Nutrisystem Weight Loss, Lost 28 pounds but weightloss mental challenges

Updated April 4: It is now almost 7.5 months since I started exercising and using Nutrisystem. I have now lost 15% of my body weight (28 - 30 lbs) and transformed from 16 - 20% body fat to under 10% body fat. My current weight has been stable over the last 4 weeks running 155 - 157.

I have managed to find a balance, however I am not eating all the right foods and my overall energy level remains lower than I want. So I am pretty much mixing 2/3 nutrisystem and then other foods. It is working but I have started reading and talking to some friends who have solid eating habits.

Overall, I am still very happy with the results and in some sense getting comfortable with how I look. All I can say is that, many times you have an image of yourself as how you looked rather than the present state. I am currently in that transition and settling into a new image of the physical self. And just to confirm - yes it has been worth it. And as we head into Spring in Florida I think I am going to try to complete a mini-tri or two and continue to push myself further.





Now Back to the original comments, Why I did Squidoo.. friends and family have asked about my weightloss. So I thought this might be the perfect way to share my thoughts.

First basic notes to keep in mind.
1. Almost everyone can lose weight - it takes time and effort
2. Commit to at least a month - changes really don't start until the 3rd and 4th weeks
3. Drink lots of water - say goodbye to soda, lattes & sweet drinks
4. If you don't buy it, you can't eat it (buy healthy, eat healthy)
5. Exercise is the engine that will drive weight loss - but diet needs to be controlled.

And last, take a before photo (you'll be glad you did) and start today. Sounds goofy but you'll take self pride in doing it and seeing improvement.

Ok - Here is my story and my experience with weight loss, exercise and Nutrisystem.

Back in July my niece came for a visit and we went to Seaworld to swim with the dolphins. During the experience they took a photo of the two of us and gave it to us when we left. Well, I ended up with the photo and about two weeks after she left I looked at it and said; "Wow that is me." It was not the me I remember or wanted to be but I thought weight gain is just part of the process of getting older.

Because I had been working a lot, I had turned my back on health and fitness. I would work late and eat at Wendy's or Chipolte or get a quick hot meal from the local deli. I was eating as well as I could for someone getting home at 7, 8, or 9 at night. There was no time to prepare food and cook. 

Well then I saw the ads on tv for nutrisystem and thought, no way not me, weightloss stuff that is for women (a mental challenge to overcome to reach success). Well Nutrisystem was placing ads on ESPN and after seeing several, I started to think $10 a day hmmm I spend that on lunch and the idea grew on me. Also since I am single the idea of not having to think about what to cook sounded awesome. Just choose from a wide selection of food, cook and eat, I thought I can live with that.

But I knew just ordering food was not going to be enough I had to balance work and health. So, I decided to spend as more time in the gym as I did in overtime at work. The goal was to balance work and exercise so that I could not fail. I can be a workaholic so this seemed like a good plan. 

So with a set plan, I made the somewhat embarring call to Nutrisystem and ordered a month of food. Rather than just start working out right away, I waited for the food to arrive and started the program in late August weighing 183 pounds.

Because I am typing this during lunch I will give the outline and expand on it over the next few days and weeks. ( I will work to correct the typos over the next few fews - Russ)

a. 37 lbs of food in one box and you wonder is this it
b. I sorted the box of food by meal and grouped food so I had a weeks worth of food all together. (This helped allowed for variety and forced me to finish all the food in week 1 before moving to week 2. Thus I couldn't just eat the food I liked and during the last week have food I didn't like - which could cause me to fail.)
c. Nutrisystem food - Some is good and some not so good, but you can remove items you don't like form future orders
d. Recorded weight and started hitting the gym and doing cardio
e. I am huge on self improvement so I clock my run times and swimming. When you look back after 4 months you will be amazed by the changes
f. After two weeks - didn't feel thank different
g. At 3-4 weeks, noticed the the pants were loose
h. Lost 6 -7 lbs in first month, but body type didn't change
i. Second box-o-food arrived
j. Month two - Ran 3 miles under 25 minutes
k. Month two - kind of sick of some of the food, but noticing body changes
l. 7th week lost 10lbs to date
m. Third box-o-food arrived
n. Hitting gym 3-4 days and 1-2 days cardio
o. I now notice my body is burning fat and I am hungry a little but like the changes
p. Thanksgiving through Christmas - continue working out, eat out more with holiday but eat less when out
q. After Christmas check weight - lost 15 lbs to date
r. During the 12 - 15th week, (Holiday Season) people really start to notice the change and both my body and face have changed.
s. I continue with Nutrisystem - box-o-food number 4 arrives
t. I get concerned about gaining the weight back and need clothes that fit
u. My efforts continue and I brek the 20 lbs barrier after about 16 week
v. I buy new clothes - back get positive feedback - and work harder
w. I'm now at my college weight, in shape and have lost 22 lbs.
x. Start writing Squidoo Lens - to share the story
y. In my 5th - 6th month I broke the 160 barrier for the first time in 18 - 20 years. Wow
z. Months 7 hit low weight 154 and have been maintaining that weight 155 - 157 for seven weeks
aa. Nutrition and healthy eating take center stage as weight loss cycle is complete. I need more energy for everything.
bb. A lot of self reflection is going on now. I take compliments poorly and sometimes offend people. I see old self but working on changing that, but don't want to seen as cocky. 
cc. With warmer weather, notice shirts that fit snug in early fall, look loose and bad. It is time to replace things, again and buy a small size - feels strange.
dd. Wanting to share - I have had a good experience so far and I am happy to advise and share my insights, but I am not a professional. I am just someone who stuck with a program and as I see it, invested in self. 

So has the weigth loss and Nutrisystem been worth it? YES
I don't eat 100% Nutrisystem these days but about 60 - 70%. It is very easy, fast, and works for me.

I am blessed that I am in good health and can lift, I am under 160 lbs. wow, I ran a 5 K and my average mile rate was 7:21 wow and a mile swim is no longer a scary thought.

Last note
Don't wait to start - it is to easy to put off. Walk, run, lift, spin and start buying better foods. You can't get to 2, 3, and 4 months without Day 1. So make today the first day and switch that bottle of soda for a bottle of water. Good luck .