Weight Loss Program: Starting Jenny Craig

I’ve been wanting to get back into being healthier and part of that meant finding a way to be held accountable for doing so. I’m at a lifetime-high weight (or was a week ago, I’ll know tomorrow what the change is if anything) and feeling horrible. I don’t want to sugar coat it (ironic phrase to use, since sugar is what gets me into this situation!) So, when the chance to take part in a 3 month, 4 post campaign working alongside Jenny Craig on a weight loss program journey came up, it was a no brainer.  HECK YES. (I’d say hell yes, but you guys aren’t used to me saying things like that on here, so we’ll stick with heck). Jenny Craig is a clinically proven and leading weight-loss program designed to provide structure and support to help members lose weight and learn how to keep it off. I was provided a free trial Jenny Craig program and meals. However, the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

A kick in the derriere to start being healthier AND a way to be held accountable?

YEP.
Timing is everything. This timing was perfect. I’m an emotional eater, and after my dad died last year, well, I ate my grief. Acknowledging is a good start, right?

Starting Jenny Craig Weight Loss Program

 

Anyway, last week I put on my “cute” outfit and headed to my Jenny Craig to meet Donna, my wonderful Jenny Craig consultant in this journey, who’s really just gone out of her way to make me feel special (she’s called to see how I am, spent a long time chatting with me during our first appointment, etc) and was going along just fine until we had to take my before photos. Which I don’t ever want to see or share with anyone but I need ( N E E D) to be accountable here so…

Seeing this WAS my second #JennyCraigMoment – the first being *thisclose* to almost not fitting on a ride at an amusement park a few weeks ago.

 

My cute outfit is not looking so cute on a very, very overweight me.  Oh hey, reality, thanks for punching me in the face.  Pair that with almost not being able to enjoy rides with my family because of my size and we have a motivated ME.

But, as I said, I’m at a lifetime high, I am not happy and I needed a kick in the pants.

 

Donna helped by not telling me my measurements – she gave me the option and I declined. I figure I’ll find the starting numbers on those later…but the reality of what I look like in this photo was honestly enough for one day. She did assure me several times on the phone before our appointment, during the appointment and on the phone after it that she was here to support me, and be a resource so that I can be successful.  I need that. A person to reach out to. A name, a face, someone who knows me and that isn’t just pulling my account up on the phone to answer a question. (Even when it’s approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes after leaving the appointment!).
After discussing the overall program, Donna shared the Week 1 Menu with me so we could go over how the plan works, what kinds of things I can add in or substitute, and take the things out I knew I wouldn’t eat. I even told her I didn’t think I’d like the Triple Chocolate Cheesecake but she told me to just try it and oh my gosh, you guys.  I’m not the biggest cheesecake fan but whoa.  (I can note here that because your program food comes in portioned sizes, you do NOT have to share with the kids or your husband!!). There were a few things I knew I wouldn’t eat just because of my taste preferences, so we did a few substitutions and I even tried some new stuff I wasn’t sure I would like and in the end? I actually loved most of everything!

 

So the food. Overall, really good. The only stuff I didn’t like just had a lot of “stuff” I don’t love anyway, like peppers—but I tried them, and now I know to ask for something swapped out when those pop up again. There are a LOT of options for food, though, for all meals, and for snacks too.  Like 100+ menu items- leaves room for a whole lot of variety! All of the entrees, snacks and desserts are developed by Registered Dietitians, nutritionists and culinary experts so I won’t have to worry that I’m going to be eating super low-calorie cardboard for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

 

My favorite #JennyCraigFood are the breakfast foods, which surprises me. I don’t care a whole lot about breakfast most of the time! But there are a lot of options and variety that came home with me for week 1 so that was something new.  I don’t do a lot of variety for breakfast—or at least, I haven’t until now… The syrup isn’t my favorite thing so I think I’ll just be popping my fresh fruit right onto my breakfasts that call for syrup from now on.

 

What surprised me was that I was NOT hungry over the week. I wasn’t sure if I’d be feeling hungry or anything, and I really wasn’t. I actually didn’t even eat all of the plan a few days just because of our family schedule and being on the go…but it is super nice to be eating the right portions and adding in fruits and veggies that are supplementing and NOT feeling like I’m starving, you know? It’s not fun trying to lose weight and feel hungry 24/7. Or 12/24. You eat 6 times a day with Jenny Craig. Six.

 

 

So, there you go. I had my #JennyCraigMoment and then I had a second one and now I’m in the trenches and I have had PMS and STILL have stayed on track.
I feel like I need a gold star for that.  Or a cookie. But- that would lead to 2 cookies, and 3, so I think I’ll stick with a star, and look forward to seeing what that scale and Donna say at my first follow up appointment tomorrow.

 

Have you had one of these moments and though about starting a weight loss program too?

 

PS Twice this week I went to grab a snack and grabbed some veggies or cut fruit with a little peanut butter INSTEAD of junk.  I feel like that maybe can be a gold star, too.  Even just in my head. We’ll see if Donna agrees.

I was provided a free trial Jenny Craig program and meals. However, the opinions expressed are entirely my own. If you’re interested in trying Jenny Craig yourself, they have a special offer for the summer right now.