My husband and I had some friends over recently, and a friend’s wife, Stacy, and I ended up chatting forever about our weight loss struggles. It was such a relief to bond with someone over this! I’d tried everything, but nothing had worked.
A New Chance: Optavia
She told me she’d just started something new that was finally working for her: Optavia. I’d never heard of it before, but she launched into a monologue about everything they offer (shakes, meal replacements, etc.), how delicious it was, and how she’d already lost weight.
I planned to pick up some of their foods at the grocery store, but she told me she could get everything for me, and drop it off at my house! Such a lovely gesture from a new friend.
FOOD
Unfortunately, I wasn’t as thrilled with the food as she was; some of their meals definitely had a strange aftertaste.
A wide range of Optavia’s offerings are powdered and time-consuming to prepare, and they don’t offer a wide selection of meals. Some Optavia examples include: Golden Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix, Creamy Chocolate Shake Mix, Caramel Delight Crisp Bar, Honey Mustard & Onion Sticks, and Homestyle Chick'n Noodle Soup Mix.
I also found myself eating more outside the meal plan since the Optavia’s food was just not filling me up. She called me up and asked what I thought, and I tried to be polite, thanking her for the recommendation.
She told me how grateful she was for the chance to introduce me to Optavia, and asked if I wanted to repay her and introduce someone else to Optavia. Huh?!
PRICE
I felt like I was stuck in a circle! Stacy told me I could make money by signing up someone else for Optavia; social selling, she called it. I thought about it. This wasn’t cheap! I wanted to recoup my losses.
Their Essential Optimal Kit starts at $378.25, but in the end, I just couldn’t justify getting someone else to pay for it when I didn’t really like it.
SUPPORT
Once Stacy understood that I would not be buying more products, and also not getting anyone else to try Optavia, I noticed she unfriended me on Facebook. I cannot tell you how heartbroken I was!
She wrote about being an Optavia Coach, but she’d also confided in me that she was still not hitting her goals.
I was crushed. Not only did I lose a "friend," but this was also another failed attempt at a weight loss plan. I was ready to give up on feeling good in my body.
Another Chance: Nutrisystem
I was texting a different friend about my experience with Stacy, and she asked me if I’d ever tried Nutrisystem.
I joked if she was getting paid by Nutrisystem and she said absolutely not; she didn’t care at all if I tried it, but her coworker really liked the meals and had lost a lot of weight and kept it off.
Here we go again, I thought. Fine. One more time.
FOOD
Nutrisystem is a legacy brand with multiple plans that deliver food right to your home. You get to eat 6 times a day, and they offer high-protein, high-fiber options of some of your favorite foods, so you don’t have to give up anything.
There are over 160 menu choices that include snacks like White Cheddar Popcorn and Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiches (Yum!). As for the meals, you’ll find all your favorites in lower-calorie versions!
Their Hearty Inspiration Meals are packed with up to 30 grams of protein to keep you fuller for longer and they’re beloved; Beef Lo Mein, Bourbon-Style Chicken, and Cajun-Style Chicken and Shrimp Sauté are all favorites.
Then there are Restaurant Faves — inspired by popular dishes from some of my favorite restaurants (but portioned with half the calories). No FOMO! The Bistro-Style Toasted Ravioli has a mouth-watering three-cheese blend.
PRICE
The Basic plan starts at $279.79 a month, plus free shipping! But I started with the Women’s Unique Yours Max+ Plan for $369.99; it covered 5 days of meals and snacks, so I was only responsible for about 2 days on my own (hello, less expensive grocery lists!).
There are also deals if you buy more than one month at a time; plans start as low as $10 a day.
SUPPORT
The NuMi app allows you to easily log, record and track your progress; it’s a community-oriented space where you can talk to Nutrisystem coaches (who have actually been trained!), available 24/7 to help you stay on track.
You’ll also find opportunities to join fun weight loss challenges and access to hundreds of recipes to practice cooking your own healthy meals.
I chose the Women’s Plan but here are some of their other plans:
- Partner Plan - You can do this plan with the support of a spouse, family member or friend!
- Men’s Plan - Dietitian-designed for men with one extra snack a day
- Diabetic Plan - Achieve your goals and factor in your blood sugar
- Vegetarian Plan - Choose from 90+ vegetarian meals and snacks
OPTAVIA VS. NUTRISYSTEM
Key Similarities
- Both brands deliver food right to your home
- Both brands have positive customer reviews
Key Differences
- Nutrisystem is a traditional consumer brand; Optavia not only sells food, but offers network marketing opportunities for consumers
- Nutrisystem has 5+ plans for different lifestyles; Optavia only offers plans based on number of meals
- Nutrisystem offers food for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snacks; Optavia focuses more on meal-replacement snacks
Final Notes
Nutrisystemworks; the food was delicious, and although there was something exciting about Optavia’s social selling opportunity, the food was just not good and it was too much pressure to push something I didn’t enjoy or believe in.
Nutrisystem is delicious so it’s easier to stick to, and they set you up to stay on a path to wellness for life. I’m so excited I’ve found a way to eat my favorite foods, lose weight and learn healthy habits along the way!