Conference rocks::weight_control

    
    
    Sorry, that reference to Jenny Craig is in 241.38, not 241.
    
    Diane
    

    
    Hi Daine,
    
    	I would like to hear a lot more about the Jenny Craig Plan.
     I hear a lot of good things about it. 
    
    Henry
    

    
    	Me, too--I keep seeing the commercials and thinking, Aha!
    	There's one I haven't tried yet! ;-)  (That's a terrible
    	attitude, but I'm so close to goal and can't seem to keep
    	up my motivation long enough to get there and stay there.
    	So maybe forking over some MORE money to another diet plan
    	would give me the incentive to lose the last few ...)
    
    	However, I see on the commercials that little trailer line
    	that says "Does not include Jenny's Cuisine", which means
    	that they make you buy their food, right?  This kind of
    	raises a flag for me...
    
    	Please put details in here asap (or send me mail)--
    
    	Thanks a lot!
    
    Laurie
    

    I'd also like to hear about it.  Does it include an exercise program
    also?
    
    Virginia

    
    Here are some of the basics about the program -
    
    You pay a flat rate for the counseling, training, etc. and have the
    option to pay at the same time for a year's maintenance program, and
    for some cassette tapes on various diet-related topics.  Then you
    pay separately for each week's food - the average cost of food is
    $68/week.
    
    The menu plans are supplied to you each week.  Each plan tells you
    exactly what to eat when.  Each day's plan consists of 3 meals and
    3 snacks, 8 glasses of water, and several vitamin/mineral pills.
    Each day is 100 percent nutritionally complete, but it's only
    950 calories worth of food, so your hair and nails need the extra
    vitamins.  So far the food has been quite tasty, I must say.  And
    not boring - that's essential.  They don't have you eating a salad
    every time you turn around.  Good variety.  Even chocolate mousse.
    The stuff you eat for lunch often involves nuking something, like
    ragout, stew, chili, or something like that, so if there's a
    microwave available at work, you're all set.  Of course, everything
    can be cooked in conventional ovens too.
    
    They work with you to figure out what your target date is, and if
    you don't meet that date, subsequent counseling is free.  You're
    asked to go to the center twice a week - once for a 20-minute
    counseling session, where they weigh you, see how you've been doing,
    give you the next week's food, etc., and once for a 40-minute
    Lifestyle class, where they show you films about low-fat cooking,
    how to avoid binges, how to be aggressive when people are trying
    to get you to eat things, exercise, etc. - I think there are 17
    different topics in all you might see.
    
    About the exercise - they want you to agree with your individual
    counselor on the best exercise program for you, but if you're
    just walking for 15 or 20 minutes a day, that's good enough for
    them.  It's primarily a diet.  There are no exercise facilities
    at the center (at least not at the Porter Sq., Cambridge center I
    go to).
    
    What sets it apart from alot of other programs, I think, is the
    way they stress educating you on how to eat right.  They know that
    80 percent of the people who maintain their goal weight for a year
    afterwards, won't ever put the weight back on.  With that in mind,
    they teach you how to plan your own menus, and wean you off the
    program slowly.  I forgot to mention that it's 60 percent carbs,
    20 percent protein, and 20 percent fat, though I guess that's pretty
    standard.  Until you're halfway to your goal, you're eating a
    combination of Jenny's food and your own fresh fruits and vegetables,
    skim milk, non-fat yogurt, wheat bread, etc. seven days a week.
    At the halfway point, you switch to five days of her plan and two
    days of your own menu, which, again, they teach you to plan.  
    Eventually, you switch to two days of her food and five of your own,
    etc. until you're off it.  Then there's a year's maintenance, during
    which time you can be buying her foods if you want to.
    
    Any questions about the food itself or anything - I'd be glad to
    answer, and if other people on the program have input, I'd love
    to hear it.  So far, it's wonderful.  I'm hardly ever hungry,
    the food is very good, and the people at the center are extremely
    nice.  It may seem premature to recommend it, but I'd be willing
    to take that risk from what I've seen to date.
    
    Diane
    

    
    The only thing I have a problem with involving diets such as this
    one is when you dine out...........what do they suggest about that?
    
    -Lynn
    

    
    
    Re .6:  I haven't tried to dine out yet - I've been on it for 4
    	    weeks and figured it would be a bad idea to do anything
    	    off the plan for at least the first month.  Given that,
    	    I haven't discussed all of the possibilites with them yet,
    	    but I know you can work it so you have a salad, that's
    	    standard.  I'm going there tonight, so I'll ask about that,
    	    or if anybody else has information, maybe they can help?
    
    	    By the way, I've lost 17 now.  So I'm a little over 1/4
    	    of the way there.  It's great.
    
    	    Diane
    
    	    
    	     

   If anyone's interested in this diet, you may be interested to know they
   have a special offer on at the moment (in the UK) - the fee is #49, rather
   than the usual #99, excluding food, of course!  I think it ends sometime
   next month.

   Ali

   PS: I  know because they are advertising heavily on the TV at the moment -
       I don't know anything else about Jenny Craig.

    
    Re .8:  Cheers.  Interesting to hear that they're in the U.K. too,
    	    I didn't know that.  Reportedly, they're opening a new
    	    center every five days in the United States, so I guess
    	    it shouldn't be too surprising.  The rate is reduced over
    	    here at the moment too ($149 instead of $189), though
    	    yours sounds like the better deal!
    
    	Thanks for the info and take care,
    	Diane
    
                                 

    My mother & I have been on Jenny Craig plan for 1 week now.  My mom
    lost 8 1/2 lbs and I lost 5!!  We love it.  Last week the lifestyle
    class was on "Dining Out", and we learned that we can still dine out
    and enjoy it.  They want you to eat smaller amounts of food and try to
    stay away from deep fried things.  For example, only have one dinner
    roll to last you through your whole meal.  Have a shrimp cockatil
    appetizer, plus another appetizer as your main course.  Maybe share a
    dessert w/your dinner partner!  Fresh fruit cup etc.  They had alot of
    suggestions.  Especially things like, when you order a salad, ask for
    the dressing on the side, and use lemon or vinegar to wet the salad. 
    Order a filet for your beef, instead of a huge steak.  Actually, Jenny
    wants you to make Dining Out a "Social" event more than an "eating"
    event!!  If that's possible.  
    
    My friend is also going w/us.  She's lost 16 lbs in 2 1/2 wks.  Her
    doctor reccomended this diet for her because she has Colitas, My mom is
    diebetic, her doctor also said it was o.k. for her.  My mom's doctor
    has been on her to lose weight for years, he loves the idea.
    
    I highly reccomend this diet to anyone who has questions.  I only have
    30 lbs to lose in all.  Like I said, I've already taken off 5, in ONE
    week!!!  My goal is to wear a bikini on my honeymoon this coming
    February.
    
    Wish me luck.
    
    
    Melissa
    

    I got the phone number from another noter of Jenny Craig Center.
    They are located in Lowell, Burlington, Randolph and someplace else
    on the South Shore.  The number in Lowell is (508)970-1016.

    
    Re .11	They are also located in Porter Sq. Cambridge.  Their
    		goal is to open something like 30 or 50 centers within
    		the year in this area.  They started in California and,
    		according to my counselor, everyone in Hollywood is on
    		this diet (except maybe Richard Simmons).  8-)
    
    Re .6	During the Dining Out class (mentioned in .10) they
    		gave us a guide to dining out that lists different
    		types of restaurants, what's okay to eat and what's
    		not (all the good stuff, basically).  It could come
    		in handy at some point.  A lot of it you could probably
    		have guessed, but I think it's nice that they went
    		through the trouble of putting this guide together.
    
    
    Still losing steadily and loving this diet,
    Diane
    

    
    
      Hi I am new with the Jenny Craig plan. It seems good so far. It's
    just taking sometime to get use to it. They seem to stick with you
    on it and also teach you how to keep it off once you do. 
      Someone told me there that if you go out to eat they will tell
    you how you can go and what would be the best choice. I am going
    to my first consuling class Thursday. 
    
      I will let you know how I do...
    
      Ann
    
    
    

    Congratulations Ann.  I hope you do well at it.  I've been on it for
    about 3 1/2 weeks and stuck to it faithfully.   The food has been
    pretty good and I've been exercising on a daily basis.  
    
    
    I did check out what seemed to be all the weightloss programs before I
    picked one and I guess I chose this becuase it was the least expensive.
    (Sounds like the wrong reasons but I'm still investing lots of $ which
    keeps me honest).  You're on their program for 7 days weekly until you
    reach your half way point which is when they switch you to 5 days on
    their program and 2 days on your own.  I asked about eating out since
    I'm still on the 7 day program and I have a few social occaisions I
    have to attend.  Basically they said to just take it easy.  Order fish
    or chicken, salad with lo-cal dressing, no butter.  The usual diet
    foods.
    
    Hope that answers any questions.  If you stick to it and exercise you
    will lose weight.  I guess that's the key to any diet.
    
    Good luck.
    
    -Robin

    
    Robin,
    
      I am on the first week. I just had my soup and 4 carret sticks :-)
    That muffin sure is tiny...good thing I had that 1 cup of skim milk.
    I can't stand milk plan so I kept putting it in my de caf coffee.
    
      I will be meeting friends at lunch Thursday and people here
    keep asking me to go out and I say sorry I can't...
    It's my salad day Thursday so I will use my head. 
    
       How much have you lost Robin ? The stuffed shells seem a little
    dry...8-) we don't have a Microwave at home so it sure takes long..
    
      I was really hungry last night..I was going to my first low-impact
    aerobics class and so I ate my salad before I went ...after I had
    my shells...and I was so hungry I could have eating the plate :-)
    I did find though...and enjoyed my apple after...
    
       Thanks for your Hints..
         
         Ann
    
    

    Hi Ann:
    
    	The food isn't that bad.  I only had one thing that I really
    couldn't eat, the rest I manage to get down.  Dinners for the most part
    have all been real good.  They're pretty flexible because I don't eat a
    few foods such as mushrooms or bananas.  The only problem is that you
    can't substitute a meal, they have to substitute a whole day so I miss
    out on certain foods....(like popcorn for instance).  So I haven't had
    the muffins and don't plan on it until they come out with a different
    flavor.  Breakfast for me is the museli which tastes like cardboard as 
    I'm sure you know.  
       
    	You must be pretty  hungry by the time you heat this food in a 
    standard oven.  If you had a microwave, things cook in about 6 minutes 
    on average.  Could you consider investing in one just for convenience?  
    We also have one at work so that makes things real easy.
    
    	I do exercise a lot.  At least I think it's a good deal for the
    amount of calories you get a day.  I do an hour of Jane Fonda's
    advanced aerobics almost every night.  Well I thought I should have
    lost about 10 to 15 pounds as most people do but I've only lost 8.25
    as of last Saturday which was 3 weeks.  That was just a little 
    discouraging.  My councilor told me that if I wanted to lose 3 pounds
    a week to exercise more and that sort of floored me.  I don't want to
    get into a situation where I am exercising so much that I completely
    shut down my metabolism because I'm not getting enough calories either.
    Prior to this I had always been a starvation dieter so that has a bit
    to do with why my weightloss isn't as great as others.  I'll take
    whatever weightloss I get though.
    
    
    	I don't really have a problem eating at night.  I've read in so
    many places that you shouldn't eat after 6:00 or 7:00ish unless you're
    active, which I'm not.  The food will just sit in my stomach and go
    unburned so that is always in the back of my mind.  I do exercise at 
    night when I get home around 5:00 to 6:00ish and then eat my dinner.  
    Exercise raises your metabolism so I believe that it will be heightened
    throughtout the night which is when most people's slows due to
    inactivity.  That's just my own theory and I could be off base but it
    seems to work for me.  I'm also not a morning person so exercise at
    night is the only way for me.  
    
    	As far as eating out, I have done so twice.  I just had a salad
    with lo-cal dressing on the side.  I have yet to go to dinner but now
    I'm aware of correct portion size so I don't think that's going to be a
    problem.  Well it's great to have someone else doing the same diet. 
    Let me know how you like it via notes or mail.

	When the counselor told you to exercise more, did you tell him/her
	how much you've been exercising?  I would guess that the reason
	you're seeing a slower weightloss than others in the group is that
	you're exercising enough to be building muscle, which is more dense 
	than fat, and that change is counteracting some of the weight loss.

	8.25 pounds in 3 weeks sounds good, though.  You don't want to take 
	off the weight too fast; a good, steady loss is much healthier.

	It sounds to me like you're on exactly the right track.

	Good luck!
	Beverly

    Yes Beverly, when you go in for your one on one counciling, one of the
    questions they ask weekly is what type of exercise are you doing and 
    for how long.  
    
    I guess it's just frustrating because most people tend to lose 5 to 7 
    pounds the first week and 2 or 3 in the following weeks.  Don't get me
    wrong, I'm happy with my weightloss, I was just kind of discouraged
    because with the amount of exercise I was doing, I thought I should
    have done better and my councilor was telling me to do more.

    
    Well, it still sounds to me like you're currently at healthy levels;
    I'd wait another week or two before increasing your exercise level. 
    Keep in mind, too, that your weight fluctuates normally through the
    month; if you started your program at a point when water retention is
    at a minimum, you'll see less water loss at the beginning.
    
    Try not to become fanatical.  You're close to the 3 pounds/week level;
    losing much faster than that isn't really a great idea.  If you have a 
    positive attitude about how things are going, it'll be a lot easier to
    stick with the program and achieve your goal.
    
    Beverly
    

    I'm looking into joining Jenny Craig to help me shed about
    20 pounds.  I've read both this note and the note on the 
    NutriSystems diet and have to wonder what the difference is.
    All I know is from reading about NutriSystem, one gets the
    feeling that it is not a good program. I've basically heard/
    read that Jenny Craig is great.  
    
    Anyone out there tried both?  I have already visited a Jenny
    Craig center and been given the program info.  After reading
    about NutriSystem, I won't even give them a call.  So, what 
    is the difference between the two programs?
    
    Jodi-
    

    I can't really get into specifics regarding N/S because I personally
    have never done it.  I do have several friends that have either been on
    it or are currently on it and they all like it alot.  I picked J.C.
    mostly because it was a lot cheaper and the food was mostly frozen,
    canned or packaged as opposed to dehydrated.  When I talked to the 
    N/S councilor she told me something about a hamburger that was 
    dehydrated and you poured hot water on it and waited a minute or 
    two for it to expand.  That didn't really thrill me regarding their
    food so I wrote them off pretty quickly.  I can say that no one
    that I know of has complained about the food.  Infact most people
    say it's pretty good.
    
    J.C. does offer a years maintenance because they feel that if a person
    keeps the weight off for a year they have an 80% chance of keeping it
    off for life so they're big into maintenance.  I think N/S also offers
    maintenance but I don't know the specifics.  
    
    I'm pretty happy so far with the diet.  They do ask you to do some form
    of exercise at least 3 times a week which isn't a problem for most
    people.  They also offer life-style classes which hopefully will
    educate people as to why they became overweight, how to shop for food,
    how to eat out, how to become more active,, etc.  I don't think N/S
    offers such a thing but I could be wrong.
    
    
    The food runs about $60 to $70 a week for J.C. and I think it's about
    the same for N/S.  You have to buy your own milk, fruits and veggies on
    both.  
    
    Well if I can answer any more specifics you can write to me via 
    vax-mail.  
    

RE: .21

    Thanks for your input.  

    A gal from the office started Jenny Craig a week ago yesterday.  Last 
night she weighed in...she lost 7.5 pounds.  She seems real happy on the 
program.  We went together for the free consultation, she needs 10 weeks
to reach her goal, I need 8.  So next Thursday I will be joining also, that
way we can reach our goals together.

    I have already started buying the supermarket food required to use
the program and hope to get a bit of a headstart (mindset is everything).

     I would still like to hear more from those who have tried JC and/or
NutriSystems.

Jodi-

  

    
    
     I lost 15 pounds my first week. This is my second week. They
     all were very excited. It makes me want to keep going on :-)
     I went to the dining out class and it was very good
     advise. I really like the JC program. I am also doing
     Low Impact Aerobics once again.. I have a long way to
     go but I have a good feeling that I will do this.
     
    
      I really am feeling better already !
    
      I don't spend much money at all at lunch time anymore !
    
      How are you all doing ?
    
       I get weightin on Thursday...!
    
       Ann
    
    

    Congratulation Ann, Great job.  I can speak from experience
    that dieting is no easy time but with results like that
    I'm sure you'll stick to it.  
    
    Sounds to me like you've definately found the right program
    for you.
    
    -R

    
    
      I do get hungry at times and I did well over the weekend. There
      were a couple of times where I could have pigged out but talked
      myself out of it :-)
    
      I do like this program and I know you lose the most the first time
      but it's a great start for me...
    
      Ann
    
    

    
    
      Hi there.  It's been a while since I've entered anything here, so
      I thought I should report in.  Started this topic back in October
      and I had lost 38 by the end of February.  If I had been more
      strict throughout the holidays, that would have come off faster
      I'm sure.  I took March off from the diet to see if I could
      maintain on my own and actually lost a pound, so I'm quite psyched.
      I'd like to lose another 15 and haven't decided whether to do it
      on my own or through Jenny Craig.  But anyways, my eating habits
      have definitely changed and I learned the basics of what I need
      to know about nutrition from their Lifestyle classes.  I just
      can't say enough good things about the J.C. diet - wish you all
      luck if you try it!
    
      Ciao for now,
      Diane
    
      PS  I like the meusli - no accounting for taste, huh?  8-).
    
    

    
    
    Hello...I got weight in and it's was my third week on the Program
    and I was down 4 last night and now I have lost 22 all together!
    I can feel the difference already in my cloths ! 
    So far I really like this program and I don't feel full on it and
    I don't feel hungry...Just about right !
    
    It will be a test over Easter but I have a strong will to lose and
    I won't Blow it !
    
    The Topics help alot as well.
    
    Good Luck to all and remember what Jenny Craig says..
     
    
     "Nothing tastes as Good as Thin feels" 
    
    I am no way near to being thin but I am on my way...Yepppppppppppie !
    
      Ann
    
    

    
    I have been on Jenny Craig since Jan. 15 and have lost 23 pounds
    (Progress Note #40).  That may not seem like a whole lot to some
    people but I didn't lose any weight for 2 weeks.  My couselor said
    I may have reached my peak or I may have gained some muscle from
    working out 6 days a week.  All I know is I feel great and I applaud
    Jenny Craig for her program, it is excellent.  Some of the food
    items I'm not too crazy about, but overall the food is good.  I
    was put on the Quik Trim Plan to get me through the peak period
    and I lost 4 pounds the first week.  If I lose 4 pounds this week,
    I'll only be 14 pounds away from my goal.  The one thing I like
    most about the Jenny Craig program is the support you get from the
    counselors.  They are very encouraging, even when you cheat sometimes,
    and they care about your weight loss program.  I would recommend
    this program to anyone who can afford it.  AREN'T YOU WORTH IT!!

    Good Luck Fellow Dieters!
    
    Tracey

	Well, last night was my second week weigh-in and I've lost a total
	of 7 pounds (goal is -20).  Now that may not sound like a lot to 
	some folks but I'm not a water retainer so I was prettly sure I 
	wouldn't be dropping 10 pounds the first week.  I also have done 
	nothing in the way of exercise.  I bought a stair-stepper last 
	night so I should see some additional losses in the weeks ahead.

	I *LOVE* the program.  I had a chance to sit on an airplane next
	to a couple that did the Nutri/System program for free. The couple
	work at a TV station where they did radio ads for N/S. Even though
	they didn't have to spend a penny on N/S, they hated it.  They lost
	some weight, but were miserable the whole time.  They only went 
	through with it because they had signed some agreement to do a 
	testimonial on the radio. 

	Jenny Craig food is pretty good, the behaviour modification classes
	are fun and the results are great from what I've seen.  You do have 
	keep an eye on them so they don't charge you for foods you don't 
	want or already have but all in all they seem fair.  I was never 
	pressured to sign up, altough I think it helped to tell them that I
	promised my husband that I would check out Nutri/Systems first.   

	I'll keep posting my results as the weeks pass. I see nothing but
	good coming out of this program.  

	Jodi-

    
    
        I lost another 2 pounds...so I have lost 27 in about 2 months
        time :-)
        I do Low Impact Aerobics, twice aweek and that helps alot.
    
        I like most the Food. 
        Have you ran in to a day where you didn't feel like eating
        what was on the plan ?  
    
        Good Luck to all !
    
         Ann
    
      PS the Topic classes sure help !
    
    

    Do you find yourself eating the scheduled food just because it's
    scheduled for that day?  They tell you eat everything for that day
    because it's nutritional balanced but they also tell you only to eat if
    you are hungery.  So, if you're not hungery and still have food left,
    my suggestion is -- don't eat it.  But if you'd just don't like the
    scheduled day then can always substitute it for another.
    
    Congratulations on the 2 pounds!!
    
    Linda

    
    
       I lost another 4 1/2 pounds this week..so I have lost 31 all
       together.
    
       Can't stop now..and they changed the Menu..
    
       Different foods on there.
    
        Ann
    
    

    
    Re: .31
    
    The counselors I've talked to do stress that it's important to
    eat everything on the menu plan for a given day.  What they told
    me is that it makes virtually no difference when you eat the food
    as long as you eat it.  It's very carefully planned at 950 calories
    per day, and if you don't eat the 950, your body won't burn off
    weight as quickly.
    
    This makes perfect sense to me, but, whatever...
    
    By the way, congrats to Ann!  Very impressive.
    Diane
    
                                                  

    I feel that it would make a difference when you eat the food.  If you
    eat it all at one time then it basically a starvation diet and I can do
    that without the help JC.  I mean, I could eat 950 calories of anything
    (healthy food, not JC food) and the results would be the same, no? 
    Shouldn't they be stressing you to spread out the food so your body is
    constantly burning instead of just saying "just eat everything listed".
    
    Anyone agree with me???
    
    Linda

    
    
    I think that's obviously the intent - you should be trying to
    maintain a constant blood sugar level, and they'd like you to not
    get hungry, so they space the food out, but within reason you
    can reconfigure things.  They never said to me "just eat everything
    listed", but they did say that if I couldn't fit something in when
    the plan said, I shouldn't just forget about that item - I should
    eat it sometime that day. That's all I was getting at.
    
    They do like you to follow the plan as closely as possible - I
    didn't mean to make it sound like they have a laissez faire 
    attitude about it.  Sorry if I gave that impression.
    
    Diane
    

    Hi everyone.  This is day one for me on the J.C. program. Reading
    Ann's testimonials helped me make the decision to make a change
    in my life. (Thanks Ann and keep up the good work)  I was very
    impressed with the program and in particular the counselors.  I'm
    sure this will work for me, and I'll keep you all posted as to how
    I do.  Wish me luck.
    Rosemary

    
    
    Go Rosemary!!  I don't know whether your counselors pointed it
    out to you or not, but it's been a real boon to me to have that
    list of substitutions in the back of the diary.  It expands the
    possibilities appreciably.  I find myself eating cantaloupe or
    kiwi or strawberries in place of oranges, for example, or a
    banana in place of an apple, or graham crackers in place of
    Ry Krisps and rice cakes, etc.  And if you like yogurt, you can
    substitute that for skim milk, which I find more satisfying
    (I add Equal and cinnamon to it).  It took me a while to realize
    that I could do these things - that's why I'm pointing it out,
    but maybe I was just dense about it and you know this already!
    
    Anyways, good luck - I bet you'll love this diet!
    Diane
    
                                 

    Has anyone on the diet prefer to take your own vitamins?  They say they
    will not back the weight loss if you don't take their vitamins.  What
    is the agreement with backing the weightloss?  Is it only if you join
    the maintanence program?  
    
    Linda

    After eight weeks on the diet I finally told Jenny Craig that
    I wanted to stop taking their vitamins.  My reason being, I
    found it difficult to go to sleep at a decent hour.  They didn't
    give me any argument.  After five days off their vits, I am now
    falling asleep faster and earlier each night. 
    
    
    Jodi-

	With a balanced diet, you should not need supplements.
	Is this diet below 1000 calories per day?

	Karen

    
    	Re:  the vitamins
    
    	Are they all really vitamins?  If they are, then there should
    	be no difference in using your own.  The key point I saw that
    	flagged this for me was the fact that someone mentioned not
    	being able to sleep taking the vitamins...reminded me of the
    	good ole days of "speed" diet pills we used to get from the
    	doctors.  Could there possibly be a mixture of diuretic and
    	some "speed" added to enhance the effect of these special
    	"vitamins" they offer as part of their weight-loss package?
    
    	justme....jacqui

    
    The diet is 950 calories per day, so they want you to take the
    vitamins for your hair and nails.  As far as I know, the vitamins
    contain no diuretics, speed, or otherwise, but I have a call in
    to them to verify that and I'll check the packaging again tonight.
    I remember checking that when I first started the diet and I
    saw nothing the least bit suspicious there.  This diet hasn't 
    affected my ability to sleep, nor has it anyone else's whom I
    know on the diet.
    
    Diane
    

    
    I checked the vitamin package last night - there are about 30
    or so vitamins and minerals listed and every one of them is also
    listed on my sister's store-bought vitamin bottle, so unless
    you think they'd be stupid enough to risk thousands of law suits
    hiding speed, etc. in there...
    
    I'll be talking with someone at the center today and post their
    reponse later.
    
    Diane
    

    
    
    For what it's worth:
    
    Just spoke with one of the counselors and she assured me that
    there is absolutely nothing whatsoever resembling speed or
    caffeine or diuretics in the vitamins and that the increase in
    energy that the noter who couldn't sleep was experiencing can be
    logically explained by the fact that she's eating better and
    taking off weight, both of which increase one's energy level
    naturally.
    
    Diane
                        

    Hi, sorry it took me so long to respond, I just started a new job.
    It has been 13 days and I have lost 7 pounds and have not had any
    trouble sleeping.  Thanks for all the encouragement.  Gotta run,
    but I'll be back!!!

    
    Rosemary, great work!  I'm really curious as to what you think of
    the food.  Anything you don't like yet?  As I think I mentioned
    before, I didn't like the original tuna and chicken salads, but 
    there was so much negative feedback, they came up with new
    recipes and now, in my opinion, they're great.  People I've talked
    with about Jenny Craig seem to make the assumption that the food
    is like "gerbil" food or that it's the same as NutriSystem's food,
    but it just isn't - do you agree?
    
    Hate to be trite, but keep up the good work!
    Diane
    

    Since they switched over to the new menus they raised the calorie count
    from 950 to 1000 per day.  Did anyone at JC mention that?
    
    Linda

    
    Re: .48
    
    Thanks for pointing that out.  I had been on a hiatus from the diet
    for a couple of months and when I resumed, my counselor changed, so
    he didn't mention the calorie increase (they added the new foods
    in the interim).  Sorry to have given the wrong information earlier.
    
    Diane
    

    Hi folks.  As to the food I found most of it pretty good.
    With the exception of their yougurt and the apple rice branola.
    But I  am really enjoying the whole J.C. program.  I have found
    it to be a very easy program to work with.  I like to pretend that
    I'm dining out in a restaurant every night with all the different
    meals. Well, whatever works right??  I'll keep you posted.
    
    
    
    
    

    Has anyone been put on Quick-Trim and gained alot of weight from it?
    I hear if you don't absoultely stick to the program for the entire 2
    weeks you can gain alot of weight.
    
    Any experiences you'd like to share?  Good and bad...
    
    Linda

    
    
    Re: .50  I like the blueberry yogurt, but I'm with you on the apple
    	     rice branola.  They used to have oat branola, which I thought
    	     was much better.  This morning I had the rice branola and I
    	     tried putting some cinnamon and half a sliced banana on it.
    	     It was a heck of a lot tastier.
    
    Re: .51  I was on Quick-Trim, didn't stick with it strictly, and
    	     didn't gain any weight.  From my experience so far, I
    	     think you'd have to be gorging yourself to gain a lot of
    	     weight not sticking to this diet for two weeks, regardless
    	     of what two weeks they were.  Any evidence to the contrary?
                                              
    Diane

    
    Hi it's me again.  At the end of three weeks I have lost 9 pounds.
    Not too bad.  It's my fat time of month or the counselor said I
    would have lost more.  I feel really great, and am enjoying 95%
    of the food.  I also like going to the classes.  I am looking forward
    to my halfway point which is 24 pounds.  It helps me focus on what
    I need to do.  Good luck to everyone on any diet. " We know you
    can do it!"
    

    
    Hi.  Good going, Rosemary.  I was wondering if anyone who's on the
    diet has suggestions about making the food taste its best.  Or
    how you use the substitutions to your benefit or anything like that.
    I have a few and these are obviously just my personal taste, but
    for instance -
    
    o cooking the pizza puff in the oven instead of in the microwave
    o adding garlic powder and basil to the stuffed shells
    o adding Equal and cinnamon to non-fat yogurt
    o having non-fat yogurt instead of skim milk as a snack
    o whipping the mousse the full amount of time listed on the directions
      and keeping it in the freezer for a few hours
    o topping the pancakes with the day's quota of banana or strawberries
 
    Any ideas would be appreciated!
    
    Diane
    

    Hi everyone.  At the end of week four I have lost 11 pounds.  I
    feel great and I fit into a dress today that I haven't worn in a
    long time.  Thanks for tthe food enhancement suggestions.  I plan
    to put them to good use.  I told my counselor last night to forget
    the Branola, I wouldn't eat it anyway.  Well gotta run but I'll
    report in nexxt week.

    I have been on J.C. for 7 weeks with a weightloss so far of 17lbs.  I
    have 2 or 3 J.C. foods which I simply cannot eat- Jenny O's, the
    Seafood Newburg and the J.C.yogurt. I am substituting skim milk for 
    the yogurt. When I tell my counselor I simply can't eat the J O's and
    Seafood Newburg, she cringes and says but you have to buy them. How
    do I convince her I don't want to spend money on food which I will
    just throw out?  The rest of the program is quite adequate and seems
    to be working. Any ideas? Thought of writing to "we know you can do it"
    herself. What do you think?  Thanks, Linda
    
    
    

    I can't stand the seafood either.  I got out of buying it by telling
    them that I allegric to seafood.  They wanted to contact my doctor!  I
    told them I've never been to a doctor for it 7but I break out everytime I
    eat any seafood.  It worked for me, give it a try. 
    
    Linda

    
    
    They told me last time I was there that they're discontinuing the
    Seafood Fettucine, but not the Newburg.  Actually, I think the Newburg
    is decent, but I do like seafood a lot.  I don't like the Jenny O's
    either, but I'm so surprised to hear that they're saying you have
    to buy them.  The counselors in Cambridge have never made me
    buy anything.  I'd object and talk to some other counselors or the
    supervisor or something if I were you, because it's not consistent
    behavior and it's not doing them any good public relations-wise.
    I like about 95 percent of the food too, and they've always let
    me substitute a day or a meal for anything I didn't like.  There's
    no reason they should object to that.
    
    Diane
     

    Good morning everyone, hope you all made it successfully through
    the holiday.  I have completed 5 weeks and have lost a total of
    14 pounds.  I am really pleased with this program so far.  I really
    don't feel like I'm actually dieting.  But like many of us there
    are some foods I simply can't eat.  I have learned to eat around
    the problem, like using my own yogurt instead of theirs, like was
    suggested earlier.  I look at it this way, no program is perfect,
    but it works and works well for me, so I will take the problems
    and learn to deal with them.  I'm grateful that I have found a place
    and program that is helping with what had become a big stumbling
    block for me...and that is controlling my eating habits.

    
    Another suggestion - keeping the chocolate peanut butter bars and
    the fruit/nut snack bars in the freezer makes them take longer to
    eat and they taste great that way too, IMO.
    
    Diane
    

    I haven't replied in a few weeks due to vacation.  But I am proud
    to say that I am still making progress.  8 weeks and 18 pounds.
    Even during vacation with eating out 3 times a day, I still managed
    to lose.  I feel great and am very motivated by the staff and program.
    I know I can do it. ( doesn't that sound corny after a while? )
    

From this note, we have or have had at least nine members on this diet.
I haven't joined, I have some questions maybe the thinner 9 can answer?!
I have gone to the Cambridge center for an intial interview.  

	*  How are the counselors at the Cambridge center?  That would
		be where I would join, and for me, the personalities and
		support matter.  I'm FORTYsomething, and don't do well with
		patronization around weight.  I need support and valid info.

	*  How is the wait (not weight) when you go for weekly counseling?

	*  Do you HAVE to buy the tape sets?  

	*  What happens if you start the program and then take time off;
		is there a charge to resume, or an appropriate time-out
		maximum, or do you have to start all over again?

	*  Anybody in the Thin 9 reach goal yet?  How is maintenance phase?

	*  How are the weekly classes?  Well taught, or just stuff we 
		already know?

	*  Can you fit this diet into a packed schedule, are meals pick up
		and go, or does it require a lot of time to stay on it?

	*  Easy to learn in the beginning?  Or takes a lot of time to get it?

I know the best way to find out is to try it, but it is an investment of 
$ and time, and I'd appreciate the benefit of any of your experiencce you can 
offer.  I's like to drop 20 to 25, and I guess those last are the hardest to 
to.  

Thanks for any input.
									jill

    
    Hi Jill.  I go to the Cambridge center and I can attempt to answer
    some of your questions, but I joined last October, so I don't know
    if anything has changed as far as initial sign-up or rules or
    whatever.  
    
    How are the counselors?
    
    	The ones I've dealt with have been very supportive, kind, and
    	not condescending or patronizing at all.
    
    How is the wait when you go for weekly counseling?
    
    	The counseling sessions are scheduled to last 20 minutes and
    	I've never had to wait more than a few minutes for my counselor
        to be ready for me.  They have tight schedules, but they seem
        to maintain them very well (much better than any doctor's office).
    
    Do you HAVE to buy the tapes?
    
    	No.
    
    What happens if you take time off?
    
    	I took 2 and 1/2 months off and resumed as if I had never been
    	away.  No additional charge.  I don't know if there is a maximum
    	time off, nor do I know if they have a policy at all concerning
    	this.
    
    Anybody reached goal - how's maintenance?
    
        I haven't, so I can't answer that.
    
    How are the weekly classes?
    
    	Some of the topics are common-sensical stuff, but it helps
    	to hear it.  The most beneficial to me was the one on nutrition.
    	This was taught in a very straightforward, easy-to-remember
    	way that I will never forget and I will be applying the tenets
        for the rest of my life, no doubt about it whatsoever.  That
        class alone was worth the start-up fee for me.  The instructor
    	I had was excellent too, though I don't know if he's still
    	there or not.  Very bright guy.
    
    Are the meals "pick up and go"?
    
    	For the most part, yes.  Anything that has to be mixed up 
    	can be done ahead of time and there are very few things like
        that.  Breakfasts are cereal, muffins, pancakes, breakfast bars,
    	all of which take little or no time to prepare.  Lunches are mostly
        a can of soup or stew or something else microwavable, with a salad.
    	Dinners are microwavable.  Snacks are things like fresh fruit,
    	skim milk, non-fat yogurt, carrot sticks, celery sticks with
    	peanut butter, microwave popcorn, rice cakes or graham crackers,
        etc.  
    
    Easy to learn in the beginning?
    
    	Very, I thought.
    
    Be glad to talk with you on the phone if you'd like.  My dtn
    is 275-3393.
    
    Diane
    
    
    
    

    Diane,
    		
    	Thanks for your prompt and full reply.
    	It sounds really decent.  
    	
    	I appreciate your time.
    						jill

    
    Jill, you're entirely welcome.
    
    Diane
    

    good news for Jenny Craigers like us...they are discontinuing the
    Jenny-O's and the branola.  I guess I won't have to worry about trying
    to get out of buying them anymore.  Also have a new counselor who seems
    to be more willing not to try and sell me the food I really can't eat.
    I was off the program for 2-3 weeks, but maintained my 27 lb.
    weightloss. Started right back on this Monday. "I know I can do it!"
    

    That is good news!  And congrats for keeping off the 27 lbs.
    I have just reached 22 lbs. 3 from my halfway point and I'm 
    starting to lose momentum.  I need more encouragement than "we know
    you can do it"  It has taken me ten weeks to get here, and I probably
    have another week maybe two to get halfway.  When I joined and they
    did the computer graph on me, all things perfect, I should have
    been halfway at the end of 8 weeks. Of course I am NOT perfect,
    but it's bumming me out any way.  Has anyone else felt this way,
    and will it pass?  I am most definitely committed to the program
    and the entire weightloss, but ,I have just felt down in the dumps
    about my own progress lately.  Has anyone else experienced this,
    and will it pass?

    Did they say what they would be replacing the Jenny-O's and the Branola
    with?  Did they say why they were discontinuing them?

    Re: .67
    
    >I have just felt down in the dumps about my own progress lately.  Has 
    >anyone else experienced this, and will it pass?
    
    Yes, and yes.  Some hopeful thoughts:
    
    1.  You haven't gained any back.  That's a victory in and of itself. 
        (Better than me....)
    2.  You *have* lost weight.  You're on the right track.
    3.  How long did it take you to gain all that weight?  Chances are it's
        coming off a *lot* faster than it went on.  Pretty impressive.

    RE: .69
    
    Thanks for the encouraging words.  I really need them right now.
    You are right in all your hopeful thoughts.  I really don't know
    why I feel this way.  Maybe it's just getting used to being 22 lbs. 
    lighter.  Maybe it"s just that I feel bad that I ever got to the
    point where I needed to lose 50 lbs. in the first place.  I hope it
    passes soon though.  Wish me luck.

    Re: .70
    
    >Maybe it"s just that I feel bad that I ever got to the point where I 
    >needed to lose 50 lbs. in the first place.
    
    I've been resisting that feeling.  Actually, it was hard to settle down
    to losing weight at first because of that.  If I changed something
    about myself, that implied that I wasn't happy with me the way I was --
    which is a very threatening thing to think.  Right now I think I'm
    stuck because I've proved that I *can* lose weight.  It's easier to
    stop now that I've enjoyed success, rather than continue and risk
    failure later.  I've been hovering within three pounds of my lowest
    point -- a real threshold.  If I can cross it, that ought to give me
    a lot more incentive.  Right now, though, I'm feeling a little
    perfunctory -- going through the motions.

    Heh, try working out you need to lose over 100lbs - which is what I did
    last year and it's still off.
    
    The buzz you get from THAT beats the original feeling into a pulp.
    
    grins,
    
    /andy/

    Yes, I have also felt that way.  Some days I really feel like going at
    this gung-ho and other days I feel like eating whatever I want.
    However, today I wore jeans to work for the first time in 21 years and
    received a lot of compliments on how I was looking.  That made me feel
    great. Like any other endeavor worth all the work, the end result of
    a major weightloss a few months from now will be worth it. I just wish
    it didn't take so long!
    I am also not perfect and occasionnally eat a little something not
    bought from J.C. but I try to choose something healthy as opposed to
    the junk food I would have chose a couple of months ago.  Just keep
    picturing yourself at the weight you will feel good at......it's
    helping me through the rougher days.  Good luck...
    

    
    
    	Hi,
    
    	My wife is interested in joining Jenny Craig.
    	I would like to know a few things about this program
    	before she signs on the dotted line!
    
    	1st,
    	When she reaches her goal weight, does she have to continue
    	buying thier food?
    
    	2nd,
    	When she reaches her goal weight, does she get some kind of 
    	refund?
    
    	3rd,
    	What are the tapes and does she have to buy them?
    
    	Does she have to buy certain food even if she dislikes it?
    
    	What else is included in this program besides food and counciling?
    
    	Is there different kinds of payment plans?
    
    	Thanks in advance,
    
    	Wayne

    Hopefully my answers to your questions are correct (at least these
    are what I understood from my initial indoctrination).
    1. After reaching your "goal" weight, you go on maintenance. I believe
       there is an extra cost for this. It lasts 1 year to help you
       maintain your loss. You go once a month to weigh in.  You are off
       Jenny Craig food and on your own.
    2. I do not believe there is any refund once you reach goal.  The $79
       I paid last May covers your admin fees for all the weight you wish
       to lose, no matter how long it takes.
    3. You do not have to buy the tapes (I didn't). I thought they were
       fairly expensive and I figured if I couldn't motivate myself to
       lose I shouldn't have joined in the first place.  I believe the
       tapes are motivational.
       When you first join they will tell you that if there are certain
       foods you cannot eat, they will plan a menu around it.  Once you
       are in the program, everything from what I have found, depends on
       the counselor.  My first counselor let me swap skim milk for yogurt.
       My new counselor won't allow that---she makes you swap a whole day's
       menu. If you have allergies to certain foods they will work around
       that.
       What is included in the program is your weekly 20 minute
       counciling--weigh in, diary review and next food order. There is
       also a weekly "video" session which lasts approximately 40 minutes.
       The videos discuss exercise, binge eating, dining out, cooking for
       company, good nutrition, etc. etc.  They are helpful if only to
       help keep you focused on your goal to better eating habits and
       behavior changes.
       As for payment plans I know they accept cash, credit cards and
       checks for the food as you buy it....not sure if they have any kind
       of plan other than to pay as you buy!
       Hope this helps.  It really is a good program and I am looking
       forward to reaching my half way point in a few weeks.
    
    
    
    
    

   On the local news last night they said that Jenny Craig has just folded in
   the UK.  Apparently the company has not been very successful over here, and
   the reporter commented on how big a contrast this was with the success they
   have had in the States and Australia.

   They interviewed a couple of dieters who were understandably upset that the
   program that had been working well for them was about to vanish.

    This is for Wayne.
    When I joined at the beginning of the summer, I paid the $79 plus an
    additional $99 for the year of maintenance.  I was told that if after
    1 year I was within 5 pounds of my goal weight, I would receive half
    of the $178 or $89 as a refund.  The food averages about $70 per week.
    And for those of you who have encouraged me these past few weeks...
    I believe I have made it to half way, I get weighed tonite.
    25 down, 25 to go.
    
    Thanks for all the encouragement.

    Has anyone stopped the diet for a while, like 2 or 3 months, and then
    went back?  Do they allow this or is there a certain amount of time
    that has to pass before you will be expected to pay another membership
    fee?
    
    Linda

    
    Re: .78
    
    Linda, see .63 
    

    hi.....i am in my 2nd week of jenny and just found this conference and
    was hoping that this would continue ...i guess i will stay in here and
    post my weekly losses because i think it will help me stay on the
    program.....
    
    i initially had 30 pounds to lose and have lost 5.5  so far.....i
    haven't worked in any exercise yet but am trying to get that scheduled
    between kids, carpooling, day care,dentists, and work....
    
    i like the food so far....i don't like the yogurt so i don't buy it...i
    use plain nonfat yogurt instead and flavor it with cinnamon and other
    extracts and sweeta.....and i like it.....
    
    my goal is to lose the weight buy christmas....hopefully....and to get
    a good lasting exercise program in the working!!!! I am veryyyy out of
    shape....and at 42 years old am having alotttt more trouble losing
    weight than when i was younger....the weight i am trying to lose is
    excess that i never lost after my son was born.....he's 18 months today
    so it is definitely time to get this weight off.....not only so that i
    can keep up with him...but for myself too....i am still wearing
    maternity baggy clothes and i really hate them and feel likre they are
    a *uniform* at this point...i want to get rid of them in a BIG way!!!
    
    I like Jenny Craig because i checked the ingredients of food at both
    Jenny and Nutri System...and found the least amount of chemicals and
    perservatives in Jenny......i am not very keen on dehydrated *space*
    food which is what nutri system reminded me of...
    
    I will check in next week after my weigh in!!
    
    Good luck to anyone reading this....i know how tough it is to lose
    weight!!!!
    
    ellie from california

    Hi Ellie,
    
    I am on Jenny Craig too.  I weigh in tomorrow my first week!
    The food really taste good.  What flavor Yogurt did you try?  I liked
    the Blueberry.
    
    I have 30 lbs to lose also.  I have never been able to get below 145
    and stay there.  So wish me luck!  I hope you continue to keep up the
    good work!
    
    Jannie
    (From Cupertino Facilty)

    Hi,
    
    I have been on Jenny Craig going on my 12th week. I have lost a total
    of 30 lbs. and still have 22 lbs. to go. I have been very strict with
    the program and never cheated until last week when I had a death in my
    family and went off J.C. food and ate regular food but even at that I
    tried to stay within the guidelines of the Food Group Box and did not
    gain anything in fact, I lost a few pounds.
    
    Jenny Craig program really WORKS. I have tried many programs and had
    some success but never like this and the thing about it is that it is
    all planned out for you so if you just follow it then you cannot fail.
    I know it is tough to stay with it at times but whenever you get
    discouraged just remember what made you decide to join in the first
    place, then see how far you have come and begin to picture what it will
    be like when you get to goal weight. Right now is a difficult time for
    me because I have had a taste of the real life again and I hear myself
    making excuses not to go back on program but I know that if I don't I
    will just stay the same as I am now and I want to be THIN so bad that I
    am forcing myself to OBEY!
    
    It will be worth it when we are done!
    
    Good luck EVERYONE!
    
    Charlotte
    

    end of week 3....
    week 1....lost 1.5 pounds.....28.5 to go
    week 2....lost 4 pounds.......24.5 to go
    week 3....lost 1 pound........23.5 to go
    
    i still love the food but cheated this last week....drank margaritas
    and ate THE BEST EVER chocolate mousse birthday cake (not all of my
    piece...only 2 bites with vanilla ice cream) for my dads 75th birthday
    dinner on saturday nite!!!
    
    feel good that i didn't gain....i still need to exercise more!!!
    
    on to week 4..................
    
    *ellie from california*
    

    Hi.  Ive been on JC for about 3 months now.  Ive lost 22 pounds and am
    on the 5/2 diet plan now.  Ive got 18 pounds to go.  Ive been so busy
    lately that Ive had a hard time sticking with the diet over the past
    2 weeks but Im also losing some motivation.  Im tired of not being able
    to eat what other people do, etc.  Im trying to get back on track 
    because I really want to lose the next 18 pounds.  
    
    Hanging in there
    Maureen

    Hello!  I have just found this note!  Normally I am a feliner, but
    since I have started JC I thought I should expand my horizons.
    
    Today is the first day of week six for me.  I weighed in last nite and
    have lost ten pounds, only twenty four more to go!!  I am short (4'11")
    and am wondering if that is why the slow weight loss?  The average has
    been about two pounds a week and they say that is good. The program is
    set up for you to lose 1-3 pounds per week, so I am on target.
    
    I too have had moments when I feel like "jeez this is getting
    depressing!" but now it seems worth it. I never thought I would bresk
    the 140 mark.  
    
    As for the food, I like the J,O's and the yogurt but detest the branola
    and put up with the turkey a la king.  All else is good (oops, forgot
    the disgusting breakfast bar!).  I am now walking more and paying more
    attention to the exercise I get.  This should help take it off faster
    now.  Also,  my counselor will not really switch a food as she will
    switch a day.  I don't eat the seafood stuff at all and will switch for
    the seafood fett. the a la king and for the newburg the chicken
    plumrose day (may fav.).
    
    Good luck to all of us!  
    Karen
    PS  the plastic dinner trays make good cat food plates!

    ...........I got back to the NOTES file, I'm a contractor, former DECy. 
    I have a substantional WEIGHT PROBLEM.............I've read this whole
    note on Jenny Craig and I see the progress of those on it, has stopped.
    
    Had everyone lost it all, or has everyone lost interest???????
    
    I have, recently, gone to a Jenny Craig Diet Center in Marlbor, MA to
    see what it would be like, what they have to offer and PRICE.........
    PRICE is my ONLY set-back.  I am very interested in the DIET.  I need
    and want the individual counseling sessions.  I have 90 lbs. to loose.
    
    Right now, my husband and I cannot afford it, I see the Success Program
    is on sale, but still, our of reach..............It's sad for me and
    frustrating.  I told the counselor I spoke to to keep me posted and
    maybe some of our Tax Return, we can use.  I have been up and down for
    about 25 years, I'm 37 and I feel lousey..............I have a 20th
    Class Reunion this November and I'd like sometime this summer to begin
    to look nice again...
    
    I have a wonderful husband that loves me for me, no matter, but I can't
    stand me anymore.  I have NO WILL POWER.  I have a determination to
    turn that around.  I have been under months of unusual stress and hope
    out of this, that I can learn to NOT TO EAT, cause of stress.  I know
    of nutrition, and what I should and shouldn't do.............but
    emotional/stress, has been a great down-fall for me and I truely don't
    know if there is anything out there that can get rid of this
    dependancy.
    
    I'm a BIG TIME..........Chocoholic.
    
    Well maybe this note will get some info back on how everybody is doing,
    how things have been the same or new since last November, for Jenny
    Craig.
    
    Hang in there, everyone.........best wishes and I hope to join you
    soon!
    
    Carol Weston
    
    

    
    CAROL,
    
    I THOUGHT THAT WAS ME YOU WERE DESCRIBING!! (EVEN TO THE BIG TIME
    CHOCOHOLIC).
    
    I, TOO, KNOW THE THINGS TO DO, BUT LET STRESS, ETC., GET TO ME AND
    INDULGE.  THE WORSE THING IS THAT I SIT VERY CLOSE TO A CANDY 
    MACHINE AT WORK WHICH CONSTANTLY CALLS OUT MY NAME AND DRAWS ME
    LIKE A MAGNET.
    
    TODAY I AM REALLY GOING TO TRY TO BEGIN TO CHANGE MY EATING HABITS.
    I KNOW THE RIGHT THING TO DO ALSO, BUT HAVE A TOUGH TIME APPLYING IT.
    
    I AM REALLY BEGINNING TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO LABELS, ESPECIALLY
    NOTICING THE FAT, SODIUM AND CHOLESTERAL CONTENTS.  IT BOGGLES MY
    MIND AND YOU WOULD THINK THAT IN ITSELF WOULD SMARTEN ME UP.
    
    I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO REALLY GET SERIOUS ABOUT THIS.  I AM QUITE
    A BIT OLDER THAN YOU AND WEIGHT IS LIKE A PRISON.  IT HAS HINDERED
    ME FROM DOING A LOT OF THINGS WHICH I WOULD'VE LIKED TO DO OVER THE
    YEARS AND THE PROBLEM JUST WORSENS BECAUSE THE LONGER IT IS PUT OFF,
    THE HARDER IT IS TO DEAL WITH.
    
    I KNOW THAT WEIGHT WATCHERS HAS GOTTEN EXPENSIVE, BUT WOULD YOU BE
    ABLE TO HANDLE THAT FINANCIALLY?  YOU WOULD ONLY HAVE TO PAY WEEKLY.
    I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THINKING ABOUT HOW MUCH I PUT IN THE
    CANDY MACHINE DURING THE WEEK AND HOW MUCH I SPEND ON JUNK, IT 
    PROBABLY WOULD ADD UP TO THE SAME AMOUNT.  I MIGHT JUST DO THAT ALSO.
    I PREFER THEM AND DIET WORKSHOP OVER OTHER DIETS BECAUSE I BELIEVE
    THEY TEACH YOU HOW TO EAT SENSIBLY (GOOD NUTRITION AND BEHAVIOR
    MODIFICATION).
    
    I CAN REALLY IDENTIFY WITH YOU BECAUSE, AS I INDICATED ABOVE, IT
    SOUNDED JUST LIKE ME TALKING ABOUT MYSELF.
    
    GOOD LUCK!
    

    > .87   THANK YOU!!!!!!!! For your words of encouragement.
    
    I know I have to make a decision, a plan, a commitment.  Now.  But even
    WW is $$$$$$$$.  I have been to WW so many times and with what I feel
    now, I know I would not commit myself to them.  I know of good
    nutrition, I have even been to a nutritionist at Marlboro Hospital.  WW
    does "NOT" promote, individual help. Yes you can state what your
    problem is, out-loud in the group, but this is something, sometimes, is
    personal.  Support groups are good.  At Marlboro Hospital it was no
    more than about 7 people.  The support group and individual counseling
    I believe "I" need.
    
    Over many diets, I have discoverd the one thing that stands out, it has
    to be a diet for, you.  WW, Jenny Craig, whatever.  I have committed
    myself, several times.  I very close to be "READY".  So hopefully, this
    week, my hubby and I can discuss $$$$$ and see what to do, now.
    
    Yes, getting older is a big hiderance...........now is even a very big
    problem, no pun intended!, with me!
    
    Good luck to you too!!!!!!!!!! and GOD BLESS US
    EVERYONE!!,,,,,,,,,somebodies got too!!!!!!!!!!!! HA!  we need alot of
    guidance!
    
    ........chocoholic junkie,
    
                   Carol
    
    

    Why not try Overeaters Anonymous - It's free.  It's a great program for
    those people who work it.  They recommend you go to 6 meetings before
    you decide if it's the program for you.
    
    Best of Luck.
    

    I started Jenny Craig about 4 weeks ago.  I was always a "starvation"
    dieter, with great results.  But I had a bout of anorexia a few years
    ago and I decided to start eating "normal".  I lost my boyfriend a year
    ago, he died of cancer, and as a result, went from a size 5 to an
    almost 13/14 in less than a year.  It is really depressing ...
    
    I decided to change my life, learn to live better, exercise more and
    eat healthy instead of starve and eat one meal a day, which is what my
    body is used to.  Well, I've never felt healthier since I joined Jenny
    Craig.  I have 40 pounds to lose, and I was disappointed to learn that
    week 1 I hadn't lost *any* weight, but gained a pound, and I was really
    strict on it.  My counselor and doctor told me this is because my
    metabolism is really off-kilter due to starving all the time, I'm
    actually getting food and my body is frantically "storing" it.  Anyway,
    I tried really hard not to get discouraged.  The second week, I lost
    the pound I gained and 1/4 pound.  I know that seems like nothing, but
    the fourth week is here and now I've lost 7 pounds!
    
    Everyone is telling me I look like I lost weight.  My clothes fit so
    much better and I actually feel *healthy*.  I've never been one to eat
    fruits or veggies, and this diet forces you to eat healthy.  I'm now a
    broccoli and bananna junkie!!!!  The food tastes fantastic (except the
    beef soup and the Jenny O's are pretty gross, and I also dislike the
    pasta sauce -- I'm picky about my sauce.)  Although I tried Slim-fast
    and Dynatrim at one point, I never lost and I thought the taste was
    gross.  I like the JC chocolate drink a lot!!!
    
    I have lots of friends at DEC who went on the Nutri-system diet.  Ick. 
    The food was terrible looking and all the people gained their weight
    RIGHT BACK!!!  JC teaches you to create your own menus once you reach
    goal weight, then you go into maintenance.  And not only that, but my
    program is called "success plus".  This means that for the rest of my
    life I can use their counseling services and the food at no extra
    charge -- for a lifetime.  I think I got a good deal, especially since
    I like my counselor and the food very much.  Price is definitely a
    factor, but I was so desperate to change my eating habits, I shelled
    out $279 for the program and the first week food was incl..  I understand
    Nutri-system is REALLY  expensive, I went there once and didn't like it
    and when they told me the price of the program alone (it was around
    $450 without the first week's food) I said no way.  
    
    The food normally costs 70 the first two weeks, then around 45-50 a
    week thereafter.  I spent that much anyway on food weekly, so I
    consider it to be ok.
    
    I highly recommend this program to anyone who is considering losing
    weight.  I've never felt healthier and the JC people make me feel
    comfortable and the place is always mobbed, which is a good sign
    because most of the people I've talked to say they joined through word
    of mouth.  And when I tell people I'm on JC, most everyone is really
    interested in learning more and contemplating joining.
    
    Well, it's nice to know that there's a conference for weight-loss
    because I've struggled with my weight and anorexia for years and years
    and I'm finally doing something about it.
    
    Tammi (Who goes to the Alexandria, VA Jenny Craig)

    Congratulations Tammi............
    
    To leave your anorexia behind is a big plus in yourlife itself.  Glad
    Jenny Craig is working for you.
    
    As in my previous notes here, I was contemplating diets, including
    Jenny Craig in regards to $$$. Our state return came in and I'm going
    to call Jenny Craig in Marlboro, MA and get started.  I'm real anxious. 
    This is the heaviest I've ever been.  I have approximately 90 lbs. to
    loose which looking at the "big" picture, literally, is overwhelming,
    but I plan on separate goals at a time.
    
    I'm scared too, at the same time.  I've failed for so many years now,
    but I feel strong.  Sound crazy?  Yes.  I look forward to matching up
    with a counselor there called Carol.  I hope all will work out with me
    and I plan on getting rid of the cargo of mine forever.  I dislike what
    I look like in the mirror and pictures taken.
    
    I will use this conference for updates and encouragement too!!!!
    
    Best of Luck in your SUCCESS PROGRAM..........I'm going for that one
    too!
    
    Carol
    
    

    
    Just a response to the Jenny Craiger's out there, first week ending was
    this Sat., my first weigh-in.  8 lbs................gone!  Love it!  
    Wouldn't it be nice to have that, every week!!! I know it won't be, but
    I'm still syched and hope to remain that way............
    
    
    Carol
    
    

    Well, here are some words from a true novice... 2 days on JC.
    One of the reasons that I choose JC was that I could continue on
    an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet.  Yes, even vegetarians get fat!
    
    I have chosen to lose 27 lbs, and my goal is 11 weeks.  We shall see.
    I was very impressed with the quality of JC's program and the staff.
    I had done research on diet plans about a year ago and decided that
    JC would be the way to go, when I finally pysched myself up. Well, all it 
    took was a video tape.  I was in a training class where they videoed you 
    and boy, what a shocker!  
    
    My counselor told me that my plan was approx. 1000 to 1200 calories
    per day (depending on the day).  I will have to say that I was shocked
    to find that I have not been hungry and the food has been decent.
    On the vegetarian diet you get a lot of bulk, for instance, I have to
    eat 2 heads of romaine lettuce this week.  My counselor said that
    lettuce is basically a freebie.  All of their diet plans are based
    on the 60 carb/20 protein/20 fat % principle, so if you are getting
    burned out on your menu, try a new one.  They have a No-red meat plan
    also.
    
    I found some tips already.  When you are making crepes out of the
    pancake mix, put in an extra 1/4 cup water, and you can make 2 really
    big crepes.  Also, I have gone to using small plates and bowls, to make
    the portions look larger.  Also I cut my fruits up into little pieces
    so that it takes me longer to eat.
    
    I really only have one thing that I have noticed that I wish JC had
    improved, and that is noting preparation time.  At midnight last night
    I realized that the muffins were not frozen and that I had to bake
    them.  I also discovered that some of the mixes have to be refrigerated to
    reach the proper consistency.  But I am going to make these suggestion
    to my counselor.
    
    I have had this weight for 4 years and I am looking forward to getting
    it off.  I went with the bare bones $79 plan, and my first week was
    $82.  Subsequent weeks are approx. $60.  I figure with not eating out
    and what I would spend on food anyway, the plan is only costing me
    about $20 more a week.  Sounds like a good deal to me.  And the
    nutritional information is great!
    
    I will keep you posted, Debbie
    

    .93
    
    WELCOME!
    
    I'm fairly new (.92) and I'm on the regular plan.  I love the meals, as
    you say, and preparing a few, is a little bit of a pain, but not as
    much as in Weight Watchers.  You must weigh and measure everything. 
    The first weight loss, of 8 lbs. is wonderful and I have a very long
    way to go, 90 lbs.  But this time, I'm gonna make it!!!!!!!  I know you
    can too.  I take it only one-day-at-a-time.  Even though JC helps me
    trememdously with the people, plan, food, tapes, etc.  I still have to
    talk to myself during emotional times and I do get hungry once in a
    while.
    
    I know they have great plans, for all eating types!!!!!!!  Good luck!
    
    Carol
    
    

    
    my 2nd week (W/E:  5/4) and 2 1/2 pounds off, 10 1/2 in two weeks!
    
    Carol
    
    

    Well, the first week, 5 lbs!!!!
    It's gonna work.
    I really like Jenny Craig's diet.
    
    Debbie

    
    YEA! Debbie...............I'm with ya.  I know it works, I'm on my
    3rd week and I still feel pretty strong.  I know I'll have my days and
    I have had a few where I just talk to myself, keep up the good work!
    
    Carol
    
    

    CAN YOU TELL SOMETHING ABOUT JC - PRICE, FOODS, ETC.
    
    THANKS,
    
    

     
    .98
    
    > CAN YOU TELL SOMETHING ABOUT JC - PRICE, FOODS, ETC.
    
    In regards to price, it has to with what you can do and "want" to do.
    
    Their $99. special is:  Their counseling and classes.  That is all it
    covers.  You have an extra charge for their casset tapes which match
    each class.  Each class is a TOPIC of the week and you can attend
    according to YOUR schedule.  These tapes try to help you instill what
    you/me, should be learning.  The next charge is their Maintainance
    program, which is for a full year, after you reach your goal.  You must
    stay within 5 pounds and if you do that, one year after your goal, you
    will receive 1/2 your monies back (whatever you buy...).  The last cost
    is, their food.  The bottom line is, I don't see how anyone can loose
    on thier diet, without thier food, for me, it is the primary source,
    with counseling, for thier SUCCESS.
    
    Their SUCCESS PROGRAM -- which I am on, includes all of the above. 
    This has cost me, with the first week's food:  $345. to join.  Each
    week you pay for your food.  The food costs go down for a while as your
    cubbord gets stocked.
    
    I did check-out Jenny Craig in Feb. and I could not afford it then. 
    But I knew inside, this was the program for me.  I've been on a
    million of them.  Not that I won't stray, but I feel good so far.  I
    used part of tax return to join.  The first few weeks financially have
    been a bit hard, but it should be better.  They do help you have a
    financial plan too.
    
    I want to say definitely something about them, that for me stands out. 
    Besides being a TOTAL diet place and them considering everythings from
    how ours minds work and our strenghts and weakness.....they NEVER push! 
    You are in control and they are there to HELP, in everyway.
    
    The foods are great.  One or two things (in  my third week), that I
    haven't liked, and they work around it. I believe there is 8 weeks
    worth of different combinations of menus.  You can follow them as the
    day goes on or switch fruits, breads, and milk/yogurt.  You have
    snacks, some are chocolatey.  They have vitamins along with this
    program.  Water is a vital part of any diet, as you may know and this
    time I am doing great with it.  They work with you for YOUR choice of
    an exercise plan.  You also meet REAL people..........
    
    How this has helped, anything else I can help you with I'll try.
    
    Carol
    
    

    
    Anyone, who is still on the JC program, could you tell me if you feel
    that the tapes have benefited your progress?  How often do you listen
    to them?
    
    

    Just to give you an different view - I joined on the cheap $79.
    The $79 commitment means that you sit down with a counselor and decide
    how much weight you want to lose.  Then JC says it will take X weeks.
    You can get counseling and food for as long as it takes to loose the
    weight up to 1 year, but it usally runs 12 - 24 weeks depending on your
    weight loss goals.  I did not get the cassettes nor the extended plan.
    My first weeks food cost $82.  The second $75.  The next weeks will
    run between $55-60, but I am on the vegetarian plan, and the food is
    about $5-10 cheaper a week than the meat diet.  I go twice a week, once
    to see my counselor (and get food) and once for the seminars.
    I feel like the additional options that JC offers are really a personal
    decision, because you know what is best for you.
    My goal is 27 lbs and I lost 5 lbs the first week.  My plan is for 11
    weeks.  After the 4th week, I begin integrating regular food twice a
    week, and gradually go off the JC food week by week.
    
    Debbie

    .101
    
    Thank you for your view.  The only additional options, are the Tapes to
    go along with the classes and 1 year maintainance.  I did this to
    ensure my own personal commitment.
    
    I was just tryping to get some comments on others who "do" listen to
    the tapes.
    
    Good Luck!
    
    Carol
    
    

    
    Hi, for those of you who might read this and keep track of others
    progress.  Since there isn't alot of chatter here, I'm continuing my
    progress, with Jenny Craig in the PROGRESS notes file.
    
    I am stillcontinuing with JC and love it!  After one month I am 20 lbs.
    down and 15 1/2 inches smaller!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Good luck to all............hang tough.........keep the faith and so
    on!
    
    Carol
    
    

    Hi,
    
    	I just started Jenny Craig last Wednesday, and so far I think it's
    great.  It's been kind of hard trying not to snack, but I haven't.  I'm
    going tonight to get weighed in, and pick up my food for next week.  I
    started at 144, and I want to get down to 125.  
    	Is there anybody still on Jenny Craig?  Nobody's replied lately, so
    I wasn't sure.
    
    bye...
    Tracy
    

    Hi...
    
    It's been quite a while since anyone has replied to this note...
    Is there anyone out there that's doing Jenny Craig right now??  I
    just started it a week ago and it's going great so far...
    
    If there's anyone who's doing the Jenny Craig program, reply so we can
    discuss it, o.k?!!  
    
    Thanks!
    
    Gen 

    There's an article in the Albuquerque Journel this morning about Les
    Houston, a state legislator.  Apparently he was on Jenny Craig and they
    were doing some heavy local advertising.  Well, the legislature likes
    to bring in lots of goodies, and Les has gained back 10 pounds.  The local
    Jenny Craig franchisee is saying he doesn't want Houston's name
    associated with the plan anymore...
    
    If anyone's interested, I'll find the article and type it in...
    
    Cheers,
    
    Gil
    
    (Still on my water diet...)
    

Hi!

I'm Jan Sachs and I've just started Jenny Craig.  This is my second day.

So far, the only thing  I've found objectionable is the limited substitution
for tomatoes.  Also, I really don't like alot of raw veggies without
*some* type of dressing.  What you get with the program is a minute
quantity.  This is going to be the hardest part to stick to for me.

I've dieted with weight watchers, fad diets, and a registered dietician
all trying to get rid of the 50lbs I'd like to loose.  I lost a
great deal with weight watchers, but gained it all back over 3 years.  The
fad diets did more harm than good.  The registered dietician turned
me on to 'Diets don't work' and I really believe everything they
say in that book.  However, its hard to keep going with something like
that without support.

The good part about Jenny Craig is that the counseling they give you
via person to person interaction plus the audio tapes closely resembles
what I was getting with the dietician.  They don't preach to you about
*bad* foods, they just remind you of dangerous situations and how
to possibly respond.  Mostly its stuff I can deal with and not get
all stressed out.

Now if I can just survive controlling myself for one week, I think I
can make it through the other 20.

Jan

ps,  I'm really glad I found this notes file before making a decision 
about a diet.  Jenny Craig is really expensive (at least in my pocket book)
and I needed some advice on making the decision.  I was glad to see
all the input from you guys!

    Is the plan basically the same as stated from the beginning of this
    file? What are the actual prices? If you set a goal and at the
    end of your time limit, can you set another goal or do you
    have to go on the maintenance part? In other words do they want you
    to set and stick with your final goal right off or can you break
    it up?
    

Hi,

>Is the plan basically the same as stated from the beginning of this file?

Yup.  There are a few minor changes, but the actual 'diet' is pretty
much as described.  

>What are the actual prices?

Well, I've bought into the 'Success Plus' plan.  This gives me 2 exercise
audio tapes, a set of what I'd call 'inspirational' tapes, but Jenny Craig
calls them Lifestyle topics, maintenance plan is included and I can
visit the center once per month for free after I reach the stated goal weight.
This cost me $249.00.  Then the first week of food was about $100 (this
was just to get my shelves stocked).  From there on, its averaged to
be about $60 (I'm on the vegitarian plan so its about $10 less).

>If you set a goal and at the end of your time limit, can you set another goal
or do you have to go on the maintenance part?

To the best of my knowledge, you can go on maintenance when you decide.  I
have set a goal weight of 130, but would like to go to 120.  I will go
on the 5/2 part of the plan when I reach 150 (which is halfway to my
goal of 130).  The 5/2 plan allows you to have 2 days a week of planning
your own meals and not eating Jenny-food.  This way, you get into maintenance
planning *before* you actually stop losing weight.  I feel that will be
enough to carry me through the extra 10 lbs.  Once I lose the weight *and*
keep it off for a year, I am entitled to a 50% refund on that initial
$249.00.

So, yes, you can go lower than your originally stated goal.  However,
I'm not sure what you mean by 'can you break it up'.   I don't know how
weight gain prior to your goal affects the 50% refund, either.

All in all, I feel that its a good plan.  I will reserve final judgement
after I see how they treat me in maintenance.  Sometimes, I think thats
where you need the majority of counseling!

Jan

    I'm a new Jennry Craig person and I'm testing to see if there is anyone
    in the MKO area whose a member?  more is better than 1 for support
    
    Pauline