Jenny Craig - Montgomery,IL

Hi S.,

The premise behind Jenny Craig is great. The low glycemic index is a very healthy way to eat and it will help you lose weight. My Dad was diagnosed as a diabetic when I was young and we ate like this for him....long before it became popular. The problem I have with these companies that provide food is that the food is processed. Processed foods are full of chemicals and the chemicals can cause us to retain weight. I know we can't avoid all processed foods because of the system our country has, but it is best to avoid as many as possible. Processing (i.e. the chemicals, preservatives AND pesticides) keeps our body from absorbing nutrition properly. When our body does not absorb nutrition, the body will not release body fat.

I started my husband on an absorbable multivitamin/mineral complex and he dropped 110 pounds. The first 60 of that was without any diet change or any activity change. After he lost the 60 pounds, he started running again. He lost 50 more pounds and has kept it off for five years now. Nutrition, which Jenny Craig is attempting, is the basis to weight management.

Regards,

M.

I am doing this program now and have lost 15 lbs. in six weeks. I work out regularly and am very happy with the results. I tried weight watchers in the past but felt like I needed something easy (food prepared, etc.) to get a kick start. It is pricey, food costs about $100 a week. I go in weekly to weigh in and pick out my food. I think programs like these, especially having a baby, are easy and help you realize what a good portion size is. I would try it to kick start your diet program. The main thing to remember is that working out is a huge component. After 2 weeks, I started feeling great and wanted to work out. Finding the time with two little ones has been tough, but I work out at home using on demand exercise TV and the weight is coming off. Good luck!

One of my good friends has done it a few times but has stopped because the cost was too much ultimately.
She had moderate success and generally liked the food, but it was $400/month.

My husband is doing the online Weight Watchers after both his brother and SIL were very successful on it. I believe it's 39/month for access to the site. So far, in conjunction with training for a 1/2 marathon, he's lost 15 lbs.

My best advice if you're interested in a weight loss program is to go to your local hospital and schedule an appointment with a Registered Dietician who can calculate your metabolism, give you an estimated calorie basis for weight loss, help you build a meal plan you like and then use Weight Watchers online to track your food intake.

Whatever you do, you have to be committed to making a lifestyle change to be successful down the road - which is why plans like Adkins fail in the long run (unrealistic to have such low carb consumption for many years).

Chances are, your insurance will pay for a RD consult as well.

Good luck!

Hi There, Just a side note. I've never used JC but I've been using www.sparkpeople.com. It's similar to Weight Watchers, but free! You don't need to buy special foods and there are a lot of online support tools. I've lost 6 lbs in the first 2 weeks. Good luck!

Hi S.,
Not really sure where a lot of these ladies (who are currently on Jenny Craig) are going, but I just called yesterday to get myself on the program (20lbs. for $20) and the rep. told me the food for 28 weeks would be $774. That is absolutely RIDICULOUS! I was like, that is higher than our "monthly" food bill for three to four people. I could not possibly spend that amount for just MYSELF! :(

That was very upsetting, because I really wanted to try it, but I just received an e-mail for Nutrisystem and it's only going to run about $250 (during this promotional period) a month. I can definitely "manage" that until I lose enough to help get me back into the groove of healthy eating and portion control, ya know? I don't think I'l be on it more than a month or so.

After looking at some of the comments people posted, I was definitely interested in what "Mimi H." had to say. I wonder what kind of absorbable multivitamin she used? That definitely sounds legit. I sometimes feel like that is exactly what is happening to me.... I can watch what I eat and do really good, but get negative results. Maybe my body is not absorbing the healthy nutrients needed as well!?!? :)

In any case, I guess I'm just trying to say that I don't think Jenny Craig is the route to go if you are on a budget. If you don't care how much you spend, then "go for it!" I hear it does work.

My sister is on Jenny Craig and it is working wonderfully for her. She has lost 26 lbs in 10-12? weeks. The wonderful thing is that the food is prepared already and as she sees the drop it weight, it encourages her to keep going. She is now losing 1 lb/week so she has added exercise to her lifestyle to keep it going. Of course, you will plateau at some point, but it is a wonderful way to jumpstart weight loss. It may be processed, but you don't have to be on it forever. My sister is already learning how to eat better and change her lifestyle so she is prepared for when she goes off it. Also, she picks up her food every Sunday and weighs in then too. She really likes going in each Sunday and calls me every Sunday to share her success on her way home. To answer your other question, I believe it is just 100/week... Basically, the equivalent to a grocery bill, except that it is food for just one person. Maybe try it for 12 weeks and in the meantime, prepare for a lifestyle change so you can move forward successfully on your own afterwards. Good luck!