Nutrisystem?!

julieandjojo

Hey Ladies! I have been trying to be more conscious about eating healthy and portion control. I don't exercise often but again, trying to do so more often. I am not that overweight although I want to change my habits now before TTC and having kids. But my husband on the other hand is overweight and does not exercise or watch what he eats at all. He has toyed with the idea of going on Nutrisystem for awhile now and I think he is finally ready to do it. My question is - have any of you or your S/O gone on Nutrisystem and if so, what were the results, and were they maintained afterwards? I want him (and me) to lose weight but I also want to make lasting life habits. Thanks in advance!

samurai21

I've known people that have done nutrisystem and lost weight - but then struggled to maintain the loss. Thy had problems eating correctly when they weren't eating the prepackaged foods for them.

I've personally had success using sites like myfitnesspal or sparkpeople to track what I eat. If your husband doesn't watch what he eats at all - Maybe something like weight watchers would be better? Then he would be responsible for making the right decisions, but could still indulge if he saves/uses his points.

I think nutrisystem and other programs that rely heavily on eating their meals can work great for some people - but the one's I've met didn't have the tools necessary to make smart eating choices outside of the pre-packaged food. I like the tracking it yourself or WW actually educate you along with the weight loss. Until I mentally truly committed to being healthier - not just losing weight - I struggled with weight loss. It truly is a lifestyle lifelong change. GL!

Sadlebred

Nutrisystem is prepackaged foods. How will that teach you how to eat properly? Try Weight Watchers instead.

LesPaul

The two friends I know who did Nutrisystem lost weight, but promptly gained it back (plus some).  Weight Watchers is a better option, or learn about eating cleaner and tracking your food on a website like Livestrong Daily Plate.

jenn&Dave2005

My future sister in law is on it and lost 15lbs so far.  Others are right it doesn't teach how you how to eat when you don't have something in your freezer so I don't feel it's sustainable.  That said the concept of lower glycemic index foods falls in line with Paleo and eating clean. For her she's doing nutrisystem while learning to eat cleaner and how to cook!

That said if you do go nutrisystem, look into getting gift cards at costco.  Decent discount. 

alithebride

eating something pre-packaged will not teach him how to eat better. it will only teach him to eat pre-packaged. since he doesn't watch now he won't watch while he's on it or after. to me that's kind of a 'quick fix'.

i struggled with portion size too. i've found that weight watchers is outstanding for that because i can eat my own food, not preserved pre-packaged stuff. i love to cook and have a ton of my own recipies. on their online tools there's a points recipe creator. you put your own recipe in and it tells you the # of points for your own food.

not only am i trying to eat better portions I'm trying to eat BETTER. prepackaged, to me, isn't better, it's jsut convenient.

i'd say have him check out WW. i remember seeing a few commercials for it for men lately.

zitiqueen

 

Namasteak

I would stay away from processed foods. Can you spend a little time each weekend planning & perhaps preparing some meals for the week (ie: cook up chicken breasts, cut up veggies, etc)? 

If you are looking for the convenience of premade foods My Fit Foods is a pretty good option (fresh & healthy but with the convenience of the processed stuff)

BelieveInStephens

zitiqueen:

 

Love this WW commercial.  I agree.  WW is a great option that will education while it changes eating patterns.

daves_sweetpea

I would encourage him to do WW or a similar program that involves real food & real life eating.  Plus WW or just plain healthy eating is something that you can do together as a couple/family.  Not saying you also need to go to WW meetings but it's hard to work as a team when he's eating a prepackaged meal and you're eating regular food.  WW or another program, even a dietician, will be cheaper than Nutrisystem in the long run.  So I would throw out some of our suggestions but in the end tell him that you'll support him with whatever he chooses (unless it's really wacky).  As someone who has always struggled with my weight I can say that I've always had the most sucess when I was in control of my weight loss or health decisions.  My parents were worried so they managed my access to food, made me exercise, bribed me, etc-but they never went to meetings with me or followed the same meal plan.  I might express my concerns, offer help, ask him to follow healthy plan with me, etc, but in the end let him do what works for him.  He might fail but thats ok if it helps him move on to something that does work.