"Jenny Craig Diet"

Pro Review

 

Pro Review: Submitted by former visitor to chasefreedom.com

I have been trying to get my weight under control, but bad eating habits and no desire to exercise can be a horrible combination. So when my weight skyrocketed to an all-time high, I had to do something. I tried many different types of diets, including the Protein Power Plan (high-protein, low carb), regular dieting and exercising, the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet, and simple starvation (*that* only lasted a day). When everything failed, I thought I'd join a weight loss program. I called L.A. Weight Loss and Jenny Craig.

L.A. Weight Loss completely turned me off because when I called, the woman was very aggressive and reminded me of a telemarketer from hell who just wouldn't take no for an answer. Of course, different centers have different staff members, and just because this particular woman was extremely pushy doesn't mean the employees at other L.A. Weight Loss programs are, too. But her attitude didn't help, especially since this L.A. Weight Loss program was the closest to my house. So, I called Jenny Craig, and the woman was very nice and friendly. She answered my questions, except for cost, and I liked her enough to go in for a consultation. My best friend also joined me.

The consultation went very well. We learned how the program focuses on eating well and gaining a healthy attitude towards food. There are no "bad" foods and no entire food group is completely restricted from the diet, like in diets such as The Carbohydrate's Addict diet or Protein Power Plan. We felt so good about the program that both my friend and I signed up. It was also very encouraging to see before and after polaroids of people who went to that particular canter. Very inspiring! It was like, well, if he can do it, so can I!

My friend only needed to lose 15 lbs, so she signed up for the special--10 lbs. for $10, and the consultant agreed that for such little to lose, there would be no real reason to join the Gold or Platinum memberships, which is better for long-term weight-loss.

Me, on the other hand, joined the Platinum Membership, since I have more to lose. The Platinum membership was about $290, because there was a savings of about $55 if I joined that night. The reason for why I chose the Platinum membership was because it was a lifetime membership, which meant I could come back to Jenny Craig anytime if I had weight to lose, and since I'm only in my 20's, I figured down the line, if I ever had a baby, etc. I could return. Plus, once I reach my goal weight, I would be placed on a maintenance program for a year and after a year of reaching goal, if my weight was either 5lbs above or 5lbs less than my goal weight, I got half of my membership fee (approx. $145) back! Now that seemed like a deal.

Also included with the membership was a hardcover Jenny Craig cooking book that has beautiful glossy pages of recipes I can't wait to try when I finally get to the maintenance plan! Also, I received a set of walking tapes that would help me inspire me to get my heart pumping.

Speaking of exercise, the program wants you to just move your body a little more than you did last week. My consultant said that there's no point to suddenly make yourself exercise 3 times a week if that's not what you really want to do, because eventually you'll just stop. She said it's best to just gradually increase your activity level so that it feels right and feels as if it's something that you want to incorporate into your life. You know what? The more weight you lose, the more you want to go out and move your body.

Depending on your starting weight and how much you want to lose, your caloric intake per day is anywhere from 1,000 to 2,300 calories. I am on the 2,000 calorie diet and there's a lot of food! I'm always filled up. My friend is on the 1,200 calorie diet, and she was initially hungry for the first 2 weeks, but she has adjusted and feels good.

The cost of food is approx. $10-12/day, and that includes all three meals, plus most snacks. The food menu is full of variety and includes such dishes as French toast, spaghetti and chicken meatballs, chili, stuffed shells, lemon cake, raspberry chocolate cheesecake, blueberry waffle, pancakes, gourmet popcorn, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and chicken in plum sauce. Yes, the portions are small and you are to supplement your meals with veggies and fruits. What I love is that there are surprising things on the menu, things I would never have thought could be eaten when I am on a diet--such as the cheesecake! And it tastes great, too! The whole point is for you to realize that you can eat anything, just as long as you limit your portion size. I must admit there are a few things on the menu that I don't like, but if you discover something that you never want to eat again, you don't have to eat it! If it appears on a future menu, your consultant will substitute it for something else that you like.

There are different menus to choose from: Standard, Chocolate Lover's (yes, chocolate!), and Vegetarian. Also included in the menu is vitamin supplements that you also purchase from Jenny Craig. After breakfast, you take a multivitamin and after dinner there is an antioxidant. Also, you have to drink the standard 8 glasses of water.

Here's a tip: I detest eating out plastic containers, so I put the food onto plates and that helps make the whole experience much nicer. Also, it looks like there's more food that way, especially when you add veggies.

Don't think that you're limited to eating just Jenny Craig food. You can also plan "dining out" days with your consultant. Just this past weekend, a friend came in from out of town, and I was able to eat out and still have it work in my diet.

I usually have a "big eye" when it comes to food. But what's wonderful is that the other day I went out with a friend, and she ordered a dish that in the past I would've thought was a "regular" portion, but now, when I saw it, my first thought was, "Wow, that's a lot of food!" I think it's great that I'm getting a better grip on how to eat well and how to not gorge myself until I'm stuffed.

All the meals are balanced and follows the FDA's pyramid chart of the percentage of fruits, dairy, veggies, and starch a person should eat per day. I feel healthy and I'm losing weight.

I haven't reached the maintenance plan yet, but from what I understand, that's when Jenny Craig tries to wean you off of their food and onto your own. Your caloric intake will increase to a level that will help maintain the weight that you are at. Also, instead of weekly meetings with your consultant, you go in once a month for weigh-ins and it helps you and your consultant catch any increase of weight before it gets out of hand.

I think it definitely helps me to have a friend doing this with me. I also think it may be hard to do this if you have to cook for a family. It would be tempting to be cooking your delicious recipes for your family and you're stuck eating your Jenny Craig. However, I think as a single person, it's super convenient to have these pre-packed meals that are nutritionally balanced and for the most part, yummy. What I also like is that I don't have to think about the diet. I just eat what my menu (which changes weekly) tells me to eat, and you can make substitutions. For instance, yesterday I was craving chocolate, so I bought nonfat chocolate & vanilla pudding, and following the conversions in the booklet I was given, I could eat my pudding in exchange for two carbs.

However, with any diet, you have to want to lose it, and Jenny Craig works for me, because I want to lose the weight, and every week, I do!