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Back in 2009, I had a very successful stint with Nutrisystem, I lost 10 pounds and learned skills that allowed me to keep it off. However, in September of 2016, I was diagnosed with NET Cancer and went through surgery and a 10 week recovery period that resulted in considerable weight gain. So I'm back, and I'm bringing back my review site. I plan to review taste, quality assurance, texture, and most importantly results- Here we go...
Nutrisystem Standings:
2017
Nutrisystem Basic Plan: Food Overall Score:
* Breakfast: ___/ 40
* Lunch: ___/ 40
* Dinner: ___/ 40
* Snacks: ___/ 40
Results Score:
Started: 1/6/2017
Current Weight: 174
Waist: 33.5
High Hip: 42.5
Bust: 37
Bicep: 13
Thigh: 22
Total inches lost so far: 0
Nutrisystem Basic Plan: Food Overall Score:
* Breakfast: ___/ 40
* Lunch: ___/ 40
* Dinner: ___/ 40
* Snacks: ___/ 40
Results Score:
Started: 1/6/2017
Current Weight: 174
Waist: 33.5
High Hip: 42.5
Bust: 37
Bicep: 13
Thigh: 22
Total inches lost so far: 0
---------------------------------
My Reorder List: (Ranked 1= Order up to 5, 2= Order 2-3, 3= Order only one
- Reviews Start 12/7/17
The Investigation:
THE INVESTIGATION:
According to other websites and blogs that I have visited Nutrisystem seems to have both fans and severe enemies. I have read everything from the food being uneatable, to those people who say it is wonderful if you get the right things. Since I'm taking a scientific approach to this weight loss system, I need to look at the criticisms and respond to them.
Popular Criticism #1: The food
According to critics: the food is unpalatable. They criticize the color, texture, smell and taste of the food and several say they couldn't make it past the first or second day. Several more say after two weeks they couldn't stand it anymore. I have heard the words cardboard and paste used several times in conjunction with this product.
According to fans: this is simply a situation of people ordering the wrong meals. Fans say that if you get the right items from the menu the foods taste wonderful. They do agree that the portion size is small, but maintain that it is the actual portion size that a person should be eating. They warn that you will be hungry the first week, but after that you will see results.
Investigation: I've spent a good week looking through websites picking out "the best selections" according to fans. (I wanted to give the program the best possible chance of positive review.) From my choices I should have selected the best of the best according to several websites- I did branch a bit into the four stars out of curiosity, but all the rest of the selections are five stars. Thus I will rate the food on a higher standard than "well it's diet food." On a food critic style review I will look at visual appeal, smell, taste, texture, and rank them on a scale of one to ten. One being cardboard and ten the food being comparable to something I would buy if I wasn't on a diet. (I should mention here- I'm a foodie thus I like taste as a big aspect to what I'm eating.)
Just as a reference-
Chef Boyardee Overstuffed Beef Ravioli Microwavable meal- Overall Score: 26/ 40 ++1/2
Visual Appeal: 7- not something I would expect to get in a restaurant, but for a lunch meal pack it looks pretty good. Most of the ravioli are intact and the sauce, while lacking any form of herbs looks pretty appealing.
Smell: 9- Perhaps it is my childhood reaching back to me, but the pasta does make me hungry to smell it. It smells like spiceless tomato sauce.
Taste: 6- I like a little more seasoning than I did when I was a kid. The tomato sauce is strong and tangy, the ravioli seem almost a side dish to the sauce. I really can't taste the beef and the pasta is a bit pasty. The good news is that the sauce is pretty tasty so it gets above the half way mark on edibility.
Texture:- 4 I hate to say it but I hate the texture of the ravioli. It is overcooked and a bit like raw dough in my mouth. It reminds me of church house spaghetti. Over boiled in a pot, so there is no aldente to the pasta.
Criticism #2: Well Being
According to Critics: I have read everything from you have no energy and you always feel hungry to it giving you incredible gas and bloating.
According to Fans: After the first week you have more energy and feel better about yourself while on the diet.
Investigation Results: As far as I am concerned both the Fans and the critics are correct. The first few weeks on Nutrisystem are miserable. Gas, bloating, needing to use the restroom constantly are all part of the intro to the system. DO NOT plan anything important during the first two weeks of this diet. Job Interviews, Vacations, and Weddings are a definite no-no. However, after two weeks I had more energy, enthusiasm, and really enjoyed being on the program. I guess that's why I'm back.
Criticism #3: Results
According to Critics: On blogs I have read everything from you will lose weight but you'll gain it all back and then some, to of course you lose weight because you are reducing calorie intake and increasing exercise- thus being on the program is moot.
According to Fans: The Nutrisystem program teaches you how to eat better portions. Thus if you actually learn from the system, you will stay slim afterward.
Investigation: My control will be the last six months. At the beginning of January I began eating a 1100 calorie personal diet. I exercised Monday through Saturday for at least 30 minutes- most of the time it was closer to 45. (I have it charted and I will match my daily exercise from the beginning of the year.) In September I will determine the results of the experiment in regard to actual weight lost using the prepackaged food. From October until December I will see how well I keep the weight off or if it returns. I will be reporting on my weight and measurements lost on a weekly basis.
2009 Results: I did not lose as much weight as I would have liked on Nutrisystem, but I've decided that a lot of that was muscle being built, because I definitely lost inches rather than pounds. I went from 160 to 145 during my first experiment and after my weight stayed reasonably at 146.
According to other websites and blogs that I have visited Nutrisystem seems to have both fans and severe enemies. I have read everything from the food being uneatable, to those people who say it is wonderful if you get the right things. Since I'm taking a scientific approach to this weight loss system, I need to look at the criticisms and respond to them.
Popular Criticism #1: The food
According to critics: the food is unpalatable. They criticize the color, texture, smell and taste of the food and several say they couldn't make it past the first or second day. Several more say after two weeks they couldn't stand it anymore. I have heard the words cardboard and paste used several times in conjunction with this product.
According to fans: this is simply a situation of people ordering the wrong meals. Fans say that if you get the right items from the menu the foods taste wonderful. They do agree that the portion size is small, but maintain that it is the actual portion size that a person should be eating. They warn that you will be hungry the first week, but after that you will see results.
Investigation: I've spent a good week looking through websites picking out "the best selections" according to fans. (I wanted to give the program the best possible chance of positive review.) From my choices I should have selected the best of the best according to several websites- I did branch a bit into the four stars out of curiosity, but all the rest of the selections are five stars. Thus I will rate the food on a higher standard than "well it's diet food." On a food critic style review I will look at visual appeal, smell, taste, texture, and rank them on a scale of one to ten. One being cardboard and ten the food being comparable to something I would buy if I wasn't on a diet. (I should mention here- I'm a foodie thus I like taste as a big aspect to what I'm eating.)
Just as a reference-
Chef Boyardee Overstuffed Beef Ravioli Microwavable meal- Overall Score: 26/ 40 ++1/2
Visual Appeal: 7- not something I would expect to get in a restaurant, but for a lunch meal pack it looks pretty good. Most of the ravioli are intact and the sauce, while lacking any form of herbs looks pretty appealing.
Smell: 9- Perhaps it is my childhood reaching back to me, but the pasta does make me hungry to smell it. It smells like spiceless tomato sauce.
Taste: 6- I like a little more seasoning than I did when I was a kid. The tomato sauce is strong and tangy, the ravioli seem almost a side dish to the sauce. I really can't taste the beef and the pasta is a bit pasty. The good news is that the sauce is pretty tasty so it gets above the half way mark on edibility.
Texture:- 4 I hate to say it but I hate the texture of the ravioli. It is overcooked and a bit like raw dough in my mouth. It reminds me of church house spaghetti. Over boiled in a pot, so there is no aldente to the pasta.
Criticism #2: Well Being
According to Critics: I have read everything from you have no energy and you always feel hungry to it giving you incredible gas and bloating.
According to Fans: After the first week you have more energy and feel better about yourself while on the diet.
Investigation Results: As far as I am concerned both the Fans and the critics are correct. The first few weeks on Nutrisystem are miserable. Gas, bloating, needing to use the restroom constantly are all part of the intro to the system. DO NOT plan anything important during the first two weeks of this diet. Job Interviews, Vacations, and Weddings are a definite no-no. However, after two weeks I had more energy, enthusiasm, and really enjoyed being on the program. I guess that's why I'm back.
Criticism #3: Results
According to Critics: On blogs I have read everything from you will lose weight but you'll gain it all back and then some, to of course you lose weight because you are reducing calorie intake and increasing exercise- thus being on the program is moot.
According to Fans: The Nutrisystem program teaches you how to eat better portions. Thus if you actually learn from the system, you will stay slim afterward.
Investigation: My control will be the last six months. At the beginning of January I began eating a 1100 calorie personal diet. I exercised Monday through Saturday for at least 30 minutes- most of the time it was closer to 45. (I have it charted and I will match my daily exercise from the beginning of the year.) In September I will determine the results of the experiment in regard to actual weight lost using the prepackaged food. From October until December I will see how well I keep the weight off or if it returns. I will be reporting on my weight and measurements lost on a weekly basis.
2009 Results: I did not lose as much weight as I would have liked on Nutrisystem, but I've decided that a lot of that was muscle being built, because I definitely lost inches rather than pounds. I went from 160 to 145 during my first experiment and after my weight stayed reasonably at 146.
Blog Archive
Food Rankings (Out of 4 Stars)
- (Not Reviewed) Apple Pecan Bites
- (Not Reviewed) Banana Nut Muffin
- (Not Reviewed) Bean Bolognese
- (Not Reviewed) Beans and Ham Soup
- (Not Reviewed) Black Beans and Rice
- (Not Reviewed) Blueberry Lemon Bar
- (Not Reviewed) Blueberry Muffin
- (Not Reviewed) Carmel Apple Muffin
- (Not Reviewed) Cheese Torellini
- (Not Reviewed) Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bar
- (Not Reviewed) Chicken Alfredo
- (Not Reviewed) Chicken in BBQ Baked Beans
- (Not Reviewed) Chicken Noodle Soup
- (Not Reviewed) Chicken Pasta Parmesan
- (Not Reviewed) Chicken Pot Pie
- (Not Reviewed) Chili with Beans
- (Not Reviewed) Chocolate Biscotti Bites
- (Not Reviewed) Chocolate Carmel Bar
- (Not Reviewed) Chocolate Chip Cookies
- (Not Reviewed) Chocolate PB Bar
- (Not Reviewed) Chocolate Sandwich Cookie
- (Not Reviewed) Chocolatey Pretzel Bar
- (Not Reviewed) Cinnamon Raisin Bar
- (Not Reviewed) Cinnamon Streusel Muffin
- (Not Reviewed) Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Nut Bar
- (Not Reviewed) Double Chocolate Muffin
- (Not Reviewed) Fiesta Macaroni and Cheese
- (Not Reviewed) Fudge Graham Bar
- (Not Reviewed) Harvest Nut Bar
- (Not Reviewed) Hearty Beef Stew
- (Not Reviewed) Honey Mustard Pretzels Bits
- (Not Reviewed) Honey Wheat Bagel
- (Not Reviewed) Italian Herb Flatbread Pizza
- (Not Reviewed) Loaded Baked Potato
- (Not Reviewed) Mac and Cheese with Turkey Sausage
- (Not Reviewed) Meatballs in Marinara Sauce
- (Not Reviewed) Mexican Style Tortilla Soup
- (Not Reviewed) Milk Chocolate Flavored Pretzels
- (Not Reviewed) Nutricrush Chocolate Covered Cherry Bar
- (Not Reviewed) Nutricrush Peanutbutter Bar- Chocolate
- (Not Reviewed) Oatmeal Cranberry Bites
- (Not Reviewed) Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
- (Not Reviewed) Pasta Fagioli
- (Not Reviewed) Peanut Butter Cookie
- (Not Reviewed) Penne Bolognese
- (Not Reviewed) Red Beans and Rice
- (Not Reviewed) Rotini w/ Meatballs and Tomato Sauce
- (Not Reviewed) Sante Fe Style Chili
- (Not Reviewed) Sesame Ginger Chicken
- (Not Reviewed) Snickerdoodle Cookie
- (Not Reviewed) Sweet and Salty Snack Mix
- (Not Reviewed) Thick Crust Pizza
- (Not Reviewed) Thin Mint Crisp Bar
- (Not Reviewed) Three Cheese Chicken
- (Not Reviewed) Toffee Crunch Cookies
- (Not Reviewed) Trail Mix Bar
- (Not Reviewed) Turbo Shake- Chocolate
- (Not Reviewed) Turbo Shake- Vanilla
- (Not Reviewed) Tuscan Inspired Pasta
- (Not Reviewed) Vanilla Shortbread Sticks
- (Not Reviewed) Vegetarian Chili
- (Not Reviewed) Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookie
- (Not Reviewed) White Cheddar Popcorn
- (Not Reviewed) White Chocolate Chunk Cookie
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About Me
- Katherine Wood
- My family jokes that I have been creative since birth. Maybe, however, it hasn't always been easy. I was diagnosed Dyslexic when I was in elementary school and had trouble with both reading and writing. Remarkably, I overcame my disability and started writing. I won several awards for Young Authors in both elementary and middle school. In 1999, I began writing in earnest. I became a member of Critters and then was invited to the group Critter Litter. Since High School I have completed three full novels. Gideon Biddle: Shadowwalk was my first honest to goodness published book... albeit I self published, but I'll get to that in my blogs. My other creative interests include Costuming, Renaissance Fairs, scrapbooking, interior design, painting, beading, building gingerbread houses, and christmas tree design.
2009 Experiment Log:
This in the information from my first experiment in 2009:
2009 Nutrisystem Standings Final Report
Food Overall Score:
* Breakfast: Average 35/40 +++1/2
* Lunch: Average 33/40 +++
* Dinner: Average 29/40 +++
* Snacks: Average 36/40 +++1/2
Ordering Score:
* Speed: 9/10--Food received 2 days from order.
* Accuracy: 6/10--1 mess up in the ordering amount. (5) Flat Bread Pizza Orders substituted with Sourdough Pizza.
* Quality: 8/ 10-- The food was in good condition. The melting was minimal.
Well Being Score:
* Energy: 8/10-- Energy is going down now that I am teaching again. I can really feel this diet at the end of the day.
* Comfort: 9/10-- Thank goodness the gas does diminish after two months. Otherwise, I'm feeling great. No cramps or muscle aches.
* Esteem: 10/10-- Wow I haven't updated this part of my blog for a while. I'm now down to 146/147 depending on the day. Mostly 146 right now. I'm feeling good. People are starting to notice my weight loss and I'm finding my clothes quite loose. I was so excited the other day. I was able to see a bottom rib! How exciting! 2/7/10
Results Score:
Started: 7/14/2009
Current Weight: 146.4 was 160
Waist: 26.'' was 32.5''
Stomach Pooch: 31'' was 36''
High Hip: 33.75'' was 38''
Around the Butt: 37.5'' was 41''
Bust: 32.75'' was 36''
Bicep: 11.25'' was 12.5''
Thigh: 19.5'' was 25''
Total inches lost so far: 29.25 - 2/7/10 // 27.75 - 9/7 // 24.5'' - 8/28 // 21.50'' - 8/18// 20.25''- 9/11 // 17.25'' - 8/4 // 17'' - 7/28 //12.5''- 7/21 // 9.25''- 7/16 // 8''- 7/14
2009 Nutrisystem Standings Final Report
Food Overall Score:
* Breakfast: Average 35/40 +++1/2
* Lunch: Average 33/40 +++
* Dinner: Average 29/40 +++
* Snacks: Average 36/40 +++1/2
Ordering Score:
* Speed: 9/10--Food received 2 days from order.
* Accuracy: 6/10--1 mess up in the ordering amount. (5) Flat Bread Pizza Orders substituted with Sourdough Pizza.
* Quality: 8/ 10-- The food was in good condition. The melting was minimal.
Well Being Score:
* Energy: 8/10-- Energy is going down now that I am teaching again. I can really feel this diet at the end of the day.
* Comfort: 9/10-- Thank goodness the gas does diminish after two months. Otherwise, I'm feeling great. No cramps or muscle aches.
* Esteem: 10/10-- Wow I haven't updated this part of my blog for a while. I'm now down to 146/147 depending on the day. Mostly 146 right now. I'm feeling good. People are starting to notice my weight loss and I'm finding my clothes quite loose. I was so excited the other day. I was able to see a bottom rib! How exciting! 2/7/10
Results Score:
Started: 7/14/2009
Current Weight: 146.4 was 160
Waist: 26.'' was 32.5''
Stomach Pooch: 31'' was 36''
High Hip: 33.75'' was 38''
Around the Butt: 37.5'' was 41''
Bust: 32.75'' was 36''
Bicep: 11.25'' was 12.5''
Thigh: 19.5'' was 25''
Total inches lost so far: 29.25 - 2/7/10 // 27.75 - 9/7 // 24.5'' - 8/28 // 21.50'' - 8/18// 20.25''- 9/11 // 17.25'' - 8/4 // 17'' - 7/28 //12.5''- 7/21 // 9.25''- 7/16 // 8''- 7/14
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