I wanted to thank everyone, the support and ideas here are amazing. But the only thing that I am losing on this program is way too much money and what little of my self respect I had left. I have now spent probably 600.00 to lose 7 pounds. So. I find that it is another failure and the only thing I lost was some dignity. I wish everyone the best in their journeys. and to a successful end.

What happened and how long have you been with JC?
Talk to me, please. I don't want to make the mistake and put so much money into this and not gain results either. I'm new to JC and am in my 4th week.
I really would like to know what happened???
Roxy

Stressed124, you just started the program in late March. You're not going to see instant results overnight. It took years to put on the weight... it's gonna take some time to get it off. JC is not a quick fix. It's a structured program that WILL help you achieve your weight loss goals if YOU work the program. At some point, we all lose that motivation we had in the beginning. That's when your determination has to kick in and carry you on.
Are you determined? Are you willing - and READY - to commit to a lifestyle change that will help you achieve your weightloss goals?
Or do you just want someone to wave a magic wand and make the fat disappear?

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Or do you just want someone to wave a magic wand and make the fat disappear?
Personally, I would just love that, but I have to agree with Losin'It. You have only been on the program a short time and you don't say how well you have been following the program. Are you really working the program or are you buying the food and then eating it as you please mixed with lunch with friends, dinners out etc. Of course, you can do these things on JC, but for some of us it's best not to do so until we get some skills under our belts.
JC is a wonderful program, but it still requires quite a bit of work. That said, if I find that magic wand I'm gonna be a waving it

i know how you feel.
jc has always worked for me in the past but lately the only thing i pig out on it veggies & i'm not losing a thing.
maybe its old age creeping up with me but i'm beginning to dread each weigh in.

I've discovered my weak moments almost always occur in the late afternoon/evening. I have to keep busy busy busy to keep my mind out of the kitchen. I've been making up stuff to do just to get past that time. Thankfully, it's spring and I can work outside in my flower beds or mow the lawn. I've been getting all sorts of laundry done and reading book after book. I volunteer to drive carpools and am always asking my kids if they want to go get a movie or whatever. This might make me a better Mom! This is obviously a major habit I have formed over time. It's a tough one to break.
Big night tonight - my family has tickets to see Star Wars at midnight - no popcorn for me - or twizzlers - or milk duds. I have to remember I'm am doing myself a favor by saying no.

think of it this way...if you have popcorn,you'll get thirsty...then you ll have to drink...THEN you'll most likely have to pee desperately & get up in the middle of the movie to use a gross public bathroom.
so.
no popcorn.

Anyone else really hungry. I am on 1200 calories and I work out 3 mornings a week and 6 days a week in the afternoon. I am only on day two but after my normal work out on the eliptical for 30 minutes andmy stomach is growling. I think I may have to talk to my consultant about higher protein breakfasts for the mornings I work out. Any suggestions? I have fresh veggies to munch so I'll breaking those out. Anyone else excercise and stay hungry. TIA
Allison

that's why i'm thinking of quitting....i'm tired of being hungry & NOT losing weight.
maybe there's something to the all protein craze afterall.
ugh.

The $ you spent can't have been a waste. When I am eating a regular diet I spend more money on groceries and eating out then I do on Jenny Craig...
I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you. I would not give up because I KNOW it works!
Best of luck in whatever you decide to do. I hope you are health & happy!
Sharmila

Mamma2boys:
If you're THAT active, your calorie level is probably too low. Definitely talk to your consultant about it if the hunger doesn't lessen.

MammatwoboysinOK,
I exercised a lot, there is an adjustment, then I got used to it. It took a few weeks for me, others it's much less. In the first few days that's going to happen whether you exercise a lot or not. Hang in there! Way to go with the exercise!

Thanks, That is what I thought. That was the only thing that I liked about weight watchers I got extra food points for working out. I am in the military so a great deal fo my excercise is mandatory which is good because I don't have the choice not to go. I started a program that I love though while on WW which don't laugh, Yoga Booty Ballet but it is so fun they are a little crunchy at times but great fun.
Allison

Yoga Booty Ballet? TOO FUNNY!
Found this info on it at Amazon.com: Yoga Booty Ballet

Losin it,
I bought mine from swerve studio not beach body. You can also get it on ebay pretty cheap. http://swervestudiocom.readyhosting.com/categories.asp
Allison

It’s not a quick fix program. It works, it just takes time. I know there’s been times that I’ve felt like quitting but have stuck with it. Think of it this way, even losing 5 pounds a month means you’ll be 60 pounds thinner by this time next year. Every pound you lose is helping your heart, joints, and self-esteem.
But, everyone has to do what they feel is right. Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do.

It's easy to dismiss the program because you feel it doesn't work. The program has worked for 20 some odd years but for some it needs to be tweaked a bit.
The program does not claim to be a fast weight loss program. It doesn't say lose 10 lbs in 2 weeks.
We don't know exactly why you failed, and perhaps someone could have give you advice.
I've lost 78 lbs in 56 weeks. Everyone loses at a different rate. I've all lost 48 inches. WOO HOO!!! So I've lost a bit over a 1lb a week. Not a week weight loss but a great loss. If you've done many DIETS in the past be it high protein, no fruit, only fruit whatever your body meaning metabolism is going to be wacky and it does take a longer amount of time to lose. Age is also a factor, medications, and perhaps even your stress level.
Good luck in finding the magic weight loss solution.

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I am on 1200 calories and I work out 3 mornings a week and 6 days a week in the afternoon.

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1200 calories is bare minimum level. It may be fine for a couch potato. That is not enough calories for someone working out that much.
The basic JC 1200 calorie plan makes several assumptions:
1. That you are not very active, or are very close to your goal weight.
2. That if you are working out, you are doing so very moderately, usually only 3-4 times per week, and that you are burning about 200-250 calories in each of those workouts.
3. That you are drinking plenty of water.
What you are trying to do through calorie reduction and exercise is create a daily calorie deficit of about 500-750 calories less than what it takes for you to maintain your current weight. For most women, about 1900-2000 calories a day is maintenance level. To lose one pound per week, shoot for the 500 calorie deficit. for 1 1/2 pounds per week, aim at 750.
So, for the average woman with a 2000 calorie maintenance level, a 1500 calorie plan would result in a one pound per week fat burn. A 1500 calorie plan with 250 calories a day burned through exercise would result in a 1 1/2 pound loss. Note that with the 1500 calories plus exercise, the net daily calories are still at about 1250, which is above the 1200 calorie subsistence.
If you drop below that 1200 net calories, you risk having your metabolism decline because there are not enough calories to fuel your daily needs. This can shut down weight loss entirely.
It sounds to me like you are exercising to the tune of at least 350-500 calories a day. That means if you are eating 1200 calories, your net calories for the day are closer to 700-950, which is well within the range where our metabolism will shut down.

Roxy, I think it's more important at this stage of the game for you to focus on the positives, rather than highlighting a fear that you will waste your money.
It is only a waste if you make it so. The only way you can make it so is by committing yourself to doing what it takes, learning as much about the process, and yourself, as possible, and never giving up.
I just went through a period of time during the last six weeks where everything I was doing said that I should have been losing about 1 1/2 - 2 pounds per week--lots of activity, and eating right. But I didn't.
Instead, it was a steady 1/4 - 1/2 pound per week. So I focused on other things. Congratulating myself on the good changes I am making in my life--focusing on not letting disappointment in the scale derail me. Avoiding binge eating when I get stressed. Meditating on changing the things in my life that are keeping me from having all the success I want.
There was lots to be happy about, and lots to feel proud of myself for. Suddenly last week, I lost 1 1/2 pounds, and I had done nothing different.
A fact of life is that in order to ultimately have success, for some of us it will take more work than for others. And more patience. And more learning, and probably some trial and error before we hit our stride. And ultimately, for some of us it will cost more money.
But as much as it costs, I really can't say I spend more on JC than I once spent on Frappuccinos and fast food and junky snacks, in addition to my regular meals. And no matter how much I spend on it, it will never be as expensive or difficult as if I had developed diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, or had to have surgery for any of the above.
In the end, it is up to each and every one of us to decide how much we are willing to put into this. The money is really only a very small part of it. I have invested much more dedication and determination to succeed than I have ever invested money in this venture.
Even before I started incorporating more of my own foods into my program, and was spending about $100 per week on JC food and vitamins, it was still less money than I had been spending in groceries, meals eaten out, and snacks. Before JC, I was spending $125-$130 on all of those catefories of foods. Since I am at halfway, I now spend about $50 at JC, and about $35 on other groceries.
I have seen a lot of excuses for justifying going off program on these boards over the years. The two most common (and lamest) excuses are money and boredom with the food. Other excuses include having a consultant that doesn't give you what you need--which might be somewhat justified, provided that the consultant does not try to help you figure out why you are running into bumps in the road.
They can help you figure it out, but they can't give you the motivation and determination you need to succeed. That has to come from within you. That, my friends, is your most powercul weight loss tool--yourself and the attitude you decide you will have.

Mama2boys, I agree with Helen. I work out for 1-2 hours each day, and when I started JC a week ago, I opted for 1500 calories instead of 1200 for the exact reasons that she discusses. I weigh in tomorrow, but according to my own scale (I weighed in on it on my start day, too)--I've lost about three pounds, and that's when I'm TTOM.
I've tried the ultra-low calorie route, and it's made me hungry, irritable, and lacking energy. On 1500, I feel great, have plenty of energy for my workouts (I do Power90 and use a treadmill), and I'm still losing weight. I find it much more effective to add workout time than to cut additional calories--in the latter case, I'm building muscle, toning up, and creating great lifestyle changes, and I'm losing weight without destroying my metabolism in the process.
Just food for thought...(pun intended! )

I had the same problem as mamma2boysinok
with my stomach growling. I started doing a half a cup of protein shake in the morning or evening. I use a protein powder called Spirutein (sp?) and it tastes great. I bought it from the health food store. My consultant at JC approved it as long as I use it in place of one dairy because I use soy milk with the powder. You may want to try it. : )