People just don't get it

[FightingTheFight]

I was watching the Tv the other night and This commercial for Nutrasystem came on.

For those of you who don't know about it, its a low GI diet, they prepackage foods for you for the entire week and send them to you. I think its around 250 a month.

Anyway, the commercial says this, "We will teach you how to determine Good Carbs from bad carbs, no more avoiding them all!. Then it goes on to show a picture of chocalate cake, and a lady saying, "Any diet that allows me to eat chocalate cake is the diet for me!" I just don't get it....don't these people understand? or is ignorance really that bliss?

I guess people see dieting as a "Fad" thing to do. Not really to be taken serious, just something people do sometimes. Almost a joke.

[not2late]

Re: People just don't get it

I was watching the Tv the other night and This commercial for Nutrasystem came on.

For those of you who don't know about it, its a low GI diet, they prepackage foods for you for the entire week and send them to you. I think its around 250 a month.

Anyway, the commercial says this, "We will teach you how to determine Good Carbs from bad carbs, no more avoiding them all!. Then it goes on to show a picture of chocalate cake, and a lady saying, "Any diet that allows me to eat chocalate cake is the diet for me!" I just don't get it....don't these people understand? or is ignorance really that bliss?

I guess people see dieting as a "Fad" thing to do. Not really to be taken serious, just something people do sometimes. Almost a joke.

Lemme get this straight....

They send you prepackaged meals and that supposedly teaches you to determine good carbs from bad carbs???? ummm....I'm probably missing something but, to me, that "teaches" you about as much good eating habits as drinking 2 shakes and eating "one sensible" meal does. :confused

[ttdriver]

And what happens when you don't eat their food? To me that's not realistic at all.

Give a man a fish, he eats for a day; teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime. Atkins has taught me how to eat for the rest of my life. Guaranteed lifetime success.

Betty

[FightingTheFight]

I didn't think it made sense either, but some people seem to think it does. Heres a spigget from their site.

The program features great-tasting NutriSystem® Nourish™ meals and desserts (see complete list below) that you select online (or on the phone), and that arrive on your doorstep.

NutriSystem entrees are either ready to eat immediately, or prepare in just a couple of minutes in the microwave or by adding a little hot water. So, no matter how difficult it has been in the past to create a healthy, balanced meal, you now have a simple solution to eating well! Here's how:

We designed the NutriSystem Nourish foods to include low Glycemic Index carbohydrates and the right amounts of protein and fiber, yet to still be low in fat! Each one of them fits into the NutriSystem Nourish low-glycemic meal plan that's very easy to follow. You just grab an entrée, add-in a few grocery items (like fresh fruits, vegetables and salads), and you're ready to go. You eat five times a day and are never left feeling hungry or craving for more.

And since all of the meals already provide the correct portion of food, there is no weighing, measuring or counting calories, points or carbs. It's a no-brainer plan that fuels your metabolism for maximum weight loss results! Plus, you can call or email our counselors, nutritionists and dietitians for free and without ever going to a meeting.

And the cost? 279.00 the the Men's package, Or if you have to lose less than 10lbs, its 310 dollars!!!!!

I will begin to laugh now.....ha ha

[not2late]

And since all of the meals already provide the correct portion of food, there is no weighing, measuring or counting calories, points or carbs. It's a no-brainer plan that fuels your metabolism for maximum weight loss results! Plus, you can call or email our counselors, nutritionists and dietitians for free and without ever going to a meeting.

So I guess the teaching involved is teaching you to be dependent on them.

[dreamof145]

Our society has become so lazy in everything we do including the weight-loss. Instead of watching what you eat and getting your body in motion, you can pop a pill, order pre-packaged meals or hire a personal trainer at the gym to make it miraculously happen. Since it doesn't happen this way, you will continue to pay for the 'miracle' and someone's wallet will be getting thicker. But...you are not getting thinner or healthier.

Everytime I see a tv commercial, hear one on the radio or read one in an ad, I can't help but think about the way they use the right words, music and tone to feed on the minds of unhappy overweight people. If you are unhappy and someone comes along with a MIRACLE, then some people will jump on it and try to get thin and happy. When it doesn't work, they continue eating their unhealthy way, gain more weight and wait for the next miracle to come along with a promise to them. I think they are either too lazy or don't have the knowledge to know that if you want it -- you have to make it happen.

I'm glad that I learned how to eat properly and work out to lose my weight this past year. I can never say again that I can't help it that I am fat.

[ttdriver]

I'm glad that I learned how to eat properly and work out to lose my weight this past year. I can never say again that I can't help it that I am fat.

:clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping

AMEN!

Betty

[Isabeau]

Well said, Dream.

[Effie]

NutriSystem is very similar to Jenny Craig. I agree with everyone else here that it is a scam that doesn't teach you anything. I will admit that I joined Jenny Craig last summer for about 3 weeks. The only reason I stopped is because it was WAY too expensive. I was still spending about $50/week at the grocery store in addition to the $120/week for pre-packaged food, so I just couldn't justify the cost. The reason I went was that I was feeling so out of control and so... helpless. I think 99% of overweight people KNOW how to lose weight. I know I did. I could've picked out the healthiest meal and designed an entire exercise regime. My eating was so out of control that I couldn't even pretend to start doing what I knew was right. It's pretty scary when you're that far out of control that you can't help yourself.

Something has to click in your brain to snap you out of that fat spell before you can even begin to think about taking action. I spent way too much time going through the motions before I "got it." If I could pinpoint that moment in time, figure out what caused that snap, and then bottle & sell THAT, well then we'd really have a miracle pill. :nod

[divaindubai]

I am anoher ex-Jenny Craiger, and have tried it a few times. The first time I was on it, was way back in 1996 and my weight went down to 209 lbs...but their food is very small portions and yeah they get off saying "oh wow you can still eat chocolate cakes, and cheesies and lose weight, its all about portion size honey" lol :yikes What kind of a way to teach people about how to eat and lose weight and keep it off is that??

This WOE is makes much more sense to me, and I'm committed for life...I am having trouble at the moment sticking 100% but I know I'm changing for the better over time, and keep on ironing the wrinkles or stumbling blocks that come in my way....

[Iapetus999]

I hate to break it to you guys but diets don't work.
Trying to say that Atkins is "better" than other diets doesn't really go very far.

Most people need to realize is that they need to discover a way to eat for the rest of their lives...not just long enough to fit into a bikini or whatever.
Who has time for WW or JC etc? Just make good choices every day...exercise often and you'll be fine.

I paid nothing except my $7/month gym fee to lose this weight (I had a gift cert I used to pay for DANDR)
(Oh yeah there was that spendy Personal Training at the gym too... )
BUT I didn't listen to any of my trainer's diet advice :icondance

Most people feel much better when they work out and eat low carb...they think that one piece of cake won't hurt but then they feel like crap.
I guess everyone needs to figure it out for themselves.

[ttdriver]

Isn't it amazing that 100 years ago, there were no such things as Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem and yet obesity was not rampant as it is today....

So, eat like your grandparents (eggs, bacon, lard, butter, etc and eliminate white flour and sugar and work yourself PHYSICALLY .. (i.e. exercise!) and see what happens!

Betty

[sadie147]

I hate to break it to you guys but diets don't work.
Trying to say that Atkins is "better" than other diets doesn't really go very far.

Most people need to realize is that they need to discover a way to eat for the rest of their lives...not just long enough to fit into a bikini or whatever.
Who has time for WW or JC etc? Just make good choices every day...exercise often and you'll be fine.

I paid nothing except my $7/month gym fee to lose this weight (I had a gift cert I used to pay for DANDR)
(Oh yeah there was that spendy Personal Training at the gym too... )
BUT I didn't listen to any of my trainer's diet advice :icondance

Most people feel much better when they work out and eat low carb...they think that one piece of cake won't hurt but then they feel like crap.
I guess everyone needs to figure it out for themselves.

I agree, if you treat Atkins as a 'quick fix' diet, i think you're setting yourself up for failure as well. I don't think we can blame the diet plans themselves...you need to change your way of eating for life. Obviously buying your food from Jenny Craig for the rest of your life is not practical, which is why it most likely wont work. I believe that many different ways of eating will work, i know ppl who have been successful on low fat and low cal plans(including me)..but it was treated as a diet, and not a way of life.

As well...i have seen people do this on Atkins. It is not the 'fix' for everything, it's another way of eating just like low cal and low fat..i just think it tends to be a little more liveable as the foods are more enjoyable. If you do not change your eating habits for life, and you go back to your old habits, you will gain your weight back. Period.

On a side note: there was a commercial on TV here the last couple of weeks for 'LA Weight Loss Centres' they had a girl doing a testimonial, with a picture of the 'heavier' her in the background and said 'Suzy' lost 45 lbs etc. I actually read the fine print below...and it said "This is not an actual testimonial, this is an actor and the before picture is computer enhanced to show and example of what a member can expect" :yikes I am floored they can do that!

[Effie]

I hate to break it to you guys but diets don't work.
Trying to say that Atkins is "better" than other diets doesn't really go very far.

Maybe I'm being defensive, but I just want to clarify that this remark wasn't directed to anyone in particular? It sounds like everyone on this board is in agreement with Fighting's original post. I posted my experience re: Jenny Craig to share what a person's mindset is when they join something like that. I'm not saying I think it's a good program, and I definitely know Atkins isn't a "quick fix diet".

<putting my dukes down now>

[soliwit]

It's a no-brainer plan

This part had me on the floor of laughing
how right they are
it's a total no brainer plan