I have had some family and money issues and had to quit buying JC food. I lost money because I was on the JC platinum program, which I wish I had not joined, but who knew. Anyway, I went in for my second weigh in, and I explained to the consultant what was going on and she tried to talk me in to staying with the program. She said that if I went to Walmart and bought similar food, it would probably be the same price. I know that isn't true. I asked if I could still come to the center for consultation and weigh in. She said that I couldn't because I was not eating their food, but I could come in any time for life and start the JC food again. When I got up to leave, her whole attitude changed and you could see it on her face. She was not happy with me that was plain to see. So, I went to Walmart and bought similar dinners, lunches, and breakfasts, and it was less than half of what JC is. I did learn portion control and plan on continuing with my diet. Another lesson learned.

lean cusine.com has a free online diet you can follow. also ww boards are so good for support. i am going to check out program for the first time today. i know food is pricy but if i could just get started and follow a plan i could try it on my own after a couple of month. also check out sparks people.com and biggest loser they are free web sight. jc is about sales and if you don't buy the food they will not like you. my life is so crazy i thought i would give it a shot.

Naturally, Jenny Craig is a business, not a non-profit organization, and is in business to make money. HOWEVER, you may have misunderstood your JCC when she told you "no" about weighing in and having consultations. You can weigh at the centre any time you like. They'll even record it in the computer and write it in your file. That being said, unless you are following the Jenny Craig program, JCC's have no clue what you're eating, what your nutritional balance looks like, and so they really are inable to consult you. My suggestion would be to ask your JCC or even CD about doing a couple days on your own so you're still following a balanced plan, and then buy more Jenny foods when you're able. Your program includes maintenance benefits, so there should be no problem with them planning that for you.

As far as your consultant's demeanor changing, it's just as discouraging for HER when you aren't able to do the program as it is for you. Give the girl the benefit of the doubt, she may just be upset that she's not able to help you if you're eating LC, not that she can't run your credit card or take your check every week.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck on your weight loss journey!

Read your contract. You bought the Platinum program, and you can weigh in anytime you want. You can also have one consultation a week. It's ok to not be eating the JC food, but a good idea is to buy just a few things you really like and ask your consultant (or another one, you can switch) to help make you a menu plan incorporating your own foods with some JC food. I have been a client for two years now, and everyone I have ever seen has been able to help me with my own foods. If you run into problems, go to your centre director. The point of the program is to help you lose weight, not to make sure to buy all their food.

I am having the same problem. Why can't I follow thier recipes and they still work with me or put me on a finacial hold?

I am new but read somewhere on the boards that the consultants were paid commision? So maybe thats why they aren't so willing to help if you stop buying all the food? Just a thought... people are greedy thats for sure!

It is unfortunate that your centers are treating you like this. I sadly had to leave JC last year after losing my job. I made sure to keep my Rewards membership current even though i could not buy their food and did not weigh in each week. I restarted last week with the understanding that I was still unemployed and couldn't purchase aweeks worth of food even with my 30% discount. The center director was extremely helpful and I purchased 5 lunches, 5 dinners and my anytime bars (I cannot swallow JC vitamins and I personally do not lose weight without using the anytime bars to replace the vitamins i am not getting in JC food). I did all breakfasts and snacks on my own as well as 2 days completely on my own. I am so thankful for my center's understanding during my financial hardship. I don't know why other centers can't take the hint. People are pinching pennies and can't spend $7.00 on a TV dinner! My center knows this and is doing all they can to help not only me but all of their clients. If your center will not help, find one that will.

the consultants are paid to help and teach people how to lose weight VIA JENNY CRAIG.... why would they help you do YOUR OWN foods????? if you want that you should go to a nutrionist. would you go to a yoga instructor and ask her to teach you how to play basketball??? NO! jenny craig is a food-based weight loss program- if you're not doing the food, you're not doing the program... therefore you don't get consultations. it seems pretty simple to me.

I don't do any MOMO, and purchase all my food from JC and everything else they sell. I just feel for the poster that has paid for the membership and can't afford the food any more due to unexpected job losses. I think she is still covered for the consultations? I don't know for sure, it was just sad that they were treating her bad because she couldnt afford the food. I just think that sometimes a little compassion is needed for people who have some tough times. I am glad reading some of the other posts that there is some other compassionate people out there too. Good luck to you!
Jewely

Actually, no, the program fee doesn't cover consultations if you are not on program. The program fee gives you ACCESS to the food and consultations. The two go hand in hand. If you don't buy the food you are not on the program therefore a consultation is pointless because a consultant is only trained in helping you follow the program. As it has been stated by many people, consultants are not dietitians and are not there to help you put together your own program.

And as far and saying that consultants are greedy because they won't consult you if you don't buy food... would you be willing to work for free at your job? I mean, come on. Consultants are there to make a living, it is their JOB. They are not bad people for wanting to get paid for their job.

As many have posted on this thread some centers are helping people that are not buying the food and are working with them. My statement about being greedy was about an attitude change from the consultant when she found out the pp could not afford the food any longer because of job loss. Yes would I continue to help her if it was ME? You bet I would and for FREE for awhile until I thought she got it! Just the way I am and it is only my opinion, but from previous posters there is more people like ME that are also helping for FREE! Good for them! Karma is a wonderful thing! lol Also I know your a consultant but someone else posted on this thread that she can still weigh in and get her consultation since she payed for the plan at that center even if she isn't buying the food. BTW this will be the end of me talking on this THREAD, I am here for support and to give support. Peace!

Look, I am not wanting to be argumentative but I am just pointing out that this is a business. According to policy, if you don't buy food, you don't get consultations. In fact if my supervisor found out that I was giving consultations to someone who was not on program I would get in trouble. This is not about being cold hearted. It is about doing a job and working for a company that needs to stay in business.

I definitely sympathize with someone who can no longer afford the program and it is wrong to treat them differently because they can't continue. But no matter how bad I feel, Jenny Craig is a business, not a charity. Personally, I have lost several clients because they got laid off. I would love to continue to consult them. I feel horrible for their situation. I was unemployed for several months last year and I understand the struggle people are facing right now. If it were up to me, I would continue to consult them. But Jenny Craig is not my company, I am an employee that has to follow policy.

Actually, the Jenny Craig program is about more than "just the food". We are learning to conquer our weight battles with "Mind, Body/Activity, Food", right???

And, when we hit our goals, we will eventually start eating food that is not Jenny Craig prepared meals.

I think it's important that when we sign up with Jenny, that we are signing up for a weight loss journey - and that the journey needs to be flexible enough to accommodate changes that our outside of our control (ie substituting MOMO with prepared meals because of money issues). I definately think you should feel comfortable asking for that type of support from your center.

Good Luck!