Jenny Craig vs. Weight Watchers
gillian_gail
Posts: 66
I'm thinking about starting a program like these two. So I'm hoping I can get some opinions on both. Have any of you done either, or both? If so, what are the pros and cons of your experience? Thanks in advance for your responses. 
--Gillian--
--Gillian--
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I did WW in my mid twenties and had success with it. If you go to the meetings and listen to what they have to say about how life can throw roadblocks at you, you could have great success... I never bought any of their meals. Alas, me being in my 20s and thinking I knew EVERYTHING dropped the plan not long after I got to my goal weight and in less than 5 years had put the weight back on plus about 25lbs.
I think WW is the lesser of the two evils as they don't require you to purchase their food to attend a support meeting.0 -
I'm doing Jenny Craig because I don't cook. I suppose I could go to the grocery store and stock up on frozen foods, but JC does it all for you. It costs about $125/week for the food. It's a preset calorie count, the meals are structured, and the bottom line is, it's easy. And, actually, the food is usually pretty good, if you don't let the Microwave overcook it.0
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I'm currently on Jenny Craig. I started November 1st. So far I've lost a little over 51 lbs on the program. 90% of the food is really good and is better than Nutrisystem. I recommend the program, however it is pricey. I usually spend $100 per week on food. I'm starting to find that Lean Cuisine are starting to offer more options and their lunches/dinners are cheaper than Jenny Craig. Downside to Lean Cuisine is that it has more sodium than JC.0
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I have done WW. I think it's a pretty good program. However, if you don't go to meetings, you might as well use this site instead. If you need the group support, it can really help. It's a lifestyle. I have joined a bunch of times and about half the times I was successful. Its what you make of it. Any program will work if u give it your all
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I've been doing WW since January....lost 20 lbs (it's a slow process) but I wasn't doing any exercise at all. Several relatives have left WW and joined MFP and encouraged me to try it. I've been on it two days and it's a little confusing to get started with but I'm really liking it. I enjoyed the WW (I did not attend the meetings) and ate the Smart Ones and Lean Cuisine (the points value for WW is on the side of the Lean Cuisine boxes). I don't eat meat (hardly any at all) so I basically eat the rice, beans and pasta meals and pizzas by Smart Ones. In nine months, I have NOT had one bad meal....I like them so much that when I cook for my husband, I don't even want any of what I have cooked. I am just so geared to those meals. I couldn't afford Jenny Craig or Nutri-System....and to me WW was very user friendly. I've also tried SouthBeach...I think I've tried most all of them (that was affordable). Good luck in your choice. Have you thought about MFP??? 0
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Here are JC lunches:
Beef Barley Stew 230 cal. $4.99
Beef Chow Mein 220 cal. $5.49
Broccoli & Cheese Stuffed Potato 210 cal. $4.39
Cheesy Enchilada 260 cal. $5.49
Chicken Salad Lunch Kit $5.29
Cheesy Potatoes & Chicken $6.49
Chicken Sandwich 250 cal. $5.29
Chicken Stuffed Sandwich 270 cal. $5.29
Classic Chicken Noodle Soup 210 cal.$4.99
Creamy Chicken & Corn Chowder 210 cal. $4.99
Personal Pizza 260 cal. $5.49
Meatball Stuffed Sandwich $5.29
Pesto Pizza $5.49 YUCK
Rotini with Meatballs Lunch 250 cal. $5.49
Southwest Style Chicken Burrito $5.29 good
Southwestern Chicken w/Rice & Beans 250 cal. $5.49
Spinach & Cheese Tortellini 5.29
Swedish Meatballs 250 cal. $5.49
Tuna Salad Kit Lunch $5.29
Turkey Burger Sandwich 280 cal. $5.29
Turkey Club Panini $5.99
Veggie & artichoke Quesadilla $5.49
Zesty Tortellini Soup $4.990 -
Great advice from lee112780....it is definitely a lifestyle change and you have to have your mind set that this is what you want, it's worth it and you're gonna do it. Stay focused, eat the right things, exercise and either count points, calories or something...have a goal and stick to it. Good luck!0
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i would highly recommend using MFP to count your calories. Maybe get something like Healthy Choice steamers or Lean Cuisine for your portion control during lunch and dinner. Add in fruits and veggies. A couple of servings of low fat or non-fat cheese items and you're good to go. Even with Jenny Craig I still have to buy outside fruit, veggies, non-fat yogurt, etc.0
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I did Nutrisystem about a year ago. While I lost nearly 10 lbs in just two weeks, I thought the food was terrible and I couldn't make myself eat half of the meals I had ordered! Granted i'm a picky eater, but like others have said, I don't have a problem with Lean Cuisines and Smart Ones. To me that means the Nutrisystem meals were actually pretty bad. I'm not sure if Jenny Craig meals are better, but something about having all of that food from Nutrisystem and have not a single thing require a fridge kind of freaked me out.
Good luck in your decision making!0 -
I've done both, and even worked as a WW leader for a few years, so maybe I'm biased, but here's my $0.02: Both worked. I lost about 25 lb. on JC in 1996, and about 55 later on WW (2001), then 15 more after my first daughter was born (2003), and I'm following WW now. Here are the differences I perceive in them
Price -- JC is a lot more expensive.
Convenience -- JC foods are 99% pre-cooked and ready to go.
Flexibility -- I found it very hard to adapt to eating out or parties or travelling on JC
Maintenance -- I NEVER learned to maintain on JC. I maintained easily on WW for about a year before I got pregnant.
Busy-bodies -- If you work outside the home, I think it would be very hard to keep your weight-loss plans private if you wanted to. I know personally, I hate everyone constantly asking me questions about my "diet," so if I started heating up JC meals in the office kitchen, I'd get all kinds of unwelcome remarks.0 -
I did Jenny Craig - and one week I asked them "When do I learn how to do this myself? I cant buy your meals forever." And they were like, "wull... uhhh... ummm..." So that was when I stopped. I even had purchased their LIFETIME membership. DOH. I'm sort of sick when I remember that little detail. I joined with a bunch of girls from work and we all dropped out, one by one, and gained weight back when we didn't have their meals to rely on.
I vote for w.w. if you want to do a program.0 -
I have done both - they both work. However, Jenny C doesn't teach you how to eat once you've lost the weight. I worked as a Weight Watchers leader for 9 years and have maintained a 40 lb. weight loss. I am using this myfitnesspal site to continue to maintain my loss. Don't want to pay for WW online! LOL
I highly recommend you go to Weight Watchers! Its a way to lose and MAINTAIN. You learn/get tools that you can use for a lifetime.0 -
I don't do either I exercise to P90X program and eat healthy cutting out fats and basically anything white. I also eat the Smart Ones meals for lunch as it is more convienent and they are by WW and are very good, in my opinion most are better then Lean Cuisine and the same price even cheaper in some stores. You can buy them in Wal-Mart ....I have learned that eatting all processed foods for every meal will only make you gain it all back after you go off the program, and 2 yrs ago I lost 65 lbs on just WW meals, went off and gained every bit back!. The real key is to learn to eat healthy at home and not buy all the foods they tell you to...I eat oatmeal or an egg sand for break on wheat toast, lunch is usually a smart one or tossed salad and dinner is either fish or chicken or a pasta that is whole wheat. I have lost 14 lbs and 7 inches doing this combined with P90X which is an awesome fitness program! Good Luck!0
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I've had a couple friends do Jenny Craig - all lost weight but could not keep it off once they switched from the JC prepackaged food to regular food. I'd recommend weight watchers since it teaches you to eat regular food from the start.0
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Interesting topic and great feedback. Sorry to hear some people feel JC doesn't teach them to maintain. Without being rude, did they make it to their goal and go on the maintenance programme? I've seen many woman complete their year long maintenance and be within their goal range. I was a consultant, so I guess I'm happy to report that I've helped/seen a few ladies reach their goals.
As for the difference? It's personal and believe me, all diets work, its what you do on a daily basis that will determine if you put the weight back on. I'm perfect at maintaining (except unfortunately that's not my goal). I support people regardless of what diet plan they choose, as what's most important is being happy whilst on a plan, moving, finding motivation/support, and getting healthy. And I feel MFP is right up there in terms of support, and info.
Good luck!0 -
Interesting topic and great feedback. Sorry to hear some people feel JC doesn't teach them to maintain. Without being rude, did they make it to their goal and go on the maintenance programme? I've seen many woman complete their year long maintenance and be within their goal range. I was a consultant, so I guess I'm happy to report that I've helped/seen a few ladies reach their goals.
Jenny Craig does help it's clients to learn maintenance. The problem lies with people not trying to LEARN anything while they are on the program. If you have someone that just joined the program when their girlfriends joined and then quit when their girlfriends quit then most likely they didn't TRY to learn anything. These people were "interested" in losing weight, but not "committed" to losing the weight. The program isn't magic. The food isn't magic. It requires a lot of personal responsibility. The program didn't fail, they failed the program.0 -
I did both and all I have to say about weigh loss programs = $$$$
You're better off investing in a few nutrition classes, buying the book Calorie King and educating yourself on what to do for the rest of your life.0 -
Oh I just thought of one more thing. Use this site (MFP) to the fullest. Ask your friends to open up their diaries to you, especially the ones who've done well on the site. Look at what they eat to give you ideas on meals and good days. There is just so much information on here and out there, at no cost, and there are a bunch of groups on here who are very motivational. They ask you to weigh in each week to track your progress, but in all honesty there's only one person who ultimately holds you accountable.0
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I've done both.....and I wouldn't recommend either but if I had to choose WW all the way!!!
Jenny craig is expensive.....as in I can feed a family of 4 for a month for the same price as JC for a month for just me plus I still need to buy all the fruits and veggies etc. You are basically living off frozen, prepackaged meals and I found it didn't really teach me how to eat. I did lose 86 lbs on the program though but once I went back to having to make my own meals I gained 160+ back.
WW I'd done off and on for 10 years. It's inexpensive especially if you choose to do it all online. Easy to follow and understand, you eat all your own food, nothing is off limits, the flex points are awesome for helping with cheat days or whatever you call them. I just don't like having to convert all my meals to points before I know the value of the food. I did however lose 40 lbs in 4 months on the program the last time I did it.
and then I found this site................
and now just following the guidelines of MFP and exercizing I've lost another 41 lbs in 3 months and know that I will continue to lose. MFP has taught my how to eat and watch sodium, fat, carbs etc . Calories are pretty much univeral, no conversion needed, there are no off limit foods here either and it's easy to follow, so honestly at this time it's the only program I have or will recommend.0 -
I did weight watchers and for me it was a waste of time and money. I get more from this site then i did there. Sitting in the meetings hearing things i felt i already knew deep down. Paying someone to weigh me pretty much. And have them sell me products that i felt i needed at the time. The only thing i bought there that i still use is my scale. If you need support add as many people on here as possible and turn to the boards. Nothing feels better then completing my diary and logging exercise and having a bunch of people give me positive feedback (even tho i dont know them personally lol) Log everything you eat.. like you would on weight watchers anyway (without wasting time figuring out point values). Jenny craig is almost the same thing i believe but you pay them for food?? Just portion and weight everything!! I personally am living on a tight budget right now and i still manage to eat great. So if you need some cheap healthy meals or ideas or just support you can add me!! I like to buy mini carrots and fruits and wash and portion them and put them in snack bags. Also you can hard boil eggs, bag them and just grab them and go. Save yourself the money i say!! Log into here everyday and track everything. Put an honest effort into exercise. You can do it girl!!!0
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Interesting topic and great feedback. Sorry to hear some people feel JC doesn't teach them to maintain. Without being rude, did they make it to their goal and go on the maintenance programme? I've seen many woman complete their year long maintenance and be within their goal range. I was a consultant, so I guess I'm happy to report that I've helped/seen a few ladies reach their goals.
Jenny Craig does help it's clients to learn maintenance. The problem lies with people not trying to LEARN anything while they are on the program. If you have someone that just joined the program when their girlfriends joined and then quit when their girlfriends quit then most likely they didn't TRY to learn anything. These people were "interested" in losing weight, but not "committed" to losing the weight. The program isn't magic. The food isn't magic. It requires a lot of personal responsibility. The program didn't fail, they failed the program.0 -
Well said Edorice. You only get out what you put in, on ANY plan!
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I did weight watchers and for me it was a waste of time and money. I get more from this site then i did there. Sitting in the meetings hearing things i felt i already knew deep down. Paying someone to weigh me pretty much. And have them sell me products that i felt i needed at the time. The only thing i bought there that i still use is my scale. If you need support add as many people on here as possible and turn to the boards. Nothing feels better then completing my diary and logging exercise and having a bunch of people give me positive feedback (even tho i dont know them personally lol) Log everything you eat.. like you would on weight watchers anyway (without wasting time figuring out point values). Jenny craig is almost the same thing i believe but you pay them for food?? Just portion and weight everything!! I personally am living on a tight budget right now and i still manage to eat great. So if you need some cheap healthy meals or ideas or just support you can add me!! I like to buy mini carrots and fruits and wash and portion them and put them in snack bags. Also you can hard boil eggs, bag them and just grab them and go. Save yourself the money i say!! Log into here everyday and track everything. Put an honest effort into exercise. You can do it girl!!!
DITTO!0 -
Gill, look into different options. My mother had to have the gastric bipass in October 2009 due to her health problems. My mother has not stopped with surgery for a health solution , she has been exercising and balancing healthy meals. She joined TOPS and has found it to be a great support system as well as educational. My Mother has lost over 220 lbs and no longer has diabetes. My mother is still losing weight and living happy and healthy. I hope you find what you are searching for.0
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BULL *kitten*.
When we ASK our Jenny Consultants "How do we learn to do this" they shoudl say, "OH - we teach you that when you get to maintenance" - instead of just "Duuuuuuuuh... uhhhhh."
Stopping handing over money to a program in favor of learning how to take personal responsibility for our bodies is NOT FAILURE.
BOO.0 -
I'm thinking about starting a program like these two. So I'm hoping I can get some opinions on both. Have any of you done either, or both? If so, what are the pros and cons of your experience? Thanks in advance for your responses.
--Gillian--
personally I wouldnt pay for either after finding this site! weight watcher does what this site does except it assignts point values. and with Jenny Craig u have to pay for the food! use you're tools here!0 -
I did WW 10 yrs ago. I got the book and my point allowance and my husband and I did at home. We both lost significant amount of weight. But we gained it all back and then some.
In saying that it doesn't matter what plan you are on Nutrisystem, JC, WW, SouthBeach,LA Weight Loss (did that one) HCG (just learned of this week) if you don't learn how to eat properly and exercise as a lifestyle change the weight will always come back and you will spend hundreds or thousands of dollars making someone else rich.0 -
Interesting topic and great feedback. Sorry to hear some people feel JC doesn't teach them to maintain. Without being rude, did they make it to their goal and go on the maintenance programme? I've seen many woman complete their year long maintenance and be within their goal range. I was a consultant, so I guess I'm happy to report that I've helped/seen a few ladies reach their goals.
Jenny Craig does help it's clients to learn maintenance. The problem lies with people not trying to LEARN anything while they are on the program. If you have someone that just joined the program when their girlfriends joined and then quit when their girlfriends quit then most likely they didn't TRY to learn anything. These people were "interested" in losing weight, but not "committed" to losing the weight. The program isn't magic. The food isn't magic. It requires a lot of personal responsibility. The program didn't fail, they failed the program.
I personally did make it to my goal on JC back in '95, and had a few weeks of support, but couldn't afford a year of it. The method they taught at the time was basically the food groups & portion control, but it was d@mn near impossible to even work in a slice of birthday cake (too many "fat" servings for the day) and still be "on-plan".
I don't think that constitutes a failure on my part. I think that was the program teaching a too-rigid maintenance plan, and in retrospect, a too-strict diet before it. I'm sure JC has several women who are able to maintain a more structured approach to eating, and I'm sure they're very healthy doing so, but to call anyone who didn't learn to maintain this way a failure is rude & disrespectful, IMO.
On WW, the lesson is learning to choose your own good nutrition within guidelines of moderation. They understand that birthday cake (and lots of other situations where a pre-made meal is just not appropriate) happens, and situations where you want more than 3 or 4 servings of "fat" in a day happen, and they teach you to work it in or get around it in a lot of different ways. I'm also sure JC has probably evolved since then, and I hope they've incorporated more flexibility into their maintenance approach, and I hope they've incorporated earlier lessons in maintenance by having people choose their own meals more often than just as they approach their weight goal.0 -
I have been on both Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers. Both are good. Both teach you how to eat. WW is cheaper. BUT I have never been successful on WW because there were too many choices. When I am trying to lose weight, I need a more rigid diet at first. This is not WW's fault! For me, Jenny worked. Jenny's counselors were great and the food pretty delicious.
Just a "little" note: I found it better to weigh in on a Monday so I wouldn't binge on a weekend....but after weighing in, I would go to IHOP and have pancakes, butter, and syrup! YUM! Monday was my "gorge" day, and then Tuesday, I'd start again! (That was the only "reward" I wanted.)
I don't think that's what JC means when it says it's "flexible" :happy:
JC is a good program, but a person has to go into it, as with any program, with the intention of losing weight, learning the proper way to eat , and how to handle the B-Day cakes and pancakes as they come into our lives.0 -
One plan that hasn't been mentioned worked really well for me....to a point. I started with LA Weight Loss in February 2006 - I'd picked up a starter package at an auction around the holidays. I loved how simple the plan was and I did learn some things. Like corn should be treated as a grain, not a vegetable (think about it....LOL....it does make sense, like a potato). Between February and April, I dropped close to 40 lbs. I was never hungry - loved their bars (LOVE LOVE LOVED them - it was like eating a chocolate bar twice a day).
I hit a plateau in late March and they really worked with me. I was fully committed to the program, except during one of my visits I'd told the girl that I'd joined the gym and was doing 45 minutes of cardio and 15 of weight training 4x a week. She told me to ease off the weight training since muscle weighs more than fat and it wasn't going to help the scale move. :noway: Now I know that muscle burns more calories than fat so in the long term, it increases your metabolism. The people that work in these centres are not medically trained, they don't have nutrition science degrees nor are registered personal trainers. Looking back, I was relying on them desperately for answers and they had been to company sponsored training...not necessarily what I was looking for.
My point is this: You can get the same kind of support through this site that you do through those programs. There are lots of knowledgeable people that have been there and have come out of it (similar to the counsellors). If you`re looking for convenience foods, people have pointed out that there are less expensive options. If you learn to do it on your own, you`ll never need to rely on these programs again, even if your journey has a few starts to it. If you rely on these programs, you`ll always rely on them - and if you`re honest with yourself, you`ll see that they are businesses and ultimately, that is their goal. There is a cross purpose.0
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