Nutrisystem and GlucoFitClub to Pilot the First Integrated Diet, Exercise and Monitoring Program For Effective Weight Loss and Diabetes Prevention and Control

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Oct. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nutrisystem , Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRI), the leading home delivery weight loss program, and GlucoFitClub, a leading provider of exercise, fitness and electronic health monitoring services located within participating YMCA's, announced today the start of the NutriFitProgram™, a more effective and integrated program for people to achieve their weight and fitness goals. Participation in this program can help people avoid the health complications associated with excess weight, an improper diet and lack of regular exercise. In addition, the program is specifically intended to help people with diabetes better manage the disease, as well as help to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes for those with prediabetes.

The NutriFitProgram combines all the essentials needed to help achieve efficient and healthy weight loss. This Program includes a member's choice of a 28-day personalized Nutrisystem Plan which includes 28 days of meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert) that are portion controlled and easy to prepare, community membership, online and mobile tools and weight loss counseling. Personalized exercise programs are arranged from approximately 90 weekly classes at participating YMCA's including 36-minute entry-level circuit training, water aquatics and Zumba®. This program is combined with weekly coaching from a professional trainer who records the member's body weight, BMI, blood pressure and physical dimensions. Following the trainer's consultation, the member's confidential data can then be entered into a HIPAA compliant web portal that visually charts their progress and trends along with their daily blood sugar readings. The GlucoFitClub provides its members with a free auto-logging MyGlucoHealth glucometer that can effortlessly upload a participant's blood glucose readings through a compatible cell phone or computer to their personalized GlucoFitClub web portal. Entra Health Systems is the monitoring technology partner for GlucoFitClub that supplies the NutriFitProgram with the member web portal and wireless glucometer.

"In the face of an expanding obesity epidemic, Nutrisystem is dedicated to helping people lead healthier lifestyles. The NutriFitProgram will make it easier and faster for our customers to achieve their health goals by augmenting our dietary programs," said Joe Redling, Chairman and CEO at Nutrisystem. "Nutrisystem is delighted to partner with the GlucoFitClub and to offer the nutritional component of this innovative program."

Added Dr. Bruce Daggy, Vice President of Research and Development at Nutrisystem, "The clinical evidence is very clear from landmark diabetes prevention and management studies, that many cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or better managed through healthy weight loss, increased physical activity, and better monitoring.  The NutriFitProgram brings all three features together in one affordable, easy to use program. "

The YMCA of Orange County and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) of Orange County are both active partners in supporting the program in Southern California. The Y is committed to expanding opportunities for healthy living and provides the physical club environment for the GlucoFitClub and its exercise, monitoring and educational programs. Members of this program also enjoy a local YMCA membership, which includes full access to YMCA facilities and many benefits such as pool access, and supportive community environment. The ADA provides free educational classes and counseling at the YMCA for diabetic and pre-diabetic members.

The NutriFitProgram is being piloted in Southern California with a commitment from the parties to expand promptly in response to the demand. Membership in the GlucoFitClub and the YMCA is included at no additional charge to customers subscribing to a qualifying Nutrisystem home-delivery dietary meal program.

"The NutriFitProgram is about getting results, having fun and enjoying the company of other people who have the same goals. We have packaged a cost-effective dietary home meal-delivery and exercise program that is effective and fits comfortably into our members' lifestyles," said Gene Theslof, CEO at GlucoFitClub. "The GlucoFitClub is really all about providing the right tools for people to make important changes in their lives that can make them happier and healthier. We enable this through our collaboration with Nutrisystem, Entra Health Systems and the devotion of our trainers and the sheer enthusiasm of our members who support one another in this important program."

For additional information on the NutriFitProgram and the GlucoFitClub, please call 877-699-9432.

About Nutrisystem, Inc.

Nutrisystem, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRI) is the number one home delivery weight-loss company. Nutrisystem® products are sold direct to the consumer through nutrisystem.com, by phone, and at select retailers, with convenient home delivery. The Company offers proven nutritionally balanced weight loss programs designed for women, men, and seniors, as well as the Nutrisystem® D® program, specifically designed to help people with type 2 diabetes who want to lose weight and manage their diabetes. The Nutrisystem® program is based on nearly 40 years of nutrition research and the science of the low glycemic index, and offers a variety of great tasting, satisfying, good carbohydrate meals that are designed to be heart healthy. The program was named the "Least Expensive Home Delivery Program" by CBS Money Watch in January 2011. The program has no membership fees and provides weight management support and counseling by trained weight-loss coaches and online and mobile weight management tools free of charge. Nutrisystem proudly supports the American Diabetes Association in its movement to Stop Diabetes™, as well as to help in increasing awareness of the correlation between weight loss and improvements in diabetes control. For more information or to become a customer, visit http://www.nutrisystem.com or call 1-800-891-3215. For the healthcare professional, please visit http://www.nutrisystem.com/hcp. Follow Nutrisystem on Twitter @nutrisystem and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/nutrisystem.

About GlucoFitClub, LLC.

The GlucoFitClub is a division of Gluco Fitness Center LLC. a leader in health and wellness strategies and personalized health monitoring that help people lead healthier and more productive lives. In addition to alliances with Nutrisystem, Gluco Fitness Center works closely with the YMCA, American Diabetes Association and American Association of Diabetes Educators to help people lose weight, reverse prediabetes and provide better self-management tools to fight diabetes.  The GlucoFitClub's bundled combination of dietary meals, supervised exercise classes, coaching and personal electronic monitoring are backed by decades of evidence-based research. Gluco Fitness Center is also an exclusive distributor of the Entra Health System wireless glucometer for digital diabetes management. To learn more about GlucoFitClub or other healthy living programs offered by Gluco Fitness Center, visit us at www.glucofitnesscenter.com  or call 877-699-9432.

About MyGlucoHealth®

MyGlucoHealth Wireless from Entra Health Systems is the first FDA cleared and CE certified Bluetooth®-enabled glucometer of its kind in the world. MyGlucoHealth works in combination with a real-time online data collection network to securely upload and manage blood glucose readings using to an online portal eliminating the need to maintain personal logbooks. MyGlucoHealth gives patients more direct control over their care and provides clear lines of communication with clinicians and caregivers. For more information visit: www.myglucohealth.net  or call 877-458-2646.

SOURCE Nutrisystem, Inc.