Jenny Craig/Weight Watchers

Anyone use Jenny Craig? Or Weight Watchers?

I'm so incredibly sick of the way I look/feel at this weight. I've never been small in my life. At the age of 8ish I started to get heavy. I attribute this to an unhappy household which led until adult life. This all happened when my mom got with her ex-husband...I hated him and inturn I think I just ate. I'm not a big snacker. I don't really care for chips(crisps) and things like that. I think it's more portion and what I should be eating AND a lack of exercise. I was doing curves for a year and it really didn't work. I think the most I lost was 7lbs and that's when I completely cut out carbs which was hard for me as I love bread. I think I'd rather just do a change where I can still have it but also not eat as much as I do. I don't think it's right to completely cut out food groups.

Anyway, I want to join Jenny Craig or even WW but don't know which one would be better for me. Also, I was wondering prices and stuff like that. I'd like to know personal experiences with both...so I can get a feel as to what one I should go with. I think my biggest worry is price...im on a limited budget.

I can't join a gym until I get a car so I'll be having to take that apon myself at home which is hard because I lack motivation but I really want to lose a good amount of weight before next time I go see adam. I'd really like to have a comfortable flight and wow him! I don't want to be a skinny mini but I just want to lose enough to make a visual difference and be healthy.

Thanks
Ericka

Ok, i've not done jenny craig.  my sis in law did it when she had my nephews and lost all her baby weight really fast...the hard thing is, you eat all their food. (at least you did then...not sure if its changed)  No outside food , just jenny food.  For me, i can't do that but i can see how it could work as it takes the guess work out of it.

Me, i did WW for a year and lost 40 lbs.  I looked FAB and kept it off for over a year till i got engaged.    Then half of that has crept back on while i've been married etc.

I like WW as it has a few programmes and you get choice.  You can either eat off a restricted list and have a few 'points' to add what you want....or you eat whatever you want, in moderation and count points. The points system sounds a right pain but after the first month or so you learn the points of all the foods you normally eat and it's really easy to shop etc.

I have done it both ways-meetings and online. I got more from meetings but i had an amazing leader who was young and mental and hilarious.  I loved her.  Meetings here in London are just walk in and weigh in and buy WW products....not for me.

So i'm doing online now.  I've lost a few pounds but when i do it seriuosly.  Like cut out alcohol (big for me) and get some walking in every day, the results are really clear.

I'm at the point of being sick of myself-so i'm plugging away with WW.  It doesn't work for everyone (well the programe WILL work if you stick to it, but not everyone can be arsed to count points) but it worked great for me.

I'd like to lose about 15 lbs and i'll feel AMAZINGLY better-i'll be just a little below my marriage weight then.

And when i look at it i go '15 pounds is SO not a lot'  but when you're a foodie like me, someone who loves fine wine and food, it's a TON.

Ok, i've not done jenny craig.  my sis in law did it when she had my nephews and lost all her baby weight really fast...the hard thing is, you eat all their food. (at least you did then...not sure if its changed)  No outside food , just jenny food.  For me, i can't do that but i can see how it could work as it takes the guess work out of it.

Me, i did WW for a year and lost 40 lbs.  I looked FAB and kept it off for over a year till i got engaged.    Then half of that has crept back on while i've been married etc.

I like WW as it has a few programmes and you get choice.  You can either eat off a restricted list and have a few 'points' to add what you want....or you eat whatever you want, in moderation and count points. The points system sounds a right pain but after the first month or so you learn the points of all the foods you normally eat and it's really easy to shop etc.

I have done it both ways-meetings and online. I got more from meetings but i had an amazing leader who was young and mental and hilarious.  I loved her.  Meetings here in London are just walk in and weigh in and buy WW products....not for me.

So i'm doing online now.  I've lost a few pounds but when i do it seriuosly.  Like cut out alcohol (big for me) and get some walking in every day, the results are really clear.

I'm at the point of being sick of myself-so i'm plugging away with WW.  It doesn't work for everyone (well the programe WILL work if you stick to it, but not everyone can be arsed to count points) but it worked great for me.

I'd like to lose about 15 lbs and i'll feel AMAZINGLY better-i'll be just a little below my marriage weight then.

And when i look at it i go '15 pounds is SO not a lot'  but when you're a foodie like me, someone who loves fine wine and food, it's a TON.

I went to the weight watchers site and got soooooooo confused by the choice thing. The thing with Jenny Craig is I don't eat red meat. I haven't for almost 4 years now so I don't know how they'd work that into my diet but if I go with WW then I could eat what I want (meaning I don't have to eat red meat). How much did it cost you for WW? I'd probably benefit from the meetings but argh I'd be so nervous lol

thanks for your input I really appreciate it. I know how it feels to be a total foodie lol...I enjoy eating. I'm not into alcohol though...I do enjoy a nice sweet drink every now and again but I don't do it all that often. If I think about how much I have to lose I'll get so incredibly distracted 

oops forgot cost!!!

Meetings in MA were about 8.00 a meeting

WW online is about 30 a month i THINK......BUT the best thing about online, if you're like me and online all day, is you eat it. You journal it instantly!!!!!

WW is so amazingly adaptable....Also i have been active on the WW boards since 2002......nd have made some awesome friends!

Ok, here is a normal day on WW when i am being OP-On Points (and even with a treat in there)


Breakfast:
Muesli with blueberries and skim milk: 3.5
Coffee with splenda and skim: 0 (not much milk)

Snack:
caramel rice cakes: 1.0

Lunch:
chicken in pita with lettuce, tomato and mustard: 4
apple: 1
diet coke: 0

snack:
carrots and cellery with light hummus: 1.5

Dinner:
Pasta with veggies and a salad: 8 (that's for a LOT of pasta and a decent dressing)
glass of wine: 2

Snack:
Sugar free jello (from us!) 0

I live on 20 points...and if you get exercise, you earn activiy points so you can eat more...or lose mroe. lol.

oops forgot cost!!!

Meetings in MA were about 8.00 a meeting

WW online is about 30 a month i THINK......BUT the best thing about online, if you're like me and online all day, is you eat it. You journal it instantly!!!!!

WW is so amazingly adaptable....Also i have been active on the WW boards since 2002......nd have made some awesome friends!

Ok, here is a normal day on WW when i am being OP-On Points (and even with a treat in there)

I live on 20 points...and if you get exercise, you earn activiy points so you can eat more...or lose mroe. lol.

So you pay by meeting? Do you have to buy all the products? I know when I went to curves they tried to get me to buy pills and stuff that cost ALOT of money (obviously couldn't afford). I'd probably end up going to the meetings because it will hold me more accountable for my actions.

I'm gonna call on friday and see and with my next check probably invest in it. I really like the fact that you can eat normal foods and I don't have to eat red meat lol that's my biggest worry!! If I go to Jenny they'll give me a full vegetarian option and I'm not a full vegetarian anymore. I dunno I'll call up and see what the best option is.

thanks!!

NO you don't have to buy ANY products!!!!!!!  I never do, maybe the ocassional snack bar but that's it!  I do it all on my own with fresh veg, fish, meats, rice, pasta...the works!  you make the system work for you.

Ok, meetings work this way: Pay by meeting BUT you have to go every week.  You miss a week, you pay.  You can tell them you are on vacation for a total of 2 weeks a year (i think, it's been a while)......

missed meetings SUCK BUT when you lose your weight and hit your 'goal' and then you keep it off for 6 weeks, this hitting 'lifetime' you no longer have to pay if you stay within 5 lbs of your goal weight.  you get a WI every month, and if you're within 5 lbs, no pay!!!!!!

So if i went back to meetings now, i'd only have to pay until i reached my goal weight again!!!!

And you get little trinkets etc.  My keychain is ww.  I have the main loop, which you get when you lose 10% of your body weight (BIG achievement!) then you get a star for Goal and a key for lifetime.  They are nice quality adn are supposed to remind you of your journey...hard hard you worked to lose the weight!

you also get stars etc. in your weigh in book.  BUT if you don't want it announced to the group, tell the people weiging you in!  they are all supa nice.

PS: go to ww.com and look for meetings, you'll see a schedule and where they are closest to you! 

Weight Watchers

I definitely didn't get pressured to buy WW stuff here in the UK.  There are fun snacks and stuff, which I did buy because I wanted them.

I liked WW, but like Amiloo said, it's all about sticking with it and being motivated.  I ended up losing focus and not reaching my goal weight.  But as long as you can plan your meals and aren't distracted by friends going out to eat and those yummy chocoloate bars by your register at work, it really is a very sensible plan.  I did the Core (US) or No Count (UK) plan, which was just eat off a list of sensible food and then a few extra points for goodies.

I think meetings are a bit more expensive now...my sisters have been going in Phoenix this year and I think they said it was about $12 a meeting.  The meetings really are good as they act as a reality check and help keep you focused on your goals.  I guess they make you accountable for your actions, because you have to pay for missed weeks too.  You get a couple for vacations, but if you just don't go they will charge you for the missed meetings the next time you show up.

Jenny Craig

My mom has done this in the past and Amiloo is right, you have to eat all their own food.  You basically go shopping during the meetings and get frozen dinners and other snacks and stuff.  The food itself wasn't bad, but I remember it being expensive.  I think my mom was spending about $50-75 a week on food.  Not bad I guess if this is all you are buying, i.e. no normal supermarket stuff or dinners out.  

Personally, if you like to cook and don't mind just eating lots of veggies and fruits, WW would probably work really well for you.  Do you have anyone that would want to do it with you?  I found it really helpful when a colleague was also going to the meetings, again, it kept me focused and held me accountable.  I felt like I would be letting her down if I didn't go.

Good Luck!!!  Hopefully we'll read about you as a success story soon!

NO you don't have to buy ANY products!!!!!!!  I never do, maybe the ocassional snack bar but that's it!  I do it all on my own with fresh veg, fish, meats, rice, pasta...the works!  you make the system work for you.

Ok, meetings work this way: Pay by meeting BUT you have to go every week.  You miss a week, you pay.  You can tell them you are on vacation for a total of 2 weeks a year (i think, it's been a while)......

missed meetings SUCK BUT when you lose your weight and hit your 'goal' and then you keep it off for 6 weeks, this hitting 'lifetime' you no longer have to pay if you stay within 5 lbs of your goal weight.  you get a WI every month, and if you're within 5 lbs, no pay!!!!!!

So if i went back to meetings now, i'd only have to pay until i reached my goal weight again!!!!

And you get little trinkets etc.  My keychain is ww.  I have the main loop, which you get when you lose 10% of your body weight (BIG achievement!) then you get a star for Goal and a key for lifetime.  They are nice quality adn are supposed to remind you of your journey...hard hard you worked to lose the weight!

you also get stars etc. in your weigh in book.  BUT if you don't want it announced to the group, tell the people weiging you in!  they are all supa nice.

PS: go to ww.com and look for meetings, you'll see a schedule and where they are closest to you! 

Ohhh okie that's good because I don't have extra money lol. You have to tell them ahead of time that you'll be on vacation and you can only miss 2 weeks?   Lol everytime I go to england it's longer and longer each time...what do they do to you if you miss a meeting? Are you in contract or something? When I joined Curves we had to pay to get out the contract...was over $200! Interesting...

Weight Watchers

I definitely didn't get pressured to buy WW stuff here in the UK.  There are fun snacks and stuff, which I did buy because I wanted them.

I liked WW, but like Amiloo said, it's all about sticking with it and being motivated.  I ended up losing focus and not reaching my goal weight.  But as long as you can plan your meals and aren't distracted by friends going out to eat and those yummy chocoloate bars by your register at work, it really is a very sensible plan.  I did the Core (US) or No Count (UK) plan, which was just eat off a list of sensible food and then a few extra points for goodies.

I think meetings are a bit more expensive now...my sisters have been going in Phoenix this year and I think they said it was about $12 a meeting.  The meetings really are good as they act as a reality check and help keep you focused on your goals.  I guess they make you accountable for your actions, because you have to pay for missed weeks too.  You get a couple for vacations, but if you just don't go they will charge you for the missed meetings the next time you show up.

So those charges for the meetings equal out to $50 a month. Not toooooooo bad... I'd really like to be held accountable because I feel if I have other people around me to help then I'll be more successful. I know I'm not going to be 100% on and like with any other addiction you fumble and I just want people there to motiviate me to keep going. Which I think the meetings are good for!

Jenny Craig

My mom has done this in the past and Amiloo is right, you have to eat all their own food.  You basically go shopping during the meetings and get frozen dinners and other snacks and stuff.  The food itself wasn't bad, but I remember it being expensive.  I think my mom was spending about $50-75 a week on food.  Not bad I guess if this is all you are buying, i.e. no normal supermarket stuff or dinners out.  

Personally, if you like to cook and don't mind just eating lots of veggies and fruits, WW would probably work really well for you.  Do you have anyone that would want to do it with you?  I found it really helpful when a colleague was also going to the meetings, again, it kept me focused and held me accountable.  I felt like I would be letting her down if I didn't go.

Good Luck!!!  Hopefully we'll read about you as a success story soon!

I spend about that eating lunch at work but that's every 2 weeks not every week. I get a crappy sandwhich, crackers or whatever is in the machine and a sprite (BAD i know but diet pepsi/coke make me pysically ill) I spend about $5-6 a day on that plus bottles of water. That averages out to $25 a week or so.

I think my mom would like to do it but I really want someone who's going to be serious about it. I dunno if she would...I'll talk to her about it.

thanks alot

No it's not a contract....they won't charge you automatically.

Bacially, you are happily going to meetings for 4 weeks, then you go on vacation for a week...fine one missed meeting, no penalty.  You go for a few more meetings, then miss one because you were sick when you get to the next week's meeting, you can either pay for two meetings that day (including the one you missed) or use your other freebie.  It's up to you.  

It's to discourage people from just popping in every 3-4 weeks.  It helps keep consistency and from a business standpoint, probably helps them keep revenues consistent (business hat off now).

They also offer membership joining specials.  But you are generally only eligible if you haven't been a member in the past year.  again, stops people from just "rejoining" after lapsing for a month.

I just started doing weightwatchers online.  My sister was doing it and we're trying to get my dad to lose weight because he's on the verge of diabetes/heart disease.  So I decided to do it as well.  I had been at the exact same weight for almost 10 years but it was 30 lbs heavier than my pre preganancy weight (which I went back to after both kids - this extra weight is NOT baby weight, 13 years later!!)  I have had quite a bit of stressful times in the last 13 years and my body's usual response to stress is to gain weight (healthy response - I'd last longer in the wild!)  but over the last two years, with two international moves, my body finally couldn't handle the stress and I actually lost weight - 10+ pounds.  And then I gained it all back over my holiday this summer.  Not wanting to continue that trend, I have decided it's time to lose all the weight.  Also, our eating habits had desintegrated and we need to get back to healthy eating. 

So I am doing weight watchers.  So far, I know I've lost some weight, because my clothes fit better.   I don't own a scale and don't weigh myself as a rule but that will have to change that  if I want to lose weight.  And I'm curious to see at what rate the weight will come off. 

Mostly, I'm cutting down on portions, alcohol and eating tons more vegetables.  I'm trying not to eat fat but olive oil is really hard for me to give up.  I also changed my lunch and am loving it - hummous on a whole grain mini-pita and lots of veggies.  I was worried that it wouldn't sustain me, but it does.  And I cut down a few things in my breakfast.  Supper, is still a work in progress because I need to be able to feed two high-performance athletes, a growing teenaged female, and still keep it low-fat and nutritious for me.  i just need to sit down and wade through the ingredients.  It takes time though.  I'm not quite eating consistently under 20 points.  Mostly, it's about 23. 

Another thing I noticed is that I'm much more active here in the UK than in North America.  I walk everywhere and I climb several stairs several times per day.  That little bit makes a huge difference.  In Canada over the summer, I went from house to car, to house etc..  and not much in between.    Combined with social eating (which I also don't do here at all), the weight popped right back.

I'm doing WW now and have lost 10 pounds so far. I like you do not eat red meat. So with WW you can pick and choose what you eat. I joined a couple of years ago and just bought all the paperwork, books and such and do it on my own, as I do not have the time or money to go to a weekly meeting. There are a lot of web sites that are great for low point diiners, snacks and such. There is a huge network of help with WW, not sure if the same goes fro JC. Really helps if you go without the meetings and need support.

I know here in the states Jenny Craig food cost about $10 a day as that is what the ad on TV says. Also the portions are small and I do not see how this can be a life change. Once you get to the goal weight you would have to start to eat normal food again and you will have to start over as all you have eaten for months is packaged food.

Thanks guys!!

It seems WW has won the battle lol. I'm going to give them a ring on friday (my day off) and see what I can do with my next check. Hopefully I can afford it!!

Thanks alot

If you do not want to go to meeting try eBay there is a lot of stuff on sale. Some packages have all the books and tools needed to do it at home and may end up costing less.

Good luck with the WW, reeeeka!

Here are my experiences with Weight Watchers-

I lost about 15 pounds cutting out on carbs about four years ago. I knew that I wouldn't keep that up and never planned to, so I started looking for something else to do so I could get away from the low carb diet. My aunt happened to be doing WW at that time. She gave me a points slider and explained how it worked. Within a couple of months, I ended up losing another 15+ pounds, which I've still kept off to this day. I could have lost more but I decided just to try to maintain what I'd lost. The thing is, I don't even count points anymore. I'd have lost more weight if I were still doing that. I just automatically started eating better portions because of the points system and I don't even think about it any more.  I never went to meetings but I felt keeping track of points made me think more about what I was putting in my mouth, since I'm a bit of a grazer. So, if I was going to eat a handful of animal crackers (for instance), I'd think about the points involved and say to myself "Is this worth putting in my mouth?" If the answer was no, then I put the food down.

If I decide I want to lose more weight, it'll be WW for me.

My sister, one year ago, decided she wanted to join WW for her birthday present ($30-something enrollment fee and $11 or so per week.) She'd rarely ever dieted, despite being heavy. One year later, she's down 50+ pounds and still going (without much excerise, just walking occasionally.) It's all about portion control with WW - if you've got a piece of cake you want to eat at home, you just gear your points usage to where you'll have enough points allotted for that. And I know she finds the meetings extremely motivating (the accountability is important for her) but people just have to decide if they're the type of person who needs that or if they can do it onlie.