Losing weight requires being mindful of the number of calories you are eating of all types of food. In today's world of super-sized meals, it has become harder to identify what an actual serving size of food is, which can lead to eating a lot more calories than you realize. Having to weigh and measure everything you eat to control calorie intake can be time consuming. Given this, some turn to prepackaged meals such as Nutrisystem. The amount of weight you can lose on the Nutrisystem plan depends on how strictly you follow the program.
Nutrisystem
When following the Nutrisystem diet you eat prepackaged meals bought from Nutrisystem, which you supplement with fruits, vegetables and dairy products from the grocery store. The diet focuses on low glycemic index foods and staggered meals to help curb hunger and keep blood sugar levels steady, says the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. On average, the plan costs about $350 per month, at the time of publication. Because the meals are prepackaged, following this plan can help you cut back on calorie intake without having to plan out your meals or measure portions.
Weight Loss
The Nutrisystem plan encourages eating regular, well-balanced meals with the goal of slow and steady weight loss. On average members tend to lose about 1 to 2 lbs. per week as long as they follow the diet strictly, notes Nutrisystem.com. To help you stay on the plan, Nutrisystem provides you with meal trackers, online diaries and sample meal plans. The website notes that the results shown in some of its ads or featured in its weight-loss success stories are not typical and that the online models are paid for their testimonials.
Safety
When it comes to weight loss, those who are most successful at reaching their goal weight and keeping the weight off aim for a slow and steady weight loss of 1 to 2 lbs. per week, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is important to approach your weight loss as a lifelong process, rather than a short-term diet. While the Nutrisystem diet can make it easier because your meals are planned out, you can lose the same amount of weight by making changes to your eating habits. When deciding on a plan, you need to weigh out the cost of the plan versus the money you would spend on food and the time required to prepare it.
Considerations
To maintain weight lost while on Nutrisystem, it is important to not go back to your old eating habits if you decide to go off the plan. While having prepackaged meals delivered to your door makes losing weight easier, it does not help you address the underlying reasons why you are over eating or teach you to prepare healthy foods on your own. In addition, the Nutrisystem diet plan does not promote regular exercise and physical activity, which plays a large role in successful long-term weight management, especially as you get closer to your goal weight or are trying to maintain weight loss. You can only cut your calorie intake back so far before you risk malnutrition and feeling deprived. However, regular exercise can help to boost your metabolism and burn off calories. Following a plan like Nutrisystem may help to jump-start your weight loss program while you are developing healthy behaviors.
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