Week 1 of Nutrisystem Success Nearing an End!

I am nearing the end of my first week of Nutrisystem Success Program and I have good and bad things to say about the Success program.  As always, I promise to be truthful here on my blog – especially in reviews of products and services.

The program includes a breakfast entrée, protein drink, lunch entrée, dinner entrée and a snack/dessert.  I am to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables as well as what they call PowerFuels and SmartCarbs throughout the day to complete the program.  Following the guidelines I have setup my additional add-ins and measured to make sure I do get the exact amounts suggested.  I want to stay within the calorie range they recommend.  I’ve continued drinking more water and exercising each day as well.

This week due to my Dad having tests run and us finding out he will be having a triple bypass surgery next week some time (yet another reason I need/want to get healthy), my schedule has been WAY out of whack.  I've been literally eating on the run - in the car - and when I had a chance.  I was super impressed with the ease in grabbing the meal bars and a few good add-ins and going.  I have to say - that although the temptation to pull through the drive through was strong, I totally managed to avoid that for myself all week!

The BAD I’ve found so far:

• I feel like I’m eating MORE now than I ever do.  I honestly love food, but generally speaking don’t eat this much every day.  My big meals tend to be on the weekends but throughout the week I eat much smaller meals/portions than I am now with Nutrisystem.
• The protein shakes are well, disgusting.  I’ve tried all the flavors and nope – just can’t seem to drink them.  I realize this is part of the program but it is VERY difficult to drink when you are gagging the whole time and nauseated for an hour afterwards.  Lol!  Protein shakes just NEVER taste good – I don’t care who you are – they are not “delicious” in any way shape or form!!!
• The products are labeled as low sodium and the instructions on add-ins recommend using no or little salt.  I am not a HUGE salt person usually – but I wonder, could I be retaining water because there is NO salt in my food these days?  Hmm..just a thought to ponder since for a couple of days early in the week I felt very bloated and the scale jumped up.  (Not pms nor tummy issues either.)

The GOOD I’ve found so far:

• The majority of the food provided is delicious.  Although some of the “Mexican” dishes are overly spicy – overall I have found everything to be well seasoned and tasty.  Textures have been great so far and overall the food is definitely what I call “high end tv dinner” quality. 
• I finally found a meal replacement bar that doesn’t taste like a protein bar and that is satisfying!  The Double Chocolate Caramel Meal Replacement bar is a new favorite of mine.  Super soft/crunch/yummy! 
• The online support forum is a fabulous place to go for help with questions, venting and overall weight loss support.  The people there have all BEEN in my shoes before or ARE in my shoes now.  There is honesty about the food and the program, yet a sense of camaraderie that I haven’t felt since I participated in a Mommy Forum several years ago.  I can foresee making lifelong friends there.

Overall my first week with the program has been good.  I am concerned about the weight gain at this point as well as the fact that I feel like I’m eating more than I normally would, but I imagine both of those things will settle out in the next few weeks.  The program is easy to follow and there are tons of good suggestions in the books and on the website of how to get in your extra water, veggies, fruit and of course exercise. And for someone who has had to pack easy to eat lunches all week (that didn't require much if any refrigeration or reheating) the options were superb.  I was totally wowed by the Chicken Salad also!  Definitely on my must get list next month too!
 

**I was not monetarily compensated for my review of the Nutrisystem Success Program.  I received the products and support as part of the Nutrisystem Blog Nation program in exchange for my honest review on this blog.**

Thanks to Nutrisystem for including me in this awesome opportunity!  Are you overweight and need a boost of help to drop a few or a lot of extra pounds?  Check out Nutrisystem today!  Or call them at 1-888-853-4689!