eat less, exercise more. And I paid Nutrisystem to remind it to me. If I lost anything it was my money.
It was really stupid to trust them. The whole thing is disgusting…
Sorry,
I really got sick on this system because it is not Nutri…
Hi everyone, I finished a two month long diet with Nutrisystem last week and I couldn’t be happier! I lost 16 pounds and that was exactly my goal! I couldn't believe how easy it all was. I thought the food was tons better than how some people who wrote in described it.
So all I can say is they must either have serious food issues. Or they just like sounding off cause they didn't read your review first and got a shock when the food arrived. I think that's a big part of the secret of succeeding with this diet. Doing the research first! I knew what I was getting into and I got pretty much what I expected. So what's to complain about?
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has the foresight to learn about it first and then to go into it with they eyes open! Thanks for your review cause it opened mine and I lost all the weight I needed to lose because of it 🙂
This is an excellent review. Full of info. I have been on NS since mid January and have lost 35 lbs. I likely could have lost close to 50 if I had a mind to and that iwas the target, it is that easy, simple math. Although many people complain about the size of the lunches/dinners, it is not accurate if you are adding your veggies in. In fact, it is more food generally that what most people eat per meal. If you do it right. I spiked my ‘free foods' from the beginning and didn't get weird about cooking 3 different veggies for dinner each night. I just tripled the one I chose so it would not become laborous. The ease of the meal preparation is phenomenal from the perspective of one who does NOT want to hang out in the kitchen while dieting! I mean, really, isn't that concept how we all ended up needing to diet anyway?
The thing that I suggest you sort of skipped over is that the reason this works is because of the formula of the food. Eliminate the cheap fuels (i.e. sugar and carbs)and maximize the long burning fuels (i.e. proteins and fibers). For this reason, the program is a success both in losing the weight AND in maintaining a leaner you.
Hi!
I am getting ready to begin the NS program. I am a bit nervous and I don't want to mess this up.
I have recently worked off 73 pounds, but am now at a Plateau for about 6 months.
A male friend of mine has a month and a half worth of product that I am going to use to jump start.
I only want to lose about 20 more pounds.
My questions are as follows:
1. Being that I am a woman, what should I changed, if anything, from the men's plan?
2. If I only eat the meals and not add dairy and veggies, is this ok? I want to get the maximum benefit. Or is it better to include the dairy and veggies?
3. My plan is to work out a minimum of 30 minutes 5-6 days a week, should I eat more to suppliment the work outs? I have heard so many times that if you do not eat enough calories, you can gain weight from that!!
4. Will I lose more weight if I drink 80oz of water?
5. In working out 30 minutes 5-6 times a week, drinking the water, and eating only the product, how much should I expect to lose in a month? I am asking because I need a sense of hope!!
Thanks
Hi Tina,
First up, good luck with your diet and exercise. I'll try and answer your questions, but you should also get other opinions as well. Maybe some of the readers can write in with their experiences etc.
1. The mens plan is designed to appeal more to a man's food preferences in general, so there will be stuff like pizza etc. You might want to avoid those, but most of the meals will be okay.
2. You don't need to add dairy and veggies if you don't want to.
3. As your looking to lose a further 20 pounds, you'll need the exercise to burn off more calories than you eat. So avoid eating more if you can. I don't know who told you that, but if you don't eat enough calories, you will actually LOSE weight. That's the whole point of dieting!
4. Water is an essential part of any diet and it will aid weight loss.
5. That's a tough one to nail down to specifics cause everyone loses weight at different rates. The experts agree that 1-2 pounds a week is about right, but you could lose more with the exercise. Try extending to more than 30 minutes if you can - the longer the better.
Hope that helps!
Thanks for your quick response!!
Yes, this helps a great deal. I just uploaded the Nutrisystem App to my phone which will assist me in the calorie and exercixe count!!
I am open to any other legitimate comments/responses to my post!
Thanks!
i tried nutrisystem and really enjoyed the convenience. i put everything on the dining room table and just rooted through what i wanted for one day. stacked it up on the bar and was ready to go.
i lost about 7 pounds the first week but unfortunately i developed really back stomach pain. i don't mean cramps, i mean pain. it got so bad i had to quit.
i was very disappointed. called nutrisystem and they said well it does happen to some people.
can anyone tell me if they have heard of people having stomach pain on it? i've gained back and now have more than ever to loose. nothing works for me except this plan.
I'm starting my third day on Nutrisystem and I must say this review helped! I did some research so I was expecting the small portions (which are larger than I expected) but hey…this is a diet and I decided to try it to learn some portion control. The quality of the food is ok. About what you would expect for prepackaged food.
Usually when I start a diet I am miserable for days. My husband says not so much this time…hmmm. I am not pinning all my hopes on this but so far it seems to be a good experience.
I STARTED NUTRISYSTEM 3 WEEKS AGO AND LOST 8 POUNDS ALREADY. I WAS ON THE SYSTEM 5 YEARS AGO AND KEPT THE WEIGHT OFF UNTIL THE PAST YEAR OR SO. I LOVE THE FOOD AND THE CONVENIENCE, HOWEVER, I DO LIKE TO HAVE WINE ON THE WEEKENDS…I DO CHEAT THEN…BUT I DO KEEP TO THE DIET. I FIND IT A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO EAT OUT, BUT I MORE OR LESS CAN FIGURE IT OUT. JUST STAY AWAY FROM THE YUMMY FOODS AND HAVE THE PLAIN FOOD AND YOU WILL DO OK. NO FRIED, CREAM SAUCES, LASAGNA ETC…EAT SENSEABLY AND IT WILL WORK FOR YOU TOO. EVERY NIGHT I TAKE OUT MY BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AND PUT IT IN MY TOTE BAG FOR WORK. I HAVE YOGURT OR CHEESE AS THE DAIRY, SALADS/TOMATOES AND GREEN VEGGIES FOR THE DINNER VEG PART, OR I HAVE A GLASS OF V8 FOR ONE VEGGIE. I AM INTENT ON LOSING ANOTHER 22 LBS…I'D SETTLE FOR ANOTHER 15! GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL!
I was on Nutri System a few years back, and while I don't eat much, and the meal portions were fine for me…the food was really bad. Some of it was adequate but no better than that. I wasn't overweight at 145lbs, 5'7″, but I needed to eat better and I did maintain my weight but was never able to lose and again, the food was stale and not palatable, for the most part.
I wish I would have liked it better. I have a tendency to not eat and while, Nutri Systems helped me in that respect..to eat more, I never really had a support system from that company and / or their employees.
I'm amazed at all the glowing reports here and just a little suspicious.
Hey Michelle,
The quality of the food has improved in the last few years, which has attracted more “glowing” reports. But if you'd read more of the comments in here, you would see they are not all so glowing. There are some who positively hated it!
I do print them all, good or bad. I certainly don't do that to help me sell the product. I get a few hundred or so people visit this page every day and its my way of giving something back by allowing everyone who wants to, to have their say. Most don't, of course. But those that feel strongly enough to write in with their story whether its good or bad, will be published.
You might be a little less suspicious now that I've printed your comment – I take it that you're a real person too 🙂
I appreciate the reply. I went to Jenny Craig *gasp* after Nutri System, and while it was more expensive, the food was much better and I stayed with them for about three years.
I would love to believe that Nuti Systems food has improved. If that were honestly the case, I would consider coming back to your program…but I'd have to be convinced. Again, I only need to lose about 6-7 lbs, but I need to eat better, which I don't do on my own.
And, yes, most of the time I am a real person! 😉
Hey Michelle and anyone else looking to only lose a few pounds. Nutrisystem has improved their food, that much is for sure. I first went on the diet 2 years ago. Did 3 months, lost 18lbs and was pretty happy. But I didn't think much of the food back then. It was okay but I wouldn't go shouting about it, you know.
Well, I put a little weight back this last year and wanted to lose just about 8lbs. I heard NS had gotten their act together so gave it another shot. Some of the food items like the freezedried pasta and the soups were the same as I remember, but a bunch of the main meals were fresh frozen and way better than before.
Then I hit a problem. I lost 6 of those pounds before the first 4 weeks was up. That wasn't he problem, I was real happy about that, you know! The problem was I tried to cancel cause I didn't want another month. That was when they told me they were billing me for the shipping. I paid the regular price, which was kind of lucky or I would've had to pay any discount back too. You could say I was less than happy.
I just found this website and read the review. You know this is the first time anywhere I've read someone actually tell the truth about NS and auto shipping! Got to say I wish I'd read this before I went for it a second time. I probably still would've done it, but hey it would've been nice to know from the get go.
So Michelle, and anyone else only looking to lose a few pounds. Sure you'll do it with NS and some of the food is way better, some the same. But if you sign up for auto shipping to get the discount then cancel before the second month, you'll be billed for shipping AND the difference of the discount you saved.
Got to hand it to the website owner. The official NS site has this info buried in a faq someplace, while this guy comes out and prints it in the review. Thanks man!
I'm just curious about all the comments of having to buy the *fill in* foods. I don't consider this an extra expense because I buy fresh fruits and vegetables for my family every week anyway. Nothing has changed in my shopping habits at all.
I never expected the food to be gourmet but I am pleasantly surprised at how good it is. As for sodium, if you are eating the frozen meals made for weight loss the sodium is much higher than in NS. I've been comparing them with the people at work.
So far, I am glad to have someone do the thinking for me. I have no time and this was the only way it was going to work for me.
Hi, I've been doing the Nutrisystem program for about 2 weeks now (lost 2 lbs). I read your review and some of the comments people left before I ordered the program, and I have to say the review and most of the comments are pretty accurate.
I am writing because I have one little complaint that may help some of your readers. When I ordered the program I purchased several chocolate items that melted during transit. I received free shipping, and it took five days to ship from Nevada to Texas. So I imagine the food stayed pretty hot the whole time (it is June). I contacted Nutrisystem, and they assured me that the food was safe to eat, and all of the products that I have tasted have been fine. There were two items that completely melted into liquid in their packaging and when they solidified were kind of crumbly and took the shape of their wrapping – the Nutrichocolates and the Chocolate Crunch Bar. Anyway, I have decided not to order anymore of those types of products during the summer months. They are still technically edible, but I just can't like it…
Other than that I find that the food is as good as any of the frozen or pre-packaged meals in the grocery store (and I'm not even doing Nutrisystem Select). The customer service is responsive and helpful. I've used the e-mail and online chat customer service features. The community is really nice (I have a personal page with a blog and “friends” that support me with awesome comments). The hardest part is just sticking to it, but I don't think there is a diet out there that makes it easier – the Nutrisystem program doesn't leave a lot of gray area for you to justify poor eating choices.
Hey Amy, thanks!
I guess there's not much you can do to save chocolate from the heat unless you keep it chilled all the time. Many years ago, I ran a small store and summer always gave us a problem with storing chocolate items. The storage room out back was always cool enough, but it was on the display shelf in the store when the chocolate candy bars would often melt. The real problem is those items don't need to be in the heat for long before they start to go soft. I've seen chocolate candy bars melt inside of 20 minutes on a real hot day!
Anyway, its good your finding the NS food better than okay. Most folks do in fact! And yeah, the community over there is really helpful and you can easily spend a lot of time chatting in there!
I have been on the program for 2 weeks. I wanted to join because I never know what to cook for dinner. It is always easier to order a pizza, etc. So far, I am down 3.5 pounds and feeling fine. I have quite a bit to lose.
Some food items I like more than others, but overall I have been pleasantly surprised at how good the food is really. This is the first time I have ever done this type of program, and I like the fact that I can select my day's food and not have to prepare it. The portions are small, but this is a normal portion. Clearly I have been eating too much for a very long time.
Hey Catherine,
You're totally right about the portion sizes. I think most folks who get overweight eat too much, until they realize they don't really need to eat such large meals to get filled up. A smaller meal does just fine and I think that's one of the secrets of keeping a healthy weight. Good luck on your program!
I was really disappointed with Nutrisystem. Not so much because of the food, which was decent enough for diet food. And not so much because of the cost, or even the weight lost. But I would STRONGLY recommend anyone who lives in a place where daily temps reach 80 degrees or higher to NOT purchase this brand. 80% of the food comes shipped by UPS. These are pantry items which do not need refrigeration but will melt inside the box. Unless you are home all the time to catch your delivery person, you need to know that a lot of your dessert and snack items will be puddles of chocolate in the wrapper.
Hey Sher, that's a shame when you can't be there to take delivery of the package and its left outdoors for a while. I've taken days off work in the past to wait for delivery guys who sometimes don't even show up on the day they say. UPS are better, but its not a perfect system.
I'm currently on NS for the second time. The first time I lost 20 lbs (gained about 6 lbs back in the past year), and this time around I hope to lose another 30 lbs or so.
NS is great! It's really easy to follow, and a lot of the food is actually pretty good. Like the previous comment, my last delivery arrived melted after spending an entire day on the UPS truck, but within a few minutes of a/c, all the chocolate hardened up in interesting and just-as-tasty shapes! I'm going to try to incorporate exercising along with the diet this time around, because that's one thing I didn't do last time.
I'm extremely impressed with the information provided at the original post, the honesty of both sides of the weight journeys by everyone and the tips. I need to lose over 100 lbs (currently well over 245 and did the math that for about $10 a day I can get good food every few hours. I spend at least $20 daily on food so I'm thinking about eating my way to clearing off my credit cards with the savings! 🙂
I was given a few meals and snacks to try from someone who bought the plan then did not stick to it, but had lost while being good. He still grabs some of the leftover food and snacks when hungry out of convenience.
I like that it only takes about 90 seconds to make most of the main meals and from what I've tried so far, the chocolate products are quite good. I've tried the pasta, meatloaf, chewy chocolate chip granola bars, chicken and the beef meals. Taste wise, I found them favorable and sometimes familiar.
For those commenting on the size, I think the size is probed lower because it helps stabilize the metabolism over a few hours and then you get to…eat again! What I've read is most protein should be palm size, and the veggies/fruit should be what could fit in hand.
T hankyou to everyone for taking the time to post in here. I'm going to join for a few months since I'm committed to saving money on good to pay off a step bill (I'm probably the first to tell my brain this reason…lol…so I'm sure I'll have some great results in a few months. Those who either did not like the good and/or cheated and had bad results, maybe give it a try again this month since it's half off?
🙂 Ms. Ann Onimuss
Steep not step, and food, not good.
Hey Ann, thanks for that great comment. That's the first time I ever heard someone say they're joining NS to help pay off a debt 🙂
But it makes sense… many people spend way more on food than they realize. Good luck with your diet, you should have great results over a few months on this.
Just over 3 weeks on NS, and down 8 pounds now…this is the easiest weight loss program I've ever tried and I've tried a few (I am 53 and have always had a weight problem).
I haven't found too many food items that I dislike. I did modify the order I am waiting for, that was pretty easy and painfree.
I just got back from a 1-week business trip, I brought my food with me and had no problems at all. I guess the best things about it are the convenience and I rarely feel hungry.
On the cost, it is probably saving me money too because we ordered out quite a bit before this. My husband risks losing weight also, haha!
Thank you! I'll check in to report my success.
To everyone, what have you used on the nutrisystem website? How are the counselors? I know I'll probably need the extra motivation from time to time. Can I get some feedback on the frozen foods please? I haven't tasted them yet and was curious. What plans are most of you on?
Ann Onimuss (love the name by the way),
I have been on NutriSystem for just a week now and I love it so far. I have tried a number of different diets in the past and even this past year got a personal trainer. Nothing seemed to make a real impact and I just about gave up, until my boyfriend (now fiance) proposed. My thoughts were and currently still are, I am not walking down the aisle looking and feeling the worst i have in my life. So i hopped on the website (had some motivation by one friend) and took the plunge. This friend of mine gave me some of her leftover Nutrisystem food. She had recently stopped it all together bc she cheated on the diet too much and therefore wasn't seeing results so she discontinued it. While I was waiting for my shipment, I was able to try her leftovers. I had a nacho chip and about almost cried because i was thinking… “I am going to be eating ONLY cardboard until our wedding”. I was really scared and even my first dinner… i was not happy with (some penne pasta and chicken dish). When my shipment eventually came, I realized I am not going to like everything and I need to be open to trying new items. Ever since then, I fell in love with the lunch fettuccine alfredo, the mint desert bar, the butter popcorn (it seems to be a really nice sized portion) and the chocolate breakfast muffins. I have only been on this for a week now, like i said earlier but i am SO HAPPY…. I have lost a total of 2 lbs and am looking forward to trying more yummy food.
I am not on the plan with the frozen food. I am used to eating frozen food and not simply packaged food. This was a bit scary at first too because my friend said its kinda like space food…. you add water too some stuff and poof it becomes your dinner. OH MY! However, its really not that bad, and I am sorry to contradict with those who posted on here earlier, but the portions (though a bit small at times depending upon the food) are VERY filling. I find myself not even wanting lunch during the day, but i know that's not healthy so i make sure to have all my meals along with some veggies and fruit. I haven't done the counselor thing yet, however i am sure it is awesome. So I am sorry i can help you with that.
I read today that they have classes on the site with a nutritionist…. i wonder what that is like.
Anyone know?
Also the eating out booklet (they provide you) is awesome and very helpful. And I <3 the Iphone app.
We have some great conversations on the Nutrisystem Facebook page.Wonderful tips on cooking the foods,add ins,Motivational words and so much support.I have made some great friends that are going through the program.I hope some of you will come join in…see you there.P.S. have lost 17 pounds so far which is pretty good since I have a thyroid problem and I'm getting older.
Ok, now I am REALLY nervous. I ordered NS for the 28 day program for my husband and myself thinking that I could cancel at any time. Now, I am reading that I need to take this for 2 months? We simply cannot afford to spend $600 for the second month on food. We don't even spend that on regular food. I am scared. Even if this does work, all we wanted to do was learn proper portion control. Does anyone know if NS will make any exceptions? I did not see this anywhere in my confirmation emails or the order confirmation that there was an at least 2 month commitment. Sorry to be negative, but again, I am really nervous about the money being spent. I have just been diagnosed with ulcers, gastritis and a host of other goodies subsequent to placing my order, so I don't even know if this will work for me. I am sure the food will be good. (I am really looking forward to the biscuits and gravy in the morning) but the money problem simply will not work for us. I don't know where to find the 2 month commitment thing. Also, I worry that since a person has to call in order to cancel, there is no paper trail and proof that the request was made. Thanks for any input.
A nervous consumer,
Lisa
Hey Lisa, don't worry. You can cancel anytime, your not forced to take 2 months.
Its just if you do cancel before accepting the second month, you may incur a surcharge if you got a discount on your first month is all. And don't worry about having to call to cancel. Plenty people do that all the time with no problems.
You know, being nervous and worrying about things is detrimental to your life. You only get one life, so don't waste it fretting about a load of things that really are not worth it. You can do yourself so much good by learning to stay calm, relax and let life worry about itself while you get on with staying cool!
Hi Lose Weight Guy,
Thank you for such a kind response and encouraging words. I am still confused, however, as to if I will need to refund the 50% discount I received or pay a penalty should I cancel my order prior to the second shipment. Some sites people say that they have to make up the 50% off, (plus s&h) and others say they need to pay a penalty of say $72 or so (it varies from my research). I called NS and they said that I could cancel at any time but would not give me a specific dollar amount of how much cancellation would cost me.
Also, should I cancel prior to the second shipment, I have read many comments that people are continually charged on their credit card. My thought is to notify my credit card company to refuse those charges, but working in consumer law; I know that often times companies will file a small claims complaint if their charge does not go through – and I don't need that in my life right now. Again, I just wanted a month to learn portion sizes because I am not crazy about all of the preservatives and sodium in the food.
We are still very excited about the plan, and our food is supposed to arrive tomorrow. I am going to purchase some smaller plates, and after reading the preparation directions (some people on websites complained about them) I am going to cook them ahead, make them prettier and to where we won't be hogging the microwave at the office.
Sorry this is so long; but again, I am not worried about taste but just money. We live in Wisconsin and a bill was just passed for Union workers to where we are taking a huge hit financially. Do you work for NS and can you help us should we have trouble with our cancellation? I would love to do this for a couple of months, but this bill was just passed in our state that is going to leave us broke.
Thanks again for all of your help.
Lisa
Hey Lisa,
First up, no I don't work for Nutrisystem! I write up reviews on different diets and products that I act as an affiliate to, and NS happens to be one of them. Sorry I can't help you on that score, I'm really just here to advise where I can and help bring folks together who can maybe help each other. Being independent means I can say things that a NS employee probably could (or would) not!
Anyways, I don't have firm numbers on what the extra charge will be, cause it seems different people say different things as you already found out. I'm pretty sure they will charge your credit card for the 50% discount you got if you cancel before the next shipment, but that has to be cheaper than paying for another full month. Not sure on the shipping cost, some say they get charged that too, others not.
What I'm pretty sure about is they won't keep charging your credit card. They'll do it only the once after you have cancelled. After that, there's nothing else to charge you for. Why some people would say that could be they didn't cancel, maybe cause they didn't know they had to, and were charged for the extra deliveries.
You should call by phone to cancel your next delivery two weeks or more before its due. And then follow up with another call a day or two later to confirm it has been cancelled. Just for peace of mind.
That's tough having to take a cut in wages. It seems to be happening in a lot of places right now. Yet store prices only ever seem to go up. I'm sure there's a better financial answer for employers than to hurt their most valuable resource - their employees! But that's another debate for another day and another place I guess.
Maybe there's a silver lining on this cloud. It could be that if you sit down and do some calculations, the NS food for a month even at full price can still work out close to what many people already spend on their regular food. Even if its not so close for you, once you deduct what you do spend on regular food, what your left with is the cost of a pretty good diet.
hey, I'm that girl that ppl think is in shape or girls say “oh i wish i had your body..but i DO NOT look good in a bikini or naked..i honestly hide under dressing perfect haha like wearing the right clothes i guess..anyway i bought every workout tape they have..i workout allll the time..but after and before and all night i eat chips, potatoes, ice cream, popcorn, pasta..etc..oh and mr.noodles is my fav..i stay the same weight and never gain. FOOD is my problem.. im thinking if i start NS and do my tapes (turbo jam/Turbo Fire..) ill finally be able to get rid of my love handles and belly and theighs..lol i get my NS in two days..the thing is im 144 and want to get down to at least 125..is it harder to lose weight when im this weight? and what can i do to inprove my weightloss quickly?? if i dont cheat at all and workout 3 times a day for 40mins each time like i do now,,and NS, would i still lose weight with the occational glass of wine?? Help! i wanna get Sexy! lol 🙂
oh and will i lose more weight if i dont add anything to the meals..if i only eat the NS food?
Hey Samantha, just by looking at that list of food you wrote that you eat, I can guess you already know the answers to your questions LOL!
But yeah, doing NS and working out 3 times a day will definitely say goodbye to the love handles and the rest. Eating some of the recommended foods will be okay, but go for the high protein stuff, because you'll need it to boost the effectiveness of your workouts. Even at lower weights, you can still lose some. But you'll tend to balance out the loss in fat with the gain in muscle, which is a GOOD thing!
So while the scales may tell you your losing only a few pounds, your MIRROR will tell you what you really want to know 🙂
I've been on Nutrisystem for 7 weeks. Lost 36 pounds, even though I cheated twice and went out to eat and just abandoned any thoughts of the diet at the resturant. However, I didn't seem to crave as much food after being on the small meals for 7 weeks. My diet is the senior which has 5 meals a day plus a desert.
I do not find myself hungry between meals. I have been on other diets before and felt starved between meals. Not so with Nutrisystem. I had to call and ask if I had to eat all the food. I was a black coffee and one huge meal a day guy and gaining weight. Although they recommend no coffee I am now a black coffee and 5 meals a day and losing weight fast.
My wife and I went on the diet together and I will admit she has not had the same loss rate although she has done well losing 18 pounds during the same 7 weeks.
Hey Melp3108, That's quite an achievement, congrats! Your wife has also done really well - 18 pounds in only 7 weeks is above the average (1-2lbs a week) so she should be congratulated too!
Hi, I'm just now evaluating the possibility of starting this diet, so I can be in better shape for a Triathlon in September. I need to lose at least 40 pounds. I have three questions :
Question 1) I work in the wine industry hence a lot of wine around me, which I LOVE, more the reds, for the last 2 years I have two 5 oz glasses every day, can I keep having 10 oz of red wine each day and if I stick to the program, will it still work?
Question 2) I am 52, so which program is best for me, Women or Women 60+, not sure what the difference is between both, but going through menapause has shot down my metabolism big time even when I run twice a week and swim as well and I am not a binge eater either, hence not knowing is the 60+ is better or if the Woman is for younger women who are burning more calories because they are younger.
Question 3) How many days does the food take to arrive?
Thanks again for helping,
Hey Yolanda,
While many diets don't allow you to drink alcohol because of the way it can affect your resistance to eating food that you shouldn't, there are many people who have successfully lost weight while continuing to drink wine. It may slow the process a little but if you are keeping fit, then you should burn the extra calories. On the flip side, losing weight is about making sacrifices and it all depends on how determined you are to lose those 40 pounds. It's your call.
The silver plan for women is spread over 6 meals instead of the regular 5 (3 plus 2 snacks) and is recommended for the over 65s, so you have a ways to go to qualify LOL! The standard Womens plan is probably your best choice.
Depending on where you live, your food should arrive approx 4 to 10 business days after you ordered.
Hope that helps. If anyone else has anything to add, please do!
I haven't cheated at all and I've lost 6 pounds in 4 days weooo !! lol and 2 inches off my chest and 1 inch off my hips and half an inche off my theighs! i just ordered another months worth for next month..i cannot believe it my first two nights i wanted to eat so bad but now i find im not hungry at all after supper! this is the best idea ive ever had trying nutrisystem!
but do note..i do turbo jam and turbo fire and hip hop abs …you can find them at beachbody.com..turbo jam you have to be in really good shape to do lol its hard but turbo jam and hip hop abs are easy and fun .. the couches are really corny and funny thanks nutrisystem!!
im doing women's basic non frozen foods
oh i will add i was 147 when i started 5 days ago
Hey Samantha, 6 lbs in 4 days, whew! That's great work! Sure, exercise combined with NS is a powerful way to lose weight.
I did Nutrisystem back in 2004 and I went from 138 to 126 in about 3 months. At first when I opened the package I was like this is not going to feed a dwarf and keep them full. But then I started the plan and I was working with a trainer, and low and behold I lost the weight. I would have stayed, but it was too expensive. I'm hoping to do it again, but I have to look at the cost. I would prefer some sort of a payment plan, so it isn't taking all of my income at once. We'll see.
I ordered NS on Tuesday of last week and my order arrived by Thursday. I was very impressed with how quickly my order arrived. I live in Canada and was anticipating having to wait longer for the shipment to arrive. I was able to start the diet last Friday and after just 4 days I have lost 6 pounds! I find that the food is pretty good and having a 6 month old baby it is very convenient! I have not found myself to be overly hungry sticking to the diet items and adding in the fresh fruits, veggies, protein or dairy. After crunching the numbers I realized that with the cost of the diet and adding in fresh grocery items I will be spending less on food than I was before. I am hoping to reach my goal of losing 60 pounds and getting back to the weight I was on my wedding day 5 years ago! I would highly recommend this diet to anyone.
I went on NS and was able to lose 38 lbs. I had to stop because I found that the food tasted so bad, I could no longer tolerate it.
Yes, the servings were smaller but that was not a problem for me.I especially loved the snacks (the chocolate delight bar was my favorite). My only complaint was the food, it just tasted so processed and I had to force it down. NS works, there is no doubt. I just wish that they would re-evaluate their food.
I have been able to maintain the weight loss but I have to be aware of everything that goes in my mouth.
I am going to order the nutrisystem plan given i have read many good reviews on it. i am a little nervous since i am not overweight but my BMI is almost right there. I am extremely self-conscious and want to live a happier and healthier lifestyle. im wondering before i purchase is it doing to make a not – so overweight person like myself actually achieve in losing 20 pounds? also, im only 24 and still enjoy being young and going out from time to time to have some drinks. can you not drink alcohol on this diet or would you replace one of the meals with the drinks ? thankyou
Hey Julia,
I'm getting mixed messages from your comment here. You say your not overweight but you want to lose 20 pounds… why?!
To be honest, from what you're saying I believe you'll get more from working on a daily exercise routine and simply eating healthy food.
If you're eating any processed food like ready meals from the store or junk take out stuff, switch to home cooked meals made from fresh ingredients. If you drink a lot of soda, even diet soda, switch to plain water (sparkling if you really must have fizz!) and with anything you buy to eat or drink, always read the label and learn what additives are and what they do to you.
When you are at your correct weight, alcohol is ok in moderation but it will lower your resistance to temptation when it comes to eating high calorie snacks etc. So be careful!
I posted here a little over a week ago. At that time I had been on NS for 4 days and had lost 6 pounds! I have now been on the program for 13 days and have lost 11 pounds! I have had a glass of wine or a light vodka cooler some days and have not added any exercise yet to my program (I have a 6 month old baby who is teething quite badly so have been a little sleep deprived). I also went out for a steak dinner and to a family barbeque and just made better food choices. This program really seems to be working so far and I find that the food is quite good. I have been able to go online and make changes to my order as I have found favourite foods in the NS program.
Hey Jenn, losing 11 pounds in 13 days is really quite something, congratulations!
Question: People lose weight on Nutrisystem but is it difficult to go from the prepared, pre-package foods to fixing your own foods after you've lost the desired weight? Do you learn to prepare smaller portions as well as eat smaller portions? If you go off the diet when you've reached your goal, do you gain the weight back? I guess what I want to know is: what happens after Nutrisystem?
Hey Pat,
That's a good question and the answer will differ from person to person.
It all depends on how much you are determined to keep the weight off once you finish the program. During the diet, your body will have learned to be satisfied eating smaller portions. When you go back to preparing your own food, you need to keep up the same portion sizes and not allow yourself to slip back into making larger meals.
Its really a case of feeling confident about leaving the safety net of prepared meals behind when you finish the diet. You have to make the right decisions for yourself to carry on the good work you did by losing the weight by sticking with the diet. You do that by being careful with what you eat. Just use good old fashioned common sense about what's right and what's not and you'll be fine.
My daughter is rather thicker in size and she is very self-consious about it.We've tried a lot of different systems, but none of them truly worked. She gets bullied by other kids about it. I'd like to know if Nutrisystem could be used on young teenagers?
Hey Olivia,
Nutrisystem will work for just about anyone who is overweight regardless of age, as will many other systems. The thing is the person has to stick with the system and not think that its okay to drink soda (not even diet soda) or snack on other things just because they're eating low calorie meals.
With teens, the temptations are all around especially from others at school when you can't know what they're doing. Its considered normal to drink soda or sports drinks, eat candy bars or potato chips and other snacks and peer pressure is difficult to avoid. The TV commercials don't help cause they target kids and teens and make it really difficult to say NO to a lot of products.
If your daughter can resist the pressures to eat and drink things that are the norm for teens and stick to the Nutrisystem diet, then she will lose weight.
You might also want to read some of my articles on this website about soda, sugar and sugar substitutes, white bread and pasta. You'll find the titles in the index page here: 100 Weight Loss Tips
I also recommend you both read: Weight Loss Tips for Teens
I just ordered nutrisystwm, and im really excited to start….i am confident that i can stick with it…I am concerned about only 2 things,1.alcohol,and 2.my husband eating whatever he wants and me making him good food…..any advise would help…Thanks!
Hey Steph,
Its great your confident to make this work. Alcohol is not your friend when your losing weight as it lowers your resistance to temptation to eat what you should not eat. Plus it can load on extra calories in itself, especially beer and mixers for spirits (even so-called “diet” soda is bad for this). Try and keep it to a minimum while your dieting if you can. Or drink dry red wine in preference to other alcoholic drinks as it at least has some health benefits.
If your husband is supportive, then you shouldn't have any problems. It depends what you mean by “good food”. Real home cooked meals made from fresh ingredients are naturally healthy. But if you mean meals made up of stuff from a packet bought from the store, then they are not “good food” and you can happily prepare them knowing that you are eating better!
I ordered Nutrisystem today, I'm super excited! I hate going to the grocery store because I never know what to buy and feel guilty about what I do buy. My biggest concern is that I'll eat all the desserts in one day as I get cravings and just eat everything. I excercise a lot and need to lose about 10-15 pounds. I want to get off diet thermogenic pills and learn how to eat normally. I'm hoping this does it for me. For what I do spend at the grocery store and on supplements each month, Nutrisystem is going to be way cheaper for me… Let's hope for the best, I'm going to do it!!
Hey Patti, good luck with it. NS is way better than diet pills for sure and you will be able to eat normally. As for those desserts, make yourself a promise that you will only eat them at the proper time and promise yourself you will stick to that promise!
It has now been a month since I started NS and I am down 15 pounds. I lost a lot of weight the first couple of weeks and it has slowed down a bit – but I am still losing. The company is now offering 100.00 off each auto-delivery order- so my husband has decided to try it too. They also offer a friends and family discount of 30.00 per order if you refer someone (for you and the person you referred). I still go out to dinner about once a week too! I have been very pleased so far and have lost 15 of the 60 lbs I want to lose!
I am waiting to get some forms signed by my docs to start this plan for Diabetics. I am actually insulin resistant but we follow the same plan as a diabetic. I have Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease from fat laden eating over the last 33 years. I also have Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Hyperlipidemia(super high cholesterol). My Endocrinologist, Dietician, OB/GYN and Primary doc all think this program will help me immensely with weight and fat loss. I have about 60 lbs to lose…maybe 70 if I push:) The cost is what is straining us right now since my hubs is in the Navy and we might get perks here and there but we definitely don't get a large salary. I am laid off and looking for a job but of course our economy sucks. Still, I am hopeful that with all my docs recommending this program, my insurance will reimburse us at least half of the cost. It would be a huge help. In any case, I love reading the good and bad reviews and see that this really does help people as long as you are diligent. I am hoping to start the plan the beginning of next month! Wish me luck and I will be back with my results!
Cheers!
Hey Bella, good luck with it all!
I look forward to hearing how you're doing with this and I'm sure other readers will too.
I ordered Nutrisystem on Friday and I am going to receive it tomorrow. I am excited and also nervous at the same time as I am hoping that it works. I have already lost 25 pounds on my own before purchasing this diet plan, but I have reached a plateau and I feel it has a lot to do with my eating habits. I do not have a strict diet, but I do workout 5 times a week in the gym. I am hoping that having this extra support with the food and nutrition will help me lose my last 20 pounds to reach my goal weight. Any suggestions? And do you think Nutrisystem will work for me?
Hey Quannie, exercise when combined with a Nutrisystem diet is generally very effective at shedding those excess pounds. With 5 days a week in the gym, you should do great!
I just started NS today. I chose the new Flex plan that provides food for 20 days (M-F) and weekends off My weekends off are not an invitation to go wild. I chose this plan so I can better prepare myself for life AFTER NS. If I can adjust to NS during the week and prepare fresh meals during the weekend- based on what I've learned each weekday, I'll have a better chance of continuing healthy success post NS! I'm hoping to drop 60 lbs. I'm active (boot camps and 5Ks) but have some Thyroid issues and tend to choose poorly when it comes to food.
My doctor is thrilled with my choice and I'm hoping in 3 months to show some well earned results!!!
Best Wishes to all who choose to make a change for the better!!!
I've been on NS on and off and have lost 50 lbs., but have recently put 6 lbs. back on. I'm concerned about Splenda, high fructose corn syrup, and hydrogenated oils in the foods. Wondering if there's a safer sweetner? Stevia to me is bitter. Also, the sodium nitrates in products needs to be addressed, don't you think? I'm thinking the pre-packaged foods with all the preservatives is not good for us.
I have been on NS for a week now, have stuck to everything they say and have only lost 1 pound, that leaves 59 to go. I am not able to exercise due to physical problems of the legs and back. The meal size is not an issue to me, it is pretty much the same size as I usually eat, but my stomach growls all the time now. The only real difference I see in NS and what I ate before is the fat content is lower. I have never been one to eat fried foods or real fatty foods, so now that is cut down to near zero I should be losing more than 1 pound. Do you have any advice. By the way some of the breakfast foods are not very good (i.e. powdered eggs and gravy and biscuit).
Hey Terri,
From what your telling me, it sounds like your metabolism is low meaning your not burning as many calories as a more active person would. This happens a lot when someone can't exercise or use up energy through physical labor. Its the act of forcing the muscles to work that improves metabolism and causes the body to burn more of the calories we eat.
So even though your eating an already low calorie diet, your body is not using up many more of the calories in it. But don't worry, because most doctors and nutritional experts agree that a recommended rate of weight loss should be 1-2 pounds a week. So you're actually on track, just not the fast track. Some things that may help are:
– Drink lots of plain water and definitely no soda or diet soda (read my article on soda to see why: https://weightlossgo.com/top-100-weight-loss-tips/why-soda-is-bad-for-you.php)
– Drink a cup of green tea 10-15 minutes after your main meal/dessert. There are lots of health/weight benefits to doing this (my article explains it: https://weightlossgo.com/top-100-weight-loss-tips/green-tea-and-weight-loss.php)
– Can you swim? Sometimes if you can't do do regular exercises, some gentle swimming is possible because it doesn't impact the joints or muscles, but check with your doctor first.
There are tons of other tips and ideas published here on this website that might also help you (see the “100 Weight Loss Tips” link in the navigation bar near the top of the page for the index )
Above all, stay positive and hold the belief that you will lose all 60 of those pounds, because you can. Just don't try and rush it and you may surprise yourself at what is possible.
Hope that helps you 🙂
I have been doing some research on a good diet to start and am kinda tied between nutrisystem and the medifast diet. Is there really much difference? I am looking to lose about 10-15 lbs and be more healthy. I would like to try one of these diets because it is hard for me to choose healthy meals and I'm always in a rush so it would be helpful to have something ready to take with me. I find myself always tired and just wish I had more energy. It feels like I'm tired when I wake up and then about mid-day I start to feel tired again and even when I get done work.
Would you suggest this be a good diet to start for more energy as well as being more healthy?
Hey Lindsey,
If your current diet is made up of a lot of high GI carbs like white bread, pasta, white rice etc these can slow your metabolism and make you feel tired. Switching to a healthier diet can really help improve your energy levels as well as help you lose weight.
I haven't gotten around to reviewing Medifast yet, so can't comment as to how it compares with Nutrisystem.
One things for sure Nutrisystem certainly gets you used to eating in a more structured way with smaller meals and cutting out a lot of the foods that make you tired, while helping you lose weight. The resounding majority of NS customers that commented in this review said they lost weight with NS and had a good diet experience.
Hi – great site! I am considering starting Nutri System.
My diet is pretty healthy this past year. I don't eat fried foods and I eat little in the way of carbs (no pasta no bread)
I have been eating fairly low carb since 2003.
My question is this: I know that NS meals consist mainly of pasta. Seeing as I have been eating low carb for so long and no pasta in all those years, Will I actually GAIN weight on NS be reintroducing all that pasta? (I realize most of the other diet meals contain mostly pasta too so I'm not singling out NS)
If I don't eat the pasta meals, that will leave me with even fewer selections. Is there any low carber or Atkins person here with experience with Nutri System or you maybe?
The reason I am considering Nutri System is that even though I eat fairly healthy (too many packaged frozen meals, but I add veg and fruits – similair to NS) I have not been able to lose the 40-60 pounds I should lose. I think my problem has been portion size. In the last few days I have cut the portions a lot, but I still like the idea of the convenience – no shopping no cooking. I'm not sure how I feel about the preservatives and additives though, but I really could use the jump start at least.
Also, you wrote this to someone above: “If your current diet is made up of a lot of high GI carbs like white bread, pasta, white rice etc these can slow your metabolism and make you feel tired. Switching to a healthier diet can really help improve your energy levels as well as help you lose weight.”
But, are the pasta dishes in NS and the other diets any different? I know that they are low GI, but still..a lot of pasta.
I quit smoking cold turkey August 5th 2010 and this is what I call “phase two”. I can't blame my weight on quitting either. I've struggled my whole life. I really want to become even healthier and honestly look and feel better. I appreciate any insight you have. I love your site – thank you : )
Hey Sam, you hit the nail on the head about pasta in Nutrisystem meals. Pasta is high GI and I guess you already know how that works. Their menu does include a load of non-pasta dishes but yeah, it'll cut down your choice but worth it if your not used to eating so much carbs.
What I did get from your comment is you eat a lot of packaged frozen meals. They could be what's keeping your weight up, although you didn't mention if you get any exercise. Even so, packaged frozen meals are not always as healthy as they look. They often contain trans fats and a load of sugars (corn syrup/corn starch is the main offender) plus preservatives and additives. Current research has exposed some of the ingredients in processed foods as being addictive, the reason many people can't stop eating them and gaining weight.
NS compiles their dishes to be low GI overall, even with the pasta. But here's the thing. There really isn't much pasta on the plate. That's how they keep it low GI with the bulk of the accompanying food being high protein and some healthy fats.
The thing that makes NS popular is the convenience angle, as you say no cooking, no shopping etc. If you can customize your order to miss out a lot of the pasta dishes then you'll get a good, structured diet with small portions. It works for most people and I think its worth trying even for a month if your already leaning toward trying it. Cost-wise, its cost effective when you take off from the price what you'd spend on your regular diet – many people find its even cheaper than what they already spend on food!
Well, when I said packaged frozen meals what I meant was soy/veggie burgers from a particular brand in a green box.
THey make veggie chicken patties, black bean “burgers” etc. so they are not complete meals. I add them for protein to a salad or wrap, etc. They are by Morningstar Farms. They are very low in fat and sugar, high in protein and medium in carbs. I think my problem has been portions.
Well, that makes sense – that there is not much pasta on the plate. I just wondered if it was real pasta I guess lol
I do want to try Nutri System. I'm just afraid to GAIN weight.
I wonder if there are any low carbers here.
You are right about the convenience! Cost wise it doesn't seem too expensive to me. I'm already spending a fortune on the soy/veggie stuff and all the fresh fruit and veg. I know I'll still have to buy some, but I think it'll be like you said..the same or maybe less. It's sad that healthy food is so expensive while the junk is cheap!
My other concern is I've heard those nutri system chocolate bars are really yummy – don't know if I can resist those LOL
I guess I'm afraid to start getting used to eating “junk” food again too..even via a healthier alternative like NS
I might just go for it..decisions decisions
🙂
Oh p.s….I do exercise though not as much as I should.
I walk a couple miles with my dog about 4-5 times a week. I go to the gym too, but only a day or two and not consistent enough.
Yeah, dogs are great for getting out of the house and walking. I do plenty of that myself and I live in a hilly place. Dogs seem not to notice the uphills, they go just as fast as they do downhill. But its the most enjoyable exercise of the day LOL!
I doubt you will gain weight with NS even with those chocolate bars… which are pretty good, but also pretty small! The whole thing is designed around restricting calorie intake, balancing the nutrients and small portion size. So as long as you stick with what they tell you about add-on foods, you should be fine. That's if you decide its right for you, of course.
I know! Isn't that funny! They don't notice! lol I live in Florida though so that's not a problem for me lol
You're probably right. I probably won't gain weight since the portions are the proper size. I bet the chocolate bars are small! LOL I bought a well known weight control brand dessert a while back (it was carrot cake – yumm) and when I opened it – it was the size of my pinky finger haha! I may go ahead and give Nutri System a shot – looks convenient and easy to me!
Btw: one last question…on my HOME computer I am unable to read your site at all because the font is so tiny. On my other computer it's fine. I wish I could read it at home when I have more time. This has happened on one or two other sites once in a while too – but only about 3% of the sites I ever visit.
Any idea how I could make the font bigger? I know this is a nutri system review, not computers but I do want to read the rest LOL
Thanks
Hey Sam, it depends on what browser your using. If its Firefox, then hold the CTRL key and hit the + key 2 or 3 times will increase the font size on the page to a readable size. If its IE, you can click on the “view” tab then “text size”. Not sure for other browsers, but they'll have something similar I'm sure.
This is an honest review of Nutrisystem. I started the program on February 18th and have lost 64 pounds since then. Sam – I was wondering about the pasta issue as well, since I'd tried Atkins and other low carb diets with some success but it was just too restrictive and I couldn't stick with it and I ended up gaining back all I lost and even more. The pasta dishes haven't been a problem for me. It's true the Nutrisystem portions are smaller than some people are expecting, but by eating more often and adding the fruits and veggies has really worked for me. After a few days I really didn't find myself feeling hungry. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water throughout the day also helps not only in cutting down hunger but allowing your body to work and digest more effectively. I'm still about 100 pounds from my goal, but in just over 6 months I've lost 64 pounds, my pants size is 8 inches less than when I started, and I feel so much better and am much more active than I have been in years. Good luck to everyone in their weight loss journey, whether you use Nutrisystem or something else. It's definitely worth the effort!
Hey Rich, thanks for adding your story and congrats on losing those 64 pounds!
Good luck with losing the other 100!
Rich thanks for the info! I've already cut my portions within the last week. I guess I am just curious to try the food and it would be great to not have to shop for much food and not to cook after work! I have been eating fairly low carb since 2003. I don't eat bread or pasta.
I am soooooo happy for you! That is AWESOME!I know sometimes it can be overwhelming, but always remember the progress you have already made and are continuing to make!! Good for you!!
I love stories like this – Keep on movin and Congratulations!!! 🙂
Hi everyone! I'm looking into Nutrisystem because I have anywhere from 70-100 lbs to lose, and I am SO BUSY, I just don't have time to cook for myself, so I'm eating out all of the time (which isn't exactly healthy either). I am getting to the gym when I'm able to get out of work at a reasonable time, but that's still tough, too. I have been on Jenny Craig, so I'm familiar with prepackaged diets.
I have a couple of questions about the program, though, as I'm having a hard time deciding which version to get. I'm more interested in the Select plan, since it sounds a little more palatable than the regular plan, but I only have about a quarter of a small freezer to myself. Can I conceivably store food in the refrigerator, instead of the freezer? It'll thaw, sure, but will it spoil? The corollary question is: how bad is the basic plan really (in terms of taste)?
My other question has to do with how much extra shopping one needs to do while on the plan. I know some fruits and veggies are necessary snacks, but is there more than that?
Thanks so much in advance for your advice, everyone.
Hey Synnamin,
To answer your questions, if you go for Select, you really should keep the meals in the freezer. I'm not sure they'd keep well in a regular refrigerator. The regular plans include 30% fresh frozen meals, so you still need to have some space in the freezer for them, although they don't take all that much space.
As for taste, that's subjective. Most folks tend to agree the taste of the food is okay, although there are some who didn't like it and a few who positively hated it! You may decide you like it or maybe not.
The extra groceries are only a recommendation, they're not obligatory! I get a lot of people ask me that one. Seems they think they have to go out and buy all these extras, but they don't. You decide if you need them or not, although an extra piece or fruit or two a day is nice to have in any case.
Hope that helps!
Excellent. That helps a lot – and hey: means I'll save some money, by going on the regular plan (not that it's all that expensive anyway, especially compared with everything else).
Thanks again for your help and all of your reviews. They've been really, really helpful.
Hello, everyone! I have a few questions to all the folks who tried NS. 1) I get that everybody has different opinion about the food but my real concern is how can meats and sauces stay fresh when they are not even frozen? I want to try Basic Program because the one that has 30% frozen meals costs $100 more. That's the biggest reason why I still didn't try the program. I'm scared that the meals are gonna be sorta like cat-food (either something dry or something that comes in a can :)) 2) My job is pretty stressful and I have tendency to have a couple of glasses of wine or a beer every night after work. Is this habit gonna interfere with the program? (cause I don't think I could give it up… ) So if anyone has any ideas I would love to read them! Thank you!
Hey Anastasia, to answer your concerns,
1) these items that are not frozen are packaged in sealed packs. Some are freeze dried, others come in those foil packs like the ones you get a the store
2) Losing weight is all about making sacrifices to get what you want. You need to be prepared to make them, if you expect to lose weight. You need to get a little strict with yourself and that comes with truly wanting to lose that weight! Nutrisystem is a complete diet that comes with its own support and recommendations for additional fruits, vegetables and dairy that you can add if you really feel you need t, or not if you don't. Alcohol, unfortunately is not on the list.
There are other alternatives to alcohol to wind down after a stressful day at work. Try going to an evening yoga class (great for boosting weight loss, by the way), or you can learn meditation in your own home, relax with a nice cup of green tea and a good book. Avoid the TV if you can and definitely do not watch the news or read newspapers because the constant bad news they always pound you with will make you all the more stressed!
Hope that helps you.
Thank you Nutri-System. I was very hesitant about ordering Nutri-System. I had seen their menu and food over 30 years ago. Things have really changed in the food quality and selections. I really enjoyed some of the selections. Now that I'm almost finished I'm trying to duplicate some of those recipes. I was on the non-frozen food men's senior diet.
How much have I lost? I went from 233 pounds to 176 pounds in 12 weeks. I ordered another 4 weeks to get down another few pounds. I never felt hungary during the first few weeks. Now that I am very close to my BMI I do get hungary between meals and my weight loss has slowed. On my diet I ate 6 times a day. I have tried to diet on my own before and starved myself all day and ate one meal a day and I never lost weight.
Most important, my blood pressure went from 155/95 to 120/75 and my blood sugar from 117 to low nineties. My colesterol is now in the normal range. It has also made my doctor very happy with my results.
During the diet I did go out to eat and have a glass of wine periodically. I also noticed a slight set-back each time. I cannot believe I walked around with all that fat for so long.
The biggest upside to the diet? My wife and I, both on the diet, have to buy all new clothes. My waist size went down 10 inches.
If someone wants to lose weight I highly recommend Nutri-System. You can select your own menus from a great selection and I just love those candy bar deserts, lasagna, pizza, and chicken burgers.
Hey Mel, congrats on your success!
That really is something and a huge inspiration to anyone who is hesitating because they're not sure it will work for them too.
Isn't losing more than 10 pounds in a month considered to be unhealthy!
Jane, it depends on the circumstances. If your only a few pounds overweight, then yes it would be unhealthy to lose that much weight so fast. But of you have 100 pounds or more to lose, then its quite common to lose that much and more inside the first month of trying with no ill effect. Then the rate slows down to a more sedate level.
Hi! I'm into my 3rd week on NS and am already down 8 lbs. I feel great- less bloated and have even received comments about my face looking slimmer. The 1st week took some getting used to (I'm on the Flex plan) and have been quite good over the weekends, making my own healthy choices. I did splurge a little bit this past Sunday at a BBQ (wasn't anything crazy) but I did notice that later on I wasn't feeling well- too much sugar, fat etc… I was eager for Monday to come so I could start back up on the NS plan. I'll think twice next time about choosing the stuff I used to eat! lol
8 down, 52 to go!!!
Good Luck to all!
Hey Nancy, that's great going, congrats! Good luck for the other 52 🙂
Ok, So, here is the story on me. When I was in 8th grade my mother put me on nutrisystem seeing as that at the age of 14 I was 160 lbs. Keep in mind, I'm 5 foot, and very muscular. However, being this short has its pros, and cons. I was on Nutrisystem for 2 months, and lost about 40 lbs and kept it off until my freshman year of College. Now, entering my JR. year in college, I find myself tipping the scales at close to 180 lbs. However, I'm a size 8, (which is still big) but I wear mediums and smalls in most everything. I guess muscle weighs more than fat afterall… but I'm not happy with how I look AT ALL!. So, after asking my parents what they thought I weighed my mother **(whos always been brutally honest) says “No way you weigh more than 145”. I guess I carry it well. Anyway, just for my own happiness, and the need to wanna get down to a size 4 and someone who always shops for smalls, I decided while I'm still on my own and living a schedule I choose, I should get on Nutristysm again. afterall, it is the same if not cheaper than what I'm used to which is eating out almost EVERY meal. No wonder I've put on so much weight! (I'd also like to contribute it to the fact I was put on birtcontrol, it made me gain weight rapidly.. and after stopping I lost most of it I just cant seem to shake the last few inches and lbs) I'm very eager to start this again, I'm just wondering if I'll see results as well as I did last time. I'm very busy…I try and always take the stairs…I usually walk in the evenings to clear my mind..I”m just wondering if anyone is in a similair situation, and what I should plan to expect. I really would like to get a substantial amount of weight off by Halloween which is about 45 days away. I'm not as concerned with the number on the scale as I am with the number on my jeans.
I'm really considering starting this system. My only fear is I'm severely hyperglycemic.( my body burns through the blood sugar too fast. It's the opposition of diabetes.) Does me help keep blood sugar levels up at a proper level? If not would the diabetic system work okay for that? I really want to get to a healthier state and this seems like one of the easier and safer diets, or rather lifestyle changes, out there.
Hey smileyK, I think you already answered some of your own questions on turning around the weight situation. Having already been on NS in the past, the diet may have changed some from what you remember, for the better mostly. Although some things will be the same. If eating out has put the weight on you, then NS will surely take it off again!
Hey bre, I'm not sure I should try and advise you on that.
I'd say best ask your doctor about whether this diet can normalize blood sugar levels for hyperglycemia. The diabetic system is designed to reduce the level of sugars/high glycemic carbs specifically for diabetics. That much is for sure, but your condition is the opposite.
Maybe someone else reading this who is better qualified may have some sound advice.
I've been wondering about this program and read a load of the reviews here. That's a lot of reading! Anyways, I was wondering how much weight can I lose in 1 month on Nutrisystem? I know its a little vague, but I need to lose about 20 pounds give or take and was wondering if it were possible to lose that much or is it too much for just one month? I am constantly looking on the net for articles or blog posts that may enable me to lose the weight I need to lose. I asked some of my friends how much weight do you lose in a month by doing Nutrisystem, but I got some really diverse answers, as you can imagine. Any light you can shed will be helpful. Thanks to you for an excellent review and any help you or other commenters can give me.
I started the NS diet this week and lost 2 lbs. I regularly workout and eat healthy but because of my thyroid, I gain weight easily. I have been on several diets in the past on only 1 has worked but it was difficult. I wanted to try something new, something I hear and see all the time on tv and in magazines so I signed up for NS. I dont see how everyone is complaining about the small meals and being hungry in between. Im so full all day from these meals I dont crave anything and have to force myself to finish it all. Keep in mind you not only eat the entrees given to you but you have to add in the fruits/vegetables/proteins to each meal. Its a 1200 calorie diet and if you dont stick to it, your metabolism will “crash” is what the counselors told me. 800 calories is from the entrees and you provide 400 calories through the fruits/veggies/proteins. I use the meal tracker to help me plan my meals and log it into my account on the website. Let's see how much I lose next week!
Hey Kristy, its great to hear folks with such a positive attitude succeeding like you! Congrats on losing those 2 lbs and here's wishing you good luck for the rest 🙂
Nutrisystem has really worked for me! I've lost over 100 lbs in the last year and a half. A lot of weight came off really fast. If I don't cheat I can still lose 2 to 3 lbs a week. Now I'm just worried I won't know when to stop!
Hey Chris, that's pretty amazing. How much did you have to lose to begin with? As for knowing when to stop, your body will tell you by eventually slowing down its rate of weight loss to nothing once you reach your ideal weight - as long as you continue eating, of course!
I'm on week 3 of the men's diabetic plan and my weight is only a few pounds lower than when I started however, my sugar is PERFECT. I read everyone talking about the small meal sizes but I totally disagree… with the additional fruits and veggies and TONS of water I'm full all the time! I'm hoping week 4 or 5 is when I really start to see the numbers change. I'm a pretty heavy drinker and have cut that completely during my 13 week plan. I've gone from 3000-4000 calories a day to right around 1400 with Nutrisystem. I don't really get why I haven't seen the numbers yet. As far as quality or taste of the food, some of it isn't for me and some of it is great. I just realized that I was able to fully customize my auto ship order so I just eliminated all the stuff I didn't like, added some new items and added more of some I really enjoyed.
Oh yeah, one downside… GAS!! Not so bad for me, but bad for my wife! A friend on the program told me she'd rather be skinny and smelly then fat and rosey! LOL
Hey Walt, Sometimes a few pounds is about the right rate of weight loss. It really depends on the person as we all lose it at different rates. You didn't say if you were getting any exercise. If not, just going on long (fast paced) walks can make a difference. Being inactive really slows down metabolism and that reduces the rate of weight loss even when you cut calories to a third or more of what you were eating.
And yeah, the gas affects some more than others too. Your friend is right, skinny and smelly wins 🙂
I started NS 3 days ago and am delighted by my progress. I am no more hungry on this than when I ate normally. Well by “normally”, I mean my traditional healthy way of good food but over-sized amounts. I am enjoying the food. It is all good. I love the daily planner. It helps keep me on track. I am looking forward to losing 80 lbs. so wish me luck! Good luck to all of you who are on this diet and those just looking!
Hey carol, good luck with your diet, its great you're already into the swing of things and liking it!
I am a fit person, 5'7″ 138 lbs. I gained 10 lbs during the last year due to poor eating habits. I want to take the ten off, is this plan capable of taking the last ten off?
Hey BusyBee, usually if poor eating put the weight on, then right eating will take it off again. What often happens is if the weight gain was slow, the best way to lose it is gradually rather than try and get it all off fast. This diet is good for doing that over two months for most folks. It allows you to stay within what the experts agree is the “safe” weight loss rate of 1-2 pounds per week.
I just started this program about a week and a half ago and I have lost about 5bls. The food sent to me was a random mix and I think that I'll like it a lot better next month as I will choose which foods I want sent to me. So far it's been about 50/50 on what I've liked and what I haven't. A tip for those of you who (like me) have had a hard time with the portion sizes at first….I thought the fajita's were really filling and tasty too. I bought some extra thin sliced bread, toasted it and put it on that. Yummy!
I'm really happy with the program so far and I hope I can keep it up. There are only two things that bother me. The program has a lot of sweet snacks for desert. I like the occansional chocolate, but I don't really have much of a sweet tooth. yes, there are nachos and popcorn, but I wish there were more options for those of us who arn't big on sweets. Also, I feel bad about the amount of packaging I use every day. I don't know how this can be helped, but I'm not really feeling very “green” right now.
Thanks!
I started NS 5 days ago and so far so good. I need to lose 60lbs so I have a long journey ahead of me. Coming from an Italian family where the I am used to phenominal food it takes some adjusting but the food is not horrible. The black bean soup is the only food so far I could not tolerate but other than that everything else has been pretty good. Anyone starting this diet has to realize that this is a diet and that you have to be willing to sacrifice some of the things that you are used to eating. That being said the desserts are very fulfilling to my sweet tooth which is my weakness. They are not fresh baked desserts but they are not bad. Good luck to all who are willing to take the first step in improving there life and health on this diet, and thank you for this site for its honest reviews.
I am thrilled to report my first week and a loss of 5 lbs! Yay! This program is great, fills me up and I am getting use to the smaller portions. I know that the portion size has always been part of my downfall. I went to a wiener roast last night, ate a smaller portioned meal and still lost weight. It can be done. I felt so confident about it all. One doesn't have to overeat to have a great time. I am really into this now. Thanks NS!
Started with nutrisystems July 1, am expecting my third shipment the end of this week. Yes, the key is eating the smaller portions AND the extra fruits and vegetables. I have managed really well and wiwth a busy schedule and little or no exercise plan, as yet. Have lost 47 pounds thus far and plan to try it another month or two. Couldn't be any simpler and the on line calculation of calories is great. I have no problem with 1,500 calories or less in a day.
I am looking to start the NS, I have some question before starting the NS. 1) are you limited to just water, or can you have soda, sweet tea, milk, i'm a heavy drinker of 2% milk, etc? 2) what kind of veg. can you have, I don't like, most greens, but i will eat green beans, salad, and thats about it. now corn and carrots i can eat all day.
are you able to use ranch dressings?
Hey crazy,
If you're really serious about losing weight, you will be happy to make some changes to what you are used to. Its all about breaking habits. Drinking sweet tea and soda is a habit.
If the truth be known, you don't need sugar or sweeteners in your tea. It tastes tons better without and you get used to it real quick.
Soda is just the fast track to obesity city. Don't drink it! Regular soda is empty calories and the diet soda contains artificial sweeteners (aspartame) that not only make you crave food, they can cause cancer. Not very nice!
Be strong and drink lots of water. You can do it. You really can!
If you can switch to fat free milk, its a lot better too but don't sweat it if you can't, its not such a big deal.
Most people that don't like green veg are okay with broccoli. That is a power food and super good for you and you can eat it on this diet. Check with NS customer support for their recommended veggies, I don't believe corn is allowed.
Dressings should be fat free. You can make your own Mediterranean style dressing with olive oil and vinegar for salads. Add garlic and ginger or other herbs and spices if you want, but no sugar or honey.
Hope that helps!
Thanks for the unbiase review! Because of this review I ordered NutriSystem today.
I am 24 , 5'4 &about 170lbs. since I gained my freshman 20 in '06, I have fought w/my weight. I know I eat healthy'ish, but am a pastry chef who adores baking and “a foodie” person on top of it.
I am usually good about taking action when I begin to dislike my self bc of weight. In Feb I started eating healthier, working out, lost weight, stuff happend got knocked out of my habits. I have never weighed this much previously I know I have portion control problems and I am excited to hear people got used to and continued with the portion sizes when finished w/the diet. I already only drink water, some milk and teas and I had a chance to try the food a bit ago so at least I know i'll like it. XD
thanks again for all the comments they are encouraging! And the review so helpful.
Hey Meagan, you're welcome!
I married a pastry chef many moons ago and she used to bring her work home with her - at least it seemed like it. I was in my early 20s and gained about 16 pounds within a few months of sampling her wares LOL! It took some real will power to stop eating all that great stuff and lose it again, but I did it. It helped being very active cause I still played some sports back then. I learned all about nutrition in my 30s same time I was training as a hypnotherapist and it changed the way I saw food and what was in it. Sorry to say, pastry is a big no-way!
Good luck with your NS diet!
Can you eat unlimited basil as in tomato and basil salad on Nutrisystem?
Also, I started Nutrisystem yesterday, and found that I was way to full to eat all of the requirements. If I am satisfied and haven't finished all the dietary requirements, can I stop, or do I have to eat everything on the list? I was so uncomfortably full last night and still didn't eat all the veggies I was supposed to.
Hey Danielle, Yes you can eat as much of any herbs including basil as you want. They have negligible calories and make great improvements in flavor to any meal.
The extra dietary requirements are actually only recommendations and not obligatory. If you are full, then you don't have to eat any more than you need.
I personally believe that the veggies are a good addition, but dairy products are not such a great thing to add to your diet - even the low fat variety. Google “dangers of dairy” and you'll see why!
But if NS believe their diet is enhanced with dairy, then its your call as to whether you agree with them or not.
I went on the NS diet, for all the reasons mentioned above. Yes the portions are small, but that's why we need to diet, not to over eat. The chemical taste and smell was a turn off, but I figured I'll stick to it. What made me very unhappy was the horrible customer service. My first shipment was missing a few days, 2 emails and a phone call later, no one seemed to really care. When I decided to cancel, once more the bad service showed itself up. They came up with different reasons and charges and I ended up paying an extra $50+ to cancel, BEFORE THE NEXT SHIPMENT.
Small portions, decipline and common sense, you can diet yourself and not pay for it.
I have had a weight problem my entire life and of all the diets that I have looked at and tried never seemed to work for me. I tried Nutrisystem 3 months ago on the strength of a friends recommendation and was a little apprehensive at first after I read some of the complaints in a consumer website. But the order showed up on the day it was supposed to and I started unpacking the box. I was still unsure about it seen as there were so many packets of stuff and I had a horrible feeling it would all taste terrible.
But I started eating the food and you know, I thought it actually tasted pretty good! That “not happy” guy who commented that it smelled and tasted “chemical” must have been eating a different diet to mine, the standard mens plan, cause the food I was eating smelled and tasted just fine. I loved the pizza and the pasta dishes were a load better than I thought they would be. Plus there chocolate desserts were better than I ever bought at the store!
The best part is that after the first two months I lost 16 lbs. That's a real achievement for me and I owe it all to this diet. When I came to cancel the third shipment cause I didn't need it, I found there customer support to be friendly and helpful. No hassle, no extra charges and it was a pleasant experience. I guess that “not happy” guy should probably called himself “not lucky” cause he sounds like he really lucked out!
I'm interested in trying NS to lose 10-20 lbs. and was wondering if anyone who has type 1 diabetes been successful on this program? I look forward to some feedback on this questions… 🙂
I am planning to start Nutrisystem after Thanksgiving. My question is about exercise. I go to the gym 3 times a week. I work out on the machines, lift free weights, do 40 min on the eliptical machine at #5 setting once or twice a week, and do a 1 hour aerobics class twice a week. I burn up a lot of calories there, so I am wondering if I will need to do a little extra eating for the diet. Could I suppliment the daily meals with a rice cake + 1 tsp peanut butter, or a big apple, a protein bar (not NS) or something else to calm my hunger after the gym, besides the very small meal waiting for me? Or should I just follow the diet and not add anything more?
Hey Cindy, there are some extra foods you can supplement the diet with that NS actually recommend - vegetables and some dairy.
Personally, I love apples and believe one a day is good for you no matter what diet you are on! Others may disagree, but from a nutritional point of view, an apple is packed with goodness and fiber. A big one will come with extra calories, no denying that. But if your working it off in the gym, there shouldn't be a problem.
I just have a sugestion. There just be meal plans and meals for people who have Ciliac Disease and can't eat glutten. Glutten is in many foods as well as something called malt. Malt is often used to flavor foods. Cilac Disease is a dease in which your body attacks itself more or less. People with ciliac can not process glutten. The glutten sticks to the sides on the intestines and this causes thier bodies to not get the nutriants that thier bodies need. Glutten causes ciliacs to become very sick and can damage organs in thier bodies. Many people with ciliac also have lactose intorelance and/or nut allergies which cause anafliptic shock. I am sorry I can't spell this word. I noticed the diet for diabetics and I am glad to see that. Many diet programs leave out those who can only eat certin things. Please keep in mind those who have ciliac. Thank you
Hi there, I just wanted to let people know-who are interested in Nutrisystem. It really works!!! In the first week I lost almost 7 pounds, Of course camping, oregon trips and sundays that Im not able to be on the diet…messed somethings up..ha ha . It will be a month on the diet on the 5th so hopefully Ill lose at least 10 pounds all together for the month, but considering the fact that I have been on it only so many days…I skipped a lot of days …so its good lol. Going on 2nd in few days. I will focus more on the plan this month and excersise helps. So it works if you truly commit! Wish everyone the best and for the guy who made this website page….thank you!! It really helped me. God bless all!!! :)))
My starting weight is 201 pounds. I started Nutrisystem last week and lost 7 pounds. I am so excited. I love the food. I am on the 28 day plan with mix of frozen. I plan to do all dry food on the 3rd month. I love the fact I can have muffins for breakfast, fudge bars for lunch and pizza for dinner. I have certain favorites but I am just too excited over the food. So good. I have a third shift job so I struggle at night craving something sweet and salty. The counselors are very helpful. So funny, I call the counselors almost everyday and sometimes 3 times a day. The counselors are supportive and helpful. I am 5.4′ and I now weigh 194 pounds and my goal is to loose 30 or 40 pounds. I lost 5 pounds in one day when I started Nutrisystem. The fiber in the food and add in of vegetables and lots of water I stayed in the bathroom and dropped weight with an additional two pounds when I weighed in that Monday. I have two jobs. My co workers at my daytime job even noticed I lost weight and I look different. I am so excited about this program. One of my co-workers lost 30 pounds in 2 months on Nutrisystem. I decided to give it a try. Yes I have gas and go the bathroom alot. LOL, all I can say is out with the fat. I do exercise 30 to 60 minutes 3 times a week. I do Zumba, Walk off The Pounds, Biggest Loser or Taebo. I am looking forward to the new me with Nutrisystem.
I lost 27 lbs on Nutrisystem and kept it off for 8 months. I am 3 lbs below my original target weight.
One theme I see running through many of these posts is the erroneous belief you have to eat their food out of “styrofoam” either while losing weight or long term. They don't push this idea, but ask them for the flex plan grocery guide. It takes some perserverance calling them, and I noticed the guide was a little out of date but if you call them and edit it you can get a pretty good guide. But if you need to lose weight it is worth the hassle of 5 phone calls compared to the amount of time and effort you are going to spend dieting.
You can do the diet completely with natural food, and you can substitute natural food for any meal or snack at any time. The flex plan is five days on two days off. The off days you cook your own food, 100% natural. But you can mix and match which we did a lot, meaning you can go “on” or “off” at any time for any meal or snack. Once we reached goal, we finished their food and just stayed on the “off” diet continuously. They advised adding a protein at lunch and dinner, and adding a snack, plus another each time you work out. It's been working great, no styrofoam! Not hungry, very fit, all good.
Another thing I can settle is to succeed you MUST work out. This is not an option – 30 minutes 3 times a week. They are quite clear about it. If you do more you should take an extra snack – call them. A brisk walk counts, but it needs to be really brisk so you get your breathing and heart rate up. I would advise against too much exercise over the recommended the first 4-6 weeks until you have adjusted. Then you can increase. I suggest mixing it up – elliptical one time, a hike (uphill) the next, bike the next. If you stick to only one thing and it is insufficient, then you can easily get demotivated given how much effort you are doing. Variatiaon in food and excercise is a good policy.
Lastly to those complaining about portion size, the trick is to fill up on high volume free or “good” foods. Ask them, they will help you. Yogurt, yogurt, yogurt (nonfat of course) need I say more. 2-3 times a day it will fill you. Greek especially. 1/2 cup of egg white or egg beaters is filling, a boilded egg too. Try everything to find what works. And the free veg – Cauliflower, zuccini, eggplant, lettuce, etc. Ask them for an updated list of free items, raw and cooked (the printed book is wrong). At dinner just keep eating that until you are full. At lunch I ate (and still do) a large amount of lettuce as the veg many times, that gives you a full feeling.
If you drink your 8-10 glasses, exercise, eat the filling foods, keep varying, weight yourself every day and write it down. And don'g give up – keep trying different things until you feel full AND you are losing 5-7 lbs a month steadily. We went through everything I see posted here, but around half way through it clicked. We had MORE energy, we weren't hungry, more alert, fitter, better able to concentrate, aches and pains gone, and you really feel healthy.
Hey Dave,
Thanks for adding your advice. Its sound good advice for anyone who is not sure about things and I hope those who are having problems will take your lead and get on to NS support. Your right, they DO help and are very good once you get on top of them.
This food is processed and nasty! After the program you immediately gain the weight right back. Also, beware if you get the automatic delivery. I cancelled my order, they delivered it anyway and now they don't want to give me a full refund! Rip off!!!! I am in the process of filing a consumer complaint against them.
I decided to take the plunge and try nutrisystem. I did quite abit of research and i really liked that i could choose what meals i wanted. I've been on it a week and so far i really do enjoy the food and the fact i can eat veggies and a few other items besides the NS food. I think the food actually tastes very good and I haven't felt hungry at all. I read so many negative comments but like anything else in life if you want it bad enough, you must work on it. It's a lifestyle change no doubt. People complain about having to buy extra food at the grocery but i've found that's a good thing. So far, so good here! 🙂
I got a wake up call from my doctor – lose the weight or go on meds for diabetes. I was in a panic. My daughter-in-law and granddaughter agreed to join with me on a special offer in March. We got our first food shipment and I was not sure about some items. I am a picky eater(or over-eater). I needed to lose 80 lbs and the first 20 lbs came off quickly. We started walking togehter with our dogs every day and I lost 10 more lbs. It is now November and I have hit a wall -I have lost 40 lbs. and I cannot seem to lose the rest. We have had a lot of trips and events,but I have really reduced the portions I eat now and I try to use the bars provided for the main portion of my meal and just eat lightly when we go out. I plan to stay on Nutrisystem for one more month and see if I can get over this hump. The only negative comment I have is I wish they did not charge you so much to change your frozen food. There are a couple of things I really do not like.
Susie, walls can be gotten over with enough perseverance. It can be counterproductive to switch in the bars for the meals as you still need the nutrition the meals provide. Eating less can actually slow your metabolism down and that can halt the weight loss.
Do you drink plenty of plain water each day? The recommendation is around 8 glasses or two pints spread out throughout the day. If you're drinking soda (even diet soda) that can be a big negative - plain water is far better, and I would go so far as to say ESSENTIAL!
You can boost your metabolism by including some fresh vegetables with your main meal. If you can manage to eat them raw, its even better. Raw cabbage is delicious when shredded and dressed with cider vinegar and a little freshly grated black pepper (hint: the vinegar is a diet aid too). Add some celery sticks, a raw carrot grated, maybe some thin sliced raw zucchini, sliced radish, some lettuce leaves. Put it all together as a side - its surprisingly tasty and very low in calories but high in metabolism boosting properties!
Walking is good and walking a dog makes you walk faster, which is better. Have you tried swimming two or three times a week as well? Its an enjoyable activity that gives you some more exercise that doesn't really feel like exercise!
There are lots of things that you can do to give your weight loss a boost without over-exerting yourself. Its just a case of trying different things and finding what you like to do, then doing it. Good luck, we're all rootin' for you!
Has anyone who's lost weight with nutrisystem gained that weight back once they went off the diet? i guess what I'm asking is how long term are the results?
Thank you all for these reviews! I will order my nutrisystem today. I was looking into Jenny Craig and I went to one of their review websites, and everything was so negative. Now coming to a Nutrisystem website everything is so positive! I'll stay with the positive side on this one!
I quit smoking 2 months ago. I wanted to lose weight so I chose Nutrisystem to start with. I thought it was pretty expensive but chose to take the risk for 2 months. I selected everything I would like under the customized menu. I am a picky eater and have some food allergies so I selected 4 each of 7 different items for most of the selections. When I received my one box, I pulled the packing slip out and found that they shipped me “THEIR” selections. Now I'm being told that I mis-ordered and am responsible to return it. I'm allowed to keep 7 of each meal. I placed a “test” order after speaking to 2 individuals and found that it's nearly impossible to place an incorrect order. Gail asked me when I inserted my credit card number and I told her at the end of my order. She didn't say anything else about when I put it in after that. I looked at the “automatic” orders and knew there was no way I could eat most of that. My thought is that they have certain “left-over” items that they need to get rid of and tell people they mis-ordered in order to reduce their stock. There is absolutely no way I would have ordered this. I do not feel that I'm responsible to ship this back, as Nutrisystem sent me the wrong items. I will be cancelling my credit card order and I will NOT let this die. I did NOT apply my credit card to this order. I also feel that it is short a box. I can not see where all this is in one carton. (I have ordered Nutrisystem in the past AND KNOW THERE ARE 2 CARTONS THAT GENERALLY COME WITH A SHIPMENT) They want me to go through the carton and I'm sure there is something hinky with that too. Probably that I have to buy it if it's been tampered with. I want to lose weight. So why would I order the wrong things? Especially if it's going to make me sick…. But Nutrisystem just wants me to “EAT” their mistake!! I am willing and ready to pay for what I ordered but I can not believe they are so rigid and place all the blame on the customer. I guess they think almost $500 for 2 months is a drop in the bucket for people to pay. Maybe it is for Dan Marino and Marie Osmond but I make about $27000.00 a year and I'm VERY careful what I order!!!
Hey Diane, while $500 is not a drop in the bucket, its about $10 a day, which when you consider it replaces what you would otherwise spend on food is closer to being extremely cheap or even free (most people I know spend more than $10 on their breakfast each day). I'm sure a little perseverance and a kind attitude will get you a happy response from NS Support. They are there to help and will do so as long as you are asking the right questions and providing all the information they need to help you.
Autumn was right, this review and the customer comments has a generally positive feel. There will always be the odd negative one to balance things and provide perspective and to remind us that we're all human and people and even big companies are not perfect. But they will work with you if you work with them.
I am signing up for Nutrisystem on Friday, and I am excited! My goal weight is 125, and I currently weigh 146… so that means I have 21 lbs to lose. I've read the reviews, and I am prepared for the smaller portions. I know it will be difficult, but as they say, if it's worth having – it's worth the fight. My problem is that I'm a snacker. So that will be difficult for me, but I know I can do it. As long as I have an exact plan to follow, I know I will have the motivation to follow it. I also exercise 5 or 6 days a week typically. So that combined with a better diet should be a home run for me. I will report back after my first month is complete!
I was wondering..do you think it makes a difference choosing the select or basic menu plan?
Hey Patricia,
Select is made up of fresh frozen meals, better quality but costs more than the Basic plans.
Hello all!
These reviews have me so excited to weigh myself on sat to see what I have lost for my first week. I have not cheated and I am working out 4-5 days a week. I have true everything an the scale won't budget an it has me feeling so self conscious. I am so scared its not going to work for me but I am keeping my hopes high and I will not give up because I really want to get to 120. My starting weight is 155 do I have 35 to lose. I just really hope to get there! Thanks everyone for the comments and thanks to the creator of this sight!
Kianna
Your Welcome Kianna! Good luck with your program, I'm sure you'll succeed, just stay positive and don't feel scared. Believe in yourself and you will succeed!
Hello,
After reading to all these reviews, I am really very dissappointed. I joined Nutrisystem, I am in my Week 4 and have hardly lost any weight. Stuck to the plan for every bit. Still lost only 3 pounds. Not sure how so many people loose so much weight. I feel that I am unlucky in that respect.
Hi Hetal,
Don't feel disappointed, you are actually losing weight at the rate the experts agree is best, which is 1-2 pounds a week. One pound a week is pretty normal. Losing more may sound more amazing and it does happen to many people, but its the exception, not the rule.
if you are sticking exactly to the diet, then you are on track. Remember, it probably took you a long time to gain the excess weight so its not natural to lose it fast. It also depends on how much weight you need to lose. You should already have decided on two things.
1. What is your target weight?
2. In what time frame do you expect to reach that target?
If you want to lose more weight as some people who have commented here have done, then you need to look at what else you are doing to achieve that. Are you doing any exercise? Are you drinking lots of plain water (and not soda, not even diet soda)? Do you truly believe with your heart and soul that you can lose weight at a faster rate? Are you positive about your ability to achieve the target you have set for yourself?
There is a lot that you can do to enhance the weight loss process, but it takes more work on your behalf. But whatever you do, never give up. People only fail when they give up. So if you never give up, you can never fail!
I just ordered NS! im super excited and should be getting it tomorrow. The NS team has been amazing, so helpful and…… SO NICE! they dont just seem like a money hungry company and i felt no pressure to order anything. They totally answered my questions with no pressure. Im so happy to have NS team for my new weight loss! 🙂
Thank you guys!!
Hey lose weight guy, I am thinking of starting NS. I'm 24 yrs old, and have been active my whole life until about 4 years ago when I went to college. I fell into eating fast food all the time and weighed 225-230lbs at my worst peak. I was 170lbs and athletically cut beforehand. I started exercising 4-5 days a week and going hard at it (March 2011-present). I've lost 25lbs, but have not been eating right. I guess my question for you is, If I do NS and exercise like I normally do will I be able to reach my goal of losing 35lbs in as little as 2-3months?
thanks, Tad
Hey Tad,
I wouldn't want to give you any guarantees like that, cause everyone is different and will lose weight at a rate that matches their own circumstances.
Sure, if you're working out pretty hard, then a switch to the NS diet from eating junk will make a big difference and you'll be sure to lose more weight that way. Experts will tell you that 1-2 pounds a week is about what you should expect, but when you're working out its possible to lose more. But I wouldn't want to put an exact figure on it.
One big tip that can really help is if you're drinking soda, by cutting out just a can a day can save you around 150 calories. If you drink more than that, do the math and total it for the week and it can add up to a crazy figure! I've seen people cut out 2-3 cans a day and lose as much as 10 pounds a month without doing anything else!
Same goes for the junk food. Figure out how many calories in just one meal or what you're eating in a day and multiply it for a week and then work out the calorie count of a diet program like NS and look at the difference. It'll floor you! Then factor in the calories you're burning by training and you'll get a real appreciation of the huge difference there is in what you eat and drink. Hope that helps!
I have been on NS for 3 months. Really loved it at first, but after how they have been lying to all of us this past week, I will be canceling my account with them….The upper management hasn't even let their Customer Service reps know what is going on, so us current members are not being treated fairly and they will not tell us what is going on.
They came out with silly names for protein and dairy products calling them powerfuels… carbs are now allowed 2 times a day. They are now making protein shakes a requirement….
The long time members are leaving and they have lost many customers.
Stay away unless you want to give your money to a dishonest company….
Hey Greta, I think you're over-sensationalizing some there. Members are not leaving and NS have not lost many customers. If anything they are gaining more new customers thanks to their latest improvements in the meal quality and the use of quality chefs to create more diverse and interesting menus.
You haven't told us what you allege Nutrisystem are lying about. What exactly is it that you think the “upper management” are not letting the “customer support” know about? You didn't really tell us about why you are so unhappy with the company.
As for “silly names” for products, that's only your personal opinion. It may not be the opinion of most customers. And you really should clarify on what basis you are calling Nutrisystem a “dishonest company”.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, for sure. But only opinions backed up by facts carry any weight.
I plan on starting NS in Jan and wanted to know if using aloe vera in my water will hurt my weight loss efforts, and also using crystal light?
Hey Rochelle, Aloe Vera is an amazing healing plant that I personally use whenever I cut myself or suffer a burn or any other kind of superficial wound to the skin. It helps skin to heal very fast, faster and more effectively than any ointment or salve you can buy in the pharmacy.
I also use it as an internal health booster, swallowing a small amount of the gel cut straight from the leaf of plants I have growing in my garden. Recently, some members of my family had been complaining about a really bad sore throat they'd had for well over a week. I got it too, but Aloe Vera cleared it up inside of 2 days! I cannot praise this amazing, health-giving plant enough.
As far as I know, Aloe Vera gel is perfectly safe to ingest in small quantities and will not affect weight loss in any way.
I don't know much about crystal light, but without meaning to be flippant, I can't see it adding any calories to your diet or inhibiting your body's ability to burn calories. So if it does good things for you, then keep doing it.
I asked about the crystal light because of the artificial sweetener in it . It's called aspartame.
Hey Rochelle, my bad I thought you were talking about an alternative therapy similar to crystal healing! I just didn't even think about the product Crystal Light.
If any product contains aspartame, give it a very wide berth. That stuff is nothing but bad news. I wrote about it here: https://weightlossgo.com/top-100-weight-loss-tips/sugar-substitutes-facts.php and shame on the food industry for telling us all it's safe when it quite clearly is not.
I've tried Nutrisystem but I was very unsatisfied with it. Yes, you can lose weight but anytime you cut back on calories you're going to lose weight. My main beef is that some of the meals was an overpriced version of Chef-Boyardee spaghetti since they both tasted exactly alike. The pizza & desserts were best tasting but most of the meals were pretty tasteless in my opinion.
When I cancelled my automatic shipment the customer service rep was quite nasty and started arguing with me so instead of making it easy to do it turned into a nightmare. Not only that but the discounted price I was getting because of automatic shipments, they charged my credit card for full price. If I would have known this company was not very reputable I would have cancelled my credit card before they would have had the chance to cheat me out of more money.
I lost 50 lbs. and counting by buying convenience foods at my local supermarket and most are quite tasty and a lot more variety.
I went through the process of dieting with Nutrisystem end of summer this year and when I started I had many reservations about whether it was the right thing to do. You read about people who hated the food or had all kinds of problems, some arguing with customer services over some aspect they were unhappy about. I went ahead anyway and was amazed at what I got for my money.
After the initial shock of opening a big box full of packets of stuff, I read through the literature and gritted my teeth for what I thought was going to be a really tough four weeks. Let's not make any big deal about the food, the diet is very cheap but for the money, the food was more than just average. Many of the meals were really very tasty! All my previous fears were dissolved - this stuff is actually pretty good!
I really enjoyed those four weeks so much I kept on the diet for three months and lost a total of 28 pounds. That, for me was almost my target of 30 and I felt great. I learned a lot from that diet too, that I was eating too much bread and pasta and stuff that slows you down and makes you feel tired. Since I quit the diet, I stayed with a more healthy diet with more protein and lots of veggies and almost NO bread! I have more energy than ever and I feel great, plus I lost another 6 pounds until Thanksgiving and put back only 2 pounds to date.
I have discovered that Nutrisystem is one of the best ways to lose weight via a low calorie diet from home and I've tried some. People, its so easy! I can't imagine what those people who made all those complaints were whinging about. The customer service people I spoke to were angels.
All I can think is that those that complained loudest must have gotten on the phone to support with a bad, argumentative attitude to begin with. You don't get ugly arguments from people who are paid to help you unless you start those arguments yourself. That's what I believe and I think I'm pretty close to the mark there.
To everyone who left their comments here that were positive, well done! We are the vast majority and we all deserve our achievements because we worked with the diet with the right attitude. Thanks also to the guy who wrote this great review and provided this platform for us all to tell our stories.
Ed
hi im in college and only have a microwave and a mini fridge. I was wondering if someone could explain what exactly the different plans are for women and truly how much fridge/freezer space i would need? Also, would i have to cook any meals on my own or buy any extra groceries?
Anything else you mind find helpful that i should know, It would be much appreciated
thanks,
C
Hello, I am starting NS on Friday. I am 5'10” 200 lbs and a tight sz 12 and need to drop at least 30-40 lbs. I will keep you posted on my results. One quick question. Can you please put the dates of the posts? Thanks again for this great site!! It will be my daily inspiration.
Hey Keri, here's wishing you a great and successful diet!
As for adding the dates in the comments, I put them back on a while ago. But the page has gotten so long with over 500 comments, the page wasn't displaying right, so I took them off again and things went back to normal.
You can include the date you're posting as part of the body of your comment. Start it something like:
“Today is Jan 2 and I've lost xx pounds…”
that would be great! Notice I put two xx's in anticipation of it being double figures… you got to aim high after all 😉
Hey CH, the womens plans are divided into regular, over 65's, diabetics and vegetarian. Each variation is customizable to suit your personal tastes and needs.
All plans come with 30% fresh frozen meals apart from Select, which is 100% fresh frozen. You may have to speak to customer services on the phone to work out with them a customized plan with no fresh frozen meals. Its a shame not to take advantage of those meals cause there's some really great ones. Can you “borrow” some freezer space at a friend's place maybe? The packs are actually pretty small and don't take up too much space.
You don't have to cook any meals, so a microwave is fine for heating up the meals you eat hot. NS recommend you get some additional veggies and dairy, but that's optional and you don't have to if you don't want to. Although it can help if you want to add some of the fresh veggies that you can eat raw (I'm thinking sliced cabbage and zucchini in vinegar and a little black pepper is really tasty, believe it or not!), cause digesting raw veggies helps to boost your metabolism. They also fill you up with almost no calories, so you don't feel hungry between meals.
Also, I always advise you to drink a glass of plain water before each meal and try and drink about eight glasses throughout the day. This also helps with digestion, keeps you hydrated and helps you feel full. Water one of the best and most underrated weight loss product - and the best part is its free! Its also great for the skin… 🙂
Hello – for people wondering about gaining the weight back after doing Nutrisystem, I think I have some good insight.
I did Nutrisystem for one month a few years ago. At the time I was 5 foot 5 and 155 lbs or so, so not incredibly overweight, but definitely needed to lose a few lbs. I was very strict with the diet and did not cheat at all. I found it helpful to eat many of the allowed add-ons because like many have said, the portions are small. For example, with breakfast I would have a lowfat yogurt, with lunch I would have a handful of baby carrots, and with dinner I would have a large salad with lots of greens, pepper for flavor, and a light dressing or just some red wine vinegar. I drank mostly water, a little bit of coffee, and occasional diet soda or crystal light when I needed some flavor. I even went out to eat with friends sometimes and would order a garden salad or for breakfast, an egg white omelet with veggies and one piece of cheese. I ended up losing about 20 lbs in one month and I wasn't that big to begin with. After Nutrisystem I lost another 7 or 8 lbs just because I had finally learned portion control. I stayed between 125-132 lbs. for years by sticking to a healthier diet and smaller portions. I have recommended NS to many people and all of them have had success as well.
I recently gained some weight back because of some personal stress in my life and now that I am regaining control I am going to begin a month of NS in January to get myself back on track. I have a positive attitude and KNOW I will have great success.
My tips: Don't complain about the small portions! The point is, that is how much pizza, pasta, potatoes, etc. we actually should be eating at each meal and the rest should be vegetables, fruits, lean proteins that NS allows you. You have to accept that it's not going to be easy. NS teaches you that it is ok to indulge, but not to over-indulge. If you're going to spend the money and commit to doing Nutrisystem, commit 100% and you absolutely will have success. If you feel hungry and decide to snack on potato chips and donuts, you won't. If you eat the meals but sit on your couch all day, you won't. Just focus on your goal and use the add-ons to make meals more satisfying.
Hey SS, great advice and some great motivation for anyone who has doubts or worries about their losing weight. You just proved it can be done and how! Thanks for coming here and telling everyone the way it does work.
I was very enthused about starting Nutrisystem. I told them I was allergic to mushrooms. I started the program and wound up getting very sick. Guess who went to the hospital? When I got home I started looking for something I ate with mushrooms. Oh boy was I surprised when I looked at the ingredients on the boxes. Just about every one of the boxes had mushrooms in the ingredients. I called Nutrisystem and they agreed to take everything back. They gave me a number and who to send it to. The guarantee that you get a money back guarantee is bogus! I never received anything even though I continued calling them.
down 4 lbs in one day. woot woot!! will keep you posted
Cool 🙂
well i have decided to try one of these diet plans and i was really planning on going with jenny craig but after reading these reviews i am starting nutrisystem on friday. i am really excited and hope to see the results that some of the others have.
I am really wanting to try NS, however, I take a lot of medication, mainly due to my Fibromyalgia. I recently gained an extra 12 pounds with Lupron injections that I required for endometreosis. My question is…Will the different medications that I'm on keep me from losing the weight? I can be pretty disciplined. I do try to keep up with exercising.
Hey Diana,
I'm not qualified to answer your question, you really need to consult your doctor to get an accurate answer on the effects of medication and any diet. Maybe there's someone in a similar situation that can comment with their experience.
Hey Theresa, you made a good choice. Just be positive and work with the diet, get some exercise, drink lots of plain water (and no soda!) and have an “I CAN” attitude! I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised at the results you get.
I too take meds for Fibro and anxiety. Hence, the weight gain. NS is working for me, although probably slower due to the meds. I am on day 5 and down 5 lbs.
Great article. It clarified alot of questions for me. I have already made up my mind and I am ordering NS tomorrow. I have been reading these posts about people who lose up to 40 lbs, but I don't see very many people who lose more than that. Do people lose up to 75 lbs because that is my goal and I am in need of a serious life change.
Thanks, Brittany glad to help.
You can lose 75 pounds but you should not expect it to happen too fast. The best way to lose greater amounts of weight is to take it slow and steady and try and get exercising as well as dieting. The two combined are much more effective and exercise will help tone up your body and strengthen your muscles so you get a better shape when the weight all comes off.
You may get an initial rapid loss of weight on NS, depending on your individual circumstances. And that's the thing, everyone gets different results with any diet or diet/exercise combination so its hard to make any guarantees on how much you can and will lose. Just be positive and believe you can do it, then take action to make it happen.
You may surprise yourself at what you're capable of when you really put your all into it.
I have read a lot of posts but too many to read them all. Sounds like something I might like to try. I wish people would put their starting weight so their results would be more relative.
I am starting my 2nd week of Nutri System. When I first got the food box the food reminded me, of space meals, lots of dehydrated food, that you add water to. (Con)I do not like the protien shakes at all yuck. The portion sizes of the meals are so tiny, that you feel hungry all the time, they are about the same size as you would put in a 5 year olds lucnh. Finding I have to eat a lot more vegies that is recomended to stay semi full. (Pro) The food is very tasty. The snack are yummy! I am lossing weight that is the other good thing. Price is great for what you get. In order to stay full long enough I have to skip luch just have the snack, and then double up at dinner, one lunch and one dinner with some vegies. Hope this helps
Hi, great article and posts although I did not get through all of them. I plan to order right away. I have two questions. I travel about a third of the time so know I cannot order the Select plan. Any tips on managing the NS diet (besides eating small portions) while traveling and eating out? Also no one mentions alcohol. I have a couple of glasses of wine nightly. Can I continue or do I need to go cold turkey?
I have a 15 year old daughter that is over weight. she is 5'5″ and weighs about 200 lbs. Has anyone this age done this diet? and how were the results? please give me feedback, because I was thinking of starting her on this program. thanks 🙂
Lisa, I am on week 2 as well. Down almost 10 lbs. Woot Woot! Try drinking the protein shakes with vanilla unsweetened almond milk. It's 40 calories a cup. I COULD NOT DO only water. Good luck!
BTW the food is definately not terrible and I am a major foodie. I love gourmet foods and these are tolerable. The portions are definately small but oviously that is why I gained weight!!
I am doing the program for 2 months to jump start me then will continue on my own. It is definately not a lifestyle but a great starting point!
Just starting NS today. Both my wife and I are on the plan. Got my doctor to write a letter to my health insurance company and that prompted the health insurance company to cover some of the cost of the food. Surprising for my really crappy plan.
Anyway, my biggest surprise was the amount of gas I have been spewing. I can many times turn water into gas but this is absurd. I may become a global warming threat from all the methane and the EPA may put me on their speed dial. The co-workers are giving me dirty looks. Hopefully my system will adjust over time.
My goal is to lose 90 pounds over the next year. What motivated me was that I could no longer ride a couple of roller coasters, one of my favorite things to do. I do not expect magical loses of 30 pounds a month but expect a gradual drop of perhaps 8 to 10 pounds a month.
So far the food is OK, slightly above airline food. At least I don't have to pay baggage fees to get this stuff. For pre-packaged food I am not dissappointed and in a couple of cases was plesantly surprised. The food was well packaged, arrived in excellent shape. I have high hopes for the system.
The bottom line is that if you follow a program such as this, you will loose weight. It's been proven to work time and time again. the problem lies when you come off the program and go back to normal habits; that is the deciding factor in keeping the weight off.
Did you get my message?
Do you still take all of the fat out of your food?
Many years ago I went on the nutrisystem diet. I was successful in reaching my goal weight, but as soon as I went back to eating normal food, I had a gall bladder attack (a few days later) and had to have my gall bladder removed. My body has never been the same since.
I believe that my gall bladder was not used to working very hard with very little fat going through my system and when I began eating again it went into shock and could not function. I am not the first person that this has happened to and I am sure that you are aware of the many complaints you have received about gall bladder removals.
I am considering nutrisystem again, but I want to know if you have made any changes to your foods in this regard.
I have since gained all of my weight back and more.
I am considering eating a strip or two of bacon every morning to protect myself. I realize that this would make my weight loss slower, but I am willing to do that to keep my body healthy.
I am interested in your comments and your recommendations regarding this.
Hey Marilyn, sorry to hear you put all your weight back. You said the magic words “as soon as I went back to eating normal food” Nutrisystem is a learning process as well as a diet. It teaches you to eat sensibly, smaller portions and to balance your food. If you stop the diet and return to your old ways of eating, how can you NOT expect to gain weight???
I had my gall bladder removed around 10 years ago (I'm only mid 40s now) not because of any prior change in diet, my doctor advised it because of some complications I was having. But one thing I do know is a gall bladder doesn't just give up if it stops getting animal fats for a while then gets them again. You might want to check the real reason for that with your doctor.
After my surgery, I became vegetarian and never had any further health problems. But thats an aside. I started Nutrisystem early in 2010 as I'd gotten around 20 pounds overweight in the previous year (nothing to do with the surgery–my weight remained stable for a long time after that). I lost all the weight and to this day have not put a single pound back.
I never went back to eating my old meat diet. Bacon is something I now consider poison to my system as are all saturated animal fats. I know that's a strong vegetarian statement, but I believe in it and my health has never been better. The only fats your body really needs are the essential ones (omega 3, 6, 9) and mono-unsaturated fats like from olive oil.
If you want to succeed with losing weight long term, you can't think along lines of going back to what you consider normal eating. Our “normal” diet in this country is terrible! You don't have to become vegetarian, but you should look at what you eat and make it healthy and in the right portions, no processed junk and stuff. Take a read through this website too, this guy knows a thing on losing weight. I just read some articles about how bad soda is–and the artificial sweeteners that go in there. Can't say I'm too surprised, but its eye opening stuff.
Sorry to go on, I just had a few things to say is all. I hope you get good results this time with your diet Marylin and don't worry so much on the fats thing. From what I remember, there meals are balanced 30-30-40% fats-carbs-protein.
Hey Marilyn, yes I got your message, just a little slow in approving it, sorry.
I think Steve said it pretty well. I'm no expert on gall bladders so can't really comment there, but what Steve said about our “normal” diet in this country being terrible is probably a factor in causing the need for gall bladder surgery. He is also right about the NS meal nutritional balance too.
If I were you, I would not be tempted to eat bacon every morning. Its high fat and high salt and while it tastes good, it is a terribly unhealthy meat and will not “protect” you against anything!
I did nutrisystem 4 years ago and lost 60 lbs but as life has it I gained it all back and more I am emotional eater so I have ordered the system again today and cant wait for it to get here.
Hey Stephanie, good luck with your diet this time around!
Hi,
Thank you so much, for such an honest review. I read it today and have ordered my nutrisystem women's vegetarian plan . I am seriously overweight and want to loose it all. I hope this works for me. Thanks again for this site, it saved my life! 🙂 I ll come back and tell you my success. 🙂
Hey Sneha, glad to be of help to you. We look forward to hearing of your success!
Great reviews! I've been on the nutrisystem for 1 week. I've lost 5 lbs! I'm very excited to continue. I also workout at least 4 days per week! I will continue to update!
Hey Kim, that's really great news. Keep it up and we'd love to hear how you are doing!
Am thinking about going on this diet after seeing Terry Bradshaw's ad. I need to lose forty pounds. How long should I be on this diet to achieve my goal. Also a little confused about which plan to choose. I have been on my own diet and have lost eight pounds so far but seem stuck now. Have problems with exercising but do walk plenty. Have cancer so with hormonal treatment maybe the reason for weight gain. Don't have much extra funds for something like this but will find it somewhere.
Thanks for the reviews.
Hey John, losing 40 pounds is achievable, but everyone loses weight at their own pace so it would be impossible to put a set time on how long it would take you.
One piece advice I must give you is to first check with your doctor before going on any diet - you need to be given the OK by a medical professional that a diet won't interfere with cancer treatments.
Hi everyone!
What a great blog site. Like so many of you who have written in I would like to share a bit of my story. It is kind of long and I swear it has NS in it!!
I had a stroke in May of 2010 2 week before my 30th birthday. At that time I weighed in at 197lbs. The weeks that followed had me in countless doctors offices trying to determine the cause of the stroke. You see the stroke did not make it to my brain but ended in my left eye causing permenant partial vision loss. While going to all these doctors I heard the same thing, You are healthy with the exception of needing to lose some weight. After feeling sorry for myself had subsided I decided to do something about my weight. I have always been kind of over weight and really did not know what it was like to be on the thin side. I wanted so badly to know that feeling. So I started going to the gym and doing the unhealty thing of severly cutting calories. It worked. In a matter of months I dropped 57 lbs. The problem was that I was exercising like a crazy person and was not eating. I was killing my body.
Now at an amazing 140 I looked better than I had ever looked but I felt horrible. I started eating again and slowly over a year the weight, while not all of it, came back on.
I was crushed. I started feeling fat and like a failure. I had let myself gain almost 20lbs back.
Currently I am in an amazing relationship with a man that wants to lose weight and I thought of trying NS so we could do it together. He liked the idea and currently I am on day 2 of the diet. When I got the package I was so excited. I sorted all the foods for him and I and got everything organized. I found this site and started reading everything and got even more excited. I am sure it is just water weight but I am already down 1.3lbs. I have a goal of 125 so I think that brings me to just under 30lbs of weight loss needed but I really think I can do it with the help of NS. The food so far is pretty good and while I am a bit hungry I know that it is because I am used to eating larger portions and snacking on bad stuff when ever I get the urge.
I really think that dieting is more of a mind set then the actual food. If you put your mind to it you can do anything. I am putting my mind to it! I look forward to sharing more in the future!
Hey Kelly, that's really inspirational! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
You sound like you have that mindset to succeed with this diet and prove to everyone that its all about having an “I Can” attitude and getting on and just doing it. 🙂
Hi Terry,
Thank you for the gracious response! I am so excited to check into this site and post every few days. Diets and life sytle changes are difficult enough. There is something about being able to read other peoples successes and stories that make it that much easier. I hope that my story helps someone the way some of these stories have helped encourage me!
Blessings!
Kelly
While the program would be good for some, it was not for me and my food allergies. My recommendation for everyone is to be very cautious with the auto-delivery. Trying to cancel has been an AWFUL customer service experience. The 888# given in their instructions referred me to another 800# that is only manned at certain hours. Emails are not responded for 3 days. Interestingly, this is exactly one day too many for the 2-day notice to change an order. Again, just be very cautious about your auto-delivery and trying to reach customer service.
Back in 2007, a group of my colleagues and I started NS. The pancakes and chocolate drinks were the best. I did not mind the size of the food, but the taste was over powered by salt and other additives that did not make the meals tasty. The tuna and powered eggs were horrible. In addition, the pasta dishes were soggy and not al dente. Lastly, two of us in our group developed a signifant rash….mine was an acne related food allergy ( surprised given that I've eated all types of food/spices throughout my life- hence weight gain) and the other developed hives specific to her hands and torso….classic allergic reaction. Please know, this is no lie and the God honest truth. To give the product the benefit of the doubt, we stopped NS for one month and our skin improved immediately; hence, we resumed our diet but the skin problem reserviced. Being that we were all nurses ( and a couple were MDs), we felt that we had developed an allergic reaction to anyone of the additives in the cooked products, more specific to dinner. I notified NS about our concern and actual issue. Apparently no one had reported this to NS. Nevertheless, we cancelled our future orders. As far as the other members of our diet group, they all did well and lost a ton of weight.
Please understand, I am only sharing my experience about the food and my ultimate outcome. This could be an isolated case, but who knows.
Now I see the gourmet meals and they look great! With that said, I hope the product development has changed for the better. However, I am extremely nervous that if I proceed, I will have major skin issues again.
Hey LL, sorry to hear you developed allergic reactions. I've heard about this happening in other areas, such as with certain brands of supermarket ready meals. While its tough to nail it to any particular additive, the inclusion of additives in processed foods seem a likely cause of allergies in some people.
I guess it would take a research scientists to really check this out. But my guess is the food industry and/or Government would never fund it and even if it were funded privately, would they ever accept the results? I doubt it!
Nutrisystem is a diet that is better suited to people who are used to eating some processed foods in their normal diet and can tolerate additives without any effect. Its not so well suited to someone who is used to good, home cooked meals made only from fresh ingredients without any additives!
Hey Susan, sorry to hear your problems with trying to cancel auto-delivery.
I mentioned in the review that auto-delivery plans can only be cancelled by phone and its something that should be done with plenty of time to spare before the next auto-delivery batch is ready to be sent out. Its something that you have to be pretty assertive about. If you don't get the answer you want or you don't hear back right away, you have to be persistent.
I'm only on my second day of Nutrisystem but I have the say the food isn't bad. The shakes could use alittle more flavor but that was expected. If you supplement your meals with the portioned grocery list on the website, you will NEVER be hungry as I read many people say above. Yes I did notice on day one that by the end of the day I became a bit gassy, however nothing intolerable. I just warned my co-workers to excuse me in the weeks to come…..ha ha. 😉
I'm 28 and need to shed some weight before a surgery. I believe this was the right chose for me. I am very excited about comtinuing this program. This review and all the comments were really helpful to me. Thanks!
You're welcome Holly, glad to help.
That's the attitude to get you to where you want to be for sure. Here's wishing you great success! 🙂
I have been on Nutrisystem for a little over two weeks. I have been a weight watchers girl for a long time. I think weight watchers is great and I always thought nutrisystem was not a good deal because it was not teaching you to eat in the real world.
However, in the last ten years the most I could ever lose at one time was about 15 pounds with weight watchers. I am busy and have a demanding job. Weight watchers and the meal planning was overwhelming, so I’d buy frozen dinners and then get burnt out on them after a while. I was also hungry a lot of the time on weight watchers, which also made it difficult.
My doctor recommended nutrisystem to me. He said he had lost 40 pounds and his wife had lost 50 pounds.
I am so happy with nutrisystem! I’m rarely ever hungry and if I am hungry it is usually because it is time to eat. I’m very surprised because I have a huge appetite. It is so convenient, it makes dieting so much easiler! The food is pretty good and there is a lot of variety. It also gives me more free time in my life!
I was also concerned about cost. But it seems to pretty much equal out to what I was spending on food before I got on the program, so I am very pleased!
Hey Brenda, its great to hear from someone who has switched from Weight Watchers and has a lot of good things to say about Nutrisystem. I guess you can't get better than a recommendation from your own doctor who tried it with his wife and they both succeeded in such a big way.
It would be great if you could get your doctor to write in and tell us his own story. Or he could contact me through the “Contact” page on this website if he would be interested in writing a longer piece that I could publish with a live link to his website and highlight his practice – it would be a real motivator to my readers (this site gets between 1.5k–2k visitors a day)! 🙂
Hi Terry. BTW- I am 54 years old and I would like to lose about 40 pounds. Tomorrow will be three weeks on nutrisystem and I have lost almost 10 pounds! I am so amazed! I can not believe how simple it is! Next time I see my Doc I will see what he says!
Hi Brenda, that's great news, I'm so glad you're doing so well. I look forward to hearing from your doctor as I'm sure he'd be keen to reach out to a wider audience of people seeking good advice on losing weight.
Let me start by saying I've only been on the system for a few days now, but I have a relatively unique perspective to add: I think the meals are just fine in size. I've dieted to the point of starvation before and this is nowhere near that. I'm a pretty big guy at 286 lbs. so I was really worried about the meal sizes after reading everyone's reviews. All I do is eat about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of lightly steamed vegetables with lunch and dinner and I'm stuffed by the end of it. Steamed for about 5-6 minutes with some red pepper flakes- fantastic.
Anyway, my point is, the system has been wonderful so far and I can easily see myself sticking with it until I reach my goal. I also have so much energy from the better nutrition that exercise is nearly compulsory for me now!
Hey B, I'm thinking you're with the silent majority on the meal size.
I think that a lot of folks who wrote in saying the meals were too small likely didn't know about being able to add some vegetables to the meals or they just weren't expecting it.
Like most things in life, people who are satisfied with a product tend to keep it to themselves, while those that are unsatisfied will almost always complain loudly so everyone can hear!
It's good to hear you're doing great already. And yeah, exercise is definitely the magic extra ingredient to any diet to make it really effective.
I have been on the nutrisystem plan starting my second month now and have lost 10#. I am a mother of two boys and being in my middle thirties when being pregnant and also doing back to back pregnancies I was finding it really hard to drop the 15# I needed to get back to prepregnancy weight. This system is awesome, the meals are good ( I add veggies to the meals and always a salad). I do have to say that the exercise is key for me, I get in 1/2 hour on the elliptical machine daily, not like chasing after 2 boys and being a full time nursing student doesn't have it's own exercise program but I needed to bump it up a little. The program is great but exercise and sticking to the program is needed to get success, I would recommend this to anyone!!
Where did the guy go who was responding to all of the posts?? Looks like he evaporated. What's the deal?
Hey Steve, I'm still here, just changed my login name from “loseweight” to my real name cause its more personal.
I just checked back thru the comments and realized I never got around to replying to you. My bad, apologies there!
You asked about having a glass or two of wine. Nutrisystem don't say you can, but in my experience, a glass of red wine per day is good for you in many ways. You only have to look at the French and Italians that drink a lot of the stuff and see how healthy they are compared to us.
As for traveling, the non-frozen meals are portable so you can take them with you. For managing them at restaurants etc, just choose your accompaniments with common sense and avoid the temptation to go for the obvious no-no's like fries or bread etc.
This website is so encouraging. I'm glad I found it. I have had my one month supply of Nutrisystem sitting in the box for about three weeks. I did taste a couple of items to see if I liked them. The items that I tried tasted better than I imagined. I guess I won't know if I will lose weight unless I take the food out of the box and start using it. I have made several attempts but then when my husband comes home with Krispy creme donuts or fries and chicken wings I just say to myself I will start next week. Well next week hasn't come yet. But I am determined to get started thanks to all of you. Next time I come on this site I want to have a weight loss report. Keep up the good work everyone!
Hey Jacqueline, good to hear you're going for it. Its all about determination when it comes to losing weight and I think once you've taken that first step and gotten started, you can keep going and get good results. Then its all about perseverance and sticking to your guns!
We look forward to hearing from you real soon 😉
First, let me say that i had 2 full time jobs and my eating habits are horrible. i just started the program 2 days ago and I have not eaten this much food in two weeks. Im following the plan as directed, i feel like im eating all the time. im not hungry… and its time to eat again. Is that okay?
Hey TT, everyone has different speeds for all things including eating and feeling hungry, but if you're following the plan then I guess its okay. Bon appetit 🙂
My only question about this diet…does the weight STAY off once you stop ordering their food?? Obviously, its easy to lose weight when on a structured diet, but once thats no longer supplied does the weight come right back on?
Hey Sami, the answer to your question lies with you.
What are you going to do once you stop eating Nutrisystem meals? You have two basic choices.
1. You take forward what you learned from being on the Nutrisystem diet and continue to eat healthy food in smaller portions, including lots of fresh ingredients like vegetables and fruit
2. You revert to eating whatever it was you were eating before NS that made you gain weight
I think you can easily see which choice is the right one. Maintaining weight once it has been lost is totally your choice and in your hands. There is so much freely available information on maintaining a healthy weight online to help you and the millions of other people who wonder about pretty much the same thing. There's plenty right here in this website.
The answer is in educating yourself about what you should and should not eat and then putting it into practice by doing it every day. That's pretty much what you need to do to NOT gain weight again. Hope that helps.
I started Nutrisystem a week ago. They are running a40% off for the month of Febrruary because of their Anniversary. This month I let the person on the phone pick my foods. When my order came I realized there was about 25% that I don't like. So the hubby is eating them. Almost everything I ate is good. Some of the texture is different but I went into this thinking this might all be a mistake and all the food wood be horrible. I have been pleasantly surprised. I went on the internet and picked out my menu for next month which is great that i can do that.I have read some of the reviews and I feel they went into this expecting the program to do everything for them. You are the one who makes this program a success or failure. I even bought a used treadmill this past weekend. I am starting out slow and will work my way faster. I love the protein drinks. Coffee is my favorite. Years ago I tried different protein drinks and the where horrible. These are great! Tomorrow is the end of my first week and according to the scale I lost 3 pounds. I would love more but it doesnt come on fast so I will continue.
The Nutrisystem really works. I am a busy college student. I tried Weight Watchers in the Fall and just didn't have the time to prepare all the meals. With in 10 days or so I had lost 10 lbs. I'll be starting my third week this week. I've only gained 1 lb back (I know weight fluctuates), but I work out 1-2 hrs a week, so some of that is probably muscle now. I am trying to run a 5k in a couple of months. I know more will come off with the help of Nutrisystem and work out group.
I have only eaten out once in the past two weeks to eat with family. It was at a Mexican restaurant, got the healthiest thing I could find (2 pieces of thin grilled chicken, zuccini, squash, bell peppers, rice, (I left off the sour cream and guacamole). The food came out so fast I only had 5 or 6 chips, and stuck with salsa not the white sauce. I only ate half of my meal then. I've got a Bible study that we'll have dinner with (once a week) so I'll have to be extra careful then.
I have noticed I get more full now. I'll stop eating when I'm full. For dinner I tend to make small to medium salad and try to get all my veggies in for the day then.
If the food is bland, spice it up so you can stick with it!
My goal is to lose 19-24 lbs by graduation.
Meels are too smal, that is the key to loos the waight. If you are eating no more then 1200 calories a day you are going to loose the waight no mether which food you are eating and don't eate junk food before you go to sleep except fruit and avoid sodas, avoid avacado and coconut thay are full of fat, avoid food with lot of calories, sugar and cholesterol.
I have been on Nutrisystem for 2 weeks and I am having a very hard time with it. I don't have an issue with the portion sizes at all. I have a problem with the taste and texture of most of the food. I have found at least 90% of the food to be nearly inedible. I am committed to this diet for 2 months, so definately next month I am going to order pretty much 28 of the exact same items so that I can stick to it. I am really surprised that most people don't have a problem with the actual food. The grilled chicken patty for dinner is absolute MUSH and it fell apart as I was trying to remove it from the bag. Disgusting! Next month I am going to be living off of their Beef Patty which is actually pretty good and their fettuchini which is good because it dehydrated so the noodles aren't completely mushy.
I tried the nutrisystem for the first time 7 weeks ago. Due to poor eating, menopause which effectively slowed down my metabolism tremendously and medication for hot flashes that cause weight gain, I found myself, tired and overweight by 30 lbs and really unhappy with my body. I decided to try NS because I have a very demanding job, didn't have time to count points, cook or do any labor intensive meal preparation, sometimes i was even too tired to go to the store to shop for food so i would make some really poor meal choices (fast food). What I really wanted was something that was pre-packaged, that had the correct portions already measured out etc, so NS was perfect for me. When I got my first box it had selections in there that i didn't or couldn't eat (don't like pasta, don't eat pork or shellfish, not really into chocolate, yes i'm weird) so I had to return what i didn't want. The counselors were very helpful and made that exchange pretty seemless and i got my box of exchanged food pretty quickly. The second month (which i am almost at the end of now) I upgraded my plan and had the opportunity to also customize my order. I was able to do this because I soon discovered what i did and did not like. I also now get the frozen foods and this has also opened up more choices for me which i love. I must say that for me the food wasn't that bad at all, as a matter of fact most of it tasted pretty good. I love onions, garlic and bell peppers so for those foods that were a bit lacking in flavor, i just sauteed those items and added them to my food. they acted as both flavor enhancers and vegetables. The one thing that i do not like about NS is the bloating and gas i still experience from the increase in fiber. Some days its worse than others and i am learning(the hard way unfortunately) what combinations do and do not work for me so that i have less discomfort. I use to be a juice junky probably taking in at least 1000 calories or more in juice alone, but since being on NS drink nothing but water, which i am sure my kidneys thank me for. I started incorporating exercise 3 times a week for 30 min into my routine about midway through the first month and at the end of the first month, i had lost 10 lbs. I realize with my challenged metabolism i need to step that up, so this month have added on another day and have increased the length of my exercise routines. Overall i can say that i am pretty satisfied with NS and have no real major complaints.
Hey everyone, sorry I didn't reply over the last 2 days. Even webmasters have to take time off every once in a while 😉
@LB that's a great story of success and how to get more from Nutrisystem by staying on top of things. You're right more exercise will certainly help boost your metabolism and drinking lots of water is absolutely the secret to winning with weight loss!
@Shelly, take heart from LB's comment. There will always be some food that some folks will like and some they don't. You can change what you don't like and NS support will work with you. Its in their interests for you to be successful and have an enjoyable diet after all, its their business!
@NN, yes you're right smaller meals are the answer as well as keeping the calorie count down. The main reason a lot of folks sign up with Nutrisystem is for a service that does all that for them, making weight loss easier. There are plenty of folks that don't need NS and they can lose weight without help. But there are also loads of folks that do need that extra help and NS are there to provide it.
@M, that's so great you're dong so well with NS. Sure you get used to the smaller meals over time and feel full for longer and you have the right idea to spice up some of the bland meals to make them more enjoyable. Its all about working with the diet and working with what you like and I'm sure you will hit your target with your positive attitude.
@Faith, that really made me smile - if there's one great way to get past the meals you don't like, give them to someone else to eat LOL! But seriously, you can work with Support and get some meals changed to ones you will like. See LB's comment above. You have the right attitude to succeed with this. You said “You are the one who makes this program a success or failure.” YES, you are absolutely right on that.
On a side note to all my readers, regular and new: For anyone that's having trouble with the NS food, maybe there's some things you don't like or you feel disheartened. Call NS Support and talk to them. They are there to help you and they will if you work with them.
I don't want to sound mean, but I know that sometimes Support has to deal with some angry customers on the line and they have a terrible time with them. That's never a solution and no one wins. I'm sure there are some legitimate grievances but screaming down the phone doesn't solve anything. A better way is to first write down a list of questions you want to ask and stay calm. You'll find politeness and an attitude of gratitude works some amazing magic at getting the most from people you speak to on the phone!
And another thanks to Faith for writing this:
“You are the one who makes this program a success or failure.”
It is just so true!
I am very disappointed in Nutrisystem. It advertises to be for people needing to lose 10 lbs or 100 lbs. I am one of those people who only needs to lose about 10 pounds. I started the program on Jan 7, 2012 and am on my second month and have not lost any weight at all. I have not cheated, have enjoyed the food, followed the plan, and attend Jazzercise classes 4 times per week and walk daily, weather permitting. I have emailed for suggestions twice and have never recieved a response. Needless to say, I am an unhappy customer, but does anyone care? Nope. I will not be reordering and certainly would not recommend the program for anyone who does not have a large amount of weight to lose.
Hi! I am a college student who has struggled with my weight since the freshman 15. I've tried weight watchers…that didnt work! I am very interested in NS but I wanted to ask everyone what are some of the ways they fought the hunger pangs when they first started the program? I just want all of the tips I can get so that I avoid the chips, popcorn, etc.
Also, I have a HUGE sweet tooth…are the desserts satisfying??
Hey Sarah, The best way to stave off hunger pangs is to add lots of fresh veggies to the main meals and use Nutrisystem's own recommended list of add-able foods. Also, drink lots of plain water throughout the day, especially have a glass before each meal. This helps you feel fuller for longer, believe it or not!
Soda or diet soda are NOT an option by the way! Avoid them at all costs. Drinking soda adds an amazing amount of excess empty calories per can and diet soda contains Aspartame, an artificial sweetener that makes you feel hungry (Google: “dangers of aspartame” and check out the info – you'll be shocked).
The NS desserts are surprisingly good and perfect for sweet toothed people!
Hope that helps you 🙂
Hello.I just started Nutrisystem Monday and I have lost 4lbs. Yippee!I didn't believe it would happen.I read different people's reviews and some lost 1 or 2lbs and then I read others and they had lost more in a week. I was almost dreading getting on the scale.But I just took a deep breath and stepped on.I had the box of food for about 2 weeks before I even opened it. But then I thought it's not going to do me any good in the box.
With all the complaints about the food I thought it was going to taste weird or something. I don't know what anybody else received but the food I received was surprisingly good.I heated up some of the lunch bowls and poured the contents over steamed broccolli.That was very tasty and filling.I have found that putting the cookies and cakes in the microwave for a few seconds makes them taste even better.The one thing I've learned about this diet is that you have to get creative with the meals and make it your own.
I do have a couple of questions.(1) Is beer allowed? (2) If I'm on the weekends off plan do I have to take the weekend off or can I go straight thru with my meals?(3) Is turkey sausage or boiled eggs allowed? I don't drink regular milk I drink soy milk is that okay?
Thank you all for the motivation to do this. I wish you all much weight loss success.
Hey Jacqueline, that's great you got off to a really good start with NS! Getting creative is making intelligent use of the diet and your own ideas to make it personal to you, which is another way of boosting your success.
In answer to your questions:
1. Beer has a lot of calories plus alcohol lowers your resistance to snacking, so would not be allowed
2. You can take that creative thing further and mix up the “weekends off” some – have some diet meals and the rest can be a little different as long as they're sensible
3. Both of those are calorie-laden so I'd say no but worth checking with NS support in any case as they might give you some leeway.
4. Soy milk is okay as its very low fat and under 40 calories per 4oz serving
Hope that helps!
Hi, I have been on Nutrisystem for 3 1/2 weeks now. I find the diet very easy to follow. My main problem is the weight loss. So far I have lost a total of 3 pound! It is very upsetting, to say the least!
I do not cheat on this diet. I think one of my problems was that I was eating my Nutrisystem dinner with my ‘family dinner', meaning that I would have a Nutrisystem dinner and my two proteins (sometimes only one protein if I had a yogurt earlier in the day)together with veggies. My proteins would be either 4 oz of chicken breasts, 6 oz shrimp or 4 oz of beef (93% fat free)with veggies. My new thought is that I should eat my Nutrisystem dinner earlier than what I eat my ‘family dinner' and not eat them together. I made the change around 5 days ago. Still no change!
I know that I also do not do as much exercize as I should be doing, BUT I still should be loosing more weight. I wanted to loose a total of 16 pounds and was told by numerous NS consultants that I could do it in 2 months. Well, at this rate it will take me at least 4 months!!!
Any ideas?
Hey Audrey, don't be disheartened. Everyone loses weight at their own pace and you can't expect to lose it as fast as someone else even if you both look the same. Experts agree that 1-2 pounds a week is about right. You are on the low end of that scale at just under 1 lb a week which is not something to be discouraged over.
Often when someone experiences a slower rate of weight loss, their metabolism is slower than it could be. To raise your metabolism, exercise is one of the best ways. If you can do more, the better for you. It is also better to exercise little and often rather than sitting around all day and then having an hour in the gym. Okay, maybe that's not what you're doing, its just an example.
It could also mean that you don't need the extra food you're eating. NS recommend adding protein, veggies and dairy but its NOT obligatory! You can do the diet perfectly well without it. For some people, that is the answer to losing more weight. For others, its more exercise.
One last thing. Are you drinking lots of plain water each day? This is a secret weight loss ingredient that is more effective than just about anything else - and the best part is its easy to take and its free! You should be drinking around 6-8 8oz glasses a day. But it has to be plain water, not soda or diet soda.
Try it if you haven't done already. A glass before each meal will help you feel fuller for longer so you won't need the extra protein and maybe just go with some extra green veggies. Experiment a little and see what works best for you.
Thanks, I will really do more exercize to try to speed up my metabolism. Never thought about that!! Been waiting for the warm weather, though I have a treadmill and will start to us it. Even if it is only 10 minutes three times a day! I normally just do waist exercizes for around 3 minutes twice a day and walk non-stop around my house for the rest of the 7 minutes three times a day. OK, so I have been a little laxed with the exercize. Will do the treadmill!
I drink 2 cups of decaf tea with lemon juice (no sugar) with my breakfast and 6 cups of water during the day, so I don't think it is the water. I am never hungry during the day. I like to eat dinner with my family. Not to impressed with the NS dinners. I normally boil chicken in no sodium chicken broth and add veggies and some spices. It actually tastes pretty good! Sometimes I don't have both proteins, and I have peanut butter at night time. I will not do this anymore. I thought I needed the two additional proteins, but can easily have only one. I have a salad pretty much every day or eat carrots after work. I noticed the carrots were a little high on the GL index and was considering cutting them out, though I will definitely up my exercizing!
Thanks very much Terry!!! Will keep you posted!
Away I go! Starting today with a heck of a lot to lose. I've gotten into good habits of riding the stationary bike and a couple fast-paced walks, every day. Now to add in this great meal plan. I'm perfectly confident that I'll be successful following the meal plan. I have no concerns about the portion sizes or taste or anything. I foresee my biggest challenge being less Diet Coke (greatest joy my mouth experiences) and more water. Wish me luck!
PS. One question though, is the shake supposed to be thick? I essentially had a cold liquid on the rocks. I use the tiny round ice cubes, like what comes out of a fountain pop machine. And shake and shake and shake. No biggy. Just curious if I should expect something different.
Good luck Mary, I'm sure you'll do great even without the diet coke. If only you knew what that stuff was doing to your teeth and digestive tract, you might not see it as quiet the joy you think it is LOL! 🙂
As for the shakes, they're new so I have no experience of them. I'm led to believe they're not meant to be really thick but can't really say for sure on consistency. Maybe someone else can help us out here?
Mary, I really like the shakes! I have the chocolate one and add 1 banana, 3/4 cup water and 1 cup of ice cubes and put it in the blender. It's very good. I have added the banana to the strawberry shake, but like the choc better. I also mistakenly used the vanilla shake with the banana, and it was pretty good too. Though, I usually add strawberries and blueberries to the vanilla shake. I always use a blender. AND always add the fruit! You can make the shake as thick/watery as you want. The fruit just counts as 1 smartcarb. I heard the coffee shake is good too. I don't know since I do not like coffee. Good luck!
Thanks Audrey 🙂
Thanks for the tips about adding fruit to the shakes Audrey. During the week I'll probably just have to accept what I can get out of the Nutrisystem blender bottle, because I'm not ready for it when I'm at home with a blender.
Audrey, are you eating both proteins (2oz each, totaling 4oz) in one sitting? I've been on the system for 1.5 weeks and have lost 11 lbs. Part of that will be excess water, but I'm definately burning fat now. I found that when I spaced my meals out properly I tend to lose weight. If you eat too much in one sitting your body will take the extra calories and store them as fat, regardless how well you've done the entire day. Your body doesn't take a measure of what you've had all day, just that meal (more complicated than that but let's keep it simple). Keep up the dedication, you will win this battle I'm sure.
Shawn, tomorrow will be 4 full weeks and I have lost 3.5 pounds so far…and not cheating!! Sometimes I do eat both proteins at one sitting. Yesterday I had 6 oz. of shrimp with a salad for dinner. I had my NS dinner about 1 1/2 hours earlier. I do try to space my meals out (though was not doing so in the past and would have a NS dinner plus 2 – 4 oz of meat and veggie). I was keeping with the plan, just not spacing my meals out. Would have veggies between meals so I was never hungry.
For over a week now I have been eating my NS dinner around 1 1/2 hours earlier than my ‘family dinner'. I started to do more exercize too, but that has only started on Monday when Terry said that the problem might be my metabolism.
In looking at my weekly weight progress, I have lost a total of 1 pound in 3 weeks (meaning I lost 2.5 pounds the first week and very little since). Not to impressive, to say the least!!! 11 pounds in 1 1/2 weeks is great! Do you do lots of exercizes? I was hoping for between 6 – 8 pounds a month. It makes it a very expensive diet to loose so little in a month! I do have my next month's worth of food, and am determined to loose the weight, though not in the two month period like I was told! Still hoping that I will have a ‘big' weight loss soon.
Will split the proteins up and only have 2 oz. and lots of veggies for my ‘family' dinner. Thanks for the advice! Something has got to work!
Good luck to you too!
HOLY BUCKETS! I'm down 11 pounds since starting NS on Monday! Wowza! I know that is a first week thing and it won't continue like that. But it's like no first week I ever had doing my own thing. Woohoo!
Wow, go Mary! That's amazing, well done!
Hey Audrey, I was just thinking on this. You said you had 6oz of shrimp, was that as an extra to the NS food?
Its just there's around 240 calories in that serving which might not sound a lot but added to the total of just NS food would well and truly bust your daily calorie intake. Maybe you need to cut right back on the protein “extras” as some things come with a nasty calorie penalty. The green veggies are fine (very low calories).
Just something you might want to consider trying to boost the weight loss.
Do I need a microwave for the meals?
Hey Carol, a microwave makes it much easier, but I guess you could heat up meals in a regular oven. It just takes longer and uses way more power.
Considering starting NS. I am a lifetime WW although you would not know it now! Ready to do something different. Really need to lose between 50-80 lbs. Although, would take anything right now. I have started working out 3 mornings/week with a personal trainer so I have started the exercise portion. Glad I found this website. I like most foods (obviously). Know I can do this meal plan. Have read most of these posts both good and bad. I truly belive we do make it what we want it to be and I can make it work. Now, all I have to do is order the program!!
Hey Jeanne, it sounds like you talked yourself into it. You're right that successful dieting is what you make it. Some say its 10% diet and 90% attitude… so you're already well on your way! 🙂
Ok….I did it! I went with the Select Core Woman's so I would have a variety of items. I think with the next order I will select my own but I'll see how it goes. I am excited to get my order and get started. Anyone have any advise for when my first order gets here?
Hi Terry, I spoke to NS consultants about me not loosing any weight. They suggested a few things:
– change routine to keep my body guessing
– use weights
– switch dinners and lunches…2 -3 days lunches switched with dinners, then switch back
– each smart carb should be between 80 – 120 calories, same as power fuels
– at least 4 cup servings of veggies
Shrimp…6 oz is 180 calories, so it seems to be fine.
I was on prednisone for the first 10 days of the diet (when I lost 2.5 lbs). When I stopped the prednisone, I pretty much stopped loosing weight. Interesting!! I am now unfortunitely back on the prednisone for the next 18 days. Started at 60mg per day. NS Nutritionist that I spoke to basically said I will not really loose weight with the prednisone, but to stick with the diet. I really do not want to go off the diet…really do not want to gain the 3.5 lbs that I lost last month! Still not sure why I only lost 3.5 lbs in one month. Prednisone leaves your body very quickly once the dosage is completed. Going to see my pulminary spec.(asthma and bronchitis) on Wed. and will discuss with him.
Thanks for the help!
Luck to all others!
Hi Audrey, that's great you got some good advice from NS support. They know a thing or two 😉
Jeanne, I'm very excited for you to get started. I hope you have the great success I'm having. I started on 3/12. Today (3/21) I'm down 14 pounds! Isn't that amazing?! Only 86 to go. Hee hee.
I recommend having the shake first thing in the morning. Make it in the blender rather than the thing NS sends you. And add a banana or strawberries or blueberries or something. It's delicious and amazing how long it keeps you satisfied.
With the rest of my day I eat some green vegetables and the rest of the day of NS food. That's it. With the way I've spaced it out, I'm never wanting for more.
And with the success I've had I'm super motivated to keep just to the NS food and keep taking in more and more water and exercise.
Each day I do the stationary bike for 15 – 30 minutes, and two 15-minute walks.
Best of luck! And Audrey, I hope things get much better for you.
I started NS for Women with Diabetes on the 15th so it's just been one week. I've already lost 10 pounds, but I think it was water weight. The food is good with a couple exceptions. How can I get them to never send me the chicken alfredo or chocoloate chip scone ever again. Everything else I had this week was really good. I have diarrhea and loose stool after each NS meal. Is that normal? My blood sugar has been excellent since I started NS so I am excited about getting off the needle if I can keep these numbers steady for a couple months. I'm having trouble getting all the water in everyday. Also, next week I want to try and get the activity in. I am a teacher and I work late Mon-Thurs with afterschool tutoring. Any suggestions on adding flavor to the water and fitting in activity?
Today's Date: March 21,2012
As of 03/06/2012 I have gone from 203lbs to 195lbs…woowoo! I am so excited. I was a skeptic but I watched the commercials, listened to Marie Osmond and watched the demontrations by Kat Karney on QVC. She was very convincing. So when I got on the scale the first week and had lost 2 lbs I was even more motivated to continue. As for the taste of the food,some of the items are better than good. I love the hotdogs and cookies! I get plenty full even without the extras. I can't wait to try some of the other items. I'm glad I decided to try Nutrisystem.I tried weight watchers twice and didn't lose one pound. Actually I gained weight. Well I just want everyone to know that NS works. Hope to have good news about more lbs lost!
Hi Paris, it sounds like NS is really working for you. Some people get a little diarrhea if they're not used to so much fiber in the diet but you soon get used to it.
Its better to be active through the day rather than try and cram it into an hour or so in the evening and do nothing all day. But that advice doesn't help most people who work at jobs where they have to be sitting down a lot – me included! I take breaks from the computer every hour or two and go out for a short run or I use the communal pool and swim a few lengths, dry off and get back to work again. If its raining, I grab a skipping rope and skip indoors for around 10 minutes then run up and down the stairs a dozen times or so. Its all about doing something energetic to break up the stationary periods little and often.
Some teachers at our local school got together and made used of the school gym to play some basketball in their break when no one else was using it. Before that they used to sit around in the teachers lounge eating pie, drinking coffee and talking in their break. It was a big change they all enjoyed and the best part was they all started losing weight!
Try adding the juice of a lemon or lime to a bottle of water and keep it in the fridge. It adds just enough flavor to make it interesting to drink if you have trouble with plain water.
I drink water a little at a time all throughout the day so don't even notice I'm getting through more than two pints, sometimes three. Its just something you get used to doing and your body will love your for it 🙂
Hey Jacs, that's really great - congrats! 🙂
Take the time to select your meals rather than getting the core menu. That is the best advice I can give anyone.
The core menu is convenient and it gives you a lot of variety to try the various meals. But there are some of those meals you simply know you wouldn't like. So go through and select items that at least sound appealing to you. And I'm with Paris on that Chicken Alfredo. I won't be getting that one again.
Congratulations Paris and Jacs. This success is so exciting! Between 3/12 and 3/22, I'm down 15 pounds.
Today I'm going to Alcupulco Mexican restaurant for lunch. I'm thinking maybe I'll get fajitas with no tortillas. Please let me know if you have any other suggestions.
Got my food yesterday..got it organized and found a place in the cabinet and refrig. READY TO START!! Thanks to the ideas. This month I just let NS send me the favs but next month I am sure I will pick my own. I like most foods but not sure about some of it. I guess I will figure it out after I try it. Hoping for the best. Will keep everyone posted.
Hi all,
Interesting…weight loss has been very slow, but it is coming off…even while I am on prednisone! The first month I lost only 3.5 pounds and was quite upset, but this week I lost 1.5 pounds, so I lost a total of 5 lbs in 5 weeks (and that is while I was on prednisone for the first 10 days of the diet and then again this past week). NS nutritionist that I spoke to last week suggested that I stay on the diet (which I agreed to…prednisone really makes me crave everything and who wants to gain the 3.5 pounds back??). I still have around 2 more weeks of prednisone/augmentin, but am not worried about loosing the weight, it will eventually come off! Maybe not as quickly as I was told by NS sales consultants, but everyone's body/metabolism is different. Thanks Terry for your help! Good luck to all!
Audrey
Good luck Audrey. I hope you feel better soon. And you're sure to see success with a great attitude like that! I'm glad you're not getting discouraged and giving up.
I've been on NS for four days and I can honestly say I have not had any food I do not like. I am really impressed with the quality and taste of the NS food. I have lost 1.5 lbs in the last 4 days so I am happy so far!
I've been on NS for 9 days and really enjoy the taste so far. Still dealing with hunger issues but have lost 6 lbs so far. But my main concern is I've been getting heartburn on a daily basis. Anyone else dealing with this?
Hey Debra, congrats on losing 6lbs so far that's great. I don't know of anyone personally that suffered heartburn on NS, but drinking lots of plain water is the best way to deal with it. Try and drink 2-3 pints throughout the day if you can, little by little and sip, don't gulp it. That might seem a lot and it'll have you going to the bathroom more, but it always works for me.
Also, a glass of water before each meal will make you feel fuller after, so less or even no hunger issues.
I ordered NS a couple of days ago, have not received it yet but was hoping someone out there could tell me if they have had success with this while having hypothyroidism. It seems if I just smell food I gain weight. I ordered the silver plan as recommended by the rep on the NS website. I am really hoping this will help with my weight gain since getting hypothyroidism, as I have gained almost 20 pounds in less than a year.
Audrey, how are things going with the prednisone? I now have to go on a very aggressive regimine of it to try to reverse some sudden hearing loss. Obviously that is my main priority, but I also hope I don't undo my NS success. I'm down 20 pounds from 3/12 – 3/29!
Debra, another thing I do to avoid hunger (and Terry you can tell us if you don't think this is a good idea) is I eat my meals throughout the entire day. For lunch I might have my NS food and some veggies. But instead of eating it all at once, I'll eat them at different times. I just ate my NS lunch at 3:00. But I had my shake (with banana blended in) in the morning, breakfast a little later, and some veggies a little later. So I'm eating every couple hours. I actually feel like I'm eating all the time. But I'm only taking in my NS meals and my power fuels, veggies, and smart carbs. And I'm never ever hungry.
Good luck everyone.
Hi Iv been looking over these reviews of NS for the past couple days & I am very interested in giving this a shot! Im 23 yrs old & was always around 115 lbs but ever since iv had my daughter 4 yrs ago Iv been at 135lbs which has made me very insecure about myself & I hate it! lol i know its only about 20lbs iv gained but the thing is Im only 5 foot so it looks like more weight than what it is & alot of ppl are constantly telling me iv gottn chunky or i have a gut & it bothers me. Iv tried diff things but cant get this weight off 🙁 So I am willing to try this NS program & Pray and hope it works for me! Any tips or info I should keep in mind ?? Thx 🙂
Hey Julie, hypothyroidism or “underactive thyroid” should be treated by your doctor. The dosage of thyroxine (typical treatment of replacement thyroid hormone) needs to be fine tuned over several months to bring your hormone levels back into correct balance. Once that happens, your weight will stabilize normally.
If the hypothyroidism is not treated, it can be difficult to lose weight.
I have a good friend with this condition. A change of doctors brought a change in her dosage of thyroxine which played havoc with her body for around 6 months. Repeated tweaking of the dosage was needed to bring things back to normal. In that time she gained around 15 pounds and had a terrible time with broken sleep patterns and feelings of lethargy during the day. She lost all the weight she gained soon after her dosage was gotten right on a diet given her by her doctor.
The answer to your question is you need to fix the cause of your weight gain (hypothyroidism) first. Trying to fix the symptom (weight gain) with a diet may disappoint if your thyroxine levels are not right.
Hope that helps 🙂
Hey Mary, sometimes its better to spread your meals out through the day so you eat little and often. Many diet experts believe that eating in this way helps boost the metabolism more than sticking with the 3 standard daily meals.
So yeah, if it works for you, do it! 🙂
Hey Desirae, so many people have thought about starting NS in a similar situation as yours and you probably read plenty of them here in these comments. The best things to do to help yourself get the most from this diet is to make sure you drink loads of plain water every day (not soda or diet soda). One glass before each meal really helps too. Then try and do some exercise every day, even if its light exercise little and often - whatever you can do is better than nothing!
The whole point is to help the diet be more effective by raising your metabolism. You do that by getting more active and helping your body do its job in the digestion department! 🙂
First week down 3.2 lbs!!! I'm excited!!!! My trainer is also very pleased. I have not been hungry. Had a dinner mtg at a nice steak restaurant. I had salad, grilled scallops and broccoli. Everyone else had dessert-not me! I waited and had a NS dessert at home. 🙂
Hey Jeanne that's great, congrats! And that's some willpower when everyone else is having dessert and you say NO! 🙂
Great job Jeanne!
I started NS 31 days ago at age 54. I weighed 210 @ 5 ft 8 in. After 28 days, I weighed in @ 190. There was some foods i did'nt like. I ate them anyway,so i tried other foods on my second order. I have a new outlook on how to eat. The program is great. I'm looking forward to getting to my ideal weight 172. Just follow the program and exercise 30 mins a day.
Hey Woodrow that's a great achievement, congrats 🙂
Well Congratulations Mary! 20 pounds is wonderful!!! You must be feeling very good…I know I would be!
I am not doing as well…weight wise that is. So far since Feb 16th I have lost 3 pounds…and not cheating! I just finished the prednisone on Sunday, so am hoping for some sort of a weight loss. It is very hard to keep motivated, to say the least! I just ordered my third month's worth of food. A NS nutritionist e-mailed me a list of low sodium foods (which I added this month). I am hoping that without the prednisone, I will be able to loose like everyone else. If not, then this will be my last month.
Like you, I do spread out my foods and am never hungry. I eat my NS breakfast, then around 1 1/2 hours later have the protein shake with a banana (made with a blender…love it!!). My lunch consists of a NS lunch with water (I do not add a protein to my lunch). I then have raw veggies, NS dinner, family dinner (consisting of 4 oz chicken and lots of veggies/salad), then the NS dessert. AND of course tons of water! Seems that I am always eating, just very small meals every 2 – 2 1/2 hours. I find the diet very easy to follow…just not loosing weight!
I am also doing more exercizes. Trying to up my metabolism. Yesterday I did the treadmill for 25 min. at a decent speed.
Easter will not be easy. I do not have a game plan yet…I guess it depends on the scale. It is very hard to be motivated, to say the least! Easter will be at my house so, do I stay on the diet and not loose any weight(watching everyone eat all this good food)or eat sensibly? Motivation is becoming a problem! Not sure yet!
Again Mary, congrats on the weight loss. Motivated you must be! Good luck on the hearing loss….scary to suddenly loose your hearing! That can not be easy…but a priority!
Good luck to everyone else!
Hello to ALL my NS Friends! I received my NS Box on 3/30/2012! I started on it on 4-2-2012, I must say that I was shock at how good some of the foods taste! I was really thinking that it would taste like diet food, but it did not. My only concern about NS as a Whole is the Sodium intake! I read labels and some of the foods in this NS supply is very high in Sodium! So I Will be picking out my own supply with my next order! Now that I have gotten that out of the way! Ladies and Gentlemen I am proud to say that in 3 days of being on NS I have lost a total of 6 POUNDS!!! I am so HAPPY!!! My physician has always said that because I do not eat enough food I do not lose weight! Well since I have been on NS I just follow the guide that is put in place. I pretty much make myself eat the foods! They are nicely portion sizes which I like! I must say that the shakes I give a 5 STAR!!! The food is good, like I mention b-4 the sodium is my only concern. Other than that I can deal with it! Now there are some foods that I have notice that I know for a fact I do not like! But out of them I know I will some how get threw them. I am really thinking about trading them back for something else! But All and All I am very PLEASE!!!
Hey Sherri, congrats on losing your first 6lbs so fast! Glad your pleased with the program overall and good luck for the rest of it 🙂
Nutrisystem makes it extremely hard for you to get out of the program. They take no time to process your order and get your money but if you ever return an order or want to cancel your membership, good luck to you! It has been a nightmare for me to get my money back –still waiting-. Their customer service department that only works from 9 to 12 and don’t provide weekend service. That tells you how much they care to serve customers. They know must people work from 9-5 and making personal calls aren’t always easy. I would never recommend Nutrisystem. They only care to make money from you!
I FINALLY came across a couple of foods I did not like (not that I was trying to!). I thought the meatloaf and mashed potatoes tasted like dog food! Sorry to say, I just couldn't eat it. But, all in all, I am very pleased. For my second order, I am paying the extra $$ to customize my order and trying some other NS food I didn't get in my first order. I have eaten out a couple of times and did well. My trainer is on vacation this week so I have not exercised quite as much and I can tell a huge difference in my wt loss. Thanks goodness he will be back next week. Happy Easter to everyone!!!
Gabriella, Nutrisystem is a proven diet system that works for most people. If it wasn't right for you, that's fair enough. It happens. You didn't say how far along the program you got before you quit, or the reason for quitting. But I guess you didn't write in for help or advice.
Hey Jeanne, I believe some other people said they didn't like the meatloaf and potatoes meal, so this maybe should be one meal NS needs to drop from the menu or fix.
Its worth mentioning to support next time you talk with them. If enough people tell them the same thing, and they read it in here, I'm sure they'll listen.
And Happy Easter to you and everyone too 🙂
I get so excited about seeing people talk about this success. I've had four friends sign up after seeing my amazing success. They each got $30 off their first month, and I'll get $120 off my next month! So cool.
Audrey, I hope the coming month is much more successful for you. I'm curious about your evening eating. What do you mean when you say NS dinner and family dinner? Are you eating the NS dinner plus the same dinner the rest of your family eats? I assume I'm misunderstanding what you're saying.
When we sit down to eat dinner as a family each night, I put my NS food on my plate and grab some green beans or asparagus or whatever such non-starch vegetable the family is eating. And that is my dinner.
Hi Mary,
First of all,I am trying to change my metabolism so like you, started to have my protein shake first thing in the morning. I always add a banana to it and put it in the blender. Love it that way! Have my breakfast maybe two hours after the drink.
As per my ‘family dinner', basically I have my NS dinner around 4:30 so that I can have my ‘family dinner' with my family around 6:30. My ‘family dinner' consists of my protein and veggies (yesterday I had 3 oz of 93% fat free ground beef with 1/2 cup canned tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli and 1/2 cup whole wheat pasta..for my power fuel and smart carb) while my family had pasta in a meat sauce. My ‘family dinner' always consists of either 3-4oz 93% fat free ground beef, 4 oz chicken or 6 oz shrimp (which according to the plan is what we should have). If I have a NS dinner with a salad with my family, then I normally have 1 or 2 TBSP of peanut butter for my added protein.
Are you eating the extra power fuels and smart carbs too? Or do you just have the 3 NS meals, protein shake and dessert with added veggies? I don't always have my second smart carb. According to the book, it says that we should have the 3 NS meals, power drink, 2 PF, 2 SC and NS dessert plus 8 cups of water. Does everyone have that every day? The only extras I have is sugar free jello and fat free cool-whip. Any advise would be appreciated! My third month's worth of food just arrived today. Our Fed Ex driver said today that everyone is on this diet. It seems that everyone has such great losses! Can't figure out what I am doing wrong! 3 1/2 pounds is so upsetting in 7 weeks!
Good luck to all!
Hey Audrey, I can't help thinking from what you just described that you're eating too much! Now I don't want to give the wrong advise here if you're following a plan set out by one of the NS nutritionists. You should follow their advise of course.
Its just that the daily meals from NS including the shake make up the total daily calorie intake you should be having. The calories added by veggies is only negligible, which is why they're recommended. But that extra banana, peanut butter, pasta and beef/chicken/shrimp all adds to that calorie total by quite a lot.
I couldn't help doing a quick breakdown of what you've told us you're eating as extra to the NS menu:
One medium size banana (7-8 inches) is around 100 calories.
One tbsp peanut butter is around 90 calories (180 for two)
6oz shrimp is around 180 calories (4oz chicken breast 184 calories, 3oz ground beef 216 calories)
Half cup wholewheat pasta is 86 calories
That gives you around 450 extra calories a day or 540 calories if you have two tbsp peanut butter. When you have ground beef instead of chicken or shrimp, that rises to 480 calories (570 calories with two tbsp peanut butter). That's a lot extra!
As an aside, all sugar free products (I'm thinking about that jello) contains artificial sweeteners, aspartame usually. You need to google “dangers of aspartame” and read what it does to you. You'll never look at sugar free stuff quite the same way again!
Sorry if I come across like I'm giving a lecture here, I don't mean to but this is important stuff you should know. I hope you can work this out with your NS nutritionist who is advising those extra foods. If they say its okay, then as I said before, you should go with their advise first, of course! Hope I've helped a little and not made you too mad 🙂
Audrey, every day I for sure eat the 5 NS items plus banana in shake. I often will have an apple as well. And I'll have vegetables such as green peppers, radishes, green beans, asparagus, and spaghetti squash – for a total of four servings of vegetable.
I hope the coming month brings you significantly better success. Happy Easter.
If you haven't discovered spaghetti squash, it is awesome! I like the spaghetti in meat sauce dinner, but it's a lot of sauce and not a lot of noodles. I added a half cup of spaghetti squash to it. Awesome! Another thing I did with the spaghetti squash is fry 1/2 cup in 1 tsp olive oil, for what is like having hashbrowns. Just wanted to share this cool discovery. Happy Easter everyone.
I started the Nutrisystem program on March 1st. To Date, 4/9, I have lost 9 pounds. I work out intensely four days aweek, along with gardening on the weekends. I am so pleased with the results I am having. I don't number my success in just the pounds lost, but my clothes fit again and I have decreased my body fat. My goal was to loss 30 pounds in three months but I am now beginning to think 30 pounds could be too much if I continue to decrease my body fat. I LOVE the food and the convenience.
Terry and Mary,
Confused, but not mad! First of all, every day I have 3 NS meals, NS dessert, NS protein drink, 2 power fuels (protein) and 1 – 2 smart carbs, 4 cups of veggies and 8 cups of water. I never have any more then that (other than some sugar free jello with fat free cool whip). I called NS after I read Terry's text, because I was very confused. According to NS consultants, I must have the above (which I have been having since Feb). NS consultant told me that I should follow the order that the book says exactly and not combine my power fuels (which I did as my ‘family meal'). They actually told me for the next week I should have everything in the order that the book states. Hopefully this should change my metabolism. Unfortunitely I can not have the banana in the protein shake. Def. not as good as with the banana!! I will try this for the week, and hopefully will loose some weight.
Why do both of you NOT have the power fuels (protein)? According to my book and the NS consultant, we must have two of them everyday. Is my diet a little different than yours? I want to loose a total of 15 pounds.
BTW, I never have more power fuels than two a day (either 2 TBSP peanut butter OR 4 oz 93% fat free ground beef OR 4 oz chicken OR 6 oz shrimp)… they think my problem is the order of when I eat AND not to combine the power fuels. Hopefully they are right!
Lots of luck!
The spaghetti squash like hashbrowns sounds great! Will have to try it!
I ordered for my first time yesterday. This might be a long term help for me since I am over 100. Lbs from my bmi… but with all the success I've read on here I know i can do it :)but I'm only 21 but with being busy this seems the best route. Wish me luck
Hey Audrey, sorry I didn't mean to confuse you. You should absolutely follow the advise of the Nutrisystem consultant first!
Being a nutritionist, I question every morsel of food that goes on my plate - can't help it! Lucky I do all of the cooking in my house so the only person I can be critical of is me LOL! I'm an old school “calories in - calories out” guy, which is why I couldn't help breaking your extras down like that. Old habits die hard 🙂
But everyone's different. You should go with what works best for you!
Hey Tammi, you're doing great – working out is one of the best ways to boost the effectiveness of this diet. You're right its not just the numbers on the scales but the feel of your clothes that gives you that “YEAH” feeling 🙂
Hey Jami, there's a ton of great advice from people who have written in here to give you ideas to make your diet go the best it can be. What the mind can conceive and believe, you can achieve - when you believe you can do it, you will do it! Here's wishing you success! 🙂
Tammi and Jami, I'm so excited for you! Jami, I'm in the same club. Well, I'm more than 1/5 the way there after only 1 month! I'm having such success and am so happy. I have tons of energy, and tons of motivation to do more walking and drink more water (both of which are great contributors to the success). Great success to both of you.
Audrey, sorry I missed getting back to you. I hope the new approach is going well for you. Amazing how differently each of our bodies work. Blessing to have Terry and these NS consultants to guide us. I really look forward to hearing some exciting success from you. I wondered myself about the Powerfuels, whether I was doing myself any disservice by not trying to get them in. I read about them as being a food that gives you a boost and keeps you satisfied for a long period. But I was already satisfied. Eating all five NS meals spread out, along with four vegetables (spread out over two meals) – and one or two smartcarbs, I feel like a million bucks. I never feel hungry or full. I just always feel amazing. And even though I cut down on caffeine to fit in more water, I feel like I could rocket right through the roof I have so much energy. So, FOR ME, adding in powerfuels feels like unnecessary calories and money. Of course hard to listen to me when I'm new to this and an overweight as I am. So that's why it's nice to be sharing our personal journeys with each other. Each of us are so different, but all in this together. Great success to you. And I really hope things are going much better for you. Way to stick with it. I really applaud you!
Hi I finished today my first week on ns and I didnt lose weight. Is it normal ??? I feel very discouraged
Hey Paola, no, its not normal. Have you called NS support yet? They can talk you through what you have done so far and advise the best way forward for you based on what you tell them. It's well worth it and its free – you can talk to a counselor too as part of your package.
I like the plan. I need to lose 60 lbs. But, I'm diabetic so it's challenging. I think Nutrisystems is a plan and product that will work for those who follow it religiously and don't have any problems that require contacting Customer Service, which I refer to as their “Counter Customer Unit.”
I wasn't getting enough carbs on the diet and my blood sugar readings were consistently below 90. I called to see if I could modify the diet or if I should cancel it. It was the 15th day after I had ordered based on a promotion offering a full refund within 14 days.
When I called I selected the “customer service” option to discuss my options. The agent on the phone assumed I wanted a refund and informed me that the 14 days period had lapsed. I was OK with that. And, I clearly understood by her demeanor that there was no grace available. What I wasn't OK with was her next statement that I would be charge an additional $97 for cancelling. No literature and no agent I talked to ever mentioned that part of the deal. After receiving a rigid response to my objection and refusal to allow me to speak to a supervisor I hung up and started reading reviews and checking the Nutrisystem (NTRI) stock price. The reality of my predicament came into focus at that point.
Nutrisystems is a publicly traded company and their stock price has plummeted 60% in the last year, from $25 to $10. Most reviews are written by Nutrisystem Affiliates and only give lip service to a few cons. They don't address the real issue, which is the lack of a customer oriented set of values and an obvious single focus on maximizing profits, which is clearly backfiring.
The fickle finger of failure appears to have found upper management as the cause of the company's poor performance, both in the markets and with customers.
Many of the legitimate reviews are pretty consistent in their description of the writers' experiences with the “Counter Customer Unit”. An interesting set of reviews by past employees and affiliates can be found at www. glassdoor.com
I have lost weight while on Nutrisystems over the last two weeks “+”, and I will find a way to lose the rest of it. But, I avoid doing business with companies that see me as a dollar sign and not part of their mission. I want to Partner with companies I do business with, not be a Mark to be fleeced.
I will also start shorting the stock.
I really liked this plan and stayed with it for three months. Over that time I lost 19 pounds which has stayed off ever since and that was 6 months ago. I found the food OK mostly and while there were a few things I didn't like so much, I just got on with it and stuck to my goal of losing weight. Which is why I signed up for the program, after all.
I read Jim's comment and he sounds like he had a bad experience with trying to cancel. I have to wonder did he even read the terms before he signed up? It says pretty clearly on the nutrisystem website that you'll get charged extra for early cancellation plus you have to pay back the delivery charge. He goes on about the company's stock trading history and its financial problems, but what's that really got to do with a diet that helps people lose weight, like me? And if he knows so much about the finance side of things, then he sure shows his ignorance in reading and understanding a simple terms statement.
I'm annoyed at Jim's comment. It shows he's just looking for an outlet for his complaints. His comments add nothing useful for those of us who are trying to lose weight and not get pernickety about the food. I see there are hundreds of positive comments here, so the company must be doing something right. Those of us who succeeded just got on with doing the diet. We succeeded at doing what the diet is there for. LOSE WEIGHT!
Maybe if this guy had gone into this diet with the right attitude, he might be praising his great results instead of moaning about the company's problems. There, my piece is said!
I've done the nutrisystem diet about 6 years ago and lost 30lbs in 2 months. but after 6 years and working night shift i've gained that back and then some so, i've signed up for the plan again but, i'm not sure how to incorporate the diet into working night shift and was wondering if you had any suggestions. I normally work every other night so im finding it hard to determine what i can eat during my 12 hour night shift if i've eaten all my meals before i go to work and after my night shift ends at 5am the next day i normally go straight to bed so do i eat breakfast for that day before sleep and skip morning snack and eat lunch when i get up after 4-6hrs of sleep and eat as may of there free items, fruit, veggies etc. at nite while at work…HELP!
Hey Susan,
I used to work a night shift many years ago and one thing I never ate before going to sleep. You have to treat it like how you'd eat on a normal day. You wouldn't dream of eating breakfast just before you go to bed at night! Its a major problem with working unsocial hours, but you have to adjust your body clock to match your new working “day”.
So save the breakfast for when you wake up after your sleep and then pace the meals through your waking hours. That will probably mean eating the main meal some time during work hours. Is that possible for you? I remember we used to have a meal break around halfway through my old shift.
Working night shift really throws your eating schedule out of sync. But if you can change your eating to fit your waking hours and not what the clock says, then you can do this.
Thanks, i can prepare my meals at work and my whole shift is one big break i'm a security guard so my biggest task is trying to entertain myself so i don't think about food although food was never a problem for me, my problem was only eating one meal a day. except for now working night shift i think i eat just because i have nothing else to do. I plan on trying this out and thank you for getting back to me i want to get started soon like tommorow.
You're welcome and good luck with the rest of your diet!
I've never had a weight problem even after having 7 kids but as I've aged the weight seemed to pile on all at once over night! I tried Nutrisystem before and lost 20 lbs in a month and hopped off, so when I decided to do it again I was really depressed to see no weight loss after 2 weeks. I vowed to not get on the scale until I've been on my diet for a few months. I love the new foods especially the frozen meals and desserts. After reading replies I realized Men lose faster for some reason than women, at least the Men in these replies have. I do want to mention I cheat every 2 weeks by going to dinner with my husband but I've found myself eating salad with steak and vegetables and not being able to finish. I think my stomach gets fuller faster eating regular food which makes me feel not so guilty when I leave the plate. This forum is awesome and I thank you for these postings.
Hey Patti, you're welcome! Its a great resource with so many people contributing their stories. You sound real determined to stick to this and succeed–and you will! A big percentage of losing weight is the mindset. When you're positive, upbeat and really gunning for it, that's when you get the success you're aiming at. Nutrisystem helps a lot because it structures your eating and teaches you to get by with less food and still feel satisfied. Good luck!
Thank you Terry! Today I weighed in at 173.0 I started nutrisystem on Jan.21st weighing 180lbs. I exercise everyday on my treadclimber 15 min and Richard Simmons for 30 lol… (sweaten to the oldies my favorite) Its a little slow losing I think. Is it true when you exercise you gain a little muscle at first which doesn't allow alot of weight loss in the beginning? Everyone tells me this. If its true I'm happy.
Yep, when you exercise you do gain some muscle which is a good thing. Muscle weighs more than fat which is why you get that slight weight gain. But the benefits are more muscle means you can burn more calories, which when you're on a diet means you create a bigger net calorie loss each day.
That adds up to more fat being burned off which is your true goal. Less fat equals a slimmer figure plus the exercise tones up muscles to firm up the flabby areas. Its win-win!
PS: Old songs are the best… 🙂
You are very cheerie! good roll model! This site is very warm and very comfortable to chat in.. Thank you again for your mental boost. I love oldies to and his cd isn't hard to do but good to get moving with.
I lost more from my wallet than the diet, I cancelled after one month and was charged an extra $89.for not continuing the second month. yea its in the small print. I don't feel full but I do feel ripped off. Wise choices at the market would be better.
First let me say that this is a great site…I have been reading reviews on so many diet plans and review sites and by far, this is one of the best. I hate to say this but I feel that some of them are phony and I don't trust them. Anyway, to the point, I am over 70, suffer from arthritis and have gained over 60 pounds in the last few years. It is very difficult to grocery shop, exercise, or even stand on my feet for even a few minutes to cook. My son paid to get me started on the QuickWeight Loss plan but I had to drive about 20 miles three times a week, etc., take volumes of giant-sized pills, etc. It was just too much for me stick to…and expensive. I also suffer from depression, and do a lot of binge-eating especially late at night. It's a vicious cycle - I'm overweight because I am in pain and I'm in pain because I'm overweight! So, I have been researching a plan that I might be able to live with and after reading these reviews, I am definitely going to give NS a try. Did I mention I am on a fixed income so money is definitely an issue but if I can stick to their plan, and considering the cost of gas and groceries I won't have to buy, I may break even…I hope. If I am able to lose two pounds a week I will be thrilled and hopefully after a few months I will be able to start walking some and do some light exercises. Wish me luck!
Hi Ms Rhae, thanks for the kind words about the site. It took a lot of research to create this review and my aim was to make it as comprehensive as I could – I think I just about got there!
There's certainly a link between weight gain and depression especially when a condition like arthritis is a factor. It's like you're faced with the dilemma of what to try and work on to make things better and have to choose the path of least resistance. There may not be much you can do directly about arthritis and the depression is a by-product of that and the weight gain, so targeting the weight is actually the easiest of the three. Its something you can see real results happening when things are working in your favor like getting the daily calorie count down to a healthy level while maintaining good nutrition and still eating to keep your metabolism up.
Here's wishing you the very best of luck with your diet, although often its not luck you need, just the belief that you can do it, work with it and let the program do the rest.
Thank you, Terry. It helps just knowing someone understands my dilemma. I will print your response and put on my refrigerator to remind me that I CAN do it!
I also want to say that reading all the many comments here is like being in group therapy! I find myself coming back to this site over and over just to read what others are saying and how you respond to them. I have read so many diet articles and self-help books, etc., so I certainly understand the concept of dieting. But I think that being able to share with others who are trying desperately to lose weight is probably a major key to successful weight loss regardless of what plan you choose.
I agree it certainly helps to be able to read what real people are going through, feeling, doing to achieve their aims in losing weight. Perhaps I should have created a full blown community forum around this site, it certainly attracted a lot of visitors in its heyday! Something for me to consider going forward, perhaps 🙂
Terry … one more thought. If you do continue with this, and I hope you do, you might want to include the senior population and people dealing with pain, like myself. There are lots of people out there just like me that have pretty much given up. Again, thanks.
I'll be sure to, since I've long since past the half century mark myself. I also used to suffer with rheumatoid arthritis and gout through my 30s but learned how to beat it through eating the right diet for me. Hence my keen interest in nutrition, weight and healthy diet that led to this website and its sister site, health-image.com!
Wow. I checked out your healthimage.com and found even more great stuff to read…who needs to buy books! BTW, I finally feel reassured about doing NutriSystem and plan to choose my plan today. Just need to get my husband to finish off all the ice cream so I'll have enough space in my freezer!
There is something else you can do before doing all of these
I am a 62 yr old female. Went on Nutrisystem on 11/4 weighing 182 lbs. It is now 11/23 and unfortunately I have only lost 5lbs. My suspicion is that all I lost was water weight. I have no idea what is wrong as I am following the diet. Also started walking up and down hills for one hour a day and nothing. I have an autoimmune thyroid disease which I am treated for and weight loss is nearly impossible. But I was not naïve enough to think I wasn't over eating at all my meals. So what advice can you give me? I am out of ideas. By the way I have no problem with the diet and do not find I am hungry as I eat at the right times for myself.
Hi Rose,
Actually, 5lbs lost in almost 3 weeks is about the average rate of weight loss that is recommended by diet experts, so you're not doing anything wrong! Maybe your expectations were a little high as is normal when you start a diet like this that is heavily advertised.
Those ads are very clever in getting you to believe you can lose weight faster than you actually will except in circumstances where a person is extremely overweight and it is normal to lose a lot of weight in the first few weeks before the rate slows to normal. Ads that show a celebrity that claims “I lost 30lbs on Nutrisystem!” probably lost that weight over several months, but the way it reads can make you think they lost it all at once.
So stay positive because you are on track and keep up with the walking, which is great exercise in itself!
I started this diet on Jan 5 and I skeptical about the claims of losing 5lbs in a week. But I weighed myself today after just 5 days I already lost 5lbs!! I was standing there feeling all tingles and shakes and just couldn't stop saying WOWOWOW! I'm sticking with this diet and looking forward to losing much more.
Hey Jenny, that's great news. Go for it girl!
I'm writing in just to echo Jenny's words cause I started the Nutrisystem mens plan with fast5 on January 7 and weighed myself after six days. I was amazed to see I'd lost 5lbs already! I'm definitly loving this diet and the food is pretty good too. No wanting to cheat either and that was always my downfall with diets I tried in the past. I'm totally stoked!
Hey Peter, well done and congrats! That's more great news from another new Nutrisystem dieter! This new promo Fast5 seems to be keeping its promise all right!
Much has been said and also written about Nutrisystem, so I finally caved and decided to give it a fair chance to help me lose some of the 40lbs my doctor said I have to lose or else!
I guess if this Fast5 plan can make me drop 5lbs in the first week, then I'll have something to believe in at last, because diets and me are not a good match! Here's hoping!
Hey Margaret, good luck with it. You might just surprise yourself how much you really can lose!
So I been on Nutrisystem for 2 weeks and I think the food is OK. It aint gonna win any prizes but for what it is, the meals I ate so far tasted pretty good. Is it working? Hell yeah! I lost 8lbs so far with a target 45 to lose in all, so 37 to go. Reckon I'll do it inside 3 months too. Thanks!
Well, about 2 years ago I went on the NS diet. I was very good at it – writing down everything I ate, exercising etc, but in order to lose weight i had to just eat what they gave me which left me at under 1000 calories a day – most times about 950.I lost 15 lbs and was happy. I was able to keep that off for about a year but in the interim I got chronic sciatica and couldn't exercise (walking) as i had been. I gained it all back. Off and on during that time, I would order ala carte and supplement my food. I wouldn't recommend that. It didn't help much.
Now I've decided to try it again and ordered from QVC – the weekends off plan, it was cheaper for me to do that. I lost about 3 lbs. and now at a total standstill again. The weekends off are not such a good idea – not that I blow it, but it's not NS food.
My biggest problem is this, and I never had it two years ago. it's the gas and bloating. It is really bad. I'm trying to figure out what it is because it didn't happen two years ago but definitely did this time around. They must have changed some additive or something.
I'm 69 – 5'1″ – having never been over 130 lbs and now I'm at 187. I hate it – don't know what to do. My dr. is harping at my about blood sugar and cholesterol. I try really hard – oatmeal for breakfast, cinnamon in my coffee and cereal, omega 3's – eating fish twice a week. i like vegetables and fruit. I admit I love my sweets but try to keep those to WWatchers or NS packaged sweets.???
I'm bummed. May try Jenny Craig again - more expensive but I have had success with that a long time ago. long before I turned 60.
I really want to try Nutrisystem but could not afford it before. Last month, with my first paycheck from a new job I spent $300 on my credit card. I eagerly waited for my package to show up. It was real quick, arrived 2 days later so I got started right away. No way was I put off by the food packets, there were loads of them for sure! The food was OK, most of the meals I ate tasted pretty good to me. I'm just reaching the end of my third week and weighed in today… I couldn't wait. Hey, I already lost 7 lbs!! I'm totally stoked!! This is great stuff, I'm really kicking myself I didn't try this before!
This is my second time around with Nutrisystem. In the mid-90s I managed to lose 85 lbs in eleven months. At that time the program cost me just over $5K. What I did not do was to go on maintenance program and soon gained the weight back inside of two years.
It was with a lot of apprehension that I chose to try it again. Needed to lose over 100 lbs., so I reviewed several diets with my Dr who approved the nutrisystem plan. It was the quality of food, healthy results and good nutrition of the food. A shopping network was running a daily special. I signed up through them. I'm happy to report that three weeks later, I lost 18 lbs. The food has greatly improved from several years ago.I have only found two meals I did not enjoy. The morning pancakes turned into globs and I didn't like the taste of the rice pilaf whole grain lunch, which and had to spice with Mrs. Dash to make it edible for my likes.
So far I am totally satisfied with the program – perfect for men over 50. I'm getting to my fighting size and weight again.
Hey Elmer, 18 pounds already sounds pretty amazing… Congrats! And here's wishing you success with the rest of the program.
I've heard that NutraSystem works well for Lyme patients. How do you know which plan to use for that particular illness to stay healthy and lose weight? I'm seriously interested. Thanks.
Lynn
Lynn, the best thing to do is get on the phone with Nutrisystem and ask to speak with their support (not sales). They will help you with the right advice as they know their own product best.
Controlling calories and portion sizes with this diet is easy. Eating regular meals is absolutely a healthy formula for weight loss that worked for me… I lost 16lbs over 2 months while on the plan and I couldn't be happier!!