Just How
Does the Jenny Craig Diet Work?
Determining which diet program is
right for you is a challenge to even the most determined dieter.
The marketing machines are always working to sell you their
products. So you’ve seen the Jenny Craig commercials, and
you’re wondering how those women took off the weight they say.
Just how does the Jenny Craig Diet work?
While I can’t answer personal questions about the women you see
on TV, I can share with you the answers to those questions I found
in my research on the Jenny Craig Diet.
Let me start with sharing what I found about Jenny’s food
program.
The food at the beginning of the program is all pre-packaged food
you buy directly from Jenny Craig. When you get half way to your
goal, you begin to transition with a combination of home cooked
meals and Jenny’s food. The food is not cheap. You will find
yourself spending anywhere from $90 to $110 a week on food,
depending on the menu items you choose with your counselor. And
you also have to add the basic membership fee of $350, which will
mean an additional $35.00 per week based on a 10 week or 20 pound
weight loss goal.
If you are concerned about the
financial investment, ask for the price list as you set your menu.
They will make it available if you ask. I found that while it is
an expensive venture, it is an investment in my future health, and
it costs about the same as eating out at a fast food restaurant,
and I never felt hungry.
Another down side of the food situation is that most of it is
frozen. If you don’t have a large freezer space, and you have to
share it with the food for other family members, you may find
yourself frustrated by a lack of space. Plus, some people have to
continue to prepare different meals for family members, which
creates temptation and increases their workload.
On the other hand, there is no thinking about what to prepare for
any meals. For me this is HUGE. I hate planning meals, so popping
a pre-determined meal in the microwave is right up my alley. The
food is actually not too bad, considering it is frozen. I have had
better, though it was filled with fat and calories Jenny is trying
to help me cut out. I have had worse. I guess it all depends on
your personal tastes.
Other factors to consider are your commitment to exercise. If you
already go to the gym, and your issues with weight come from the
food you eat, this may be the right fit for you. If you don’t
have an exercise regimen, and you really don’t have any plans to
implement one, you will find the results from this program
minimal. You will only get out what you put into it.
Another factor to look at is the counseling staff. As in any
organization, some counselors will be better than others. Jenny
Craig does not require their counselors to hold any special
certifications in nutrition or health care, so you will encounter
a wide range of experience and expertise. Many people who have
participated in the program have had top notch counselors who are
on the ball and engaged in their weight loss goals.
Others have had counselors with less enthusiasm, providing less
motivation. Worse yet, though less common, is the counselor who
really has bad information. Know your counselor. Know your needs.
If your counselor is not meeting your needs, request a new one.
Stand up for yourself. If you don’t, nobody else will.
Another thing to be aware of when you walk in the door is that the
counselors are sales people. They work on a commission of what
they sell to you. Some of them are high pressure. Some of them
push the high priced items. This is where it is so important for
YOU to stand up for you. You know what you need. Ask for it. If
the cost is too high, choose a less expensive option, and don’t
apologize for it.
Some of the other complaints I found as I did my research were
that clients did not feel they got their money’s worth in weight
lost. It is an investment, and like other investments, you must
decide if your return is worth the risk. Another down side of the
program I heard expressed is that the long-term effects were less
than impressive. I can understand why this would be the case if
all you did was follow the immediate plan and never learned the
lifestyle changes necessary for long-term weight loss to be a
reality.
That’s how the Jenny Craig Diet works. Low calorie food, a
transition to normal food, lifestyle modification.
Will it work for you? It all comes down to how much work are you
willing to do? If you are willing to learn about how to take care
of your body responsibly after the Jenny Craig food portion of
your program is over, you are more likely to have long-term
success. If you are only willing to eat their food and expect
dramatic results, you are likely to be disappointed.
Weight loss is a lifestyle. You must choose the tools that are
most effective in helping you find the lifestyle that is effective
for you. Evaluate your reasons for losing weight, consult your
doctor, and step out with reasonable expectations for your
results. Get in it for the long haul, and you’ll find your
investment worth it, whether you choose Jenny Craig or another
weight loss program.
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The content on this site is
presented only for informational purposes and does not replace medical advice from a practicing
physician.
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