I'm considering JC to lose about 10-15 pounds, but I'm wondering how the program works with frequent exercising. I looked at a different program where you buy their food, and their recommendation was to put off lots off exercise until you lose the weight, which seems really silly to me!

I'm assuming they adjust your calorie intake based on your activity level - true? And do you have any flexibility for what you eat in a given day, or is it consistant regardless of activity level? I often do a 12+ mile run on the weekend, and worry about eating the same amount on that day as I do on a day wen I'm less active...

I know I could call and get a consultation, but I wanted to hear some real life examples first!

Thanks for your advice!

[quote name='fredkatsuyama' date='Jun 2 2009, 11:31 AM' post='481236']
I'm considering JC to lose about 10-15 pounds, but I'm wondering how the program works with frequent exercising. I looked at a different program where you buy their food, and their recommendation was to put off lots off exercise until you lose the weight, which seems really silly to me!

I'm assuming they adjust your calorie intake based on your activity level - true? And do you have any flexibility for what you eat in a given day, or is it consistant regardless of activity level? I often do a 12+ mile run on the weekend, and worry about eating the same amount on that day as I do on a day wen I'm less active...

I know I could call and get a consultation, but I wanted to hear some real life examples first!

Thanks for your advice!
[/quote]

I started on the 1500 calorie plan, because I WAS exercising a lot. Then, I went through a period of time when I wasn't exercising at all (work got in the way). So, I dropped down to 1200 (which is the minimum). Now, I try to stay at 1200, but bump up to 1500 on days with heavier workouts. To answer your question - yes. There is room to tweak the diet to accommodate your level of activity.

(I agree - putting off exercise until after significant weight loss seems silly. But, for the morbidly obese, it may be the necessary action to take, to prevent injury or other health issues that might pop up, with increased heart rate)

I've always exercised, but nothing like the long runs you describe. The program is designed to work best with moderate daily exercise. If you exercise hard, especially if it's only on weekends, it will be necessary to adjust your calories to accommodate the extra exercise and provide enough fuel for it.

I wear a BodyBugg, so I know when to adjust the calories, and how much.

Your JC program calorie level will be determined by your height, weight, age, gender and activity level. I don't know what other program you checked out, but I do know that there are some that assign everyone to the same low calories, no matter what the activity level. In those cases, the diet is probably not designed to accommodate a fitness routine. I would be very suspicious of any program that told me not to exercise.

It's too big a maintenance factor, and good exercise habits should be established and maintained.

I just started JC 2 weeks ago and am trying to lose about 15- 20 pounds. I am having a few regrets about joining. It's too late now but, I am also a marathoner and stepping up my workouts as my training has started for my fall race schedule. I currently run between 20-30 miles a week and will be gradually increasing to about 40-50 a week. I told my JCC and she put me on a 1500 calorie plan. Before i started JC, i lost 50 pounds on my own by counting calories and I always ate back my exercise calories and did very well. I have been pretty much on a plateau for a while and was tired of counting, weighing and measuring my foods so decided to give JC a try. I thought maybe the JCC was on to something about not upping my calories. I had a 10 mile race last week and burned 1100 (Garmin 405 HRM) and even told my JCC this and she said to still stick to 1500. In all logic, I should eat a bit more than 1500 calories, right? I was so starved the next day, I was about to put ketchup on my running shoes and eat them. At this rate, I am wondering when I get to my long runs of 20 miles, if I am going to bonk and fall to the ground!
My first week, I lost 3 pounds. This week, gained .5 pound. Did nothing different from week 1 to week 2.
If next week's weigh in is another gain or the same weight, I'm going to be ticked! When I weighed in this morning my JCC knew I had a 5k race last night. She said, "Well, when you have a big run like a 5k, your body can hold on to the weight so that may be a cause of the gain." Big run? Hmmm... So, that's my other concern. Not so sure she is up to speed on high levels of activity and weight loss. I may just be going to get the pre-packaged meals and tuning her out on some of the other stuff. Things she says just sounds too contrived and rehearsed. I think I am going to make a few adjustments on my own here and there. I did tell her I no longer wanted to purchase the breakfasts ( got the price list and it's a ridiculous amount of money for that stuff!) and will be eating my normal oatmeal and a banana instead.

I think it's easy to be critical of your JCC, but be realistic here. You are expecting her to be a sports dietitian and physiologist all in one. She's a Jenny Craig Consultant, and they receive training for neither of those roles. They are trained to assist people on the Jenny Craig program of reduced calories using prepared foods and moderate activity.

Your concerns may be able to be addressed by having your JCC consult with the JC dietitian, but if you are not completely on the JC program for at least five days out of seven, and don't have documentation available (your menu is the easiest way to document food and exercise) that can be faxed to the dietitian, she will not be able to give that advice. They consult for the Jenny Craig program, not the itsjoan program.

Do all your own breakfasts if you like, but if you do, you need to be aware that you are limiting the amount of help that your JCC can give, and ruling out the possibility of her being able to consult with someone who is trained to help with your unusual (for the program) needs.

I had a long post but deleted it. Not necessary. I think I am just tired and hungry at this moment. I am just going to say:

The original poster asked if JC was a good idea for them as a frequent exerciser. I am giving an opinion that it probably is not. However, it wouldn't hurt to go to a JC Center and talk to someone first. Just don't jump in full throttle like I did. Take the info. Leave and think about it. Then if it is something you think would work for you, go for it.