Wedding Blog

I quote Grease lyrics only because the pounds are coming off like Greased Lightning. Thank you, Nutrisystem!

As I posted before, I joined Nutrisystem to lose those last couple of wedding pounds the 25 some odd pounds I gained in the last couple of years, since I met Mr. Daisy (and simultaneously continued my illicit affairs with my true loves: cheeseburgers, pizza, bacon and mozzarella sticks).

And so far, so awesome. I started the diet just over two weeks ago, when giant boxes of food arrived at our doorstep. None of the food needs to be refrigerated since it’s all highly processed and vacuum sealed. (I try not to think too hard about what it actually is I am eating that can stay “fresh” at any temperature).

Anyway, the Nutrisystem plan works like this (at least it does for women, men get extra food. bastards!):

• Breakfast: Nutrisystem breakfast (can be anything from eggs, granola bars, cereal, muffins, etc.); one serving fruit; one serving dairy or protein (like an ounce of lowfat/fat free cheese, 8 oz. fat free yogurt, skim milk, 1 oz. chicken, 1/4 c. tuna, etc.)
• Lunch: Nutrisystem lunch (usually something in a small microwaveable “bowl” like cheese tortellini, chicken barley stew, hearty corn tomato chowder); salad (w/ two tablespoons of fat-free dressing); one serving dairy or protein (this can be an ounce of lowfat/fat free cheese, 8 oz. fat free yogurt, skim milk, 1 oz. chicken, 1/4 c. tuna, etc.
• Snack: one serving fruit & one serving dairy or protein
• Dinner: Nutrisystem dinner (pretty much anything they make in Lean Cuisine; along those lines); salad (w/ two tablespoons of fat-free dressing) or fruit; one serving “fat” (avocado, mayo, 1 tsp. olive oil, etc.); two servings vegetables
• Dessert: Nutrisystem snack. these are either sweet (chocolates, cookies, biscotti) or salty (cheddar soy chips, cheese curls, snack mix)

The secret of this diet? Keeping my daily calorie intake below 1200 calories. (I’m not really buying into the whole “low glycemic index hype.” It’s starvation, pure and simple.)

Is it torturous? Yes! Is it cheap? Ummm, yeah. At approximately $274/month for the Nutrisystem meals. (This doesn’t include the cost of salads, fruit, dairy products, etc. but still!) Is it realistic as a permanent lifestyle? Hells, no! (I will be able to keep this up until the wedding, at best.)

Does it work? Fuck yes– I am down 8 lbs. to date and that’s including the days I went “off plan” while upstate at a wedding and at various Labor Day events. I can’t even imagine where I would be if I had not had those departures. Insane!