Hi everyone! My name is Michelle and I am new to Jenny Craig. I am excited about the program but concerned about the food. So far it has been simple,tasty and easy to "accessorize"-some of my favorite things about food!

I thought the point of the program was to stop having to THINK about what you are going to eat and am a little disappointed that I do have to think about what food to have with the JC cuisine and how much I spent on groceries to go with it.I know I know I know-"I am worth it". I really do think that or I wouldn't be here right now.

Question of the day? How many people have you told that you are doing this? I am afraid to make it too public because I am used to failing at "diets". My husband is taking a "wait and see" approach as he has seen me excited and then crash and burn. This is the confidence I am seeking.

I want to STOP making the food the priority so I DON"T want to look at how to make yogurt taste like chocolate or meatloaf taste like a grilled sirloin with sherried mushrooms. I want to stop thinking of food as all that important and focus on other things.

I was a chef in Dallas for 15 years-managed restaurants and worked undercover for some of the big chains checking out their franchises. I developed menus and recipes for major food chains in research and development. I have had food in front of me -I mean all over the place in front of me for 25 years.

Are you looking for the "mindset" to change too? What kinds of things are you doing to re-focus your priorities? I mean beyond increasing exercise? What new activities are you looking to do?

Hopefully I will see lots of answers or "shad up you crazy lady!!!! "

Blessings,
Momz

Michelle--Actually the point is to think about what we are eating--not thinking about it enough is what got us here. ..although we all wish we didn't have to think about it still! It is easier though when the foods are prepared for us, except for the fruits and veggies--it is all planned out.
You seem to have had an amazing and exciting life. You have been blessed. Best of luck on your journey to a healthier you.

I do the planned menus to help me overcome my obsession with food. Otherwise I am constantly thinking about what I want for the next meal. Now I just look at the menu and eat what it tells me to. It seems to be helping a lot.

I'm with you. I just joined, and it was for the reason that I really needed I to be a no-brainer for awhile. Will I get to the point where I start perusing the cookbooks and recipes and all of that again? Absolutely. But, for now, I am happy to get the preplanned menus and follow them. My salads are simple, as are my veggies...work is crazy, I need to exercise more, and I don't want to be planning meals for the moment. I also am not resubscribing to most of my cooking magazines, have taken all of my favorite food network shows off the dvr to record, and will not be showing my love for others with food in the coming year.

The coming year is a trimming of the fat, both literally with JC, and figuratively- we are working on paying down more debt, getting more into savings, and not spending beyond our means. At the same time, we are planning a wedding and honeymoon (thank goodness for generous parents)- We are hoping that at the end of the coming year, we will be married, and healthy enough both physically and fiscally to think about starting our family. That is going to be my re-focus this year.

Call me crazy, too!

-Roslyn

NO WAY was I slamming the program-I couldn't after three whole days and besides-so far I really like it. I would just like to share as a newbie-(as I read the discussion threads and saw "for new members" I figured thats who I would be posting with) -who have you told about this? Besides the people that see you warm up the food? With whom did you share your goals of success with the program? Aren't we all a little gun shy of failure by now? I for one am and as I said above-I am looking for a lfestyle change too.
Thanks for the props Roslyn-you really understood what I was saying!
Welcome to crazy!
-Momz

Hey Momz! Great thread! I am a newbie too and looking for a lifestyle change as well. I'm also looking for people to talk with on a daily basis for encouragement.

I've told my sister and my mom. My sister wishes she could do it too, but it's not feasible at the time with her family and finances. My mom is really proud of me...that I did something to improve my life without anyone's input or suggestion.

The people at work also know. I work in an office with 4 people who have known me for years. We've all been up and down on the scale, so they are really supportive. I started eating what I refer to as "Jenny Food" last Monday, and they all want to know how the food is..."What are you having today? How was it?" It's really great that everyone wants me to succeed. It is pressure, but I think it will help me keep on track.

Hey Ros! I've stopped watching the Food Network as much as I used to. When I first started watching it everyday I just wanted to make everything I saw, whether it was healthy or not. It was really fun, but unfortunately, I live alone and had no one to help me eat my new "creations". Thus the weight gain (well, one of the reasons).

I hope we can help eachother out...maybe on a daily basis? Is anyone up for it? I know it would help me a lot!

Wish and Momz- Basically my boyfriend knows because he joined with me...and I told my parents. We are going out to dinner with them and a bunch of family tomorrow night, and out again on Sunday for my stepmom's birthday, so I kind of mentioned it. (I know we aren't supposed to eat out the first week, but who can schedule family visiting and birthdays?)

I am going back to teaching next week too, so the people there will notice that I am eating "Jenny food", but everyone there is always supportive. Otherwise, I am really not planning on outright mentioning it to anyone for awhile...when I stop saying yes to happy hours, teas and dessert night with the girls they will know something is up...but I will cross that bridge when I come to it!

-Roslyn

Hi Michelle - You are not crazy and I totally understand what you are asking about telling people. I am not new to JC - this is my second time around and restarted in Jan '07 with my teenage daughter. When we started, the only person that knew for about the first 4 months was my daughter. I work out of my house so it was no issue for me at work. As far as my daughter with school, we made her lunch and just took the JC food out of the packaging and she took it to school with her. It was actually way easier at that time than it is now because for me, no one had any expectations, no one was asking "should you be eating that", and no one was waiting to see if I succeeded or failed. Even after people started noticing a weight loss, for the most part, when asked, I would say thanks and that I was watching what I was eating and exercising. Gradually I started telling people that I was following Jenny Craig food and several others joined but I really tried to focus less on that it was JC food that was making the difference - but that it I was changing my lifestyle, watching my portion sizes and food choices and exercising. Weight loss and thinking about food at that time was no problem for me.
It has actually gotten much more difficult as I have gotten to an acceptable weight level. I feel much more pressure to maintain as some old habits have crept back. Emotional eating is a big factor and that is an issue that I am dealing with currently as I really did not have any issues creep up while in losing mode that caused a problem. For me, I will need to get this aspect of weight management under control to fully recognize success and weight maintenance.
I wish I had some words of wisdom for you in regards to "obsessing" over food. I have to think that those people that are naturally thin don't have constant thoughts of what they are going to eat next like I do but I really don't know.
Just try to take it one day at a time, break your goals down into manageable sizes, and if you happen to stumble, just pick yourself back up and keep going. Mentally, you need to look at this as a lifestyle change and not a "diet" which is a temporary fix.

Best of luck to you on this journey -

Hi ~

I decided to tell just about everyone that I'm in contact with daily. At first I was gonna hide it and decided that the more people that know, the more support I'll get AND that's more people that I feel like are watching and waiting along with me to see how successful this program is. It's something that works for me and I know it will encourage others, when they see the weight and inches coming off, that they too can do this. I find it very helpful to have people tell me they can already see the change in the way my clothes fit, etc. I guess you can say we are all walking advertisements for J.C!!

That being said, I must add that I've been on the program for one month now and am finding out that it's beginning to be more of a struggle. I'm getting a little tired of the food and I am fighting the feeling of "oh, heck, I can have that drink or I can go out to eat today." This worries me! Is this normal at this point or is it just me? Any suggestions on how I can reset my mind back to how I was a month ago...gung ho and determined??? I don't want to mess up the hard work I've done so far but I can tell it's already becoming a battle in my mind.

I definitely come to this site for support as I know many of you are going through the same struggles.

Any advice you can send my way, to help me stay on track, would be greatly appreciated!!!

Mary

Gosh Mary, I wish I could help, but I'm just starting week two. I have a lot to lose, so I'm looking at the long term, and I know that there will be times when I'll go out for happy hour, or eat a non JC lunch when the boss is buying. That's life. In fact, I told my consultant today that I was probably going to go out Friday after work, and asked if I could have a few hot wings. We talked about it and I'm going to have a couple wings, I just have to balance the day out with maybe more exercise or having just a big salad for dinner. I'm not an expert or anything, but I think if you plan for times you eat out or have a drink, and you compensate for it, you can do it once in a while.

Good luck, and remember it's a marathon, not a sprint. You can do it!! :hugs:

Thanks, Wish! I will try to remember your saying, "It's a marathon, not a sprint." I like that and it's so true! Best of luck to you!!

Mu Mom told me learned in Al-anon: You are only as sick as your secrets. Keeping my eating bonges was a secret. A very painful one but it was obvious to everyone else by my weight gain.
I told my husband this morning he would have to start listening to me because I was no longer able to turn to food for comfort. I would have to "spill it to kill it". Something I taught my kids about holding on to something hurtful.
I hope everyone has a fantastic day!
Blessings,
Momz (I am Momzworkin on a Healthboard site-thus the Momz)

When I first joined I was nervous to tell people, I talked to my sister nightly about what I ate (she joined as well). I had great success and people were really supportive (especially at work--where there is an abundance of bagels and junk food). I told people about it when they asked how I was losing weight, and 4 of my friends joined. It was really fun. My team even jokes about it--when we go out to dinner they always ask "What healthy item are you going to have?" and then they order the same. I think they are the ones that feel bad....and I thought I was going to be embarrased. People will help you be positive and stay on track! I was surprised how many supportive fans I had out there! Many became jealous!
I hope you have the same positive support!!

Hey Michelle, I would like to know the same thing. Eating great Food ,being my favorite sport,
so to speak. Perhaps we should try e-mailing more. ~Gwen7

Well, I have to admit I just started and I'm counting out my food like a drug addict waiting for my next fix.
I tried Jenny Craig food for 2 weeks, without joining. Some type of promo. First week I lost .4 pounds (not 4; .4 so not even half a pound. The second week, I was more motivated, exrcised and lost 2.6 pounds. So, I joined. At first, I thought I had made a BIG mistake about telling people. I don't work around food all of the time, but I work in Purchasing and sales reps reward us frequently and not with carrot sticks. It is usually doughnuts, candy, or a free lunch. Recently, there was a celebration for a new member of our Board and all employees were invited for cake, punch, mints, nuts. You get the idea. I ended up having 2 glasses of punch and some nuts, but was pleased I avoided the cake. When I got back one of my co-workers asked how the nuts and punch was and was that allowed on JC. The MORE people you tell, the more accountable you are. GOOD LUCK.

I lost 5.5 pounds this week!!!!
My daughter's cat is at the vet and today is her birthday. I am going to have to tell her after 9 years together he might not make it. She will be devistated. She is 15. Today was a HARD food day. I ate all my JC food plus some beef jerky (thinking the protien would slow me down from eating). I am struggling after such a huge victory!!
I ca do this-I will do this-if you are the praying sort please help us pray for a 15 year old girl with a 15 pound kitty. Thanks!
Blessings,
Momz

Hi Gwen!
I am more of a "poster" than an emailer. I deal with three accounts at work and after hours don't even look at a computer.
I look forward to seeing you on her more!

Blessings!
Momz

Hello all.....Im excited to be back on JC after about a year .I lost 14 lbs last summer, was very comfortable jumping back into "society"...kepy the weight under control by healthy eating and exercise. In November 07 I had a accident and went 4 months without ANY exercise because of back problems. I got cleared by my DR in March and then....FELL AGAIN!!...Well 17 lbs later...Im (carefully) back in the gym now with a trainer 2 days a week and cardio 3 days....and now back to Jenny as of today!! Going to the Bahamas next month, will NOT be taking 17 lbs with me!!!LOL. I KNOW the program works..I know I have the tools and the motivation. To all the "newbies"....I say STAY FOCUSED on the goals...look beyond the process of D I E T and SEE YOURSELF as the person you want to be....I welcome all buddies. I dont work , and will be happy to help motivate anyone who needs to chat ...needs a friend...needs someone to hear them...GOOD LUCK.

You're exactly right; we have to visualize ourselves the way we want to look and feel. I need to remember that, so thanks for the reminder.

Momz, how is the kitty? I feel so bad for your daughter; it's soooo hard to lose a pet. Let me know how it went today, k?

Holiday is holding on! He made it thru the night but didn't eat or drink on his own-thats the key to his turning this around. At least he made it thru yesterday!!! We had to get up at 1AM and 4AM to feed him thru a big plastic siringe but he kept all but one feeding down. I took him back to the vet's office for the day-kinda like kitty-daycare. Thanks so much for asking-I will keep you posted!

How is everyone's week going? I am going to post a Confessions pt.2 today with another "deep" question to help us talk about the things we need to-we are each other's stongest support right now becasue we are going thru this together!!
I want to thank eeryone for sharing so much!

Blessings,
Michelle

I love that name, Holiday! I'm glad he's getting some nourishment. It's nice he can be at the vet's during the day where they can monitor and take care of him. I hope he keeps getting better!

:: prayers for Holiday ::