Friday, August 20, 2010

The Nutrisystem Experiment



For those who don't know my history, I used to be very heavy. Some might (and did) say Orca heavy. Too big to go on some scales heavy (you get the picture). I was able to get down to just "heavy'" with a mix of diet, biking, Weight Watchers, biking, exercise, focus, biking, running, exercise, swimming, and more exercise with some diet thrown in. Many people still ask if I got the surgery. I didn't, but that doesn't mean I didn't consider it.

My weight has fluctuated in a small range until my recent accident and I saw it inching up. That, coupled with a self imposed challenge regarding my weight as one prerequisite to signing up for an Ironman by the first week in November, made me want to find something to jump start my body right sizing. I first considered Jenny Craig but I couldn't seem to get their attention the times I went to their store front. I then decided to give Nutrisystem a try instead since it was similar in approach and I've heard people had success there.

I ordered a standard men's plan but was frustrated when the stuff got delivered. Paperwork was missing. There was no packing slip to see what was included and what wasn't. There was no overview of the plan. I got on the phone and the "counselor" was OK to deal with but I had issues with the ordering/delivery people. I finally confirmed that I got most of what I needed to start and last Saturday, my Nutrisystem experiment began.

I didn't expect to food to be good since I viewed this as a couple of months of medicine. There is a lot of food you need to add to the mix mostly concentrating on veggies, salad, and dairy (none major components of my traditional diet). The highlight of this experiment so far has been the ipad/iphone app that helps tell you what you are supposed to eat daily. It also helps track your consumption.

Whenever I start a diet, I am not a nice person to be around. Luckily, my older daughter went away to cross country camp and my wife used this week as a special get away with my younger daughter to Hershey, PA. They even got a chocolate manicure at the Hershey Spa. Imagine that.

So the first week results (six days only since I started on Saturday but I like to weigh in on Friday morning) are in. I followed the plan fairly close I think but not perfectly. My weight even so has changed by 5.8 lbs this week. This is a little better than my expectations (I was expecting 5 lbs down for week one and for about 2 lbs thereafter). I'm still heavier than before my accident in July though.

So, overall a decent start but continued focus needed to follow the right path. Eleven weeks to go.

13 comments:

Pahla said...

Wow!! That's a great jumpstart! Congrats, and keep up the good work!

Ewa said...

That is a really great start.
Will your mood improve before your family comes back? :)

Tri Mommy said...

It's a good start... keep up the good work!

Emz said...

Even though you are a jamoosh supporter ;) ------------ keep it up!!

teacherwoman said...

Sounds like a great start! Keep up the good work!

Unknown said...

off to a good start indeed!

Kathleen said...

Great job, keep it up!

The Boring Runner said...

Keep it up! I know quite a few people who have had really good luck with this.

Al's CL Reviews said...

Great job!

Big Clyde said...

Nice one, Rock.

For some of us big guys out here, can you give us a bit more history about your "orca weight"? How much were you at some point and what got you moving initially to get down to your racing weight?

Julie said...

Way to go Rock Star! You can do this:)

Whenever I try to give up soda I turn into the biggest cranky lady around:) I feel for you! Good luck and keep it up!

Caratunk Girl said...

Good luck Joe, keep up the great work! Holy crap, almost 6lbs the first week? That is awesome. Keep up the great work!

Anonymous said...

That's a great start. Kepp up the momentum!