NutriSystem has just launched their "Flex Program", where you are on the program for 5 days and then off for two "Flex Days." NutriSystem Flex is also their cheapest program ever. The women's program is $200 a month or $7 a day, and the men's program is $230 a month or $8 a day. On your flex days you can buy frozen vegetables in bulk and add high doses of very healthy foods for cheap.
Does NutriSystem Flex Work As Well As Their Regular Program? Will It Help Me Lose Weight?
This is a commonly asked question. People often see the success stories on TV or hear about them from friends. The idea is that if you follow this plan and eat their foods, you will lose weight. But what happens on those two days a week that you are off the program? Will you do so much damage that you will lose the benefits of the previous five days? In our view this is both a risk and an opportunity for you. We have written much more about it here in a review of the NutriSystem Flex program which goes into the detail of the overall program and what you might want to be doing on those flex days.
Is NutriSystem Select Offered In The 5 Day Flex Format?
It would make sense if they did, because it would help to manage the cost a little. NutriSystem Select is a new, more expensive version of their plan that delivers foods that are frozen fresh and that feature fruits and vegetables in the meals that are delivered. Adding high levels of fruits and vegetables to your diet is seen by many as being the only path to sustainable and healthy long term weight loss.
What Fruits and Vegetables Can You Eat On NutriSystem Flex?
The overall NutriSystem Diet plan is based on the Glycemic Index, which is basically a good carbs, bad carbs approach. This is especially helpful for Type 2 Diabetics and people at risk for Metabolic Syndrome. Most doctors simply tell you to "avoid the white stuff"- so maybe go easy on the potatoes. But hit the greens hard. Things like spinach, broccoli, brussels sprouts, romaine lettuce salad- those are going to juice your diet, give you a ton of nutrients you really can't get elsewhere in this high a level of concentration. Same thing for fruits like Strawberries and blueberries. Those are high in cancer fighting anti-oxidants and nutrients.
How Long Does It Take To See Results From NutriSystem Flex?
This obviously depends on you personally, and how much weight you have to lose. In general we observe that when people really focus on their portion control and have a way of measuring it each day lose weight. If you are on NutriSystem Flex specifically, you are going to have to really pay close attention to your flex days, and learn to do "Diet Fusion" where you incorporate different elements of other proven diets. For example you might want to count Weight Watchers points on your flex days if you know that system. You will also want to try eating a cleansing diet very high in salad, greens and fruits that you like. Doing a combo of controlled points with a cleansing diet will help you see results very quickly.
How Long Should I Be On The NutriSystem Flex Program?
Your long term goal should be to develop solid eating habits where you eat a diet high in plant-based nutrients and low in animal protein. A decent target to shoot for is to bring your animal-based foods down to about 10% of your diet. Things like meat and cheese should be used as dressings for salads, not the meal itself. As your intake goes above 10% your risk of disease goes up, and unless you are a hardcore vegan, you really don't want to get too far below this level based on available science.
So use your flex days to begin to develop these habits of high fruit and vegetable intake. You will find specifically that this approach helps fight hunger. Weight Watchers focuses a lot on this with their new "Filling Foods" list, which include things like Avocado and Hummus. The idea is that those foods are high in protein but also contain high levels of important nutrients. Your body is pretty smart and knows when it is getting what it needs. The result is you are less hungry.
NutriSystem Flex can be a great tool to give you some "training wheels" to get you to this long term point. At PEERtrainer we call this "The Point Of No Return" and many of you who read this blog are members of this coaching program that focuses on the mindset issues with weight loss, and assumes you are going to be on your own chosen combination of diet approaches. Our coaching team at PEERtrainer has put together a series of articles to help you with the psychological aspects of weight loss and how to develop the motivation to lose weight. One of our most popular articles focuses on the importance of understanding the difference between desire and expectation. There is a big difference between the two and one needs to develop an expectation of weight loss in order to really succeed.
Can I Choose My Flex Days?
According to the NutriSystem website you can choose any two days a week to be your flex days. They say some people will choose the weekend for convenience. What is interesting is that this new program really allows people to mix and match their diet approaches.
What Should I Do On My Flex Days?
NutriSystem has some sensible recommendations on their website when you sign up. Many people do NutriSystem and participate in PEERtrainer to give them added support and a very broad range of ideas. One idea is to make use of ideas put forth in our free Tip Of The Day weight loss coaching program.
Are There Coupons Or Savings Offered?
Right now the company is running the following offer:Save $100 with NutriSystem
This offer is good for the basic program, diabetic program, silver program and the vegetarian program.
Should I Do South Beach On My Flex Days?
We have been alerted to some of the dangers of diets like South Beach and Atkins. While we hear that they work in the short term, there are a series of health risks associated with these diets. Follow the instructions from the company and also start adding high levels of green vegetables and salad on the flex days to lose the most weight and fight any cravings.
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