Ending Jenny Craig - Next Steps...Help!

smbrooks404

Hi,

I did Jenny-Set-Go for 1 month and in that month I saw fairly decent results - basically I lost a total of 6 lbs but a whole 2 inches in my waist, an inch in thighs and hips too. I liked it but can't afford to keep it up ($100 plus a week) so I decided to discontinue it and use MFP to help me transition from JC to my own meals. {note - the Jenny Set Go program does not provide transition assistance to your own meals, just the longer more expensive programs do that}.

I am doing well staying within my 1200 calories and exercising but I am still trying to work out exactly what to eat. Does anyone out there have experience leaving JC (or similar program) and what things did you do to transition? What types of food did you replace those pre-packaged meals with? I need help especially with breakfast! I feel like I am actually not eating enough for breakfast now and that seems to screw with my appetite for the rest of the day.

Also, I really don't want to continue eating pre-packaged foods like Lean Cuisine's , etc. because I cannot tolerate all of the sodium and ingredients. Self-prepared meal ideas are preferred.

Thank you!

boatsie77

What kind of breakfasts did you eat on Jenny Craig?

smbrooks404

I would eat their pre-packaged breakfast sandwich (egg, a tiny slice of ham on a biscuit,...had about $290 calories). They also had things like pancakes and muffins too. I would eat that meal and also add a fruit and a yogurt. Now, I am basically just eating a fruit and yogurt. I can't figure out what to replace the larger meal with. I suppose I could make eggs in the morning. Just looking for any other suggestions people might have...

Thanks.

amonroe1343

I've never done jenny craig before so I'm not really sure what the progam had you eating. One thing I found that helps me stay full in the morning is a breakfast sandwich. I prefer canadian bacon or ham and egg on an english muffin. I also like eggs and turkey sausage with a side of wheat toast or yogurt. I'll also do wheat toast with peanut butter and an egg or yogurt. The more protein you can pack into your breakfast the more you'll stay fuller longer. Just some suggestions. You can feel free and add me and look through my meals and look at my breakfasts. I am lucky to have a cafeteria at work that makes hot breakfast every day.

amonroe1343

Put some peanut butter on an english muffin or some whole grain toast in the morning. That will add some extra protein. Find a good natural peanut butter that you enjoy if it's something you like. If you are not wanting to make eggs in the morning for yourself then this might help.

XXXMinnieXXX

I hAve a protein shake and cheese string. It's actually really filling x

JEMP65

I make myself a homemade breakfast sandwich using Thomas' english muffin original 110 calories/Hillshire Farm deli select honey ham 5 slices 70 calories (I only use 3 pcs.) one egg 90 calories. Filling and enough protein to keep you satisfied until lunch time.

boatsie77

If you're going to ditch pre-package stuff (and the costs), you're going to have to invest some time and effort--the good news is the internet and your microwave are your best friends.

For example, just go to AllRecipes.com and check out some of the low cal/low fat recipes they have for similar entrees that you enjoyed eating for meals with Jenny Craig. You can find recipes for high fiber muffins and pancakes, then make a bunch in advance, portion them out in containers or ziplocs and toss them in the freezer. Then just nuke them in the morning and enjoy with your yougurt & fruit. You can also find whole wheat english muffins and wraps and just fill them with items Jenny puts in hers--finding and cooking eggs and ham isn't rocket science. You can also bake a few chicken breasts in the oven and use these to add to salads, sandwiches or wraps.

Find your inner chef--Jenny does not have the market cornered on easy, healthy foods (although she'd like all her followers to believe that). Keep your $100 in your pocket and kick Jenny to the curb! You can do this!

juliaamilee

I have just started changing up my diet, eating cleaner and have lost 3 pound. I eat nothing prepackaged. I look at all of the ingredients if it has more than 5 and you dont know what they are leave it alone. I am wokring on moving away from canned food, lots of sodium. to frozen, and cooking everything myself. Yes from scratch. Since I just started its a process or trying new things. I have a lot to learn. So if you'd like add me as a friend. I keep my diary open feel free to read it, get some ideas! I am always looking into others to see if I can find something I like or make it into my own.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

Put some peanut butter on an english muffin or some whole grain toast in the morning. That will add some extra protein. Find a good natural peanut butter that you enjoy if it's something you like. If you are not wanting to make eggs in the morning for yourself then this might help.

nut butters are not an efficient source of protein unless you don't eat meat products. If you don't want to make eggs every morning, hard boil a dozen eggs for a grab and go option.

pegasus925

I don't really understand how these diets will help keep the weight off. All these packages and processed food. I think you are better off saving your money and finding a diet you can make at home that is fresh. but that's just my opinion. I;ve lost 70 lbs and plateaued numerous times, never gained more then 6 lbs back becuase I jsut don't eat like I use to. thank goodness

tobielauren

I did jenny for a while too. The biggest thing to remember whilst transitioning is portions. Continue on a schedule and plan like they have but instead cook for yourself and watch the portions. Go out and get a scale and good measuring cups. I like top use cute ones to keep me wanting to use them.

Start taking a multi vitamin, since that's what one of the bars was. Again, lots of veggies and low cal soups.

Sounding similar to the jenny plan a bit?

If you have any specific questions, feel free to message me

iammegs

I am on JC but had considered ending because of cost. I found ways to make it work for me, but the key reason JC works is Volumetrics. It's actually much lower in sodium than Lean Cuisine and so on as well.

Since you've decided to leave, I would HIGHLY recommend you still use the Volumetrics guide. The sections about portion sizes, free foods and what to include in each meal to lose weight and stay balanced are the most helpful. Here's the link:

http://www.jennycraig.com/tools/#volumetrics

bluiz13

first off i think 1200 calories is too low but you have to decide for yourself.....i did JC for 15mo back in 2005-2006 between kids and lost 60+lbs....after my 2nd kid i decided to start JC again but was mixing eating my own foods with some JC foods....i've been doing my own foods for at least 3+ yrs now and go to JC like once every 3-4 months for a weighin and measurements just so i have them from the same person consistently...i do weigh on my own scale too but the measurements are pretty much just done by kim my consultant lol...kinda silly but it's nice to pop in and see her...hope my suggestions below help and please feel free to add me as a friend....

breakfasts
bagel thins/english muffins/mini bagels all are about 100-120 calories
egg - 70-90cals depending on the size
lowfat cheese/regular cheese slice 60-90 calories
deli ham/turkey - 30-50 calories
homemade breakfast sandwich using whichever of those ingredients you choose from above could be anywhere from 200-350 calories - nice mix of protein, carbs and calcium...add a fruit and some coffee and you are good to go - this is what i have done for the last 4-5 yrs for breakfast 90% for the time....

cereal w/milk and fruit sliced on top
egg w/bacon and fruit
english muffin/bagel thin/mini bagel w/pb and banana slices or cream cheese and strawberry slices

lunches
~~~~leftovers are always good for lunch the next day - make an extra chix breast or pc of steak or pork chop with dinner for the next day...keep some JC containers or get some small "tupperware" containers to help keep your portions smaller....pack 3-4oz protein/meat, lots of veggies and a small amt of starch if you need it....
~~~~make a big salad and add protein on top (cheese, chicken, tuna, ham, egg, etc). use a lowfat dressing or make your own to help reduce the sodium - balsamic vinegar and oil mixed with some minced garlic and little brown sugar makes a very nice balsamic vinaigrette.....
~~~the progresso soups with lower sodium or "lite" version are also about 160-250 calories for the can depending on the type you pick - add a garden salad with a lt dressing

snacks
~~~peanut butter and apple
~~~cheese sticks and apple
~~~wheat thins and laughing cow cheese
~~~pretzels and apple slices
~~~all fresh fruits
~~~yogurt

sydnisd183

For that breakfast sandwich I would:

toast an english muffin. have a small bowl about the same size around as the english muffin. spray with pam, put in 1 serving egg beaters, dash of s/p and micro for about 30-40 seconds. scoop out egg onto muffin and top with a slice of canadian bacon.

i would also look in allrecipes website, they have loads of good meals. there is even a recipe thread on MFP i've seen some goodies there as well.

I bought a load of containers and will generally make my own food and put it in the containers for the week. There is also places like My Fit Foods, Snap, and even Kroger has their own fresh "fit foods" takeaway but they are around $4-$6 apiece. Maybe you could just make some food yourself and add a few of those in to kind of ease your transition. Good luck and welcome!!

Melissa

escloflowneCHANGED

Eat whatever you want to your maximum allowed calories and eat back all your exercise calories and you will be fine, and probably happier since your not eating pre packaged food anymore!

smbrooks404

Wow!!! :happy: All very great comments. This is really, really helpful. Thanks everyone. Reading many of these comments it sounds like it would be common sense but I guess when you are on the regimented program such as Jenny, it really can skew your thinking about what to eat, what not to eat when you are coming off of it. So, these are great reminders and suggestions.

Thanks!