Looking for Nutrisystem buddies!

The most vocal posters on here seem to be adamantly opposed to any formalized eating plan. My recommendation would be to keep quiet about what you're eating, keep your diary private, and just use the message boards, food and exercise diary for your own purposes without letting them know you're not following their preferred way of eating.

I say, if Nutrisystem helps you with portion control and allows you to stick to a lower calorie diet while learning new habits, go for it.

I did Nutrisystem in the past and did lose a good bit of weight; however, I've now lost the same amount with CICO and MFP (in less time, actually). With CICO/MFP, I'm also learning to make better food choices for a sustainable lifestyle change. I was initially attracted to Nutrisystem because it felt easier to have someone "just tell me what to eat", but it wasn't a good long-term plan. Also, I got soooooooo sick of the weird manufactured pseudo-food. OP - I wish you the best of luck....but would also like to encourage you to consider trying CICO/MFP. It will save you money, allow you to eat better food, and give you a better chance at sustainable change. I realize this is unsolicited advice, but would love to help someone benefit from my misadventures

redoself wrote: »

Tried30UserNames wrote: »

I'm sure Nutrisystem has some dining out guidelines and some plan to transition you to eating real food. I'm also certain the OP knows that NS is not the only weight loss option out there and is capable of making his/her own financial and eating choices.

Exactly this, some of us have tried the MFP way and have not succeeded. Trying something else doesn't hurt if it helps me with my portion control.

Have at then. But as mentioned if you didn't lose using MFP you were doing it wrong.

There are tonnes of options out there otherwise the "diet" industry wouldn't be a multi million dollar industry.

OP, you can find some fellow refugees from the NutriSystem boards here: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/105493-nutrisystem-group-users

@campjackson that's great for you glad it has helped...but I've done the same thing for about the same price eating regular food and using a food scale. The difference is my food is fresh homemade and full of flavor and mostly local.

I too was really overweight for a long time too...20 years, and I tried all sorts of diets and plans to lose but every time I would gain the weight I lost back and then some as they don't teach you anything about nutrition or portion control or how to deal with cravings and understanding that there is no bad food or good food...and that I can eat a whole chocolate bar every night and not derail my weight loss efforts and still maintain nutrient balance for the exercise I do.

But again people have to learn on their own time...took me a long time to figure it out.

Yes...I have lost...then gained it back...so many times.

I started my weight loss journey back in the 80's with Nutri System when it was in a shopping mall. I weighed 180 lbs back then...and wanted to get back to my high school weight of 165. I achieved goal. And I must admit...the food back then was majorly "awful"! And I kept the weight off for a few years.

Then life happened...and I got out of control. Back to Nutri System again...this time I weighed around 200 lbs. Achieved my goal...and kept my weight off for a few years.

THEN...life continued to happen...and I ended up weighing 220 lbs. Back to Nutri System...and was able to obtain my goal weight for the third time. I kept it off for a number of years. I actually thought that I had figured out how to eat...and how to control my weight by daily exercise.

Then a number of major painful life experiences happened...house burned, bitter divorce, found mother's car accident (she had already traveled to heaven) among other things...and I went back to the emotional eating...with major munchies every evening from dinner time...till I went to bed. So stuffed...and miserable every single night.

One day, after not being able to button my britches without laying back on the bed to suck my tummy in, I got on the scales....301 lbs....UNBELIEVABLE! So, back to Nutri System. And for the last time! I am determined this go around! And the shelf stable food was much, much better then in the 80's. But, like most people, I got really, really tired of eating it...and started dreading meal time.

While on the Nutri System discussion board, I read about the new frozen food plan, called "Uniquely Yours". I decided to check it out. But, it was way, way to expensive. A few weeks later, I learned that there was a promotional sale on Uniquely Yours...so I called...and found that with my discounts...and by using the Costco gift cards...that plan was only a few more dollars then what I was paying for the shelf stable foods. I went for it...and I am so glad that I did. The frozen food is awesome...I haven't found one item that I didn't like! I look 'so' forward to meal time now! I LOVE the Nutri System frozen foods!!!!!!!!

So, while reading the Nutri System discussion board several weeks ago, I found out that the company was closing down the discussion boards...and the food tracker on their website...going to their new food tracker...called NUMI. I tried it...and hated it. Then I heard about MFP...and checked it out.

I LOVE MFP. I can certainly see how one could be successful long term using it. And I do plan to use up the rest of my Costco cards with Nutri System, then I will see about going out on my own. Hopefully, I will be at goal by that time.

I am enjoying this discussion board so much. I am confident, after using MFP...I can use it to track my meals...and to be successful from now on. That is my desire. And I love my new Fitbit Charge...and the Fitbit scale. Makes losing weight fun! Thanks to all of you for your support...and the information you have shared with me. It is so helpful! Roland at Camp Jackson!

@campjackson our point is this...yes you can lose weight on it but it doesn't teach you portion control and help you maintain. Logging does. Using a food scale does.

Life will always happen but if your logging and being consistent and staying in goal weight gain won't.

I'm following Cambridge Weight Plan and slowly introducing food back into my life. I battled with typhoid and malaria recently and won. Was only able to take liquids but now able to eat chicken, fish, salads and stir fry, thanks to CWP. I need to train myself how to eat well and portion size so CWP was the right choice for me. I'm doing what I feel is right for me and its working. Soon stepping up to introducing carbs slowly but for now happy with veggies, chicken, fish, salads and stir fry. Add me if you like for motivation and support.

campjackson wrote: »

Yes...I have lost...then gained it back...so many times.

While on the Nutri System discussion board, I read about the new frozen food plan, called "Uniquely Yours". I decided to check it out. But, it was way, way to expensive. A few weeks later, I learned that there was a promotional sale on Uniquely Yours...so I called...and found that with my discounts...and by using the Costco gift cards...that plan was only a few more dollars then what I was paying for the shelf stable foods. I went for it...and I am so glad that I did. The frozen food is awesome...I haven't found one item that I didn't like! I look 'so' forward to meal time now! I LOVE the Nutri System frozen foods!!!!!!!!

I don't think my prior post correctly quoted that first pargaraph as campjackson's.

Nutrisystem is a convenience I don't mind paying for. It may not be teaching me anything, but sometimes you need to step away from being dangerously obese, however you can.

I love Nutrisystem. Lost 35lbs on it three years ago for my wedding and 12lbs, so far, when I restarted last month.

Tried the calories in, calories out method of MFP and lost some but found it difficult to maintain consistent results and therefore motivation. On MFP, a beer is 150 calories and there's no distinction between that and a healthy 150-cal dinner. MFP by itself is only as effective as your inherent knowledge of good choices. Even the forums erupt with bad information and conflict about just about every aspect of weight loss science and speculation.

Contrary to popular belief, Nutrisystem does have transition and maintenance plans to help you when you reach your goal. NS will get you to where you're going, but then you need to pay attention to keep the weight off. Food is categorized and your snacks (powerfuels and smart carbs) are what your entrees will be when you get off the plan - just in different combinations (don't have the guide on me at the moment).

It's nice to know I can grab and go. With three kids and college, it's not always easy to keep quick and healthy options at hand.

My current plan, $239/mo, is nothing compared to my fast food and bar tabs This is practically a discount on my regular lifestyle HA. I have the Uniquely Yours plan, and roughly half of what I order is frozen - which tastes better in my opinion. You change your relationship with food when you view it as sustenance and not merely entertainment for your mouth.

Haters gonna hate.

I've been using MFP for several years, and if I've seen anything around here... it's a dislike of methods that people know nothing about... especially from people who either can't afford it, or have all the free time in the world to workout and plan their meals.

Either way, I log 100% through MFP since they shut down the regular app. I'm happy to have other NS friends.

maineapple wrote: »

I wish we had a Costco near us, but we don't. Do you get the Costgo cards at Costgo? I'd love to save some money because it is expensive. Good luck campjackson!

I think if you are not a member you can still buy them online and you pay 4 dollars more. So you would get a card worth 100.00 for 83.00 instead of the 79.00, and they go on sale a couple times a year for 59.00

missemmibelle wrote: »

I love Nutrisystem. Lost 35lbs on it three years ago for my wedding and 12lbs, so far, when I restarted last month.

Tried the calories in, calories out method of MFP and lost some but found it difficult to maintain consistent results and therefore motivation. On MFP, a beer is 150 calories and there's no distinction between that and a healthy 150-cal dinner. MFP by itself is only as effective as your inherent knowledge of good choices. Even the forums erupt with bad information and conflict about just about every aspect of weight loss science and speculation.

Contrary to popular belief, Nutrisystem does have transition and maintenance plans to help you when you reach your goal. NS will get you to where you're going, but then you need to pay attention to keep the weight off. Food is categorized and your snacks (powerfuels and smart carbs) are what your entrees will be when you get off the plan - just in different combinations (don't have the guide on me at the moment).

It's nice to know I can grab and go. With three kids and college, it's not always easy to keep quick and healthy options at hand.

My current plan, $239/mo, is nothing compared to my fast food and bar tabs This is practically a discount on my regular lifestyle HA. I have the Uniquely Yours plan, and roughly half of what I order is frozen - which tastes better in my opinion. You change your relationship with food when you view it as sustenance and not merely entertainment for your mouth.

Haters gonna hate.

I've been using MFP for several years, and if I've seen anything around here... it's a dislike of methods that people know nothing about... especially from people who either can't afford it, or have all the free time in the world to workout and plan their meals.

Either way, I log 100% through MFP since they shut down the regular app. I'm happy to have other NS friends.

^This. Now I don't have to post!