Experience with Pre-Packaged Food Diets

[DustyMom]

DH and I both did Nutrisystem for 4 months (started in Jan and stopped in Apr). DH lost 20 lb, I lost 15 lb. Post-Nutrisystem, we've continued eating in the much smaller portions we got used to with Nutrisystem and we also continued eating more frequently - snacks between breakfast and lunch and between lunch and dinner. We read labels and try to choose things with more protein and/or fiber and less sugar and/or sodium. I try to stick with shopping the edges of the grocery store (produce/meat/dairy). We've both been exercising and actually tracking our weight. Before Nutrisystem, we didn't even own a scale! We've continued losing weight post-Nutrisystem just not at the same rate (DH another 10 lb, me another 7 lb), but that's OK. At some point soon, we'll just want to maintain, not lose anymore. I don't know for sure what part has contributed the most success, but I am attributing it to the frequent "grazing" throughout the day, the constant monitoring with the scale and my Fitbit nagging me to get those 10,000 steps.

 

[ERD50]

For as long as I can remember, the only thing that touched these lips were all labeled low cal, no cal, low fat, no fat, skim, lite, zero, substitute, etc... I hadn't tasted real butter or milk..in... years. Real sweets of any kind.. just the thought made me feel guilty (but luckily was never really a sweet eater).
About a month ago, I thought... ferget this!! I got rid of everything in my house that was "diet" type or "fake" and started eating things like real butter, almond milk no sugar added, full fat cottage cheese, real honey (no white sugar or flour), etc.. and I actually feel better! Now that may be all in my head, but hey... I'll take that! Now whether I'll lose any weight, I don't know..I got rid of my scale too!
When my clothes start feeling less constricting, I'll know I'm on the right path!

Well, a month isn't a very long time.

I tend to agree that most of the labelled, 'low this or that' isn't helpful. It just substitutes the latest 'demon' form of food with the latest 'golden haired' form of food.

I have a beer or 2 each night, but if I were really struggling with my weight, I'd re-evaluate that. When I wanted to cut back on the amount of coffee I was drinking, I tried a substitution process that worked for me. I made a rule that I would drink a half glass of water with every cup of coffee. Did that for 2-3 weeks. Then made the rule to drink a full glass of water with each cup of coffee. Did that for 2-3 weeks. Then made the rule to drink half of the glass of water before each cup of coffee. After a few weeks, I craved water instead of coffee! But I still got my coffee 'treat', but with all that water consumption, just naturally cut back on how much coffee I drank. It was painless.

Also, your comment 'real honey (no white sugar or flour)'. Sorry, but 'real honey' is almost all sugar ( a few bees knees mixed in). About the same fructose/glucose ratio as that 'reviled' HFCS. Honey is sugar, lots of (almost) empty calories that won't make you feel full. Don't kid yourself, honey is sugar.

So yea, I think you may need to cut the booze down. Give the other stuff more time. Keep moving. And as others have said, an accurate measure of calories is tough, you might be taking in more than you think? When I've been successful at losing weight, I didn't worry about the absolute numbers, I just considered that if I wasn't losing, I needed a combo of less food and/or more activity. But having an idea of calories helps you to choose food that is filling relative to calories.

-ERD50

 

[ERD50]

... Now whether I'll lose any weight, I don't know..I got rid of my scale too!
When my clothes start feeling less constricting, I'll know I'm on the right path!

Ooops, forgot to comment on this.

OK, if one gains muscle and loses fat, they may be more fit at the same or even higher weight, but....

I think it takes a while, and some real change in activity to add significant muscle mass.

One of the best things for helping me keep the weight off that I lost, is to weigh myself each and every day. I get out of bed, pee, and get on the scale and write it down. Yes, there is variation day to day, but any trend becomes apparent very quickly.

I think I mentioned this in the 'pet peeve' thread, but a pet-peeve of mine is all these diet articles that say weigh yourself no more often than once a week. They seem to think the variation is a problem. Well, I was involved in measurement systems most of my career, and when a measurement varies, you measure it more often, not less. Those dietitians are not metrologists (Metrology is the science of measurement - see wiki).

So weigh yourself every day, on a good digital scale to avoid reading errors - if possible, avoid the ones with a 'memory' that tries to replicate the most recent 'close' weight to appear more 'accurate' (repeatability is not accuracy). After 5 days, throw out the 2 lows and 2 highs, and you are left with the median. The median should be dropping. If not, take corrective action. Maybe you can allow for muscle mass over a period of time, if you think you look and feel better, but that weight will still be a guideline for you at that new muscle-mass weight.

-ERD50

 

[KimInWis]

Well, a month isn't a very long time.

I tend to agree that most of the labelled, 'low this or that' isn't helpful. It just substitutes the latest 'demon' form of food for the latest 'golden haired' form of food.

I have a beer or 2 each night, but if I were really struggling with my weight, I'd re-evaluate that. When I wanted to cut back on the amount of coffee I was drinking, I tried a substitution process that worked for me. I made a rule that I would drink a half glass of water with every cup of coffee. Did that for 2-3 weeks. Then made the rule to drink a full glass of water with each cup of coffee. Did that for 2-3 weeks. Then made the rule to drink half of the glass of water before each cup of coffee. After a few weeks, I craved water instead of coffee! But I still got my coffee 'treat', but with all that water consumption, just naturally cut back on how much coffee I drank. It was painless.

Also, your comment 'real honey (no white sugar or flour)'. Sorry, but 'real honey' is almost all sugar ( a few bees knees mixed in). About the same fructose/glucose ratio as that 'reviled' HFCS. Honey is sugar, lots of (almost) empty calories that won't make you feel full. Don't kid yourself, honey is sugar.

So yea, I think you may need to cut the booze down. Give the other stuff more time. Keep moving. And as others have said, an accurate measure of calories is tough, you might be taking in more than you think? When I've been successful at losing weight, I didn't worry about the absolute numbers, I just considered that if I wasn't losing, I needed a combo of less food and/or more activity. But having an idea of calories helps you to choose food that is filling relative to calories.

-ERD50

Ya Know...
If I cant have a couple of drinks a night after all the long days/nights I've put in over the years... well... the heck with ya..

 

[MRG]

Good points ERD50.

I know that 200 calories doesn't sound like much. Do the math. If you are eating an extra 200 calories daily you WILL gain 20 pounds every year! No less, it is science. No matter how unique we are(unless there is a medical condition) it's "a calorie is a calorie".

200*365/3500=20.86

 

[Ronstar]

I lost about 10 lbs in a month on Nutrisystem about 10 years ago. That was about as long as I could handle the food. I've had far better success just by cutting portion, size, eating healthier, and getting more exercise.

 

[ERD50]

Ya Know...
If I cant have a couple of drinks a night after all the long days/nights I've put in over the years... well... the heck with ya..

I understand! When I was trying to lose weight (and succeeded), there was some frustration on my part. I don't spend hours and hours and $$$ on sports, I don't gamble, I don't spend big $$$ on cars - sheesh, can't I just have a couple beers and a decent sized plate of home cooked, well prepared food, and a little dessert with my dinner?

Well, for me - the answer was "No!". I had to cut back and/or increase my activity by a large margin. The charts of activity and calories burnt were not encouraging. There was only one answer, and it didn't matter if I like the answer or not. BTW, I never eliminated anything completly. For me, that would seem like deprivation. I cut back. Not easy, but not really as hard as I thought. The larger portion sizes were mostly a habit that I had to break. For example, one piece of toast with PB&Jam instead of two for breakfast. Half the calories, and it wasn't hard, but it did take discipline and constant attention to not slip back on my part.

Facing that reality helped me. Everything else was just trying to fool myself, and it never worked.

And I understand people can be wired differently. Cutting back, while not easy for me, may be harder for others. I don't know, but I cant see any way around it. Wishing it were different won't work.

-ERD50

 

[harley]

Ya Know...
If I cant have a couple of drinks a night after all the long days/nights I've put in over the years... well... the heck with ya..

A nice sativa is zero calories. It will give you a bit of energy, so you can work out or take a walk or something. You do have to willpower through the munchies, but it can be done. Or have something lower cal than the scotch. A nice buzz and a few celery sticks, that's the way to a slimmer you.

 

[Sunset]

Yes, I used those frozen dinners (and still do) making sure none were over
300 cals, that's how I was able to fairly easy keep track of my calories during the day (always under 1200, normally 1000). I figured I could do the same with those type of meals as the Jenny Craig stuff, but it didn't work... that's why I thought, maybe their plan was better since they claim they have right ratio of fats, proteins, fiber, nutrients, etc... to lose weight.

Simple fact, Only vegetation can make body mass from the air and water, humans have to eat more calories than they burn to get fatter.

So perhaps you are fooling yourself or not admitting to eating more than you say, or your exercise routine is too slack/short/easy/not done.

You won't find a magic easy answer because there is none.

So perhaps you need to get out of the house and walk around the blocks at lunchtime, my neighbor did this for 6 months and you can see she has lost a noticeable amount of weight.
Walk a mile, will only take 20 minutes, and in a month make it a 2 mile. Walk, see the sunshine and fresh air.

 

[ivinsfan]

Ya Know...
If I cant have a couple of drinks a night after all the long days/nights I've put in over the years... well... the heck with ya..

That's your call, have you done any reading about the effects of liquor on your metabolism. I'm 63 and 13 years into low carb, but do eat healthy fats and find I have to watch everything I eat and drink. It get harder every year to balance things out.

 

[haha]

Ya Know...
If I cant have a couple of drinks a night after all the long days/nights I've put in over the years... well... the heck with ya..

I give you permission to drink whatever you want, in whatever quantity you wish. Some people do this and live to a ripe old age. And I have sen plenty fat beer drinkers, but darn few fat whiskey drinkers. A few with the shakes,. but thin nonetheless.

Ha

 

[Amethyst]

It's great that you're trying to eat healthy real foods instead of "diet" stuff. Trouble is, for most women, the amount of such foods we can eat without gaining weight is surprisingly small. Portions of full-fat food have to be monitored more carefully than portions of lower-calorie foods. The "pre-packaged" food that I've sampled, seems to try to make up for this by adding a lot of salt and flavorings to the modest portions in the package.

Also, the amount and duration of exercise needs to go up as we age. The amount of exercise that kept me slim and trim at 35, won't do the job now. My choices are: exercise more, or lose muscle and gain fat. As we age, our metabolisms tend to adopt the notion of "I've worked hard all your life; now, I get to slow down!" It is wrong and unfair, and I would vote against it, but it's nature's law - not man's. Edit: Actually I wouldn't even care that much about gaining fat, except that I have high cholesterol, and a family history rife with heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

 

[Amethyst]

+1 Google the articles on "Biggest Loser" participants becoming even fatter than they were before the show - while eating less than they used to eat before participating in the contest.

Have you been restricting calories for some time? It is well known that the body reacts to chronic calorie restriction by getting very good at holding on to energy intake. By various means, but mainly by subtly restricting energy expenditure that is not part of deliberate exercise.

Ha

 

[ivinsfan]

It's great that you're trying to eat healthy real foods instead of "diet" stuff. Trouble is, for most women, the amount of such foods we can eat without gaining weight is surprisingly small. Portions of full-fat food have to be monitored more carefully than portions of lower-calorie foods. The "pre-packaged" food that I've sampled, seems to try to make up for this by adding a lot of salt and flavorings to the modest portions in the package.

Also, the amount and duration of exercise needs to go up as we age. The amount of exercise that kept me slim and trim at 35, won't do the job now. My choices are: exercise more, or lose muscle and gain fat. As we age, our metabolisms tend to adopt the notion of "I've worked hard all your life; now, I get to slow down!" It is wrong and unfair, and I would vote against it, but it's nature's law - not man's. Edit: Actually I wouldn't even care that much about gaining fat, except that I have high cholesterol, and a family history rife with heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Ditto, and I also don't to have a go out and buy new clothes..that's not very LBYM

 

[Bamaman]

My wife went on Nutrasystem. Coming from a region with really, really good cuisine, she couldn't stomach the food.

Most would do better trying to go on a very low cholestrol diet--nothing white, no bread, no white sugars.

 

[ivinsfan]

My wife went on Nutrasystem. Coming from a region with really, really good cuisine, she couldn't stomach the food.

Most would do better trying to go on a very low cholestrol diet--nothing white, no bread, no white sugars.

Is this what you meant to say..?

 

[sengsational]

Everyone that I know that did the pre-packaged meals gained the weight back. They never learned how to eat real food and they don't exercise enough. Did you say you exercise for 45 minutes at your house during lunch? Are you then getting showered and driving back to work? It's not enough. You are probably sitting most of the time during the day. Put down the drinks when you get home and workout instead of drinking and sitting. One of my friends thought she was doing good by walking 2 miles every day, you only burn about 180 calories. It's great that she's doing something but she's not going to lose weight that way but she thinks it's enough.

I think that the only diet you should undertake is one you are willing to continue your whole life. Any temporary diet that ends will put you squarely on the path to your previous weight. That, in itself, rules out packaged diets. I suppose you could use packaged diets to "learn how to eat", but most of them are low fat to keep calories down, so exacerbate the blood sugar roller-coaster and the effect that has on appetite... nobody has that much willpower.

 

[eytonxav]

I think that the only diet you should undertake is one you are willing to continue your whole life. Any temporary diet that ends will put you squarely on the path to your previous weight. That, in itself, rules out packaged diets.

+1, The idea of diet is problematic, as they tend to be short term and not permanent solutions. How about getting on a good long term nutrition plan.

 

[HFWR]

A nice sativa is zero calories.

More of an indica guy myself, but good luck overpowering those munchies.

Although being subjected to microwave dinners could help... Eat real food, not too much.

 

[Dog]

I changed my eating habit a couple of years ago (around 55 yo). I was working out a lot - sometimes 2x/day (spin, yoga, Bodypump, running). I was fit, but I still had fat around my mid section. I went to a specialist that trains women for bodybuilder competitions. He said I was doing too much cardio and needed to focus more on lifting to build muscle. He also gave me an eating plan that had me eating smaller meals every 3 hours adding more protein and less carbs. I was eating more often and healthier whole foods. Also, increased how much water I was drinking. I was allowed a couple of cheat meals each week that allowed me to have wine or whatever. Just needed to consume it in within an hour and not allow the cheat meal to go on all night
I built muscle mass, lost fat and dropped 2 sizes. Basically it ramped up my metabolism. I've been able to pretty much maintain. If my pants start feeling tight in the waist, I buckle down. I feel the best I've felt in 20 years (now 58).



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[rrice123]

I have been doing Ideal Protein and have lost 35 lbs. I'm 61 and when I went through menopause I gained weight. I had been trying for years to lose, even eating around 1000 a day with no luck. I had also done low carb a lot of the time...I could usually maintain but not lose with this. I've always eaten pretty healthy, with hardly no processed or white carbs.

I eat 3 of their foods and then an additional 8 oz of protein plus 4 cups of low carb veggies and 2 tsp of good fat a day. I need to lose about 20 more pounds. I will add that about twice a week we go out and I do have a few drinks, and this has not kept me from losing...of course they don't recommend this.

We travel a good bit and I will usually gain several pounds. The very next day after trip I'm right back on plan and am back down in about a week.


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[ElizabethT]

Simple fact, Only vegetation can make body mass from the air and water, humans have to eat more calories than they burn to get fatter.

Best quote ever, and I'm totally stealing it.

The science of metabolism may be dry reading, and we may not like it, but it is what it is. When my daily caloric consumption goes down, so does my weight.

As I've gotten older and wiser, I've learned the benefits of choosing foods that boost my energy (nuts, good fats, protein and complex carbs) vs those that don't (refined sugar and bad fats primarily). The former group helps moderate my blood sugar, which then moderates my appetite. The second group does just the opposite.

Changing how and how much one eats is hard, no question, but it's the only way I know to maintain my weight as I get older.

 

[braumeister]

Changing how and how much one eats is hard, no question, but it's the only way I know to maintain my weight as I get older.

Surely there's a pill for that? If not, what the hell are we paying all those scientists' salaries for?

 

[ElizabethT]

Surely there's a pill for that? If not, what the hell are we paying all those scientists' salaries for?

Ha! And there was already at least one suggestion about drugs earlier in this thread . . .

 

[MRG]

The attached link is a flowchart from MFP.
It's the goto resource when someone is having issues with dropping weight.


http://cd8ba0b44a15c10065fd-24461f3....vanillaforums.com/editor/lg/guue2jpr1xe7.jpg


I spent a fair amount of time on their site as we were learning how to eat and lose weight. I've read stories of how thousands of people lose many pounds(some 200-300) and "the secret" is eating nutrient rich foods that keep you satisfied and in a caloric deficit. Folks do that in many different ways but they all agree to CICO.