LoveToKnow spoke with Stacie Mullen, the Senior Vice President of Celebrity Marketing for Nutrisystem. Stacie's impressive background as a registered personal trainer and weight loss counselor makes her the ideal person to work with the many celebrity clients who come to Nutrisystem for fast, effective weight loss strategies. Stacie manages Nutrisystem's relationship with Marie Osmond, Jillian Barberie, Belinda Carlisle, and many others. She has over 15 years of experience in the nutrition and wellness industry. Before her current position with Nutrisystem's senior management team, Stacie owned a Nutrisystem franchise in the Midwest. She's worked with people from all walks of life as well as celebrities and seen great success over the years from people who join Nutrisystem.
About the Nutrisystem Diet
Nutrisystem delivers healthy, low-glycemic meals to their customers' doors. Customers also receive an exercise DVD and behavior modification information; they may also call a toll free number at any time for personal assistance with the plans. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are packaged in color-coded boxes to make it easy for clients to choose foods. Some plans are more flexible and allow for one meal to be eaten out.
At the start of the program, clients complete a questionnaire that helps Nutrisystem experts tailor a program specifically for the clients' likes, dislikes, and weight loss goals. The program costs about $3 per meal or around $10 per day. Customers have to buy their own fruits, vegetables, dairy and other grocery store items. There is no sign-up fee, and Nutrisystem offers a money-back guarantee if clients are not satisfied.
Who is the Typical Nutrisystem Client?
While the celebrities may be the most visible clients, millions of people lose weight on the Nutrisystem diet every year. Last year over 9 million people lost weight on it. The typical Nutrisystem client is someone who has struggled to lose weight. She may have tried every diet under the sun, with limited results. We get results quickly.
When I think of our typical client, I think of Amy. She's a mother of two and struggled as a new mom to get rid of the weight she put on during pregnancy. She tried books and a lot of other stuff but didn't see results. It's hard when you think you've been 'good' all week and you step on the scale and you didn't lose weight.
Going on Nutrisystem was an easy decision for Amy. She lost the "baby weight" and didn't have to think about counting calories, fat grams, or anything. The meals delivered to her door contained the right nutrition and the right portion sizes. She could lose the weight, put it behind her, and focus on maintenance to stay healthy for her children.
What About Celebrity Clients?
Celebrities like it too. If you think about it, celebrities have access to everything they need to lose weight - nutritionists, chefs, personal trainers, the works. But they come to Nutrisystem because they like the convenience and the results. Celebrities seek us out - we don't go looking for their endorsements! They love the program because it travels with them. If they're on the road or on the set, they have confidence that they can stick with their diet because the food is easy to take with them. It's flexible to work with their super busy schedules.
You know, celebrities face the same challenges everyone does. I got a call once from a celebrity who was in a hotel restaurant, getting ready to eat lunch. She wanted help figuring out what to order. It's the same for you and me - we all have to learn healthy eating and portion control.
Can You Use Nutrisystem if You are Diabetic?
Diabetics face specific nutritional challenges. Nutrisystem's new program, called Nutrisystem D, was especially created just for diabetics. We're really excited about this new program. A study done at Temple University School of Medicine with people who had Type 2 diabetes showed that they lost as much as 16 times more weight than similar diabetics on a hospital-managed program. They also lowered their A1C scores, a test measuring blood-sugar control over a 90-day period. And they lowered their triglycerides, waist circumference, and cholesterol. These are all great results to help people manage their diabetes.
Does Nutrisystem Work?
In 2008, Nutrisystem customers lost over 9 million pounds (9,187,775) for as low as $3.00 a meal. That's proof that Nutrisystem does work.
Most Packaged Foods are High in Sodium. What's the Sodium Content Like?
Our program's daily sodium content is 1800 milligrams, which is 500 milligrams lower than the American Heart Association's recommended 2300 milligram daily sodium limit. So yes, while packaged foods can be high in sodium, our foods actually contain less sodium than the recommended daily limit.
Dieting Challenges
Next, Stacie answered questions about dieting challenges she's seen in her many years working with clients at Nutrisystem.
What are the Typical Challenges for Dieters?
I would say that it's two things. First, people are excited and enthusiastic the first week on a diet. They want to see weight loss, and see it fast. But sometimes they don't lose anything the first week. And that's really hard. You think you're doing everything right but the scale isn't moving.
The second challenge for dieters is boredom. I mean, how many salads can you eat in one week? Some diets are so restrictive that you have to eat the same thing every day. Well you will lose weight if it's low calorie, but who wants to live that way for the rest of their life? As soon as they lose the weight and go off the diet, they go crazy and eat all the forbidden foods.
So How Does Nutrisystem Address Those Challenges?
First of all, you will lose weight on Nutrisystem. The very first week most of our clients see great results. That's really motivating for most people. Secondly, we have a great variety in the meals you'll receive on the Nutrisystem diet. You'll get pizza, ravioli, chicken, and even some treats. It's the stuff you like. We make sure that if you crave a certain food, say ice cream, that you get some ice cream. We deal with the cravings. You won't feel deprived at all.
Diet Success
Stacie shared with us what she believes it the secret to the Nutrisystem diet and its success for so many people.
What is the Secret to Weight Loss for Your Clients?
On our program, you eat five to six small meals each day. The food is low glycemic, filled with good carbohydrates. You've got these great-tasting meals delivered to your house. Everything you need to be successful is there. You know when you wake up you've got a plan and you're ready to go. From there you add your fresh protein like a glass of skim milk and a piece of fruit. It's so simple that the dieter starts to get the rhythm down. It's a no-brainer as my clients like to say.
People get bored easily. Having so many choices keeps it interesting. People crave variety and we offer such variety people enjoy it and lose weight. The nutrition is balanced for good health. I also think that people break diets because of what they crave. On Nutrisystem, you get to have what you crave on a daily basis.
Don't People Feel Hungry?
Most people are surprised at how much they can eat. I hear over and over again, "I don't eat this much now." Most people go on a diet and starve themselves throughout the day. Then dinnertime comes and they're so hungry they eat everything in sight. The secret is to fuel your body throughout the day, and the Nutrisystem diet does this through small, low-glycemic and portion controlled meals eaten frequently throughout the day.
If Meals Are Delivered, How Do People Learn the Right Way to Eat?
What happens is that people suffer from portion distortion. They either think something is too much or too little, but they never know what is enough. Because the Nutrisystem foods are portion controlled, people see day after day the right amount to eat. They learn portion control by seeing it every day while they eat our foods. We teach them how to manage portions and eat healthfully.
What Would You Say to Anyone Considering Nutrisystem?
You've got to start somewhere. If you've been disappointed by all the other diets out there, you won't be disappointed with the Nutrisystem diet. We get results, and the food tastes great. Try it and see!
Resources
For more information or to register with Nutrisystem, visit their website or call 1-877-793-6547.
