Do you want to succeed on your weight loss plan?

I wrote this entry when I was doing Nutrisystem a couple of years ago.  NUTRISYSTEM WORKS.  It worked for me.  It works for thousands of others.  What happens is that after Nutrisystem many of us think we have reached the finish line and never have to diet again…so we start eating the wrong foods in the wrong portions and we stop exercising.  The weight comes back.  It isn’t Nutrisystem’s fault.  It is ours.

Here is what I wrote…before I failed again.

“I have been on NS since October 17, 2008. That's 27 weeks. I intend to lose about 80 pounds. So far I have lost 43.5 pounds which is about 1.6 pounds per week. Some weeks I lost 4, some I lost zero. Sometimes I stayed the same for weeks on end. There were days I was frustrated, days I was hungry, days I wanted to cheat in a BIG way. But here's the thing...I just stuck with the plan. I drink 10-12 glasses of water each day. I exercise most days - at first it was walking the dog more often, then I increased to walking faster alone, now I run and walk the dog and do Pilates. It's amazing how much better one feels without the excess weight. I eat on program - whether it is actual NS foods or substitutes that fit in calorie/fiber/carb/protein-wise. I keep my portions in control.

No, I don't think I'm perfect. I have consumed about 8 glasses of wine in the last 27 weeks. I had a small hot fudge sundae on vacation and a piece of baklava. There have been pizza bites. I still forget to eat sometimes. Occasionally I long for foods I know are not good for my health. I know this will always be part of my life, but I also know that being conscious of my eating behavior will ALSO always be part of my life. And I know that losing this weight is going to be good for my heart, mind, joints, and other organs. Plus I am going to look better and have more energy for fun things.

I get cranky when I read about new members who are ready to throw in the towel after 3 days or a week or two. I want to scream when I hear about people who don't eat all of their prescribed calories for the day - STARVATION IS BAD - you won't lose weight if you don't fuel your body. How long did it take to put on this weight people? I didn't wake up one day with 80 pounds to lose. I woke up and REALIZED I had 80 pounds to lose that had crept on over months and months of poor choices. I have to stop myself from commenting when people say they are almost 100% on plan except for that case of doughnuts they ate. I get irritated when the first blogs of new members include questions about how to include regular drinking of alcohol, the "special" event cake/pie/meal/buffet/whatever dispensation, etc. I don't comment because I am not intolerant, but I am flabbergasted. Why does anyone purchase NS if they don't intend to follow it to the letter?

NS is NOT the way you ate to get here. NS is the way you SHOULD eat if you never want to be here again. If you are doing the NS program, then you have realized that you need help. Maybe you are the person who prays for guidance...well, this IS the answer to those prayers. Maybe you are a person who has failed at other diets, but you are determined to succeed this time. Good. Then follow the plan. Don't look for ways to go off plan...look for ways to include the plan into your life.

I think when we diet sometimes we are ashamed that we need NS (or anything else) to achieve weight loss. Why? Would you be ashamed if you needed medication for an illness? A cast for a broken bone? Assistance for learning? A loan to buy a home or car? No. You wouldn't be ashamed to ask for help in any other situation, SO DO NOT BE ASHAMED OF USING NS TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOAL.

Don't let others sabotage your efforts. Pack your NS meals ahead of time. Prep vegetables and salads ahead of time so they are ready to grab. Cut protein servings and put them in baggies. Drink your water. Learn to say "no, thank you" and MEAN it. Get yourself out for a walk or do the DVD at home. Weather is not an excuse for idleness...and if you have a physical impediment there are oodles of "sit and be fit" types of exercise DVDs.

If you feel like you need help, reach out. There are great NS counselors available to you. There is someone on the blogs or in a discussion group who has been where you are at some point. If you're having a great day - or a bad one - you can get love and support here. If you're making mistakes (and we all do) I guarantee you that you will be set straight. Tough love is definitely present. If you don't like someone's blog, don't comment. If you do, show your support. If you feel like a blog is directed at you (it probably isn't) then maybe you should think about why it hits home. I know I am often surprised by what speaks directly to me.

Here's the most important secret to success: BE YOUR OWN ALLY. Be the person you need to support you...the person who makes wise choices...the person who loves YOU unconditionally. Because the sooner you embrace your NS journey the sooner you will be at goal.

Success to everyone.”

I am on track now.  I am not using Nutrisystem this time, but I am eating healthily and in portion control with the help of the online trackers.  Nutrisystem definitely helped me get perspective.  I just need to keep it.

If anyone needs support, reach out to me.  I will respond and I have been where you are.