With the start of the new year, comes new resolutions and mine (again!) this year is too lose weight and get healthy. My children are getting older and have more energy and I’m noticing a “lack there of”! Since the beginning of January, I’ve been eating better, making healthier choices and moving more. But…it’s still hard! Prepping meals, planning, grocery shopping…it’s A LOT of work. And trying to get your 1 and 3 year old (and the husband too!) to eat these healthy meals–well, that’s a struggle in itself!
Jackie’s “Before” Picture
Fast forward to last week when I sat down with Quinn at Jenny Craig. I was welcomed into a weight loss center by a woman who wasn’t a size 2. She was young, like me and was extremely friendly and seemed so excited that I was there, which in turn made me excited to be there! I have never had an experience with Jenny Craig – other than what I’ve seen on TV. In the past I’ve tried many popular weight loss programs, so I was interested in seeing what Jenny Craig was all about.
Quinn and I met for over an hour! She took a health history, we talked about the struggles I have when it comes to eating, planning, cooking, etc. We talked in depth about taking care of yourself and your family too. Quinn made me feel extremely comfortable, especially when it was time to get on that scale, face the numbers and also take a “before” photo! Quinn shared her own personal story of weight loss, the story of her family and how, now, she’s the Director of this Jenny Craig location. Talking to someone who’s been through “this”, losing over 70 pounds, has a family, works full time–well, this was exactly what (and who!) I needed to hear!
Quinn took her time explaining the program to me, talking about my calorie intake, what it would take to lose 1-2 pounds a week. There were two choices when it came to menu planning–I could either look at the LARGE listing of foods they had and pick everything I wanted: from breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, shakes, bars, soups, etc., OR, I could take a pre-planned menu. I decided to take the pre-planned menu, which would let me experience many of the different foods.
Quinn went “shopping” in the back and returned with a large cart of food. We went through the food together, matching it to the weekly menu and, in the end bagged up 3 large bags of food to take home. The goal is to go home, eat these pre-packaged foods (some frozen, some not) for all meals: breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner and snack and come back in a week. Along with the Jenny Craig meals, I can “volumize” any meal, adding “free foods”, mostly veggies. I would return in a week to have a consultation, talk about my experience the past week and weigh in. The goal is to lose 1-2 pounds each week on this plan.
The experience that day was very motivating. I left feeling like Quinn really cared about my success and was “invested” in me. I was excited about the foods and that the planning and prepping was no longer there! The Jenny Craig plan does all of that for you! Now–will the food taste good? What about cooking for my family? (something I love to do!) Am I going to be starving–these portions look kinda small!!??
More to come about my Jenny Craig journey and experience in the next couple weeks! If you’re interested in learning more about this program, you can go to www.jennycraig.com to find a location in your area!
Disclosure: I was provided a free trial program and a discount on the Jenny Craig meals. However, the opinions and writing are entirely my own. Members following the Jenny Craig program, on average, lose 1-2 lbs per week.
Jenny Craig is a great service. I have several friends who used it to get their weight off, and they still use it to maintain. It really works!
I have heard great things about this program. Good luck on your journey!
What a great journey! I think all of the food options look amazing as well.
I lost 35 lbs on Jenny Craig years ago. If you stick to the plan, it definitely works! Good Luck!
YAY for a new journey! It sounds like you are doing great things and Jenny Craig is the tool you need to really give yourself a boost!
I have heard great things about Jenny Craig! The weigh loss journey is hard but as long as you are trying.. good for you.
Jenny Craig is so great. I know so many people who have had amazing results! Great for you! You’ll do great!
Congrats on starting what I’m sure will be an amazing journey! I can’t wait to hear all about your progress.
My best friend lost her extra weight and gained her energy and motivation back with Jenny Craig. Stay true to the program and it will work for you, too! Good luck and good wishes.
This sounds like a great step for you. Good luck.
I have the same resolutions, I’ve never tried Jenny Craig but I want to.
Congrats on taking the first step! I can’t wait to see how you do!
Can’t wait to see your progress! I’ve heard great things about Jenny Craig!
Congrats for taking the step to go. Quinn sounds amazing. I really think Jenny Craig is a great program so long as people follow it through to the end. I know some friends who stopped going once their weight was gone and didn’t bother to go in to maintenance and ended up gaining the weight back.
Good luck to you on your journey. I was very committed to weight watchers, but I have fallen off the wagon. I keep attempting to jump start, but I haven’t felt as motivated! This is an amazing step. 🙂
Sounds like they work hard to be able to relate to the struggle of anyone trying to lose weight. I hope this will be a good experience for you. It certainly sounds like it will.
Good for you! I’ve heard great things about Jenny Craig! I can’t wait to follow your progress!
Can’t wait to see after pictures! I’veheard great things about JC program.