WW/Clean Eating/Jenny Craig.....What program do you follow?

rivka_m

I'm currently doing WW but I'm here on MFP because I am also changing my diet (trying to cut out dairy, which makes me close to vegan) and want to make sure I'm eating healthy.

I like WW because it dumbs the process down, which I needed to get started. Thinking about dieting (while also dealing with my job, school, extended family, cleaning the house, etc...) was like standing at the bottom of a mountain looking up... now it looks more like a hill. I can do this without having it take over my life!

skinnyone2012

I am now 3 weeks into Paleo and down 9 lbs. Im really liking it.

alord426

I joined WW back on July 29, 2010 (3 months after having my son) and lost 75lbs on it. Now I count calories through MFP and exercise since I can no longer afford WW and am still losing weight. I still use the moderation methods I learned through WW but I can honestly say WW changed my life for the better and I will tell anyone that WW definitley works!!!

CupcakeHarpy

I used to follow diets and programs and they just would annoy the crap out of me and I would quit. I've done a ton of research and put together my own idea of a healthy diet. Combining this food with making sure my calories are between bmr and tdee, I've been slowly but steadily losing. I eat out whenever I need to or feel like it and I just record it. Keep in mind, I still eat crap. But the amount of crap that I eat has really gone down. I also do light exercise every day since I'm nursing a back injury.

I aim to eat (but not limited to):
vegetables of all kinds (yes, starchy veg, too)
all fruits (but berries and cherries are the best)
grains (white rice, brown rice, oats, quinoa, buckwheat, etc)
nuts and seeds (pistachios and almonds are my fav)
beans and legumes

Have in smaller portions per day, try to limit:
some dairy (always whole fat)
Oils (I go for olive oil on salads and coconut oils for frying/baking)
Sweet things (I aim to eat honey or maple syrup instead of other refined sources. sugar is best from fruits)
Breads (go for 100% whole wheat or whole grain, but sprouted grain vegan breads or ezekiel bread is the best choice)

Meat, fish, and eggs is really up to the person. Pastured eggs and meats are the best option and pacific wild caught salmon is really good. There is nothing wrong with eating these every day, but I have been trying to limit them for my own reasons.

This is just what works for ME. Obviously other people have success with structured diets, and I salute them.:drinker:

ValerieMartini2Olives

None. I exercise, whether it's going to the gym, walking or riding my bike and I try to eat as well as I can. Notice I said "well" not "clean." I eat whatever I want. Some days are good, some days are bad. MFP, reading and learning is the only program I need.

CupcakeHarpy

Just curious, why do you think legumes are bad for you, DeadVim? I have never heard that before, actually the opposite.

It might be because he is eating primal or paleo? People following that kind of diet try to eliminate foods that were not eaten by humans before the agricultural age. AKA, we didn't eat grains or wheat until we stopped hunting and gathering. And I think beans and legumes need to be cooked before they can be eaten, or else it is toxic to our bodies. It is simply attempting to mimic what humans ate when we evolved rather than what society is used to. I don't follow those plans, but I get the point.

LoraF83

No "program" here - I just eat regular food - mostly homecooked, and aim to not eat too much of it.

^This.

espinozAgal

I've always like weight watchers best. It's seemingly more flexible and I love the social aspect of it. That said I have to say the reason so many people have been off and on all these programs is because they are not exactly maintainable for the rest of your life. Who really wants to count points FOREVER> ?? yes, it can be done, but it's not very practical. They are fabulous for the education of food and weight loss, so take it as a starting off point until you can hold your own, which is the most important. Good luck.

barbiecat

:flowerforyou: I've used the Isagenix fat burning and nutritional cleansing program since 2009---I lost 70 pounds in about nine months and have kept it off for three years....one of the many benefits of the program is the increase in energy that has allowed me to be more active, also I don't crave all the unhealthy foods I used to eat all the time.

:flowerforyou: along with this, I've posted food and exercise on MFP and posted on a couple of threads to maintain a support system.

linz1125

I have been doing clean eating and loving it. I have never thought of a company who wants to sell you their "diet products" as something that would be good for me. I have heard great things about weight watchers, and known a lot of people who had success with it. My aunt has had a lot of success with Jenny Craig right now too.

I know that clean eating is working for me, and it is because I am mentally in the right place to do it. My best recommendation is to look at the plans and what they want you to do, and choose the one that would best fit with what you are willing to commit to - financially, sacrifices as far as what foods you will give up, and what you will physically be able to do.

I love clean eating because I feel I can eat anything that I want - I just changed what I wanted. If I want bread, I have it - but just whole grain. If I want salad dressing, I have it, I just make my own. It takes a lot of preparation, but I'm OK with that. I thought giving up refined sugars would be more difficult - but it was just the opposite. Because I don't have sugar, my body doesn't crave it at all.

Lozze

I do Jenny Craig and this is my second go round. First time I wasn't ready and a colossal waste of money. Tis time I was ready and have used MFP to keep count of my calories. I only eat their lunch, dinners and snacks. Breakfast I've always done myself. For the past month I've been mostly off (with my partner cooking) and I've broken through my plateau. It's a tool but I'll continue to lose without it.

cjc166

"Eat to Live" by Dr. Fuhrman. I've lost 24 lbs in the past 6 weeks. I swear by it.

20carrots

Obviously by posting this question here on MFP most people are going to say that this is all they use.

I joined MFP years ago (2009 does my profile say?) and tried to "just" eat 1200 calories and exercise.

I got nowhere.

I've been on Jenny Craig for 4 months and have lost 20 pounds. I only have 8-10 more before I reach my goal weight.

Why is JC working for me? I think it's getting the right macros, and also shifting my mentality to not taking weekends "off."

I'm actually afraid to stop JC because I don't like cooking and have no idea what I'll eat. But I"ll worry about that in 10 pounds.

briannadunn

I loved Weight Watchers, I lost over 300 pounds with 3 different pregnancies using weight watchers points system, after so many years I could tell you how many points an item was before I ate it. I didn't like their meetings and weigh ins so I did it on my own. I also loved Slimfast and lost a significant amount on that too with Weight Watchers. My Mom was doing Jenny Craig and lost over 100 pounds after my youngest brother was born. Now fast forward 5 kids and I am doing the clean eating program and concentrating on what works for my body. I eat what I know I am not sensitive to 90% of the time and only indulge about once a month if I want to. My weight loss rate has more to do with calorie intake then not behaving, I eat over 1800 calories daily, exercise 4 to 5 days a week and nurse my 5 month old part time right now..so in 5 months I have lost 20 pounds. My biggest suggestion don't net under 1200 calories. Don't deprive yourself just eat smarter, eat chocolate if you want it, moderation is key and if yoou are sensitive to milk, breads, fats, and sodium like I am keep it at a moderate level.