Alcoholics have Betty Ford - I've got Jenny Craig. I told my counselor the day I joined in mid-October that I was checking into "REHAB." I've lost approx. 100lbs before and did it without any outside assistance or "program" - I just quit eating and started exercising like a loon. I kept it off for about 7 years but after diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis, loss of job, loss of relationship, and other stressors, I found myself back at 225. My destructive relationship with food was alive and well.

I joined Jenny in mid-October and have lost 16 lbs so far - my goal is 144. I work out religiously and strive daily to work the program. I have this feeling that I will be unable to ever leave "Jenny." I'm told people in rehab fear leaving and feel if left to their own devices would return to their damaging habits. My life before Jenny was awful - bingeing, self-loathing, feeling numb inside, just wanting to die. Without Jenny, I think I would return to that life. Is this a "common" reaction? Is it "healthy" to accept one's own limitations and live on Jenny indefinitely? Can anyone relate?

I totally understand! But...I know and you do too, that to keep weight off we have to either exercise or stay on Jenny for the rest of our lives. Doing beth together helpes us lose. I personnally would chose exercising for the rest of my life once I hit my goal. I may not be in the exact same situation, but any one who has struggled with weight/food can realte. Loving it like a friend, looking forward to it, eating it, and then feeling guilty and tired. It is an awful roller coaster. But...I know that doing this program is a HUGE step to recovery! You can do it! Between these voards and you counselor, you will see 144 again! I have convidence in you! Keep your head up and JC in your frig! Kelly

Wow! I really need to spell check before I post, sorry!

Luv I can totally relate to what you're going through. I have people ask me all the time what I'm going to eat when I reach my goal weight and my response is the same: I'll probably never quit eating JC food.
Addiction is the same with a lot of people. We are just addicted to food and overeating. We supplement one addiction for another, so I'll be the first to admit it. Hello, my name is Becky and I'm a Jenny Craig Addict.

Hey all! I relate, as I am also a recovering alcoholic, and absolutely believe my relationship with food is an addiction. But, I am not doing this to be on JC for the rest of my life. JC is giving me the tools that I can use in order to go back out and live in the "real world". Just like I will always need the support and tools I gained from AA to stay sober, so will I always need the tools and support I am getting here to stay healthy.
If you are interested - there are a bunch of threads down below - I think under Advice Needed or Need Support - something like that. Anyway, started by another addict, and there are a bunch of us in there - at least to give you the "recovery" aspect of our eating disorders.
Good luck!

I think the main difference is one can quit drinking completely, as I did for 19 years while I was a "mom", but one can't stop eating completely. So, I do think food issues are harder to deal with. "Diet" is defined in the dictionary as "what food and drink one consumes on a daily basis" so my feeling on all this is it is a lifetime situation. We all consume food and drink on a daily basis so it come down to choosing WHAT food and drink we consume on a daily basis! My best friend lost 110 pounds on OA ten years ago. Doesn't drink or eat refined sugar, etc. So, everyone finds their own way in this area, that's for sure. JC is kind of like "rehab"!

I relate! I had a successful week 2 weigh in today and I told my counselor that I'm afraid of the maintenance phase. I've found JC to be so easy (the only weight loss program I've ever stuck with longer than a week) and the food so good, that I don't now how I'll ever get along without it. My hope is to learn the tools to handle it properly on my own, but deep down I really think I'll be on partial JC food forever. Is that wrong?

Thanks so much for everyone's input. If folks can say they are vegetarian or vegan and commit to eat one specific way which make them feel healthy, whole and happy - then why can't I choose to always keep JC a part of my life? The food is perfect for me in every way - easy, fast and delicious.