Has anyone changed counselors? I read one of the post about personalizing the weekly menu. I was told that did not happen until Week 3? I also felt rushed during my first appointment and if I did not need to lose the weight so badly, I probably would not have joined. Thanks. jhamerla@satx.rr.com [email=null]null[/email][/LIST]null

I've changed counsellors AND I started to personalize my menu in week 2. There were a few things on it that I really did not want to have and so the counsellor said, "Well - let's get rid of this then and get you something you do want to eat." Haven't looked back since.
If I get really lazy or busy one week and don't have time to plan out a meal (I do them online in advance of my WI) then I might go and do a planned one again but until then, I'm loving choosing my own stuff.
As for changing counsellors, lots of people do it. This is your program that you paid for and you need to have someone that you can relate to. They don't take offence because as I said, lots of people do it. You can't be a good fit (or they can't) with everyone, so just tell them what you're looking for in a consultant and hopefully they will pair you with the right person.
Kim

I am soon to be starting my 3rd week, and my consultant was going to let me personalize my 2nd week, but I didn't have the time to sit there and pick out all the food. I am not crazy about my consultant either. She has a bit of an attitude, and is kind of fake. I am going to give her another chance though. Do what is right for you. This is hard enough as it is, to have to deal with someone who you don't click with! Also you should be able to personalize your menu at anytime!

The very first week, I picked my own menu and now I do it before I go to WI. Try different counselors, usually early am and late pm have different counselors! Good luck!
Lynn

You can feel free to change your counselor to someone that you feel comfortable with. My original counselor left JC and I was told I could pick my new counselor. I chose someone that I noticed always had a full schedule, yet never rushed her clients out. I'm very happy with my decision.
As for choosing your own food, of course you can do it! I tried the planned menus for the 2 weeks so that I could get the hang of it and also try everything. Then I started choosing foods based on what I liked and also the cost.
I asked for a price sheet and food list, I plan my food before I go to my meeting with everything I need for the week- this enables me to know how much I will be spending and I think my counselor appreciates this time saver!
Good luck!

When I first started last year my bad counselor was my reason for leaving. We didn't click and she seemed to be rather snotty to me. And trust me I'm a laid back easy going gal, she really ticked me off. When I decided to come back I insisted on someone more upbeat. And I got Paula. She inspires me to really do better. If you don't like that consultant either Jenny DIrect or at a center, talk to the Management. You wont' beleive how much of a difference it will make when you have a better "cheerleader" at your side.
Good Luck!

Hi,
I wanted to know what is personalize your menu. Is it when you pick and choose your food from JC or when you make your own food.

Personalizing is making all your own selections. This web site has a menu planner that makes it easier - all the selections are listed in drop down boxes. The first few weeks I did the planned to try all the foods and now print my personalized menu out before my appointment each week. I definitely like all the frozen entrees better so I mostly pick them but continue to try new items on the recommendation of my couselor.
sw 175
cw 154
goal 140

I have been on the personalized meal planner since day 1, but I cannot seem to figure out how to plan my meals using the website's meal planner. It takes me forever and I get frustrated, and I know if something is too hard I will eventually stop doing the diet altogether! So I changed my tactic: Now when I pick up my JC food, I take my black Sharpie pen and mark each meal with a "L" or "D" for "Lunch" or "Dinner." Then when it's time for lunch, I choose whatever "L" looks appetizing at the time, and same goes for dinner. I know to have my snacks, too, and I know to add a salad at lunch and a veggie at dinner, so I'm all set to go without too much hassle. It's made a huge difference for me.
By the way, I'm also not really liking my interviewer... But it's only been a couple of weeks so I'm going to give her a chance. Some of the other girls in the center just seem so much more upbeat and positive and HAPPY. But I'll wait and see...

LJL, the only problem with doing it your way is that certain menu items require additional grocery store items. There is a little sheet they can give you to tell you what those are so that you know what to add to each dish. For example, adding 1/2 a starch to the mac & cheese or adding a meat serving to the garden vegetable soup, etc. Otherwise, it sounds like you know what works for you.

Yes, I use the pamphlet that lists all the foods out to see what needs to be added to what, since it tells you right there. I also use that to keep track of the foods I like and the ones I don't. I cross out the items I've tried that I don't like, and I highlight the ones I have tried and *do* like. The ones that have no markings means I haven't tried them yet, so they go on my food order for the next week.
LastTime - by the way, I stole your signature since our info is very similar! It looks like we started on the exact same date, and our ages are close and our goal weights are almost the same! It's nice to meet someone who's at the same stage as me. I wish us both luck with JC!

That's cool LJL. Hopefull, we can support each other on here all the way to goal. At least you don't have as much to lose as I do, so you've got a bit of a head start

I have to say I LOVE MY CONSULTANT!! She is one of the reasons that I have lost the weight. She had me do the week 1 and 2 menus, then she let me take out the things I didn't like and to try new things. Today I hit 15 lbs, and I know her support is a huge part of my success!! Erin

I have had two great consultants..and one bad one. The first one (Tonya) was so friendly and helpfull--too bad she got a big promotion w/in the company and had to go.
THEN, my next one was waaaaay fake, a bit too old for me to relate to, and sort of condecending.
NOW, I have PETE---he rocks! It's great having someone closer to my age (which is 24) to talk to... Not to mention the fact that he's HOTTTT. LOL. But seriously, he's been where I am now...and he's totally nice and always eager to help.
I <3 my JC consultant!

Im glad i found this posting. I am super annoyed at my consultant. I feel as though since i havent been spending as much money lately on the food because of money problems , she has been giving me an attitude for the past 2 weeks. she didnt even ask me at my last appt when my next appt would be or what time. i am so mad right now i dont even feel like going back. i might have to change centers i dont know.

Didn't like my consultant at all. She was not helpful to me at all. I have dieted/exercised my whole life. She would say things that were just flat out wrong. (one thing was that Dr. Atkins died from all the fat he ate which is not fact).
I quit JC and am doing SB on my own. I have always had the willpower to stick to diets so for me it isn't critical to have a consultant. Some people need that. If you do need the consultant make sure it's a good one! THAT is a lot of what you are paying for and deserve quality people!

As others have said, if you don't like your consultant - ask for a different one! Or like me, I just gave it more time and now I have bonded with mine and we are good. I think the SB meals I've gotten before at the grocery store are delicious! I think any plan works as long as you stick with it. That's the hard part for most of us!

I hang my JC menu on my fridge, so that I can look at what I'm eating for the day, when I go to get it. I'm on personalized and I switch my foods around ALL the time
I also take a pen and put an X next to the foods as I eat them so that I remember which fruits, etc I've already had.
My counselor isn't rude but sometimes I just feel like she isn't as helpful as she could be. I've gone personalized menu from day 1, but when I told her I was going out of town this entire week and asked for advice on how to plan my meals she said it wasn't important but to be sure to eat my fruit!

Yeah, mine is pretty much the same way. I am out of town this week too, I'm in Manhattan, and I didn't even bother to ask for her help. I just ordered all shelf foods for this week and brought all my food with me. She's nice, but for the most part I feel like I'm on my own. I'm fine with that, because in the long run I'm the only one who will always be there for me.

I just joined JC this past Friday (Aug 25th). I told my consultant that I'd like to choose my own menu because I am a picky eater she was fine with that. So on my first week I picked my menu. She gave me advice on what was good and not so good. I made my choices from there.

I changed counselors once when I was on the program before. I tried to bond with the one I had, and it just didn't work. So, one day, I called the JC office manager for my center and told her that I needed someone who's outlook was similar to mine. She stated, "sure thing" and placed me with another counselor. The replacement was perfect. No hard feelings anywhere.
The previous counselor remained friendly - in truth, she was probably relieved...it's a two-way streak, you know.
As far as the planned vs. personalized menu - I have always been a fairly picky eater, and I told my counselor that during the first meeting. As I remember, my comment was "I know I don't like (whatever the food item was), and it won't pass my lips now or any other time!" She laughed and replied that the planned menu was a guideline, not a bible, and to pick and choose as I needed.
Hope this info helps! Remember, you are paying good money for this diet - you are the consumer. If you want a counselor who has a different style from the one you currently have, then you make the change. The office manager is there to facilitate the change so that you don't feel like you've stepped on anyone's toes.
Good luck!
LP, 43

Hi All,
I think this is a topic that many can relate to! I started originally a few years back and quit the program after a few months because I just did not like my consultant. I ended up switching half way thru but the original consultant was cranky about it so it made going to the centre a very uncomfortable experience...probably because the original consultant would always make snobby inquiries (i.e. "so, are you doing any better this week") etc.
It was upsetting because I had paid a lot of money to join (I am a platinum member) and I actually really liked the food! SO, when I decided to return, I decided to switch centres entirely and start fresh with a whole new bunch of consultants...my first day back I really liked the consultant that got me going again, she explained some of the new foods to me, was very positive and upbeat and let me personalize my menu right off. I was pretty happy about the whole thing, then once I had paid for my food she told me that next week at my first weigh in, I will be with someone new...so time will tell. I think it would be a lot different climate if the consultants were not so focused on "selling" and were rewarded someway for customer/client feedback! Maybe that would help to sort out the consultants who can make the experience less than enjoyable!
We are all in this because we need help...and that should be the key! For those of you who love your consultant...that is wonderful for you to have such support thru what can be a very difficult journey! For any consultants reading this...please remember we are people with issues and have joined JC for that personal touch...and we need your support, time and commitment to our goals!!

Oh wow you have actually had a consultation!!! Needless to say, I am not happy with my counselor. She has not called me yet!! I am two days away from completing my 3rd week. I think I should get whatever she is being paid since I have counseled myself

I requested last week to change counselors, and the lady told me it would take a while but she would send out emails to all of them. They messed up my last food order so it is now a week late coming to me. I really don't think I will join again after my 6 weeks is over. I mean for the amount of money SOMEONE should contact me!!!

I'm with you minime I been on JC as of last Sat. 7 weeks I walk in my consuler was no longer there. She now goses some where else. I was bumbed so ok I see the lady that is there. When she ask if I was comeing the same time next week I said yes see you then! She said oh no I want be here I going on vacation you will have to see someone else.

Molly, are you going INTO the centre? I know you are near OKC (so am I). Where are you going? I left you a message on the southern support buddies thread but for some reason I can't leave you a PM? Maybe you have your account set to not allow private messages? I dunno?
I go to the centre at I240 and Penn and I have been pretty pleased with all the folks there I have come in contact with. If you want to talk privately you can either PM me or write me at my email address. Its justme289@pldi.net .
Good luck to you! Don't give up because this plan REALLY does work if you are ready for the lifestyle change!