I was looking to start Nutrisystem or jenny Craig but I see that the ingredients in the food isnt all that healthy. Are there similar diet systems that have healthier, natural ingredients?
Hi,
I did nutrisystem back in 1990 but I ended up with gall bladder problems. I am a life time member of Jenny Craig. If you do what they tell you to you will lose weight. The cost of the food gets expensive so I haven't been able to do it anymore.
Good luck,
Kim
Hi Nicole ... This is my first time responding to a post, so bear with me! :-)
Forget the diet fads. I lost 170 pounds just cutting back. It seems silly at first, but my doctor gave me one really great piece of advice He said, "Fat people don't eat breakfast." At first I didn't know how to feel after he said that, but on reflection, I realized I skipped breakfast quite often. Start by scrambling yourself a couple of eggs or having a bowl of cereal. Then, eat something small every couple of hours during the day--a small baggie of almonds, dry cereal, a few cubes of cheese. And, again, you've probably heard this, but it really worked for me--start having your dinner on a smaller plate. It really does look like you're eating sooo much, but it's really a half portion.
I hope some of this advice helps. I found myself feeling full all day, and the weight started coming off. Once you lose a few pounds, it's easier to start exercising--just a lap around the block with the kids or a friend, etc. Then, before you know it, you're up to a couple miles a day in the same amount of time. Good luck! I know how hard it is--next to raising children, I think losing weight is the hardest thing to do! It's a mindset--sadly, there's no quick-fix, and I personally never had any luck in the long-term with fad diets.
Feel free to get in touch if you need any inspiration, or just want to vent! You can do it!!!!
Have you looked into Weight Watchers? You eat all the same foods you now eat, but in smaller quantities. My daughter tried it and lost over 100 pounds in a year. But even this can be expensive because you have to go to the meeting every week.
On the other hand....I lost 50 pounds on my own just by eating 3 meals a day. Before that I would skip breakfast, and sometimes lunch then eat a big dinner and snack the rest of the evening before going to bed. Then I started to eat a couple eggs and some toast and coffee for breakfast. A sandwich and cup of soup for lunch and half the food I used to eat for dinner. I gave up the soda and replaced it with water. And no snack foods in the evening. I must say I feel much better eating the 3 meals per day too. And of course, losing the weight makes me feel much better, too.
I am a firm believer in Weight Watchers. You learn to eat regular food in moderation, which is a must if you want to keep the weight off. WW only stops working when you do - they key is planning ahead for meals. The program can be a little expensive, but going to the meetings is really supportive, as all the people there have the same problems with their relationship with food. (You would be spending the same, if not more on JC or Nutrisystem food, which won't taste nearly as good as the non-processed food you can prepare on your own.)
I lost a good amount of weight while following WW, gained it back when not following the program, got pregnant and then lost the weight again. It will always be a yo-yo for me, so it helps to not think of it as a "diet" but as a real lifestyle change and an education on how to eat.
If you don't have the money to join WW, you can just follow the program without going to meetings, which is what I am doing now. The "rules" can be found with a google search. Email me if you need help finding them!
Good luck. You're not alone!!
Hi Nicole, I think the best diet out there is weight watchers. I have been on it since January and lost about 34lbs. Of course with the summer I slacked off a bit but went back to the meeting last week. My gyn and primary doctor both feel that is the best diet going being it's just a healthy way of eating and teaches you to eat anything you want but in a healthy size portion. Go on www.weightwatchers.com and kick in your zip code and it will give you a list of local meetings. The weekly fee is just $12.00 they do run alot of free registrations also. Good luck if you want anymore info feel free to contact me. Georgina
I have to agree, whenever I have lost any weight, it has been on Weight Watchers.
Nicole,
First of all, good luck, no matter what diet you try...make sure you have a strong support system! Have you looked into Weight Watchers? I tried it before I was pregnant and lost 23 lbs! It's great because it lets you eat what you want, it mostly about portion control. Then you could eat foods that you know are good for you. They have a points system and a core system. I needed the strict points system. You can actually join just online or you can go to the meetings. Some people need the meetings and contact with others to have that support system. Some companies even reimburse you for joining. Check it out. If you need any other information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Good luck!
Janine
The best tool I've found is keeping a food log. You can either keep one yourself or with a friend. I did it with a friend and we would e-mail it to each other and do "weigh-in" on Weds. The food log first and foremost makes you realize what your patterns are and then, makes you accountable and if you know someone else is going to look at it, the effect is even more powerful! I know quite a bit about nutrition and "super foods" so if you need help, let me know, I can even review your food log if you'd like. According to Dr. Oz, start out initially with few food choices, for example, have oatmeal for breakfast every morning (to really nutrition it up, add some raisins (or fresh fruit), and a small sprinkle of both nuts and seeds). For mid-morning snack have a greek yogurt, if you've never tried greek yogurt, it's amazing! So creamy and good. It's now available at Shop Rite and Stop and Shop, etc. I buy the ChoBani brand and blueberry is my fav. Greek yogurt is better than regular yogurt because it has more live active cultures and it's high in protein and low in fat (and much more delicious! the consistency of sour cream). Then you can have another morning snack of fresh fruit. For lunch have a hummus sandwich with fresh NJ tomato, which is so amazing right now, add baby spinach, or sprouts to ramp up the nutrition. For afternoon snack you can something else and for dinner, have something like chicken, sweet potato (super food) and spinach or fish, brown rice and a veggie. The Bird's eye Steam Fresh veggies are wonderful, they are microwave in the bag and never taste freezer burned, old or overdone. Follow a eating for energy diet, here are some super foods: try to have some thing from this list every day:
spinach
sunflower seeds (walnuts, pumpkin seeds, almonds, also good)(nuts and seeds should be raw and w/o salt and not roasted)
greek yogurt (reg yogurt good too)
sweet potato
beans and lentils
onions
garlic
tea
dark chocolate (70% cocoa)
cinnamon (add to your baked sweet potato!)
eggs
whole wheat, whole grain (make sure they say 100% whole wheat)
fruits and veggies (all colors)
Take a gender specific multi-vitamin after a meal (preferably dinner, metabolism slows at night and you want to absorb it!)
Other things you can do is make small changes in your families favorite foods, for example if your family loves tacos, make turkey tacos and add more peppers (red and green). We actually have turkey tacos as a salad, over romaine lettuce tossed with low fat sour cream mixed with salsa, I thought it wouldn't be as good and it's actually better!! So yummy!! Also, cut back a little on chicken and throw in some beans, etc. Much better to make small real changes over time than a diet system, because what happens when you go back to real eating?? Make this your real eating and keep it going! Search the web for super foods and recipies that incorporate them! Good luck and exercise of course! Figure out what you like to do and then it will become a fun hobby that you will look forward to for your "play."
shaklee has a natural weight loss plan called CINCH. Shaklee is the #1 natural nutritionals company in the country and have been around for over 50 years.
You can check out this website for more information.
www.cinchplan.com/areyougreenyet
If you have any questions, let me know.
Take it from a veteran dieter- Weight Watchers Core program or South Beach Phase 2 are the healthiest ways to go!
Good luck!
It isn't a diet, but it helps me figure out what I'm eating:
It allows me to put in the food I eat every day, and I can set goals for myself and it will tell me how many calories I have for the day. I try to have a high percentage of protein every day, and less carbs, and that's what helps with loosing the weight (at least for me). I have thought about doing a diet plan, but I don't think they'd work for me. I've heard of many people have success with Weight Watchers, but I usually see people quit at one time, and they gain it back, and then they go do it again. For me I think it has to be a manageable life change -- something you will continue to do...not some fad diet or one you have to pay for crappy food until you cannot afford it anymore.
I think I'm also going to start eating on a smaller plate, I love that idea!!! :)
Good luck with the diet. Its one of the hardest things to do and keep up with.
Hi Nicole
Try Isagenix. It is a cleansing and fat burning system.
It is an amazing product, natural ingredients with your vitamins, minerals and enzymes..
Go to www.luciedickenson.isagenix.com
click on the isavideo tab and look at the testimonials.
If you have any questions you can call me.
Lucie Dickenson (732) 974-2051
I was a big fan of the South beach Diet. A year later I have kept off all the weight and we still eat the recipes most nights. If you enjoy cooking this is really the diet for you. The recipes have all been good and most are really easy. The first few weeks are are really hard since you are basically rettaining yourself how to eat, after that it is real easy. The only downside is that you need to buy the cookbooks (the best is the Quick and Easy cookbook).
Good Luck
I did the same as you, and then I realized that there must be a book for nutrisystem and I found one. It is called nutrisystem nourish by Dr. James Rouse. It gives you healthy meal plans, portion controls, exercise ideas and a bunch of recipes that are pretty tasty and very healthy. (I eat the chocolate banana muffins every day for breakfast). I lost 20 pounds in 3 months using it. I found the book at Barnes and Noble.com (they didn't have it in the store, but I bet they could order it for you). A few of my friends have gotten it and have been as successful. The one warning I give everyone is that if you start following the portions exactly, at first you are STARVING!!! So, work your way gradually to the correct portions. I started with the men's plan for portions and worked to the female and it was really easy. I tried South Beach, lost some weight, but gained it back because it is pretty tough to stay on it for long. I also have tried Weight Watchers, but that didn't take either. I could never do the points and ended up borrowing points from the next day, and couldn't ever pay them back! I think this is a very healthy plan and if you find a buddy to do it with and exercise with (my sis in law and I walk together in the mornings for an hour and I walk my dog each afternoon for 45 m, so that helps) Good luck!
Hi Nicole,
I use Melaleuca products and they have weight lose products that are all natural. It's pretty much drinks and bars. If you'd like to check it out you can go to www.melaleuca.com/attain-info or to look at the entire site just go to www.melaleuca.com.
Michelle D
Hi Nicole,
First you have be sure you are ready, and are willing to follow whichever program you choose. It sounds like you are. Honestly, I am a Weight Watcher girl. They do offer 2 programs, and it is essentially teaching you how to eat properly. It encourages you to log all of your food, which to me helps extremely. I also like to exercise now (Go Figure)! I have joined a gym, and do a lot of weight training. For every lb of muscle you gain, you burn 50 cals. extra a day. Which ever program you choose, you have a ton of choices, it has to be something you are comfortable doing for, pretty much, the rest of your life. That is why the high protein diets work, but don't last forever.
Good Luck!
Ps. on weight watchers, I lost over 70lbs in the past year.
*results not typical!!!!!!
Teri,
Mom of 4, wife of 1
Hi Nicole!
I'm a certified Holistic Health Counselor and I work with people to find the right foods that will help them to reach their goals, whether it be weight loss, lowering cholesterol, helping ease conditions such as intestinal problems....truly whatever your goals are.
Take a look at my website and be in touch with any questions you have. I offer a free one hour consultation where you can learn more about what I offer and I can get familiar with what your goals are.
Speak soon!
All the best,
Shannon
Shannon Tate-Giordano
Holistic Health Counselor, member of the AADP
www.shannontategiordano.com
917.974.7412
http://www.shannontategiordano.wordpress.com
Try the core plan option of Weight Watchers. No prepackaged meals are going to be a really "healthy" option.
Have you thought about weight watchers? You can make your own food (not have to purchase the pre-made stuff). There are some great recipes, too. I am an awful dieter, but this one worked or me.
Good luck.