Jenny Craig
With its small army of celeb success stories in tow, Jenny Craig shows off its effectiveness.
BACKGROUND
With more than 640 centers around the globe and thousands of female followers, Jenny Craig has established itself as a leader in the weight-loss industry since 1983.
The Jenny Craig approach is built on three tenets: food, body and mind. The food element focuses on healthy eating and portion control and also teaches you how to eat the foods you love in moderation, the body element focuses on exercise and overcoming barriers to being physically active. The mind element focuses on positive thinking and getting the support you need to reach your weight loss goals.
The program is most known for its pre-packaged and portion-controlled meals. But Jenny Craig sets itself apart from other meal-delivery diets because as you reach your goal weight, you work closely with Jenny Craig counselors to learn about portion control, healthy cooking and eating at home or while dining out.
After an in-depth interview with a Jenny Craig representative, you are given a personalized meal and fitness plan. The two basic programs are the In-Person Support and Jenny Direct programs. With the former, you attend weekly meetings, consultations and food pick-up at your local Jenny Craig center and the latter gives you the same support over the phone and delivers food to your door.
In addition, there are five Jenny Craig plans: Jenny Craig for Women, Jenny Craig for Men, Jenny Craig for Teens, Jenny Craig for Spouses and Jenny Craig for Seniors.
Famous Jenny Craig spokespersons include Kirstie Alley, Joy Behar, Valerie Bertinelli and Queen Latifah.
PRO
- Features a one-on-one relationship with counselor
- Menu includes a wide-variety of foods
- Program has a long history and is a trusted brand in weight loss programs
- Prepackaged foods offer convenience
CON
- May be a challenge to transition from the company's prepackaged meals to "real" food
- Low-calorie diet may be too strict
- Weekly in-person meetings can sometimes be inconvenient
- Financial responsibility of prepacked meals may not be a long-term healthy eating solution
DIET and NUTRITION
The program's success is in the Jenny Craig food, which offers convenience with portioned and calorie-controlled pre-packaged meals. The Jenny Craig plan has a daily caloric intake of 1,200-1,300 and contains 50% to 60% carbohydrate, 20% to 25% protein, and 20% to 25% fat. Three meals and one snack are allowed each day.
Meals are either picked up at Jenny Craig centers or delivered straight to your door. There are four different menu options with Jenny Craig. You can customize your own meals, order pre-planned meals, enjoy an all-vegetarian menu or select a menu specifically designed for adolescents.
A sample day might look like banana nut cereal for breakfast, a turkey burger for lunch, chicken fettuccine for dinner and chocolate cake for dessert.
You also supplement your Jenny Craig diet with fresh fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grains. Low glycemic veggies can eaten in limitless portions.
A dining out guide is also included so that you can eat out without sabotaging your weight loss goals. No foods are off limits on the Jenny Craig program. You work with a counselor to learn how to safely incorporate your favorite foods into your healthy eating plan.
EXERCISE
On Jenny Craig you are given a personalized activity and motivational plan to get you moving more.
The Jenny Craig activity plan centers around three kinds of activities. The first are natural activities like house cleaning, shopping and gardening. Next are planned activities such as doing cardio at the gym or taking a yoga or aerobics class. Last are fun activities like taking a dance class or playing football with your kids.
Over time you gradually increase your activity through these three elements and you learn how to incorporate more movement into your day.
CONCLUSION
With its focus on food, body and mind, Jenny Craig is a well-rounded weight loss program that offers the training and support you need to achieve your weight loss goals. Its varied programs and pre-packaged meals and snacks offers the convenience of healthy eating in combination with a personalized plan that fits your lifestyle.
While most pre-packaged meal weight loss programs don't provide you with any information on how to prepare and eat healthy meals on your own, Jenny Craig offers support that educates you on healthy cooking and eating.
Common Misspellings
JennyCraig, Jenny Criag, Jennie Craig, Jenny Craig deit, Jenny Craig diet, Jennie Craig diet, Jennie Craig deit, jennycraig.com
Related Diets: Volumetrics, Weight Watchers, Weight Watchers Online for Men, Jen4Men, Jenny Craig for Men, Jenny Direct, NutriSystem
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After each baby, I return to Jenny Craig. I went from 140 lbs. to 200 lbs., and I always lost around 6 pounds a week. I was eating a lot, but the weight just came off since I had so much to lose. After several weeks, I went off JC and did a modified diet based on the JC model. I am 100% sold on the program. I felt great on it, and I think it's great for people who struggle to put food combinations and add calories. I would do it longer if I had the money.
I've been on Jenny Craig since 9/13/08 and have lost 35 lbs. so far (it's 1/3/09). I've got 28 more to go. I love my consultant, Cinnamon. I've been on the program before but this is the 1st time of stuck with it since I had my baby...uuuh 6 years ago. It worked for me in the past during my pre-baby years too. Sticking with the menu is not a problem for me. Keeping motivated to work out, having a great counselor, and getting on a menu that fits your budget is all it takes to succeed like I have. These 3 things are very important. I have never been pressured to purchase anthing I don't want. If you ever find you're not compatible with your consultant, just ask for another. You ARE the customer, remember. I enjoy the program. If it's not for you, don't bash it like I've read in some reviews. Just do something different that works for you! Good Luck!
Jenny Craig is one of the only weight loss programs that IS actually proven to work. Published results from prestigious medical journals like Obesity’s April 2007 report (http://www.jennycraig.com/assets/documents/corporate/RandomizedTrial_1yr.pdf) or this article by the Cooper Institute (http://www.jennycraig.com/assets/documents/corporate/IJOFinleyRetrospectivesArticle.pdf) go a lot further than ad hoc skeptics throwing stones. If that still isn’t enough for you, go to www.jennycraig.com/successstories and read for yourself. Real people, celebrities, you name it—Jenny Craig gets proven results with its nutritionally sound program and support from a consultant. There’s also plenty of online support at the Jenny Craig forums, as well as on other diet forums in the external blogosphere. Jenny Craig encourages lifestyle changes, rather than a diet, that its users can live with for greater health.
Love it, been doing it for 2 weeks and I've only lost 4 pounds but I have lost inches! I am back in my old jeans already. The food is good and you get to eat alot throughout the day. yes it cost money but it is worth it to me. You can't expect it to be free? People who work there are nutritionist, I think someone has to pay there salary. I doubt that JC is a big conspiracy to take your money. Bottom line, your paying for a nutritionist, counselor and really good food that will result in weight loss.If you could learn to lose weight on your own then you'd be skinny!
Jenny Craig saved my life--it is amazing!!
I began Jenny in Nov 07' and lost 20 lbs by late Jan. I was on and off the next few months but was maintaining. By May 08' I was off and trying to do it on my own. Needless to say, I gained it all back and find myself 3 lbs heavier than I was the first time! But...I know where I went wrong. I started Jenny again and in my first week I have lost 3 lbs so far. I think this time I will lose the weight, reach goal, and keep it off. My mistakes last time was not speaking with my counselor once I began to lose, there were times when i would just pick up my food and leave w/o weighing in or sitting down for a few minutes to speak with my her. Another mistake was not transitioning slowly into the cooking foods on my own phase. And another mistake was being satisfied with just losing some and not pushing to reach my ultimate goal. I was hearing how great I looked and looking at old and new pictures and I started to feel like I looked fine compared to a few months before so i could have just this one dessert which led to many desserts until I woke up one day and realized I was almost popping out of my clothes! I lost the weight so easy and fast the first time but I took that for granted so i know the program definitely works for me. I am happy I am refocused.I renewed my rewards program and was able to pick up where I left off with 30% off the food. i spend an ave of 85-100 a week and that's a good price for losing weight. I've been doing cardio everyday or at least 5 days a week. This works the best for me combined with a 1500 cal intake. I plan to go to 1200 when I am halfway and increase my activity so that I don't hit a plateau which I never did the last time. This plan is so easy and convenient for someone who works a lot or has a busy schedule. for those who say the food is expensive you have to weigh the pros and cons. It's less time consuming if you don't have a family you have to cook for and if you usually buy your lunch and breakfast outside when you're at work it comes to about the same price without the hassle of trying to figure what a portion size would be or counting calories. I say i you don't have a family and you work a lot, usually buy your meals outside, and hate counting calories and portion sizes,don't mind microwaved food(but this food actually tastes good) you will like the program and won't regret it.
why is everyone coming down on anne bartee Maybe shes on to something I had an appointment to at j/c but after reading the blogs I decided to take anne advice so many people say they have been off and on the program which has me very sceptical if it works the why do you have to go back???? I have never had a weight problem until now (just had a baby 5 weeks ago) but I think im going to take invest in a personal trainer instead of j/c
I DI D THE JENNY CRAIG PGM FOR 10 WEEKS & REALLY DIDN'T LOSE MUCH WEIGHT.
THE FOOD IS PRETTY GOOD. I DIDN'T GET TOO HUNGRY ON THE DIET.
MY PROBLEM WITH THE WHOLE JENNY CRAIG FARCE/FRAUD IS THE AMOUNT OF EXERCISE THAT THE PROGRAM REQUIRES. I PAID FOR THE PLAN & THE FOOD & BOUGHT THE BERTINELLI BOOK,
NO ONE EVER TOLD ME THAT THE PROGRAM REQUIRES THAT YOU HAD TO WALK FIVE MILES EVERY DAY - EVERY DAY! MY DOCTOR TOLD ME THAT THAT WAS AN EXESSIVE UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF EXERCISE. I TOLD THE JC PEOPLE THAT I JUST GOT OUT OF A KNEE BRACE . &THEY NEVER MENTIONED THE 5 MILE WALK (a high impact activity).
I DIDN'T FIND OUT ABOUT THE FIVE MILE REQUIREMENT UNTIL I WEIGHED IN & HAD LOST NO WEIGHT. THEN THE COUNSELOR ASKED IF I HAD BEEN WALKING 5 MILES A DAY. THAT WAS THE FIRST I EVER HEARD OF IT. I AM NOT IGNORANT I KNEW THAT ANY RELIABLE DIET WOULD REQUIRE EXERCISE. BUT THAT AMOUNT IS EXCESSIVE & NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO DO - EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!!
I WALKED AS MUCH AS I COULD EACH WEEK AND USED MY ELIPTICAL AS DIRECTED BY MY ORTHEPEDIC PHYSICIAN (WORKED UP TO 2 HRS A DAY - AND EVEN THEN I WAS TOLD TO TAKE A DAY OR TWO OFF EACH WEEK).
I DID ALL THAT EXERCISE - EXERCISE THAT THEY DON'T MENTION WHEN THEY WERE GETTING MY MONEY.
I AM VERY UPSET ABOUT THE RESULTS I GOT ON THIS PROGRAM.
IN THE END I OVEREXERCISED & FOLLOWED THEIR MEAL PLAN & DIDN'T LOSE THE WEIGHT THEY SAID I WOULD.
HEY - IF YOU DON'T WORK OR HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO BUT WALK ALL DAY & YOU LIVE SOMEWHERE WITH PERFECT WEATHER -IT'S A GREAT PLAN.
REALLY 5 MILES A DAY? YOU DON'T NEED JENNY CRAIG IF IF YOU ARE WORKING OUT THAT MUCH EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK?
I have a neighbor who joined JC & lost 22 lbs in 3 months. She looks great. Here's my problem with JC & Weight watchers and all those 'lose weight' places.... Most people know what it really requires to lose weight & get in shape- DIET & EXERCISE . I feel that JC takes advantage of people that have an issue that goes deeper than 'poor menu choices' ...this issue is compulsive overeating. I would recommend finding and Overeaters Anonymous meeting. They're free and the strength & support you get from people 'who get it' is invaluable!
LOVE it! I have lost over 70 pounds and because of my consultants suggestions, I work out at the gym 3-5 times per week with a personal trainer and just ran my first 5K!
Jenny Craig is My Hero. anne bartee is a fag. you don't diss my jenny. she is my lover. i lost 20 pounds and now i weigh 68 pounds. thanks jenny i love you.
my husban and I had the for life program where we only paid for meals we were in the springfeild pa branch
My daughter has lost 93 pounds on the Jenny Craig diet. She looks great and has more energy than she ever has. She is 32 years old and the mother of two. It has taken her on year and she is very near her goal. She has tried many other diets but this is the only one that has worked for her. Her husband has been a real encouragement for her and we are all really proud of her.
Whoa anne bartee..who are you to talk? Jenny Craig has wonderful one on one support, menu planning, pre-packaged food to help support portion control and to teach what a simple portion is, weekly consultations to keep you motivated and fresh every week, they help when you've hit a plateau and can't seem to get that last ten lbs, they have structure and help keep you accountable, they teach you how to dine out and still lose weight, and also to help you plan out any social event or gathering. Maybe you should go in for a free consultation. I'm so glad that you are managing your weight so well. Let me also let you in on something that you obviously do not already know. The "Jenny Craig" doesn't even own "Jenny Craig" anymore. Nestle does. You asked someone why they needed to be on here if Jenny Craig is working so well for them, but I should ask you why you are on here if you do not NEED Jenny Craig or weightloss support? The reason why we are here is to help others ALSO see success with the Jenny Craig program because we want to see it work well for others. You are an ignorant person and weight loss is not something that is easy and keeping it off is even harder so do not judge others. You're very rude. Congrats to everyone else who has lost weight and is losing weight now. No matter what program you are doing, it isn't easy, so props to all of you that are trying...YOU CAN do it. Good Luck!
Tried Jenny -- badddddd. In six weeks, I met with 4 different people; my 20 minutes was spent catching each one up with where I was at and what the last counselor had said/had me do. I had the same 2 menu plans for six weeks; sometimes the same plan from one week to the next, depending on who I met with. The food is not practical if you have no access to a microwave. And much of what I had tasted like cardboard -- or like it had been frozen, defrosted and then re-frozen. I received no help on eating issues -- like over-stressed -- just told to read the books and we'll talk about it next week -- of course, next week didn't happen because of a different counselor. Three of the counsellors had never had weight problems & knew next to nothing about nutrition or physiology. When I called the 800 # to see if I could transfer to them and out of the local office (Longview W), I never received an answer back. Same with requesting the local manager to call. Money down the drain. They did contact me to renew my membership!
Please quit using Valerie B. as a spoke person. Even my Mom, who is 79 Y/O, connects theVan Halan party girl divorcee with your program. Who is using who here? My mom asks who cares if Valerie loses weight or not! She said that she is sick of seeing Valerie on TV promoting several different things at one time. Getting divorced (who cares), Promoting a book (on what I may ask)? and usingJenny Craig, which obviouslly didn't help Kirsty (that everyone loves I may add) for somekind of developement. Let's face it...Valerie B is not that interesting!!! Laura
I love JC b/c it is behavior modifaction & portion control. I feel really healthy & it works. I have been on JC for 10 weeks so far & lost 25 lbs. It really is amazing. I love my councelor. She's amazing. I like the 1 on 1. I feel it's indivualized & the food is good. I also go out on my own 1-2x a week to a restuarant (real food) & I still lose weight. For me, I like JC b/c I eat healthy but I need portion control.
yep.. the fools really believe .. and they keep old jennys kitty full of cash,, get with it fatty,, cut your portions down and stay within 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day and your fat backend will get thin.. stupid weak people follow winners ,, thats why old jenny is worth 360 million yo ho ho
on and off JC for 10 years. Very expensive and since I have family I'm not buying them JC too. Did lose 40 lbs,but did 2-3 hour workout and ran 6 miles a day. Looked really good but the attempt to eat REAL food vs. JC and knee injury(Torn ACL plus meniscus)made it all come back. Medifast is getting the weight off and my doctor off my back who keeps telling me to lose it. At 5'8 170 I don't look as whale-like as the 200 lbs. plus pt.'s but I'm trying. JC may work for some but not others-like kirstie alley.
This program really is a scam it's all about money not about weight lose and learning knew behavior/eating habits. Cut down on buying things from JC. Then you will very quickly see just how much JC cares. They will drop you so fast you won't see straight, The Celebrities (you know who you are) that are helping to decieve millions SHAME ON YOU! You should be held accountable for your part in this enabling and manipulating scam program. People listen don't be fooled by this crap. Sit down create your own daily food menu at 1200 calories each day. Make the menu for the next day every night and force yourself to stick to what you have written down for the menu. It's not going to be easy but soon you will see progress. Start a buddy system with friends and create a daily walking route and walk with your friends. Don't allow JC and her Goon's to manipulate you into believing they care about you as a person. They care only about the money your paying and that's it. This belief that you must buy thier food in order for you to lose weight is hog wash. Stay on a 1,200 a day calorie plan that YOU create and prepare. You will start seeing the pounds drop in time. Run from JC fast while you still have the ablity to think for yourself and not under their enabling spell to creat a needy person so you feel you must keep paying your hard earned money on a scam.
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