Just had some friends visiting from Bean Town this past weekend. So happy they got a break from the cold. The weather here was even a little warmer than average too (it was in the 70’s). Big bonus. We had fun just hanging out and of course we did the River Walk gig including “Prickly Pear Margs (I had a beer and got teased…imagine that) and fresh, made at your table guacamole. Inevitably the topic of losing weight and fitness came up, as it usually does (could it be because it’s my deal?) and my buds mentioned that they were doing the Jenny Craig thing to get a jump start on their weight loss goals. Not knowing a whole lot about the program, they enlightened me on quite a few details that revealed to me why so many women have success with their program.
Now I haven’t become the latest Jenny spokes woman, but I do have to admit that I like some of their methods and I see why they work and there’s no way that they can’t work for your too. So here’s the big take-aways that you can include in your "at home" game plan right now.
- Portion control – Part of the Jenny program is buying their frozen meals and products. Well as you probably have figured, I’m not big on packaged processed food, but each of the little meals and snacks are all in reduced portions compared to what most of us are used to eating. This is huge when you’re trying to lose fat, because you’ve got to create a slight energy deficit while at the same time not send your metabolism into sluggish slow down and smaller more frequent meals are the way to get that done.
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“Done For You” – The meals and snacks that you purchase in the program take all the effort out of figuring out what and how much to eat. That’s one of the biggest barriers that most involved in a nutrition over hall experience. They just don’t know what to eat and then they don’t want to take the time to plan and prepare. And we all know that if you “fail to plan you plan to fail”. Next post along with the "Quick Anywhere" partner workouts, I'll include some "Done For You" tools you can use to help plan and prepare for your weekly meals.
- Social Support – Having someone in your corner is such an important piece to the fat loss puzzle. Jenny’s not only assigns you a weight loss counselor, but they also provide you with an online community with e-tools (progress tracker, recipes, forums etc.) where you can share inspirations and support with others who are going through your same deal. If you don’t have someone on your team who you’re accountable to, your chances of success are greatly reduced. Not saying that it can’t be done, but it’s much, much harder to do it on your own. In fact, next post I’ll go through a great little “Quick Anywhere” workout that you can do with a friend so you can build in some accountability and social support into the exercise part of your program.
- The big 3 – The Jenny program also addresses the 3 critical areas to effective weight loss. Food, Body and Mind.
1.) Food – They not only help you with portion control, but they also show you how to develop healthy eating habits for life. In other words, they give you the tools to have a healthy relationship with food forever and not just during your diet period.
2.) Body – They promote an active healthy life by gradually helping you increase your physical activity based on your activity level and lifestyle.
3.) Mind – Jenny promotes a balanced approach to living. Something that’s been my mantra forever. In fact, ask any of my clients….not too many health coaches discuss recipes and wine choices during their sessions. You’ve gotta live and enjoy life too. Thinking that you can NEVER indulge again leads for a very boring , unhealthy and unrealistic life. Who can do that?
So what are your thoughts or experiences re: Jenny? Please share them with us in the comments section.
GREAT post, all good info. Thank you
you’re welcome! Partner workouts to come soon!
I can testify that Jenny’s program works. Combined with Deb’s fitness tips, I feel that I’m well on my way to getting back into shape!!
Thanks Lori. Stay tuned for “Quick Anywhere” partner workouts. Coming soon!