Nutri System Weight Loss Program



Julie Does It Again!  Click here to review program details

Mom loses over 70 lbs.* of post-pregnancy weight on NutriSystem

Hi, I'm Julie, a 28-year-old wife and mom of two beautiful girls. I've had great success with NutriSystem not once, but twice! This is my weight-loss story.

Since middle school, I'd always been fighting the same 20-30 pounds I wanted to lose. This continued right through college, as well as the years following college—even though I was in the military and eventually was promoted to the rank of captain. Then, my husband Jon and I found out in 2003 that I was pregnant; during that pregnancy, I gained 60 more pounds.

NutriSystem

After the birth of our first baby Emma in 2004, I needed to find a weight-loss program that would fit into my busy lifestyle as an Army captain—and a mom living alone with a new baby who also was battling loneliness (Jon is a Military Policeman, and had been deployed to Iraq). Luckily, I found the NutriSystem weight loss program—I ended up losing 76 lbs.* on the program. Once I reached my goal weight, I just used the knowledge I received from doing NutriSystem to control my weight. Smaller portions and the right combinations of fruit, veggies, whole grains and low-fat protein kept the weight off. Everything was great. I immediately found myself feeling much happier and being more outgoing. I was even asked to participate in a NutriSystem weight loss program commercial shoot!

But soon, our life drastically changed. First, I found out I was on orders from the army to move to Seoul, South Korea! Jon, Emma and I were not thrilled, but we packed up and moved overseas. But just before getting on that long plane ride to the Far East in August 2005 (a few days before Emma's first birthday, and six months after reaching my goal on NutriSystem), we also found out we were pregnant again! I was really nervous because I did not want to gain all my weight back and was determined to have a much healthier pregnancy this time around.

Not that we didn't face even more challenges. In fact, six months into my second pregnancy, we found out we were being reassigned again—this time to Hawaii. That was it: Jon and I decided that after this move it was time for me to get out of the Army and be a stay-at-home mom.

Faith was born on April 14th, 2006. Even with all my efforts, I still gained quite a bit during this pregnancy and came home from the hospital weighing 199 lbs. (I'm 5'8”). I knew I would be okay, though, because I had NutriSystem on my side. I had already ordered a box while I was pregnant, so I'd be ready to start Nutri System as soon as possible after I gave birth—and was eager to get back on the program because I knew it would work and I would lose the weight in no time.  Click here to review program details

So, as soon as I was back from the hospital and slightly on my feet, I dove into the recovery. It was my plan all along to use Nutri System to get back to where I was before the pregnancy. I knew it worked and couldn't wait to get going on my path to weight loss! Plus, knowing I was going to be in the land of swimsuits and shorts, I was even more motivated to lose the weight before I changed professions and moved to Hawaii.

Nutri System Diet

I found that the NutriSystem diet was much easier the second time because I knew, firsthand, if I stuck to it, I would see amazing results in a short time. I knew the program by heart, so sticking to it was easier. I also remembered what a “real” serving size was and knew what to eat (and when) without too much effort. 

As a result, I lost 74 lbs.* this time around! The difference this time, though, is in the end result. Because I gained less with this pregnancy, I ended up weighing 125 lbs. instead of the 142 lbs. that I had slimmed down to the first time. This time, I dropped down to a size 4, so my "skinny" clothes from reaching my goal the first time with Emma are too big and I had to buy even smaller clothes! (Bummer, I know.) 

I just can't believe the results. In my 28 years, I have NEVER looked this good! Here's an example of what I mean. There was a pair of size 12 shorts that I'd hung on to from high school that were in storage while I was in Korea. I tried them on and they fell right off of me! Amazing! In fact, I had to try on all of my clothes from that shipment and NOTHING fit. All of my “skinny” high school and college clothes were now super big on me—Jon laughed when I showed him. In the end, I had to give away two-thirds of my closet! 

NutriSystem food

I know my husband is proud of my commitment to lose weight and of my results. Jon compliments me all the time. Constantly. And he can't keep his hands off of me! Plus, we go to the beach on the weekends when Jon can make it. He tells me I look like a swimsuit model and pretends to get territorial when he thinks anyone is checking me out. It is sweet, actually. 

Plus, after I lost the weight I went home to Michigan for a few weeks and no one could believe it was me. The best reaction was from my best friend, who said I was “freakishly skinny” and was happy for me. She also said it was like it wasn't even me. I loved every minute of it. 

We finally made the move to Hawaii this past October, and we're still in the process of settling in. But the whole process has been crazy, to say the least. We were living in a hotel for almost two months before we got a house, things settled down and I could cook. Fortunately, I carried around a week's worth of NutriSystem foods with me, which kept my weight loss intact. In addition, I used the eating out guide in the NutriSystem planner, which helped me to focus on what I put in my mouth—which came in handy when we ate out or were stuck eating airport/airplane food during the transition. I stuck to the guidelines, and ended up not gaining anything.

Now, staying home with my two kids is a full-time job (and the hardest job I've ever had—but I love it!). I've found staying at home is a little harder for weight loss than working—I am around food more and have more down time—but my kids are keeping me busy and as soon as I am fully unpacked I know I will be hitting the beach daily just to get out of the house.

Now I teach portion control to my family when I cook. Admittedly, getting a two-year-old (or a husband, for that matter) to eat is a challenge in itself and is a learning process, but knowing I am cooking healthy for my family is worth it. I try to make food for my family that is still within the NutriSystem guidelines. Now Jon, Emma and I eat proper portions. I try to cook in four serving-size dishes; that way, Emma and I get a proper portion and Jon can have a little extra. He has leaned down from the menu plans I have used, so he's happy about that! Emma also likes most of what I make and doing so teaches her about what a properly portioned meal should look like and the proper combinations of food she should eat. I even pair her snack like I do mine: a protein and a fruit. She loves it! 

What really helped aid my weight loss (both times) were the Nutri System bulletin boards—I found them to be a must if you are on the program. NutriSystem is so supportive and the bulletin boards are awesome for connecting with people going through what you are going through. They also have great recipes and tips for making your meals special. 

NutriSystem foods is my secret weight loss weapon of choice! I have attained more than I thought possible through NutriSystem and a healthy lifestyle, and I am so excited to be a second-time success! I am a true believer and a fan—I LOVE this program! 

—Julie




More Success Stories

Sheila Before

Sheila After

Sheila D. lost 72 lbs.*

(*Results not typical)

"I carry myself much differently than I did before; I'm more confident in who I am. NutriSystem is awesome. I just can't think of a program that I could have been happier with."