This Mama Cooks! Reviews

Sensa roundup: six months and beyond

If you read my main blog, This Mama Cooks! On a Diet, you probably know that I’ve rejoined Weight Watchers and have lost over seven pounds on the Weight Watchers Momentum Plan in seven weeks. I’ve also started working out for at least 35 minutes a day for five to six days a week – and already gone down a pant and bra size and feel a lot better physically than I did earlier this year.

Was Sensa a good fit for me?

Where does Sensa fit into getting back on Weight Watchers? Not very well, I’m afraid, because like I stated in my post, Sensa Weight-Loss System update - month three and four, I have a big problem remembering to use it. It’s just not natural for me to sprinkle stuff on my food at every meal. Indeed, I forget to use it so often that I’m barely using it at all.

Otherwise, Sensa is a terrific tool to go along with any weight loss or healthy eating plan because it does make you feel full faster and keeps you from getting hungry between meals – at least it did for me. My problem is that using Sensa wasn’t something I could make into a habit, like drinking eight glasses for water a day or exercising. It’s me Sensa, not you – really.

Also, even though I feel it works, there are times I could “override” the full feelings and keep on eating. I did that when something was really, really, good – like having a Lindt chocolate bar or a bowl of pasta. Or when I’ve had a tough day and felt “I deserve a treat.” Emotions can really mess with any healthy eating diet plan, and Sensa is no different.

Would I recommend trying it?

Yes, I do. I felt it worked for me, so maybe it will work well for you.

It’s really something you have to try for yourself, so if you’re interested, the promotional discount code has been extended to December 31, 2009. To get 15% off your order and get free ground shipping too, enter the ROCKETXL redemption code at  TrySensa.com.

Also, you may want to follow Sensa online:

• @Sensa on Twitter 
• Sensa’s Facebook page
• Dayna Devon (Sensa spokesperson) on Facebook

Good luck and let me know about your experiences with Sensa.

(And thanks to RocketXL for supplying me with a complimentary six month supply - and nothing more - so I could try out Sensa and share my experiences and opinions with my readers.)

Sensa Weight-Loss System update - month three and four

One step forward, two steps back – month three

After month three, I weighed myself and found that I had gained all five pounds that I had lost. Not good, but after analyzing my behavior, here’s why:

1. Not using the product consistently. December was filled with holiday parties and going out for dinner. I do have a problem not using Sensa when I go out. I get into this mind set that if I’ve ordered a dish, I might as well eat the whole thing, so why use my sprinkles?

Two words – doggie bag. I can still enjoy yummy meals out, but I don’t have to eat the whole thing. It’s easy to ask for a to go container and enjoy the rest of the meal the next day. Duh.

2. Not exercising. I haven’t been exercising at all since November. Taking a couple of months off must have slowed down my metabolism. It’s also tightened up all the muscles in my back and neck. Stretching with the Wii Fit and working out on the stationary bike has helped loosen me up. Not exercising and putting more weight on my body doesn’t feel good – especially true the older I get.

3. Overindulging. On the Sensa Weight-Loss they tell you not to go nuts and suddenly start eating ice cream and chocolate for every meal. You should eat normally and sensibly. Well, explain that to Santa because there seemed to be way too much cheese, chocolate and wine around my house last December. Thank goodness that the holidays are over and we can eat healthfully again.

4. Not listening to my body. There are times with Sensa that I feel totally full but keep eating because I’m tired or something is really delicious and I don’t want to miss out. I need to learn how to stop eating when your body signals "satiety" or "fullness" not when I get a tummy ache.

Sensa Weight-Loss System two month update

My weigh in after using Sensa for two months

I have now lost five pounds since I started using Sensa. I’m shocked that I lost anything last month since I overindulged at Thanksgiving, bunco, and had several birthday dinners with friends and family. I also haven’t been exercising like I normally do.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, I’ve been pretty bad about remembering to use the Sensa sprinkles. Even though I keep my Sensa shaker on the kitchen table, there were plenty of times I ate my whole meal and then remembered to use it. Doh!

Criticisms from another blogger

I came across another blogger’s criticism of what she calls “The Sprinkle Diet” meaning Sensa. She hasn’t tried the product but had some very valid points that getting healthy does mean eating properly, exercising, exploring why you overeat, and making lifestyle changes to lose weight and get healthy.

She feels that most overweight people eat when they are not hungry (emotional, binge or compulsive eating or food addiction) and cannot stop when they are full. I’m sure that’s true of many people, but not me. I’m a bottomless pit who loves to eat and doesn’t exercise enough. I don’t feel full even though many diet plans have shown me ways to feel full faster like drinking a large glass of water before eating or putting my fork down between bites.

With Sensa, I feel full quicker and feel satisfied long, which is why I like the product for me. I feel it’s another tool – like my scale, healthy cookbooks, and exercise equipment – that can help me in my quest to be a healthy weight, eat better, and take care of myself.

She also claims that Sensa contains MSG, and that the maltodextrin and natural and artificial flavors listed on the Sensa ingredient label are “code words” for MSG.

I know MSG is a flavor enhancer, but if it had any use as a dieting aid, everyone would be sprinkling it all over their food and losing tons of weight, right? (Yes, you can buy MSG powder at many Asian supermarkets, believe it or not.)

I went to the Sensa website FAQ to investigate the ingredients:

Sensa contains Maltodextrin (Derived from Corn from the USA), Tricalcium Phosphate, Silica, Natural and Artificial Flavors, FD&C Yellow 5, and Carmine. Sensa also contains Soy and Milk ingredients. Sensa is sodium-free, sugar-free, calorie free, gluten-free, and there are no stimulants, drugs or MSG. [my emphasis]

So either the Sensa people are lying or she’s misinformed. Even if it did have MSG, I don’t think that’s why the product is working for me. Instead, it must be the six different scent/flavor combinations in the Sensa Tastants that trigger  brain mechanisms to signal my brain that I am full. Sounds like a lot of hocus pocus, but it’s working.

**UPDATE** Sensa responded to The Fit Shack's criticism and claims back in June 2008 at their blog - The Truth About Sensa – We Respond to the Rumors.

Intrigued? Join me!

Join me in trying Sensa. Go to http://www.trysensa.com/link/A0B089 and use the promotion code ROCKETXL to get 15% of your order (no minimum) and free ground shipping. Or you can use the ROCKETXL code upon checkout at www.trysensa.com.

Win a six-month supply of Sensa

Sensa is giving away a six months supply of Sensa and other Intelligent Beauty products. It’s based on the most dramatic change using the product and three winners will be selected to win. You’ll need to post your before and after photos (your face can be covered) on your blog or you can send them to me at mama at thismamacooks dot com so I can post them here.

To be considered you’ll need to post the photos during the week of February 2-6, 2009 and email the link to the post to Amanda@rocketxl.com. If you send me your photos, I’ll email Amanda for you.

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Sensa Weight-Loss System one month update

My weigh in after using Sensa for one month

After one month I lost only three pounds. Now you may think that it’s not much. But remember I didn’t change my eating habits. I didn’t cut back or only ate salads. I ate cheese and chocolate when I felt like it. (A little too much in my opinion.) I had a glass of wine occasionally and I didn’t start a new exercise routine either.

But I felt that Sensa worked almost immediately. I didn’t feel hungry between meals. I felt fuller quicker and was more satisfied after eating. There was one busy morning when I didn’t feel hungry for breakfast until almost lunch time. I was amazed that it worked so quickly. I can be a bottomless pit at times and never feel full, so I’m enjoy the affect this product has on my hunger.

However, Sensa doesn’t work the same for everyone. Men usually lose weight at a steady rate month after month. Most women take up to two to three months before they start seeing results, but then begin to lose weight at an accelerated rate. Women will tend to lose weight faster than men in months 4, 5 and 6.