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Popular entertainer turns her weight around, feels younger

Most people who decide to lose weight have a turning point a moment of unvarnished truth when all the denial and excuses fall away. In her own words, this was Marie’s:

One day about a year ago, I came off stage during a rehearsal for a concert, out of breath from singing and dancing. My oldest child, Stephen, was waiting in the wings, and he said to me, Mom, please take care of yourself. We’d like to have you around to know our children, too.

I knew my son had reason to be concerned. I had been caring for my mother who had suffered a massive stroke and complications from heart disease. After two years and many hours spent sitting by her bed, and many milkshakes from the hospital snack bar, I had put on too many extra pounds.

I decided, on that day, that the most loving thing I could ever do for my own children and those I love, would be to take care of myself.

As one of the country’s most successful entertainers and businesswomen, Marie Osmond, a mother of eight, was no stranger to the pressures so many people face in their day-to-day lives. And she could see the price of those pressures in her weight.

Marie wasn’t totally in denial. She had realized the pounds were creeping up, and for a while, she tried to cover her weight gain with tricks like wearing long jackets and full skirts. But she couldn’t cover up the fact that her energy was decreasing and her activities were increasingly more limited. She was in her 40s, unhappy about how she looked and how she felt.

I knew I was getting older, she said, but I didn’t want to feel older. And I didn’t want to settle for living a life that I didn’t want.

Determined to turn her life around, Marie started researching weight loss programs trying to see which one would be the best fit for her. She believed that NutriSystem would be the perfect solution. She explained it this way. I needed something easy, convenient, no hassle. I didn’t want to worry about cooking, and I didn’t have to think about food.

Marie was also skeptical of magic pills to help her achieve her weight loss. With her schedule, convenience was a huge factor. When you have kids and a busy career, you need a lot of patience. What I didn’t need was a lot of work which was why I chose NutriSystem. Most of the meals take less than two minutes to prepare, and I don’t have to count calories or points or anything. If you’re busy, this is the perfect program.

Marie was especially impressed with NutriSystem® Advanced. She knew how healthy it was, and it helped her control her cravings. But even more, she absolutely loved the food. My favorites are the Black Beans and Rice, and the Cheese Ravioli; plus I love the bars, especially the Fudge Graham Bar, the Chocolate Crunch Bar and the Strawberry Shortcake Bar.

Although Marie’s intent was to become healthy, she was so excited when her weight began to fall. As the pounds started to melt away, I looked in the mirror and thought, Wow! Not bad, Marie.

In addition to losing weight, Marie saw her eating habits begin to change, change that ultimately carried over to everyone in her family. Since I have started NutriSystem, all my kids are into salads crazy! Plus, now I crave fruit! In fact, Marie often carries her NutriSystem® meals in her purse, along with a piece of fruit. That’s it. Very easy! It’s been so convenient and helped me have better eating habits.

After she had been on NutriSystem for several months, Marie was dancing in L.A. and saw her brothers. They couldn’t believe how much weight I had lost, she said. Ultimately, brothers Jimmy, Jay and Merrill all started the program, too.

To the people who thought Marie actually lost the weight because she was dancing, she offers this quick correction: Everybody danced, she said, but nobody lost the kind of weight I did.

Since starting NutriSystem, Marie has lost 40 pounds* and said she couldn’t be happier. Wow, do I feel better. That weight loss has translated into better eating habits and regained confidence. People have noticed,” she said. But I have to tell you: the best compliment I’ve received was from my 19-year-old daughter. The other day she looked at me with her beautiful eyes and said, ˜Wow, Mom. You look great. I think you’re a hottie!

Marie’s no longer in those shape-concealing long jackets. It’s nice to be back in my jeans, she said. As for buying new clothes: I’ve bought everything new! I was, like, a size 10/12, and now, I’m a 2/4*. She’s also more active than she’s been in a long time. I haven’t had this kind of energy in at least 10 years, she said. I feel like getting out and rock climbing and hiking and biking, even dancing…the things I love doing but didn’t because I was overweight.

Marie’s been happy with how easy it was to lose weight, and she has a little advice for anyone wondering whether to start NutriSystem: Do it!

I know now that being overweight is not something you just have to accept as you get older. I know that you can change everything. I know that you can lose weight. And I know you can do it in a healthy way. She has a special concern for women. As women, we spend a lot of time caring for everyone else, but zero time for ourselves. I finally did something great for so I could do something great for my family. The reality of the situation is this: If Momma’s not happy, ain’t nobody happy!

When asked if she has any tips for someone just starting out, her answer was simple: Take up a NEW hobby. Make food a non-issue. Look, I chose NutriSystem because I just wanted to feel better. To live longer and really, really enjoy all that life has to offer. Getting skinny was a welcomed bonus. I swear, I’m living proof it works!

Excuse me, do you have this dress in a size 4?”

I never thought I’d be able to walk into a store and ask that question. It’s a question I get to ask all the time now, thanks to the support of the NutriSystem® program. Since starting in January 2007, I’ve lost 91 lbs.* and gone from a size 18 to a size 4!*

My name is Julia, and I am currently a graduate student studying educational psychology. Before this, I spent a couple of years as a middle school math teacher. I have struggled with my weight since adolescence and never knew what to do about it. As a teenager I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a symptom of which is being overweight. So, I had convinced myself and everyone else that my being overweight was “just the way I am.”

What finally triggered my desire to lose weight was moving and starting graduate school. I had just finished my first semester in a top-notch graduate program, and I should have been on top of the world, but wasn’t. The reason was the same as it had been for as long as I can remember the insecurities that came along with being overweight. On top of that, my brother was planning a wedding for the summer of 2007. Somehow, the prospect of my size being captured in wedding photos was enough to make me realize it was time to change.

A Little Help

One reason I think I’d had trouble losing weight previously is because, as a young teacher, I thought I should have all the answers. I chose NutriSystem when I came to terms with the fact that this was something that I didn’t know how to do. Once I realized it was okay to admit that I needed some help, the hardest part was done. I’d seen commercials for NutriSystem but wasn’t really sure what it was. My mom was the one who explained that they send you actual food and if you eat the food, you lose weight*. I did a little research on it online and decided within minutes that it felt right and was worth trying.

I ordered NutriSystem and started in January 2007. I followed the plan closely and exercised regularly and the weight started to melt off. Following the plan was so easy for me to fit so seamlessly into my lifestyle that I didn’t have to pay extra attention to it (I fondly refer to it as my “invisible diet”). And the food is delicious, too, so it doesn’t really feel like a diet. I had gone on another commercial weight loss program with a friend a few years ago but became overwhelmed with all of the work that was involved in keeping track of what I was eating. What makes NutriSystem work so well is that all of the counting is out of the picture.

A Total Upgrade

My life has changed significantly in so many ways thanks to my weight loss. I’m a new person and have even been referred to as “Julia version 2.0.” I no longer feel like I am restricted by my size, and people treat me differently because I treat myself differently. No longer am I missing out on things I want to do and am not wasting time worrying about being teased, being able to keep up in activities, fit comfortably in seats, or squeeze into a size 16. I also get even more enjoyment out of things I used to enjoy, like kayaking, tennis, and travel.

In addition, my health has improved greatly. My blood pressure has fallen to a healthy level and I am, for the first time in my life, at both a healthy weight and BMI (I also am at the same weight I was in 4th grade!). In addition, my mood has improved and my energy level is higher than I can ever remember it being. However, the most rewarding part is the self confidence that I’ve gained. While I’ve always thought of myself as a confident person, that confidence has grown exponentially. The invisible strings tied to my weight are no longer there and I feel like I’m free to do it all!

I have received a lot of support from my family (those who weren’t jealous, that is). A lot of my friends and co-workers are hesitant to say anything, but usually if I bring it up, then they’re willing to talk about it. My dad is so proud that he takes before and after pictures of me to work and shows everyone. He has even brought in a couple of my meals for his co-workers who are working on losing weight, and they’re all as surprised as I was about how delicious and filling the food is.

On a couple of occasions people have not recognized me. One time, I was visiting my brother who works at a university and whom I had visited very early on in my weight loss. He had introduced me to a cleaning woman who works on his floor, and we had chatted briefly. On my second visit he said “You remember my sister, right?” and she just stared with a puzzled look on her face and said “I’ve met your other sister” to which he said “I only have one sister, Julia. You met her in March, the last time she was here.” Increasingly puzzled, she said, “No…that was not this sister, she was….fat!”

Forgive, Forget, and Move On!

When I started the plan I decided that fitness was going to be just as important as weight loss in my journey, and I think it’s really paid off. I started exercising slowly at first by walking and elliptical training but added in some weight training and tennis and eventually started jogging. In addition, I walk to and from work daily (2 miles round trip). I feel like I’ve struck a “sweet spot” with diet and exercise. Exercise has become an integral part of my lifestyle and I plan to maintain my weight by continuing to exercise. In addition, I love the taste of NutriSystem® food so I’m planning to continue to follow the plan. Plus, it’s just so convenient.

Part of what inspires me to keep up my healthy habits is to show others that it can be I hid behind excuses and made poor diet and exercise choices, thinking that I was too far gone to ever be thin, fit and healthy done. I had been overweight for 15 years - over half of my life!. Now I know that it’s never too late to make a change for the better. You have to forgive yourself for mistakes you’ve made in the past and start anew. I feel like I am not held back by self-doubt anymore. Now that I’ve lost the weight, I can see how significantly I was missing out on a lot of things that I would have liked to do. From learning about portion sizes and the balance of exercise and nutrition to making friends on the discussion boards, choosing NutriSystem has been a positive experience that has almost made me forget about all of the sad memories I have from being overweight.

NutriSystem has completely changed my perception of food and nutrition. Now, I think twice about a lot of what I, by habit, think about putting in my mouth. It’s something that I know I couldn’t have possibly been this successful with if I’d not ordered NutriSystem. Using NutriSystem as a tool to help me learn how to be healthy is the best decision I’ve made in my life so far.

-Julia G.

I am from South Louisiana and my heritage is Cajun, and anyone who knows anything about the Cajun people knows we love our food! Now of course, this NutriSystem food is far from actually being Cajun, but it is still so very good, and I can add my own spices and try different things with the food. Plus, now, after I am finished with a NutriSystem dinner, I am not only satisfied, I am genuinely full.

You know, the biggest response I get from people when I tell them I am on the NutriSystem program is, “So, that means you have to eat their food?” My response is always, “No, that means I GET to eat their food!”

In general, I’d say that anyone who thinks that losing weight is too big of a challenge hasn’t tried the NutriSystem program. It’s healthy, it’s convenient, and it’s easy. You eat really good food. What more is there to be concerned about? To anyone who needs to lose weight and is serious about it, you owe it to yourself to try the NutriSystem plan. If you’re serious about it, NutriSystem will work for you. If I can do it, anyone can!

To quote one of my favorite inspirational quotes, “Nothing tastes as good as thin feels“.

According to nutrisystem.com, their plan allows you to “lose weight in the comfort of your own home.”

The well-designed Web site gives each person an individualized calorie level to help you lose between 1.5 and 2 pounds each week. The core of the plan relies on NutriSystem foods used as entrees for breakfast, lunch and dinner plus DESSERTS.

You don’t have to buy their foods to participate in the program, but the meal plan revolves around the NutriSystem products, supplemented with fruit, vegetables and milk.

“I have been on the NutriSystem weight loss program for over a year and have lost 111 pounds. I have learned portion control, healthy eating habits and the benefits of exercise, and feel better and happier than I have in years.” — An iVillager

“I tried the NutriSystem diet and lost 107 pounds in approximately one year. Unfortunately, I could have purchased a new car for what the program cost, and the car would have lasted longer than my new figure did. After I started eating regular foods the pounds came back.” — An iVillager