On the Nutrisystem Program? 10 To-Dos Guaranteed to Get Weight Loss Results

Article posted in: Nutrisystem
Successful Weight Loss: Follow This Guide, Lose Weight

If you’re reading this article, it’s because you already know: If you’re looking for a safe and effective approach to weight loss that doesn’t require sacrificing your favorite foods, Nutrisystem is your final stop.

But what you might not know is that there are certain things you can do while you’re on the weight loss meal delivery program to maximize your success. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a list of the top 10 things you absolutely need to do when you’re on Nutrisystem if you want to succeed.

Successful weight loss on the program depends on these 10 to-dos:

1. Organize your first order.

The first step to successful weight loss, for men and women, is when that Nutrisystem box arrives. We know you’re excited and perhaps a little anxious to get started. Totally understandable. However, try to hold back from ripping the box open and emptying all the contents into one drawer or cabinet. Newbies often make that weight loss mistake—jumbling all the meals and snacks into one confusing mess.

When the package arrives with your first month of meals and snacks, take the time to put away and organize your items. The meals and snacks are color-coded for your convenience: Breakfasts have yellow labels, lunches have blue labels, dinners have red labels and snacks have purple labels.

All these items can safely be stored in your cabinets. If you ordered any frozen entrees, you will receive these items in a separate shipment and they will be marked “Frozen.” They have the same color coding and will need to be stored in your freezer.

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2. Starting with 7 in 7? Wait a week before working out.

Included with select Nutrisystem plans, 7 in 7 is a specially selected first week created by dietitians to help you lose up to 7 pounds in your first 7 days* – because when you get off to a fast start, you’re more likely to reach your goal!

While you might want to start an exercise program with your new weight loss plan, 7 in 7 is a lower calorie meal plan that is not enough to fuel a vigorous workout. Try to limit your physical activity during this time. This gives your body time to adjust. Stick to only normal daily activities and start planning what you’ll do once you’re ready for more action.

In the coming weeks, being more active will be a big boost toward reaching your goal. You’ll soon discover that you have more energy for all kinds of activities.

Give your body a chance to adjust before trying a new exercise class or doing any intense activity. Starting week two, you can ease into exercise with short walks in the afternoon and evening, for example; then gradually up your pace as you get more comfortable.

If you have been exercising prior to starting Nutrisystem and would like to continue during 7 in 7, we encourage you to connect with a Weight Loss Coach to discuss your exercise in more detail.

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3. Eat everything.

Yes, you need to work SmartCarbs and PowerFuels into your weight loss meal plan; and yes, you should eat at least four servings of non-starchy veggies—like broccoli, carrots, lettuce and tomatoes—every day, in addition to your Nutrisystem meals and snacks.

The Nutrisystem program provides the right number of calories so you drop one or two pounds per week. Research shows people who lose weight gradually and steadily are more successful at keeping weight off. Plus, eating all the foods gets your body the essential nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

4. Drink enough water.

The Nutrisystem meal plan recommends at least 64 daily ounces (or eight, eight ounce glasses a day). Squeeze a little lemon juice or toss orange slices into your water if it helps you get it down; set an alarm to remind you to drink; or try one of these tips to help you drink more water!

5. Follow the guidelines for Flex meals.

These are the breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks you cook at home or order out as part of your Nutrisystem program. Flex meals are not an excuse to cheat; instead they are a way for you to practice healthy cooking—a skill that will help you maintain your weight loss after you reach your weight loss goal.

Each Flex meal consists of PowerFuels and SmartCarbs. Your specific Flex meal guidelines will depend on your specific meal plan.

For cooking inspiration, check out our healthy recipes!

6. Let NuMi do your tracking.

Research shows that logging what you eat, drink, and how much you move every day can increase your chances of successful weight loss—and this (free!) app helps you do just that.

You can also mark your favorite foods and access the Leaf for healthy recipes. Plus, the app syncs with your fitness device!

Click on the link below to see why you are twice as likely to lose weight while dieting if you use NuMi:

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7. Connect with a Nutrisystem Weight Loss Coach.

Support is key to successful weight loss. Maybe you’re new to Nutrisystem and have questions about which foods to eat when. Maybe you’re going on vacation and need strategies to keep your diet on track. Or maybe you just need to talk to someone who can understand your ups and downs and help you re-motivate your weight loss.

That’s what the Nutrisystem Weight Loss Coaches are there for—to get you through challenges, clear up any confusion and offer encouragement and support to help you succeed with your weight loss.

8. Log on to The Leaf Weight Loss Blog every day.

Need a super quick recipe for a healthy dinner? You’ll find one here. Want to watch one of our dietitians demo a meal? You can see that here, too. Consider The Leaf—the official Nutrisystem blog—your online source for tons of healthy recipe ideas, fun videos and science-backed advice on health and nutrition. It’s also the go-to place to access all of your Nutrisystem Guides!

9. Keep track of your progress.

It’s very important to your weight loss success to keep track of your food and progress. That’s why the NuMi app is your best friend!

The frequency that you weigh yourself is a personal preference. Some people like to weigh themselves every day, while others weigh themselves every week. Some people don’t want to weigh themselves at all! All options are OK. Just keep a few things in mind:

Weighing in everyday? Make sure it’s at the same time of day and with the same amount of clothing. Recognize that the scale can fluctuate drastically from day to day, sometimes even 5 pounds, so you must be conscious of that and not get frustrated. Chart your progress in NuMi and look at the weight loss trend over the month. You can’t base your success on a day or even a few of weighing because it takes time for your body to adjust and show results.

Weighing once a week? Again, make sure it’s at the same time of day and with the same amount of clothing. Pick a specific day of the week to have your weigh in. It’s also important to recognize how the scale fluctuates and that having only one weekly measure only provides one data point. Again, look at your progress over the month to see results.

Not weighing at all? Use the other indicators of success we mentioned and measure those changes week to week. One of the easiest to check is the way your clothes fit. You can even break out a tape measure if you choose to do so. Get step-by-step instructions on how to measure yourself properly.

10. Trust the Nutrisystem program.

It works. It really does. Getting started can be tough, as your body adjusts to the meal plan. But if you stick with it, follow the program, eat the foods, make healthy Flex meals, track your progress and be more active—you will lose weight and learn how to keep it off.

Get weight loss inspiration from real Nutrisystem success stories!


*In a study, average weight loss was 5.1 pounds in the first 7 days.

It’s important to know that changing your diet or exercise or losing weight could affect some medical conditions and medications. Your doctor may need to adjust your medications due to changes in your diet, exercise, or weight while on Nutrisystem. Make sure to check with your doctor before beginning any weight loss program, including Nutrisystem. Please be sure to eat all of the food that is recommended on the Nutrisystem program. Failure to follow the program and eat all of the food recommended may increase the risk of developing serious health complications. At Nutrisystem, we care about you. That’s why we champion safe, effective weight loss—no fads, no gimmicks, just better health.