As you’ve probably already heard, 2012 marks the 40th year of Nutrisystem. That’s right—Nutrisystem has been helping people just like you better their lives through simple weight loss for over 40 years now. And to help us celebrate that magnificent milestone, we invited you to share your wonderful weight loss stories and photos with us—and earn a chance to win one of our Grand Prizes of $5,000 by entering the Nutrisystem Fab 40 Weight Loss Challenge.

You can imagine how many great weight loss stories we’ve heard through the past 40 years. But we can honestly say that the crop from our current contest included some of the best entries we’ve ever seen!

Winners All Around

Before we announce the winners, we’d like to thank you for helping to celebrate 40 great years of weight loss success with us. We may be the ones celebrating, but you’re the ones being celebrated. And we’d like to take this moment to personally commend each and every one of you who entered, as well as anyone who has ever lost weight on the Nutrisystem® program. You are the people that have made this program a success, and we sincerely thank you.

Now, let’s get to some contest results! Here they are—the winners of the Nutrisystem Fab 40 Weight Loss Challenge:

0-33 lbs. lost: Tracy S. and Mark M.
34-66 lbs. lost: Keishia K. and Dennis W.
67-99 lbs. lost: Colette O. and Adam H.
100+ lbs. lost: Darlene C. and Roger T.


(Please note: stories have been edited for length.)


WINNER 0-33 POUNDS LOST: TRACY S. LOST 27 LBS.*

“After 10 years of an active Air Force life, I decided to rejoin the civilian world and move back to the U.S. I had been a large teenager but was able to lose the weight while on active duty. However, after leaving the military, I not only became inactive but started a cycle of eating unhealthy foods just because they were convenient.

Before I knew it, there I was—overweight again. I was very unhappy with the way I looked, always uncomfortable in my clothes, and had no energy to do the things I enjoyed most. It got to a point where I just didn’t want to do anything, which of course led to gaining even more weight. I tried other weight loss programs and pills, but nothing gave me the results I needed.

Then one day, there it was: a commercial for Nutrisystem. I was intrigued and thought, ‘Why not?’ And it was the best decision I ever made. Nutrisystem is easy, convenient, affordable and best of all, tastes great. Now here I am at age 42, weighing in at 116 lbs.*—and proud of it!”


WINNER 0-33 POUNDS LOST: MARK M. LOST 22 LBS.*

“I’m a guy, so I never really thought much about losing weight. When my pants got a little too tight or I needed to drop a few pounds, I skipped a couple meals or cut down on my beer intake. It worked, but the weight always came back.

In late 2010, I watched my wife Christie lose weight with Nutrisystem. It seemed like every time I turned around, she was eating again. How could that be? And the food looked good. So I started stealing her Blueberry Muffins, and eventually, started begging for bites of her dinner, too. But the convenience is what really sold me on the plan. As a commercial roofer, I spend long hours on job sites. Before Nutrisystem, I grabbed lunch at fast food joints or gas stations. Now, the Nutrisystem® lunch bars and afternoon snacks keep me out of the drive-throughs.

Since losing the weight, Christie and I are both healthier than we’ve been in years. Thanks to Nutrisystem, I feel younger and stronger, and my energy is up. And to top it off, Christie says I'm hot—which is always nice to hear!”


WINNER 34-66 POUNDS LOST: KEISHIA K. LOST 36 LBS.*

“I hit rock bottom in the fall of 2011. After a disappointing first date, a man told me I should really think about losing weight. Then, my doctor mentioned that I’d gained too much weight over the 10 years that he’d been treating me. Until that month, no one had ever told me that I was overweight and I didn’t see myself that way. But after the conversation with my doctor, I stopped fooling myself. I immediately came home and ordered my first box of Nutrisystem.

Nutrisystem created the most workable solution for me. It was so easy to stick with the program—the customizable food was really appetizing, and the online tracking tools, journals, and forums were addictive. Even after reaching my goal weight, I’m not ready to let go of the lunches, snacks and desserts. Nutrisystem snacks are better than anything the grocery store has to offer!

When I became regimented about my food consumption and portions, the changes were immediate and incredible. Weight loss is not rocket science—diet and exercise works every time. With discipline and hard work, I believe that everyone can improve on what they have. “


WINNER 34-66 POUNDS LOST: DENNIS W. LOST 35 LBS.*

“When I told my co-workers I was trying Nutrisystem they laughed and told me it didn't work. Now, most are in awe of the amount of weight I’ve lost. Some are even contemplating trying a plan for themselves. With my busy schedule in the Army, I couldn't find a way to eat right and eat on time. Through this plan, I have become a weight loss inspiration to other struggling soldiers in my unit.

Recently, I was made aware I might be deploying to Afghanistan in January of 2013. I told my wife I wanted to remain on Nutrisystem the entire time; that's how much Nutrisystem has meant to me. I love the food and recommend it to anyone and everyone. I am so happy I can fit back into my clothes now. I am still trying to lose a few more pounds from my midsection, but compared to before, I look great!

So the plan works. I don't care what anyone says. All I know is I was once 215 lbs. and today I am 180 lbs.*. My journey’s not over yet; keep watching!”


WINNER 67-99 POUNDS LOST: COLETTE O. LOST 76 LBS.*

“I was totally and completely stuck when it came to my weight. At age 52, this busy mom and kindergarten teacher, wife and church worker struggled to move without pain. I knew my back and feet issues were probably weight-related, but I couldn't see over the edge of the abyss in which I found myself. I felt hopelessly stuck.

After discussing it with my husband, I signed up immediately, feeling a glimmer of hope. I started using Nutrisystem's awesome support that very day. I was amazed! This was not only an easy weight-loss program grounded on a solid nutritional foundation, it also had amazing options for support any way I needed it. I could be as private or as public in my support as I wanted. And I could access that support 24/7, even before the food reached my home.

My weight management journey has been beyond what I could have hoped for. To date, I have lost 76 lbs. and 36 inches.* I am pain-free and able to keep up with my busy kindergarten class. Thank you, Nutrisystem. I am definitely unstuck and it feels great!”


WINNER 67-99 POUNDS LOST: ADAM H. LOST 96 LBS.*

“I’ve been a bigger guy my entire life, and had pretty much accepted it. After graduating college I got an accounting job that had me sitting in an office all day and my weight started to go up again. One night I bought a scale and was stunned to see that I weighed over 320 lbs. I had considered Nutrisystem before to help me lose weight; now that I had a career and could afford it, I decided it was now or never.

The investment I made in Nutrisystem sparked a mental change in me. I was all in on this program and determined to succeed. I bought myself a pair of running shoes and got to work. Week after week, I watched as the pounds melted away. The more I lost, the less I wanted to cheat the program or miss a workout.

To date, I am down 96 lbs.*and counting. And, I’m only 16 lbs. from my overall goal of weighing 200 lbs. I can’t describe how great it feels. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to utilize Nutrisystem. I am sure I would not have had such success without the ease and structure that the program provides.”


WINNER 100+ POUNDS LOST: DARLENE C. LOST 135 LBS.*

“I’ve always said that the only week in my life I was ‘skinny’ was the week I was married. With marriage came children, and more weight. Of course, I’ve tried losing it and even had some success when I lost 90 lbs. back in 1984, but it always came back with a vengeance.

About five years ago I started having a lot of pain in my right knee. I knew the weight wasn’t helping and I had to do something to help myself. Meanwhile, my best friend had ordered Nutrisystem mostly for the convenience of the food but had also lost 40 lbs.* while on it. I thought about it for months until, finally, I did it.

I’ve been on many diets throughout my life, but Nutrisystem has been the easiest I’ve ever tried. I love the food. I love the ease of it. Even without exercise, the weight still came off. I’m now scheduled for surgery and I look forward to being able to walk without pain. And I know that because of my Nutrisystem success, I’ll have a much better outcome. Thank you, Nutrisystem!”


WINNER 100+ POUNDS LOST: ROGER T. LOST 103 LBS.*

“I began my Nutrisystem program committed to one year. I was ‘forced’ to do something after years of counting calories, trying other plans, and doing it on my own. I had to lose at least 50 lbs. to have necessary back surgery. Up to the point of my surgery, I was totally incapable of adding exercise to my weight loss attempts; it was too painful to do anything.

I am now post-surgery, and I exercise daily as well as do physical therapy. I can now walk 3 miles a day. I would still like to lose another 20 lbs., but even after losing the first 103 lbs.*, the support from family and friends is overwhelming. The before and after pictures say it all. I'm sure the fact that I've had such tremendous success has inspired several other friends and relatives to consider the plan as well.

I think that there are many people out there resolved that they can't do anything about their weight, especially seniors. I did not start the program until I was almost 65 years old. Now, as I approach 66, I have a new lease on life, and 103 lbs. less* to carry around.”


Congratulations and thanks again to everyone who entered! In the end, it’s all about the customers, and Nutrisystem customers are some of the most loyal out there. Thanks for all of your support for these first 40 years—we hope you’ll join us for the next 40 as well.

Be sure to keep an eye out for future contests—you could be one of our next fab finalists!


*Results not typical. On Nutrisystem, you can expect to lose at least 1-2 lbs. per week. Individuals are remunerated. Weight lost on a prior Nutrisystem® program.