Is NutriSystem a Good System?

The NutriSystem commercials are convincing, aren't they? "I'm in a size two," she says. Size two? I miss size two. I miss size six. So I ordered the four weeks of food and, as promised, it was delivered straight to my door. I had an almost giddy feeling as the UPS guy helped me drag 3 huge boxes into my apartment. In the next five minutes I had NutriSystem breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks strewn across my living room floor. Four weeks isn't so long, right? I could do this.

I couldn't do it. And here's why:

1. Everything started to taste the same. It wasn't a particularly bad taste, but I assume the makers have to cram some serious preservatives into those packages, which dominate the meals no matter how much tomato sauce they add.

2. They recommend a salad with every meal, which in and of itself is a good idea. All that fiber is good for the digestive tract as well as compensates for the small portion sizes. But there are only so many ways you can mix lettuce, half a tomato, and a few olives together and still be satisfied.

3. It would have cost too much on my meager college student's wages to continue. The commercials do advertise that it costs about $10 per day to eat on NutriSystem. They fail to mention the cost of salads, salad toppers, fruits, and vegetables recommended for supplementary nutrition.

4. For dessert, I need sugar. You know, the stuff they get from sugarcane.

5. It just got too boring; I used to look forward to meal time, but on NutriSystem I simply tried to get it over with, leaving me disappointed.

But it could work for you. And here's how:

1. Follow the planning guide (a little book that included with your order) in its entirety; you'll take a calorie cut that is bound to make you loose weight.

2. Drink water or unsweetened tea instead of that soda with your meal.

3. Eat the snacks provided for you or choose fruit or vegetables when you get hungry between meals.

4. Do the recommended half hour of exercise daily.

5. Avoid adding things like cheese or salad dressing to your meals and salad. I found this defeated the "perfectly portioned" meals they provided.

Make it easier. And here's how:

1. Have a friend join the diet with you. There's nothing worse than watching your friend go for that second doughnut while you choke down the rest of your microwavable apple cake.

2. Treat yourself to some take out every now and again; they include tips on what to avoid from fast food restaurants.

3. Take advantage of the free online support on their website.

4. Weigh yourself once or twice a week instead of every day; this makes your progress more obvious.

5. Set out your meals ahead of time. This way, you don't have to rummage around when you're ready to eat.

Taking my cue from NutriSystem as well as several other diet plans, I've decided to set up my own weight-loss plan. I fill up on protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. I stop eating when I feel full, which means, leaving food on my plate sometimes. And, when I'm really energetic, I get in a work out for at least a few minutes everyday.

So, does NutriSystem work? Sure, it does. That is, if you like your food chemical-coated and shrink-wrapped. But with whichever weight-loss plan you choose, good luck and happy dieting. Oh, and stay away from any soups that you have to add boiling water to - it's just not worth it.