21 replies to this topic

[Rocky Loss]

I am 24 years old and started Jenny Craig 2 weeks ago. I started at 438 pounds. I couldn't believe how far I had let myself go. Between seeing that number and hearing my doctor tell me I was on the path to death, I knew I needed to stop making excuses why I can't lose weight.

I have always put EVERYTHING before my health and now I am in dangerous territory. I have been overweight all my life and became comfortable with it. I feel now that it has prevented me from so much. I no longer go to amusement parks because I cannot fit on most of the rides. I say it is because I am scared of them, but I just do not want to deal with the embarrassment of not fitting. I don't walk with friends because I know I won't be able to keep up or I will become out of breath. So many everyday activities I pass up on because my weight is keeping me a prisoner in my own body.

I have worked hard in school and my career, but I may not have a chance to see it develop without changing my lifestyle. I have started JC now hoping that this will be the first step in serious long-term change. My first week I lost 15 pounds! I went for my second weigh-in and lost another 8 pounds for 23 pounds total! This is the most weight I have ever lost in my life. I am so grateful for this chance to hopefully change my lifestyle and begin my new journey of healthiness.

Did anyone have difficulties in the first month on the program?

[frana]

Congratulations on making the decision to be on the Path to Health!

Keep us posted on your progress! You sound like you are doing very well.

[Lulu0910]

I am 24 years old and started Jenny Craig 2 weeks ago. I started at 438 pounds. I couldn't believe how far I had let myself go. Between seeing that number and hearing my doctor tell me I was on the path to death, I knew I needed to stop making excuses why I can't lose weight.

I have always put EVERYTHING before my health and now I am in dangerous territory. I have been overweight all my life and became comfortable with it. I feel now that it has prevented me from so much. I no longer go to amusement parks because I cannot fit on most of the rides. I say it is because I am scared of them, but I just do not want to deal with the embarrassment of not fitting. I don't walk with friends because I know I won't be able to keep up or I will become out of breath. So many everyday activities I pass up on because my weight is keeping me a prisoner in my own body.

I have worked hard in school and my career, but I may not have a chance to see it develop without changing my lifestyle. I have started JC now hoping that this will be the first step in serious long-term change. My first week I lost 15 pounds! I went for my second weigh-in and lost another 8 pounds for 23 pounds total! This is the most weight I have ever lost in my life. I am so grateful for this chance to hopefully change my lifestyle and begin my new journey of healthiness.

Did anyone have difficulties in the first month on the program?

[Lulu0910]

I am very proud of you!

Getting started is always the Hardest! Take one day at a time! Don't be hard on yourself and remember we didn't gain the weight over night....we won't lose it over night!

Enjoy every pound lost...and reward yourself weekly with a Movie, Sporting event or something you enjoy!

Keep us posted on your progress!

Lulu

[Rocky Loss]

Thanks for the motivating words. I will keep you posted on my progress. I am a bit nervous about these upcoming weeks because the new semester started for grad school and I am also working. I now have to adjust my busy schedule on the go to still find a way to eat the Jenny meals on a regular schedule. This first week may be the toughest, but I'm hoping I can get into a rhythm.

Does anyone have any tips on how to stick to JC on the go? Have you ever had trouble when you are not around a microwave or refrigerator for your food?

[RobertMoses]

Hey Rocky,

I absolutely hear ya, over 300 lbs to lose and started Jan 1st 2010, so we can do this... I had the same kind of start. 16 lbs after first weigh in and after 3 weeks was down 29 lbs. It's amazing how within 3 weeks I feel so amazing. I feel more agile, definitely more energetic etc...

My wife and I travel a lot for our job, 2-3 weeks a month sometimes, so even our first 2 weeks on Jenny was with the Travel food. The frozen stuff is definitely much better, but we've really been able to manage with the travel stuff.
One thing we needed to realize is that we're not eating for taste, we're not eating for pleasure. We are eating because we need to fuel our bodies, and some meals we've had to just eat what we eat based on that, not cause we're really enjoying it. Takes that some days with all the fruit and veggies while I'm watching a freakin' Papa John's commercial every 10 minutes on the tv, but I never want to feel what I felt a month ago again. Constantly fatigued, sore all the time, uncomfortable, and growing...

The salad kits are a good idea if you're busy and can't get to a microwave, but I wouldn't suggest them all the time. They're a decent meal. One of my big successes was that I ate a salad kit for lunch one day and realized I was actually satisfied and not hungry still... I was pretty happy that my stomach had shrunk that much lol.
SO, those are good. If you can get to a microwave but don't have a huge amount of time, the soups are good (Zesty Tortellini I really like). My wife had the tuna salad kit, I can't cause I'm allergic to tuna, but I like the chicken salad.

Something you might want to talk to your Jenny Consultant about, if you realize this is really difficult is doing some 'meal on your own' and preparing a sandwich. We went out and bought a 20lb turkey and I cooked it up so we would have some healthy meat in the freezer just in case we need to do a meal on our own. They might be able to help you through that.
I really appreciated that on our first consult they said, "Our goal is not to have you on the Jenny Craig food forever, it's to get you to a place where you can feel confident in your self to make the right decisions to make the right food for you." Maybe that's something you can ask. but I would completely understand if you didn't want to go that route. I've noticed I am not even close to being ready to make the decisions for myself. Jenny can pack my lunch for now.

Activity is going to be a major player for us too. At my weight I've had to be a bit careful to not hurt myself by trying to do things I see other people do that I want to do. I agree with what you said about going on roller coasters, I want to again. I want to walk on a basketball court and lay a smackdown, or even just get to play. I realized that a couple weeks ago. I want to play baseball and basketball again.

Another big thing that has helped me, that I try to tell myself everyday is that this is going to be a long road. I don't know your total goal, but for me it's 312 total lbs, and if the 'average jenny client loses 1-2 lbs a week" I can expect to be on this program for at least 2 years, and eating their food for at least a year, so I need to pace myself and let myself realize that this is for life, not for a couple months.
I realized I needed to be a bit more selfish about ME too. one of the questions on a jenny quiz was, "do you use excuses or others situations to get out of exercise etc..." and I realized I use any and all excuses to get out of being healthy (oh i don't have time, i'm too busy, i'm tired etc...) and I realized that I need to be selfish, if it inconveniences someone else because I'm trying to change my life and am a little awkward at it, there's even probably a good chance they will understand.

I don't know if you are a 'believing' person, and by no means do I mean to offend in any way if you are not. But something that has really helped me is that in the Bible it says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthen's me". So I started to pray, "Ok God, If this is your promise to me, that Christ's strength in me will compel me to be able to do 'all things' then I need this, because when I'm walking around the block on that 3rd turn I feel no strength and don't really want to go on..."
And sure enough, along with of course having more energy because I'm eating healthier, I've actually felt more encouraged in my body than I ever have, more able to get up and exercise and get out there for a walk etc... I actually feel strength that is not my own. Take that for what it's worth, for me it is worth the world.

Rob

Started Jan 1st, 2010

[Rocky Loss]

Hey Rob,

I never realized I could choose a travel menu. There are a lot of times I am running around everywhere and a refrigerator is just not available. Yesterday being one of those days, which is a bit frustrating at times because it makes it a little harder for me to follow the program the way that I really want to. But I am still doing it! I haven't cheated yet, even though I've had a couple weak days where I wanted to eat out. I know it is possible to do the restaurant thing, but I know I don't have the control or knowledge yet to really do that yet.

I do enjoy the chicken salad kit too. I try to have it on a day I know I will be on the go most of the day. I haven't tried the Zesty Tortellini yet, but I keep hearing that it's pretty popular. I will make sure I put that on my list next time

Although I've been doing well so far, I want to try my best to not leave room for me to make excuses later. I'm trying to balance my life right now with being being a full-time grad student, a new job, a new diet, a new lifestyle, and dealing with a recent death of a co-worker. It's a challenge. So if I can figure out a convenient way to have my meals with the schedule I have, I will be more likely to have success.

My biggest struggle has been making time to get more activity in. I walk to my classes, but I feel I could do more. It's been raining a lot lately so I sometimes do this dance workout video, which keeps me more entertained than average workout routine. Maybe someone else can share fun workout routines that they incorporate?

I like how you said that you realized you need to be selfish. You don't know how many trivial things I would find to be more important than my own health. I wouldn't go to the doctor unless I was in extreme pain. In a way I already accepted that I will be overweight forever and I will probably die young. With this mentality, I figured I might as well enjoy the things I eat and not deprive myself. But I was depriving myself. I was depriving myself of a happy and healthier life. I realized that I can either eat whatever I want whenever I want, or I can be happy, healthy and thin. So those days I get the urge to eat something I'm not supposed to, I think about do I want to eat more or be happy, healthy, and thinner? It becomes a lot easier from that perspective.

There have been several events that led me to JC. I used to pray, make birthday wishes, and make wishes when I saw shooting stars. All of these hopes had a common theme of losing weight. I have swayed back and forth with my level of faith over my lifetime, but recently I have been trying to develop a closer relationship with God. I said to him, "I am putting my life in your hands. Please guide me to the right path." My mom mentioned JC to me after and said she will help me get started. Here I am 23 pounds less, already losing 5% of my starting body weight in the first 2 weeks.

I know the weight loss will start slowing down and be more around the 1% of my body weight, but in the end it is still better than gaining like I was. I will let you know how my weigh-in goes tomorrow. I'm thinking this week may only be 2 pound weight loss with all the stressful events that occurred this week, but who knows. Off to work now.

Rocky

[Julianna V]

Hi Rocky,

Welcome to JC! I wish you all the best on your journey. I too am in the same situation somewhat with about 207 lbs to lose. I have hit halfway on Jan 8, 2010 (1 year after being on JC).

The first few days were hard for me at first then they got better. Staying positive and motivated as well as utilizing your free and limited free foods and using Volumetrics in all of your meals is key!

Just hit my first weight loss plateau since being on JC in the Halfway stage. How can I overcome this? I am scared I will never get over it.

Please keep us posted with your progress.

JC will change your life in so many ways. It has for me and I am much more happier and healthier than I was years ago. I can do things I could never do before such as running on a treadmill for up to 5 minutes, fit into smaller clothing and being more comfortable in both my own skin and with food. Lots of more wonderful things will come for you as you go on your journey.

All the best!

Julianna

[Rocky Loss]

Julianna,

I have to say I am impressed. You are another person I see who has lost 100+ pounds. That's so exciting to see! I will stick in there too because I would love to join the 100+ weight loss club. I didn't have a very impressive week. I lost 1.8 pounds. I shouldn't be too upset since I still lost weight despite the tragic events that occurred this week. I found myself needing more support than usual this week and it has helped me continue eating the Jenny food and not fill my sorrows with a pizza like in the past.

I am sure you will overcome the plateau. You seem like you are very strong and determined. You have lost 127 pounds!!! You can reach your goal. Don't give up!

I am going into week 4 more focused now. I need to increase my activity and not just talk about doing it. I am down 24.8 pounds in 3 weeks and have impressed myself by not letting my busy schedule prevent me from losing weight. I thought that I had to choose between weight loss and grad school/work, but I now see that it's possible. So even when the scale doesn't show me the best numbers, I promise I will not let it stop me. I am telling all of you so you can hold me accountable as well. No more excuses, because I'm pretty sure I've used all of them already

[Rocky Loss]

So I just finished my 1st month on JC. I am very satisfied with the results so far. I have lost 29.6 pounds. I never thought that I could possibly lose that much, especially in such a short time. That's is almost a pound a day. I stuck to the program without eating other unapproved foods. I probably could have eaten more vegetables and drank more water, but that will be my goals for next week.

I want to thank everyone for their support because I know that it has made a BIG difference on my continued motivation. Good luck on your weeks to come.

[EthelMae]

Congradulations on your losses!!! Great job

[Julianna V]

Rocky,

That is incredible! Congrats on your success so far! Things will come second nature in time such as utilizing your free and limited free foods, drinking water, etc. I was reading something on Jason Alexander's last post on his blog on the JC website and he made a really good point. Chewing sugar free gum keeps your mind off eating while travelling or doing something else. I have used this alot too on the program.

I have my weigh in this Friday and I did overcome that plateau last week with a 1.8 lb loss. I get scared that it will come back again this week or I will have a gain because of the monthly thing woman go through as I have seen this numerous times where I gain a bit back after that and then everything is fine again. We will see what this week brings and I hope its good things.

Keep on going on your journey and always focus on the positive even if you have a not to good week.

Julianna

So I just finished my 1st month on JC. I am very satisfied with the results so far. I have lost 29.6 pounds. I never thought that I could possibly lose that much, especially in such a short time. That's is almost a pound a day. I stuck to the program without eating other unapproved foods. I probably could have eaten more vegetables and drank more water, but that will be my goals for next week.

I want to thank everyone for their support because I know that it has made a BIG difference on my continued motivation. Good luck on your weeks to come.

[Rocky Loss]

I'm glad you were able to overcome your plateau Julianna. You will go a long way...you already have actually. I look forward to following in your footsteps. I have struggled this week with all the traveling. I just hope I don't gain. I would not be surprised if I didn't lose because I didn't have time to exercise AT ALL this week.

I hate the schedule I have. I know if I had my mind set on losing weight when I wasn't so busy, things would be a lot easier. I'll try not to think of the "shoulda, coulda, woulda's." I have to just keep telling myself that I didn't gain weight overnight and it's not going to come off overnight either. I need to be patient.

[Babybing2002]

I'm glad you were able to overcome your plateau Julianna. You will go a long way...you already have actually. I look forward to following in your footsteps. I have struggled this week with all the traveling. I just hope I don't gain. I would not be surprised if I didn't lose because I didn't have time to exercise AT ALL this week.

I hate the schedule I have. I know if I had my mind set on losing weight when I wasn't so busy, things would be a lot easier. I'll try not to think of the "shoulda, coulda, woulda's." I have to just keep telling myself that I didn't gain weight overnight and it's not going to come off overnight either. I need to be patient.

Dear RL - just 8 pounds and some change and you gonna have a "3" for your first number! I was just 2 lbs away from beginning with a "4" as my first number - in the same boat for all practical purposes one might say - you can do this ... the time will fly by and you will be much healthier and you will have made many new and wonderful friends along the way - I sure have! Cyber-waving hello to all friends here!

suzanne

[Rocky Loss]

I'm hitting my frustration point now. I have ate eaten a few meals that is not JC approved within this past week. I'm mad at myself, yet I find myself wanting to eat more. For the first time I've been on JC I gained weight. I gained .8 pounds. I know it's not a whole lot, but I totally screwed up and probably could have had another loss.

I'm getting nervous because I don't want to fall into my old habits again. I've worked so hard but I'm worried my addiction to food will win the battle. I come to the JC forums to try and get my head straight. I don't want to gain the 29 pounds that I've lost already over eating something I'll regret later.

How do I get out of this slump? I find myself dreading to eat a salad sometimes. What is going on with me? Help!!!

[carrieskin]

Joined today at 488 lbs so I have a very long journey ahead of me my daughter is a year old now and I really want to be around as long as possible. I just wanted to say hi and that it's nice to see there are other people that may be similar to me.

[Rocky Loss]

Hi Carrieskin,

Welcome to JC. How is it going for you so far? I'm glad you stopped by to say hi and I hope to hear from you again about your progress.

Rocky

[Babybing2002]

Joined today at 488 lbs so I have a very long journey ahead of me my daughter is a year old now and I really want to be around as long as possible. I just wanted to say hi and that it's nice to see there are other people that may be similar to me.

Dear Carrie - Sorry for letting so many days pass before you were welcomed! Glad to see you are posting here. If you read the current posts in the 200 lbs+ thread you will find many of us all need/needed to lose quite a bit so please do not feel shy. I feel a certain degree of 'safety' writing of my weight loss journey - I have gotten notes of encouragement from those with as little as 10 pounds to lose, to as much 300/400 lbs as we all share the same desire or need - to lose weight!

So, give us the 411 about how the program is workong for you. Me, I am working towards losing my second 100#'s.

suzanne

SW 398 lbs
CW 283 lbs-

[Julianna V]

Joined today at 488 lbs so I have a very long journey ahead of me my daughter is a year old now and I really want to be around as long as possible. I just wanted to say hi and that it's nice to see there are other people that may be similar to me.

Hi Carrie,

Welcome to the JC journey. I wish you nothing but success throughout your weight loss journey and hope you learn lots along the way. I know I have since being on JC 14 months ago and reaching 1/2 way a year ago from the day I started.

If you need someone to talk to, please feel free to PM me and post here. I have added you to my friends list as well.

Please keep us posted.

Julianna

[Babybing2002]

I feel so bad that we all missed this new member! Usually we are super great to welcome new members ... and gee it is so hard to type in bed!

suz