Ok, I'm really frustrated. About to jump the Jenny Craig ship. First off I've spent almost $400. for two weeks and lost 3 lbs. the first week and so far nothing for the middle of the second week. Customized my menu. Do the math. My clothes don't feel the slightest bit loose yet. At 67 I need more encouragement to stay on the Jenny Craig program. Am not sure it is the right weight loss program for me at this time in my life.

The other things I object to are:

1. Too much simple carbohydrates which use very few calories to burn.
Also helps retain fluid.

2. Complex carbs. such as sweet potato, yams, brown rice use more calories to burn in
processing the carbs.

3. Too much cheese. I need to stay off milk products and tofu due to my sinus issues.

Of course they promote a 2 lb. a week weight loss to comply with most medical standards, however, load their food with lots of simple carbs that may help retain fluid.

I'm familiar with Michael Thurman's program and may switch for a week or two to get the fluid weight off and shock my metabolism.

You eat six meals a day.
2 oz. fish or chicken breakfast
3 oz. either for mid morning snack
2 oz. either for lunch
3 oz. mid afternoon
2 oz dinner
And if you are still hungry (which is very unlikely) 3 oz. chicken or fish snack after dinner.
Lots of veggies and limited amounts of complex carbs such as yams, sweet potato, brown rice. No
bread. I sneak a couple of slices in here and there with cucumber sandwiches for afternoon snack.
No fruit or oils the first week.
Allowed myself one small piece of chocolate each day not to exceed 200 calories.

Of course you may eat so much chicken that you start clucking when you walk down the halls at work, or start swimming down the halls like a fish. I often had a lean meat hamburger pattie for dinner. Lost 10 lbs. first week. I need that type of encouragement at my age. Wouldn't recommend his program for very long due to the high amount of protein. His program seemed to have jump started my weight loss when I tried it. Just not a program I recommend for a long period of time due to high protein content.

After a week or two on Michael Thurman I will then switch to a Weight Watchers style program. Even when I screwed up big time on the weekends on Weight Watchers I use to weigh in Mondays at at least a 2-3 lb. weight loss.

I've followed the Jenny Craig program very strictly. None of my clothes are starting to feel even the slighest bit loose after 10 days.

I'm walking approx. 15,000 steps a day and burning about 500-600 calories walking. I walk in the elevators, in the doctor's waiting room (4,000 steps yesterday waiting for him), standing in lines, walking in place while watching TV. I get those steps in one way or another. Any nook and cranny I can find to walk a few steps and not look too ridiculous.

I'm really working hard at this and am just sooooooooooooooo frustrated. I even count the calories every day. They have me on 1,200 calories a day and I keep it within that limit. Jenny Craig has helped me start to become disciplined once again with my daily eating. Now I think it's time for me to move on and try a combination of approaches to accomplish my goals.

Of course they do have a delicious chocolate cheesecake at 150 calories for dessert every night!

Before you jump ship, let me put a life vest on you!!

Give it more time. Don't get sooo discouraged! You shouldn't give up so quickly. Every body is different, but eventually you'll see results.

The JC food may have chemicals, sodium, high fructose corn syrup, etc- guess what?? You still lose weight. It may not be health food, but being fat isn't healthy, so if I can get skinny (even with carbs) I'll take it!!!

I can't help you with your number 3, that you can't eat dairy, but I'm sure your JCC will help you choose other foods.

That other plan seems like a lot to think about. The best thing about JC is there's no thinkin'. It's Dieting for Dummies. Why are you counting your calories everyday to make sure you're at 1200?? Follow the planned menu. Some days are less than 1200 and some are more. THe point is, it's good food and a variety. It's "doable" so that you make changes for life.

Just do these 3 things then if you want to quit, I'll let you
1. Drink 64 oz of water everyday. You may hold fluid at first but then you're body will "let it go"
2. Give JC atleast 2 more weeks. My weight fluctuates dramatically. Last week I weighed in and lost 3 lbs. I was so excited because the 2 weeks prior i had lost 0.4 then gained 0.4. I was sure my body was fighting back, but I guess it was hormonal or I hadn't had a bowel movement or something!!
3: Keeping coming to these forums for support!

Good luck and check back with your next weigh in!

Christi

It all sounds good, but I've been on JC over a year, yes I've lost over 50 lbs, but I have another 50 to go. I'm also over 60. There are no magic bullets, I walk between 3-5 miles a day. I'm mostly compliant with JC (say 90%) but for the past few months, maybe I've lost a pound a month.....at this rate it will take me 4 more years to get to my goal weight. I've lost lots of sizes in clothing.....but I can't seem to kick up the weight loss, I can go weeks without losing a pound. And btw, I'm not binging on any goodies.....yes, I do eat out occasionally but not to excess and I make good choices and watch the portion size, at the beginning it didn't seem to matter, but now I can eat 100 extra calories without either not losing or worse gaining......

it is hard to hang in, I am but just by a thread....

Hi, I was on the 6WBMO also. Man, after 3 months of eating only turkey, chicken, or fish and the limited starches, no fats, no salt.....I pigged out and gained back all 26 pounds I had lost. I just couldnt do it. I was so incredibly bored with the very restrictive allowed foods, I just couldn't live like that.

That's why I love JC...lots of variety of real food. Believe me, I can eat cheesecake for the rest of my life!!!

Everybody has to make their own decision, and I know from experience that not every plan works for every body...1 1/2 weeks sure isnt giving it much of a chance, though, especially after the investment you just made. Good luck to you in whatever road you decide to travel.

I also did Michael Thurmons 6WBM and did awsome for about 2 weeks and then got burnt out so fast i binged. I found w/ Jenny Craig there are so many options and I also did the "planned menu" the first 2 weeks. One thing you might want to discuss with your counselor is upping your calories since you're doing so many steps. My friend, who has now lost 101 pounds on JC, was actually excersizing too much and was given the option to eat more or excersize a little less. Then her weight loss picked up again. Please talk to someone at your centre about that.
Valerie

oh, yeah, I hear ya' and me too - slow plan is frustrating. i've been doing jenny's plan for 6 months and lost only 25 lbs. I got so frustrated on being on the slow road to weight loss. So, I decided 1 or 2 meals a week are away from jenny each week (home cooking or eating out -- it makes for a happier hubby.) ... and other weeks 100% jenny food. I dont binge or over indulge ever. i just dont lose dramatically anyway I do it. some weeks i want to scream when i read others who lose 7 lbs.

ok, so i also agree with everything you say! you sound like me! the 4 year plan. I can go weeks and lose nothing and then drop a few and bounce up a pound. but, I always was odd at weight gain. I could put on 10 lbs in a day. honestly! jenny does work and we will make it. we will hopefully learn lots along the way. since i dont lose any faster by only eating jenny food, i know i'm gaining knowledge about eating right and get to make a few choices to see if i can live without jenny. my fear was that i would gain it all back away from JC food.

I have a neighbor who coincidently started her weight plan the same time as me. we did not know we were both trying to lose weight. she does hers with doctor prescribed pills and has lost 50lbs. exactly double mine. she looks good! but I'd rather learn to eat right with jenny. besides, her way wont last forever. just as long as we dont give up. then we will be winners.
good luck !
Jo