Like a lot of people, when I was younger I never had to worry too much about my weight. I was so active with sports that I could pretty much eat whatever I wanted and stay in shape. In high school I was very skinny; then in college I probably put on about 20 pounds.

After college, I leveled out for a little while. But then once I got in my 30s and I stopped being as active with sports, I really started packing on the pounds. I couldn’t play basketball. I couldn’t play volleyball. By the time I was 40 I had gone from a fit 180 pounds to a 281-pound couch potato. I felt really tired and lazy all the time. It got to point where I really didn’t want to do much of anything after work other than just go home and lounge on the couch.
I really got tired of not being able to go out and do the things I was used to doing. However, whenever I did try to exercise, I would quickly give it up due to joint pain caused by the additional weight I was carrying. Finally, after several attempts at dieting where I would see short-term weight loss followed by rapid weight gain, I decided to give Nutrisystem a try.

Pounds and pain disappear; playing ball reappears

You know, when I really started Nutrisystem, I didn’t know a whole lot about it other than the commercials. But what I found is that in addition to the meals, they really taught me how to eat the proper foods and how to eat nutritiously. In fact, the first thing I loved about Nutrisystem was how easy it is. The food tastes great, is simple to prepare, and completely takes the guesswork out of counting calories. I also love that I always have a supply of meals in the pantry, so when I am running short on time I am not tempted to hit up a fast food restaurant.

In addition to following the Nutrisystem® meal plan, I make sure to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. For me, exercise and the Nutrisystem diet definitely go hand in hand. At first, my exercise was limited to very low-impact activities like riding a bike or jogging on an elliptical machine. As time went by and the weight started coming off, I found that I could exercise more and more without experiencing the joint pain that had troubled me in the past.
Best of all, I was able to start playing basketball again. After I lost probably about the first 20, 25 pounds*, I found that I could go out and I could shoot hoops maybe one time a week. I would just play three on three. But then as I lost another 20 pounds*, I felt I could go full court. Now I’m below 200 pounds* and I’m playing full-court basketball three days a week and keeping up with guys half my age!

Who’s that guy?

Here’s another way that I know this has worked. I’ve found that oftentimes other people’s reactions to my weight told me how far I’d come. For example, when I was 281 pounds, I’d see people I hadn’t seen in a while, and they knew me as being skinny—and then when they’d see me heavier, they wouldn’t recognize me.

Now it’s the exact opposite. Some of the people I work with I only see probably once or twice a month. So whenever I would see them, I’d be a lot lighter. At first, I think people were sort of reluctant to say anything because they didn’t know what was going on. But eventually people started asking me about it and I told them about Nutrisystem. And they’ve commented about how much younger and healthier it’s made me look now that I’ve lost the weight. All in all, I’d say it’s a lot better not being recognized because I’m skinnier again!

Enjoying everyday eating

The best part about Nutrisystem for me, though, is that it doesn’t even feel like a diet any more. It’s just part of my daily routine, like exercise. Thirty minutes in the morning on the bike makes all the difference. It gets the day started the right way, and I just feel better, more energetic the whole day.

Likewise, with Nutrisystem eating right no longer feels like a punishment or that I am denying myself, as it did when I was heavy. I just eat healthy and exercise every day without even thinking about it. I feel more energetic, healthy and confident; really, I just feel ready to take on the day with every aspect of my life—all thanks to Nutrisystem.

—Shane

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. On Nutrisystem you add in fresh grocery items.