Jenny Craig Advice

[Anonymous]

Hi-I just joined after realizing that the weight just wasn't coming off. Has anyone succeeded using Jenny Craig and have any wisdom on how to make it work and/or what to avoid? To the people who tried it and it didn't work--was it the food or something else???

Thanks for any thoughts!

[Anonymous]

It worked for my mom years ago, but I think the toughest part was transitioning off the diet and eating regular food again...she did not keep the weight off.

[zumbamama]

I have struggled with my weight all my life. The only thing that worked for me was to find a physical activity that I LOVE...I mean love it so much that it drives you...to move regularly and to put your all into that. And the more I move, the more control I have over my appetite. I haven't tried Jenny Craig, but my friend has, and she is still struggling to lose. I started Zumba and Yoga 2 years ago and have kept 30 pounds off without any yo-yo-ing. My advice is to find an activity that is too fun to give up...and that will become your motivation.

[Anonymous]

I too have struggled with being overweight all my life. I have found that all these diets don't address the long-term issues. Why was I eating more than my body needed? Plus how to implement and maintain lifelong changes. Each person has to answer these questions for themselves to discover the right solution. However, all solutions should have 3 components - Eat Smart, Stay Active and Be Accountable. I use a 12-Step program (free) as I discovered I was "addicted to food" (www.oa.org). Another long term, yet affordable program some of my friends have used is offered through a wellness, "catalog" company we shop from. I think you can take a tour of it.... www.vfl.com if not call me 240.472.6832 - Loretta. My last step was to incorporate more regular exercise - wow what a difference!

[Anonymous]

I've been on Jenny Craig twice. Once in college when I lost 20 lbs and kept it off until I had my first child. I tried it again but did not have the same success. I think part of it was I was not terribly committed mentally and I wasn't a big fan of my counselor. Also, I was still cooking for my husband which just didn't work. That being said, it really is the easiest way to diet. You don't have to obsess about portion sizes and what you're going to eat. They do eventually wean you off their food and into the "real" world. This time around I'm trying to do it on my own b/c I do love to cook and I also learned after years and years of trying every diet under the sun that my specific issue is portion sizes. But I digress -- back to your original question -- if you want to succeed do everything they tell you. Drink the water, eat all the food and exercise! When I failed it was b/c I didn't follow the plan and cheated on one or all of those three requirements. GOod luck!

[Anonymous]

I don't know about Jenny Craig, but i am a devoted fan of Weight Watchers. I go religiously to the meetings and I am now BELOW my pre-pregnancy weight - super cool. Today I put on my "skinny pants" that were sitting in the back of my closet - I refused to throw them out and guess what? I put them on today and they were BAGGY.

WHOOHHOOO!!

It takes about three weeks (in my experience) to really make it a habit but once it does, it's a VERY doable lifestyle. I have gone out to eat, thrown parties, celebrated things, etc.

So - just my two cents. Good luck!!! I know how hard it is but it is sooooo worth it.

[Anonymous]

I've never tried jenny craig- so this isn't really what you were asking for (sorry!)

I'd say weight watchers is a great thing to consider if you're worried about the food on jenny craig though.

With weight watchers, you can eat whatever you want, its all about moderation. For me personally, this was more helpful because I had to learn to eat properly, and eating prepackaged/measured meals wouldn't have helped me achieve that. And lets face it, after awhile, no matter how good the food you're going to get sick of it! But WW also gave me limits/goals/etc that I needed to be successful. I do the program at home on my own, never been to a meeting- it may be even more helpful and motivating if I did though. I just didn't have time.

Overall, it just seemed healthier and better for me personally. I think a lot of what type of diet/exercise/etc works for you is very individual and it helps to know what would make it successful for you.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I lost 75 lbs on Jenny Craig two years ago! I also worked out 3 times a week, once with a personal trainer. I think that made a HUGE difference. Of course, now I'm pregnant, so I'll probably have to go through it again to some degree. My experience with JC is that it really does work if you can actually stick with the program. I don't think it necessarily suits everyone's lifestyle or personality, so Weight Watchers might be another good option as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know about Jenny Craig, but i am a devoted fan of Weight Watchers. I go religiously to the meetings and I am now BELOW my pre-pregnancy weight - super cool. Today I put on my "skinny pants" that were sitting in the back of my closet - I refused to throw them out and guess what? I put them on today and they were BAGGY.

Another vote for WW! Same experience--I had gained 20 pounds, but prepreg clothes are a little big now. AWESOME.
I avoiced Jenny Craig bc I did not want to buy the food. It just did not seem like a long-term solution for me.

[Anonymous]

My friend just started the Weight Watchers Core program and she LOVES it. She's lost 11 lbs in the past 3-4 weeks. She's done Jenny Craig before, but she said this fits into her lifestyle much better.