17 replies to this topic

[NJ Spartan]

Hi,

Doesn't seem to be too much action in the Men's forum so I thought I'd at least try to start some. I joined JC today.

A little about myself: I'm 6'3" and currently weigh 245 lbs. I'm 36 years old, married and have two awesome kids, a 5 year old girl and 3 year old boy. I'm a big Michigan State fan and enjoy mountain biking.

So today I signed up on JC and my food should arrive on Weds. A few things I'm already thinking about:

- I'm a little embarrassed to tell folks I've joined JC. To me it sounds like a "chick" program. However, I read some of the latest research out and JC seems to be the best so that's why I joined.

- My wife and I are pretty social and have frequent BBQs with friends etc. where we'll have beers and grill. I'm not sure I want to drink water and microwave "spagettios" type food. I will need to think how to handle this.

- I'm worried about dinner time with my family. It's to sit together and pass the chicken and asaparagus etc. around the table. Now I'll be microwaving a special meal. My wife isn't super supportive of JC as she says she'll probably not even cook if it's just for her and the kids. She seems annoyed w/ the deal.

- We're going to VT with friends over Labor Day weekend -- not sure if I will call a timeout on the program or try to JC it.

- I'm going to Europe the week after laborday for work and for sure will call timeout -- but not try to go crazy.

- I think I generally eat healthy -- portions sizes are what's tricky for me. I like the "full" feeling when I eat.



All of these things might make it sound like I'm not motivated and have a low chance of success. This is not the case! All in all, I can be stubborn when I put my mind to things and like the idea of having an "idiot proof" plan to work.

So we'll see how it goes but I'll try to post here and see if we can't support each other as men on a "chick" program.

Go Green!

Eric

[reddyrawks]

Nothing to be embarrassed about this program is for guys too. There are other men in the group so don't worry. It is to bad your wife is not supportive, but this is about you now so just do what you need to do. My husband did most of the cooking for my daughter. I just sat at the table for family dinner while he ate his and i ate mine. Now he is working on losing a few pounds so all 3 of us eat something different. It can be done.

You will learn portion sizes for the days you cannot do Jenny. What some people do is eat their JC meal before they go out and just do the fruit and or veggie portion at the cafe or friends...works pretty slick.

Once the pounds start rolling off maybe you wife will become more supportive. If you need anything just come to the boards here and there is always someone who has got your back

Welcome and post often, great bunch of folks here!!

[CMECRZN]

Welcome NJ Spartan!!!!

I am from Columbus, Ohio so as you can expect, I am an OHIO STATE fan!!! At least we are both on the side of BEAT MICHIGAN!!!

This is a great bunch. There are some guys. Let me tell you how my hubby supports me in this and maybe your wife can do the same. I eat my food and he eats whatever he wants to!!! Works for us!!! :-)

I've seen plenty of guys in the Center I go to. So you are certainly not alone. Not many here on the forums, but maybe you can encourage more to join in. I'm SURE there are others out there lurking..... YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!! Your participation will encourage more. We need more male points of view!!

[jmcape]

Welcome from another chick. I am from Cincinnati, Ohio and am also a huge Ohio State Fan but I'll give you a pass on your poor taste in teams (I'm kidding of course!)

[BarbaraCakes]

Welcome!

I know you have to be motivated to step up and decide to join. Its really a good program. at cookouts- try to put a turkey burger, or the chicken on the grill. You can still eat your food with family... I always put mine on a plate instead of eating it out of the package it came in. It makes me feel like Im eating more and load up on those Veggies.

Sorry to hear your wife isnt too supportative at the moment. Once she sees your sticking to it, her mind may change. Ask her to give you two months to see how it goes.
I am married as well with 2 boys (ages 4 and 6). My husband is much more supportative since hes seen me sticking to the program. I have a sister who wasnt very supportive in the beginning but now is since shes seen that Ive been sticking to it.

[NJ Spartan]

Thanks to all for the nice welcome. I'm now probably 25 hours away from my foot arriving and 27 hours from my first "counseling call".

Few thoughts:

1) I was probably too hard on my wife and gave a bad impression. She did agree that is was something she'd support me doing -- but I think deep down I would describer her as begrudgingly supportive. She's one of those people who maintains her same weight w/o trying -- so in her mind I just need to eat less, that simple! Why do I need some complicated and very expensive program?

2) Glad there are so many people out there that hate U of M -- we're going to get along fine!

I'm curious to see how the food delivery goes tomorrow. Do you have to be home to sign for the box? If they leave the box how well packaged is the stuff and how long will it last for?

I made it to the gym today for some circuit training. I'm on that for about 2 weeks now which moves me from 246 to 243 lbs today...maybe..or maybe it's natural variation.

My coworker stopped by to ask me about this Friday and said "why don't we leave work about 4, stop and a burger and beer". I didn't say I can't because I've just joined Jenny Criag, I said "let's see what my schedule looks like on Friday". I can see this is going to be a tricky endeavor for me.

Thanks again for the nice welcomes!

Eric

[reddyrawks]

NJ Spartan, on 23 August 2011 - 01:03 PM, said:

Thanks to all for the nice welcome. I'm now probably 25 hours away from my foot arriving and 27 hours from my first "counseling call".

Few thoughts:

1) I was probably too hard on my wife and gave a bad impression. She did agree that is was something she'd support me doing -- but I think deep down I would describer her as begrudgingly supportive. She's one of those people who maintains her same weight w/o trying -- so in her mind I just need to eat less, that simple! Why do I need some complicated and very expensive program?

2) Glad there are so many people out there that hate U of M -- we're going to get along fine!

I'm curious to see how the food delivery goes tomorrow. Do you have to be home to sign for the box? If they leave the box how well packaged is the stuff and how long will it last for?

I made it to the gym today for some circuit training. I'm on that for about 2 weeks now which moves me from 246 to 243 lbs today...maybe..or maybe it's natural variation.

My coworker stopped by to ask me about this Friday and said "why don't we leave work about 4, stop and a burger and beer". I didn't say I can't because I've just joined Jenny Criag, I said "let's see what my schedule looks like on Friday". I can see this is going to be a tricky endeavor for me.

Thanks again for the nice welcomes!

Eric

Hey Eric,

Glad to hear the wife has got your back. It helps in the long run. She must still be rather young because after a certain age we all have to work at keeping the weight off. I weighed between 92 and 110 all my life...then 50 hit and I quit smoking and that ended that. Now it is a constant struggle to keep the weight off for me. It really stinks, I can put on 5 pounds in a week easy but it takes a month to get it off...just not right LOL

The food comes packed in a big box. There is a brown box on the top with your shelf food and on the bottom is your big cooler filled with all your goodies. I stacked them in my freezer by meals..breakfast, lunch, dinner. There will be a bag of dry ice in the cooler with the food. They do a rather nice job packing up the food. I reuse the coolers for picnics They drop off the food without signing for it. They say it will last several hours after delivery but I made sure I was around so I could get it in the freezer right away.

The boxes will seem very small and you will wonder how this small amount will fill you..it won't not initially...you will depend a lot on your veggies to be your filler and your snack. Just hop on here and ask questions. They send you a bunch of books, menu's and information with your food just read up on everything it will pretty much tell you what to eat and when.

I didn't tell anyone but my hubby that I joined JC either. I finally admitted it after the weight was gone. It was fun shocking everyone showing up in skinny jeans

[NJ Spartan]

Delivery should be about 6:30 PM tonight -- first call with JCC at 8 PM tonight. It's a big day for me...

Go Green!

Eric

[reddyrawks]

NJ Spartan, on 24 August 2011 - 05:43 AM, said:

Delivery should be about 6:30 PM tonight -- first call with JCC at 8 PM tonight. It's a big day for me...

Go Green!

Eric

Just remember this day and how you feel...I remember my first day and I was sooo excited to start my new journey. I could't wait for that UPS truck to pull into my driveway. I was like a kid Christmas morning!! I had so much fun going through and sorting everything. I read all of the brochures. rearranged the freezer to fit everything. Some people (or should I say most of us) go through disappointments now and again. When those days happen, just remember this day.

Let us know how it goes for you!!

[Spartan in NJ]

OK, well good morning to all!

My giant box arrived yesterday -- it was pretty fun unpacking; especially since I had a pre-planned menu so I didn't know what to expect.

I have to say at first it all seemed a bit overwhelming, what to do with all of this and how to follow it. I think I already have it figured out for the most part. One thing I'm going to do is to check the new members forum -- I'd like ideas for Free Foods ideas for at work. What people eat that are easy and good tricks. (example that wouldnt' be good but what I'm thinking about is baby carrots with tabasco sauce <-- not serious).

So this morning was my first breakfast!

I had Breakfast stuffed sandwich (pretty good, kinda like a lean pocket but maybe 30% smaller and 20% better tasting). I had a banana (which had to use up another fruit later in the day as I guess 1/2 of a banana is a fruit -- that's a bummer b/c I love how easy bananas are to eat, no washing just open and eat). A glass of skim milk and 1/2 cup of 2% (low fat) cottage cheese.

I ate all that about 1 hour 10 minutes ago. I actually am kinda hungry right now but I think it's only because I'm thinking about it too much. If you tell someone they can't eat anymore they'll focus on it and feel hungry.

So the one thing I'm very confident about is that I know if I follow this plan it will work! About 2 weeks ago I started (for the first time in years) a pretty aggressive exercise program. Add in the JC and I'm confident I'm heading the right direction.

Go Green!

Eric

[Spartan in NJ]

Oh and BTW - I tried making a new profile so my email address would match the one my JCC had -- hoping to link my eTools account to JC account. No success yet but that's why I needed a new profile.

So the member NJ Spartan is now Spartan in NJ.

[reddyrawks]

I am having a banana nut loaf and cherries for my breakfast. The blueberry and banana are so yummy. I have to do to go food since I will be at a friends house doing a yard sale today.

It sounds like you are on the right track. Just follow the menu they gave you and you will do fine. There is a list of limited and free items on the back of your menu...use it!! You can also come here for suggestions, us old timers have been doing this for a long time Initially you might feel hungry, just make sure you drink lots of water to give you more of a full feeling. Also keep yourself busy so you don't think about it. After a bit that feeling will go away.

[South Jersey Steve]

Welcome to the "Men's Club" at Jenny Craig! I am a PD (Program Director) in NJ and have been a client for 1 1/2 years (lost 30 pounds so far). The program will work regardless of your gender. In fact, men tend to lose weight faster than the ladies. Don't forget to review your Success Made Simple book often and you should carry the Volumetrics guide with you all the time (ask for a second copy if you can) Make sure to add the snacks and veggies so you don't get hungry. I used to take the Cheddar Cheese Omlette and add spinach, mushrooms, and cherry tomato to volumize the omlette so it looks bigger and tastes great. You learn these tricks over time. If you are near a center, stop in and say hello if you can.

Don't be afraid to join the buddies for a beer and burger IF you eat a Jenny Craig meal first then skip the burger and have a club soda instead of the beer (they will joke that you are on AA but so what!).

Best of luck, and remember "Progress Not Perfection!"

[Spartan in NJ]

Day 2 on the program - and I am one point lighter than I was a day ago! (which reminds me I need to update my signature). I honestly was never overly hungry throughout the day -- so far so good!

At dinner I was supposed to eat 1.5 cups of vegetables. I went for some dumb reason with Broccoli slaw with Cider Vinegar, Soy Sauce and pepper on it. Wasn't very good - I don't recommend that!

I also went to the grocery store last night --- loaded up (besides require almonds and yogurts and cheese sticks) on ready made sugar free jello, V-8 w/ Tabasco sauce (virgin bloody mary anyone?) and dole fruit cups in real juice.

This morning I had the blueberry bread. I'm glad I got the preplanned meal to try everything and get variety but I can say I was much happier yesterday mornign with my egg hot pocket type thing than a tiny muffin! Also had any anytime bar and in a few minutes down to the company gym for 30 minutes eliptical.

South Jersey Steve

Good luck with the hurricane tomorrow night! Hopefully live inland somewhere -- be careful. I'm going to be pissed if several days without power spoil my expensive new JC food in my freezer! I'm in Mount Olive off I-80 and US-206. They say we'll have 60-70 mph winds here and 12 inches rain. With how wet it is I think it's probable we'll be without power for days.

BTW - That was a mean trick about it's OK to have burger and beer with the guys! I saw your sentance and thought I'd read -- just skip the evening snacks and no dinner and it's ok to have burger and 2 light beers. Not eating and water does NOT sound like a good time out with the guys!

Off to the gym...

[BarbaraCakes]

Spartan in NJ, on 26 August 2011 - 06:21 AM, said:

Day 2 on the program - and I am one point lighter than I was a day ago! (which reminds me I need to update my signature). I honestly was never overly hungry throughout the day -- so far so good!

At dinner I was supposed to eat 1.5 cups of vegetables. I went for some dumb reason with Broccoli slaw with Cider Vinegar, Soy Sauce and pepper on it. Wasn't very good - I don't recommend that!

I also went to the grocery store last night --- loaded up (besides require almonds and yogurts and cheese sticks) on ready made sugar free jello, V-8 w/ Tabasco sauce (virgin bloody mary anyone?) and dole fruit cups in real juice.

This morning I had the blueberry bread. I'm glad I got the preplanned meal to try everything and get variety but I can say I was much happier yesterday mornign with my egg hot pocket type thing than a tiny muffin! Also had any anytime bar and in a few minutes down to the company gym for 30 minutes eliptical.

South Jersey Steve

Good luck with the hurricane tomorrow night! Hopefully live inland somewhere -- be careful. I'm going to be pissed if several days without power spoil my expensive new JC food in my freezer! I'm in Mount Olive off I-80 and US-206. They say we'll have 60-70 mph winds here and 12 inches rain. With how wet it is I think it's probable we'll be without power for days.

BTW - That was a mean trick about it's OK to have burger and beer with the guys! I saw your sentance and thought I'd read -- just skip the evening snacks and no dinner and it's ok to have burger and 2 light beers. Not eating and water does NOT sound like a good time out with the guys!

Off to the gym...

tHE BROCCOLI slaw experiment must have sounded good at the time! lol

[reddyrawks]

Spartan in NJ, on 26 August 2011 - 06:21 AM, said:

Day 2 on the program - and I am one point lighter than I was a day ago! (which reminds me I need to update my signature). I honestly was never overly hungry throughout the day -- so far so good!

At dinner I was supposed to eat 1.5 cups of vegetables. I went for some dumb reason with Broccoli slaw with Cider Vinegar, Soy Sauce and pepper on it. Wasn't very good - I don't recommend that!

I also went to the grocery store last night --- loaded up (besides require almonds and yogurts and cheese sticks) on ready made sugar free jello, V-8 w/ Tabasco sauce (virgin bloody mary anyone?) and dole fruit cups in real juice.

This morning I had the blueberry bread. I'm glad I got the preplanned meal to try everything and get variety but I can say I was much happier yesterday mornign with my egg hot pocket type thing than a tiny muffin! Also had any anytime bar and in a few minutes down to the company gym for 30 minutes eliptical.

South Jersey Steve

Good luck with the hurricane tomorrow night! Hopefully live inland somewhere -- be careful. I'm going to be pissed if several days without power spoil my expensive new JC food in my freezer! I'm in Mount Olive off I-80 and US-206. They say we'll have 60-70 mph winds here and 12 inches rain. With how wet it is I think it's probable we'll be without power for days.

BTW - That was a mean trick about it's OK to have burger and beer with the guys! I saw your sentance and thought I'd read -- just skip the evening snacks and no dinner and it's ok to have burger and 2 light beers. Not eating and water does NOT sound like a good time out with the guys!

Off to the gym...

Maybe you could fill up a cooler with ice just in case you lose power. At least the food would be refrigerated!! Could also buy a generator!!

[Spartan in NJ]

Well made it through Hurricane Irene w/o losing power. We live on top of a mountain so no flooding issues. Don't listen to the stories of people saying that the Hurricane was an over hyped non-event. There is A LOT of flooding in NJ and people are suffering.

Today I'm starting day 5 on my diet and am 241 lbs vs. 242.5 at the program start. Two days ago I was 239.5. I'm sure there's some natural variation so I'm trying not to focus on the 239.5 vs. 241 and instead focusing on the I'm net down 1.5 lbs so far...

I do have a story to tell though, and I think this could be a problem making JC work for me. I have followed the program to the letter with one exception. Saturday night (recall I weighed 239.5 on Saturday) we had a hurricane party with our neighbors across the street.

Saturday morning I went for a mountain biking ride -- it was VERY humid out and we picked a tough trail. I had 2 large cups of strong coffee and my JC breakfast of Cranberry Almond Cereal, 1 fruit and non-fat milk.

I know I'm susceptible to blood sugar issues when I have coffee -- small breakfast and then exercise, but I felt horrible during my mountain bike ride. I felt weak and a little shaky. I think in the AM if I go exercising I'm going to have to pull ahead more of my food to give me more energy. I think I also need to cut coffee down to one cup so I don't feel as whacky.

Suffering through it I got some good exercise in on Saturday nonetheless. I knew I had my evening hurricane party coming up so I also skipped my 2000 calorie additions of a sandwich and 1/2 cup of milk. I stopped the program at dinner and skipped the evening snack too.

Instead at our party we served a Sam's club veggie tray with dip, pulled pork sandwiches (made from pork tenderloin), corn on the cob,hurricane cocktails and light beer.

I had lots of veggies (with a little dip), 2 hurricanes, a pulled pork sandwich, a second helping of pork only, a corn cob with light butter, 1/4 cup coleslaw and a light beer.

To me this seems like a reasonable effort for a hurricane party -- to do JC but also have a "real" life that isn't just a pre-packaged bubble. What do you think -- was this a massive failure? Is that why Saturday morning I was 239.5 and today 241?

Curious to hear some thoughts and have a great day. I'm back Sunday and now Monday 100% on JCC to the letter (although Sunday I skipped my 2000 calorie sandwich addition as I was still worried about Saturday)

Go Green! Beat Youngstown State!

[South Jersey Steve]

Spartan in NJ, on 29 August 2011 - 05:55 AM, said:

Well made it through Hurricane Irene w/o losing power. We live on top of a mountain so no flooding issues. Don't listen to the stories of people saying that the Hurricane was an over hyped non-event. There is A LOT of flooding in NJ and people are suffering.

Today I'm starting day 5 on my diet and am 241 lbs vs. 242.5 at the program start. Two days ago I was 239.5. I'm sure there's some natural variation so I'm trying not to focus on the 239.5 vs. 241 and instead focusing on the I'm net down 1.5 lbs so far...

I do have a story to tell though, and I think this could be a problem making JC work for me. I have followed the program to the letter with one exception. Saturday night (recall I weighed 239.5 on Saturday) we had a hurricane party with our neighbors across the street.

Saturday morning I went for a mountain biking ride -- it was VERY humid out and we picked a tough trail. I had 2 large cups of strong coffee and my JC breakfast of Cranberry Almond Cereal, 1 fruit and non-fat milk.

I know I'm susceptible to blood sugar issues when I have coffee -- small breakfast and then exercise, but I felt horrible during my mountain bike ride. I felt weak and a little shaky. I think in the AM if I go exercising I'm going to have to pull ahead more of my food to give me more energy. I think I also need to cut coffee down to one cup so I don't feel as whacky.

Suffering through it I got some good exercise in on Saturday nonetheless. I knew I had my evening hurricane party coming up so I also skipped my 2000 calorie additions of a sandwich and 1/2 cup of milk. I stopped the program at dinner and skipped the evening snack too.

Instead at our party we served a Sam's club veggie tray with dip, pulled pork sandwiches (made from pork tenderloin), corn on the cob,hurricane cocktails and light beer.

I had lots of veggies (with a little dip), 2 hurricanes, a pulled pork sandwich, a second helping of pork only, a corn cob with light butter, 1/4 cup coleslaw and a light beer.

To me this seems like a reasonable effort for a hurricane party -- to do JC but also have a "real" life that isn't just a pre-packaged bubble. What do you think -- was this a massive failure? Is that why Saturday morning I was 239.5 and today 241?

Curious to hear some thoughts and have a great day. I'm back Sunday and now Monday 100% on JCC to the letter (although Sunday I skipped my 2000 calorie sandwich addition as I was still worried about Saturday)

Go Green! Beat Youngstown State!

Jenny Craig is desiged to fit into your lifestyle, not the other way around -- use the back of your weekly menu planner to see the Meal On My Own (MOO for short)--that way, you can use that and your Volumetrics Guide/Weight Loss Manual to put together a menu to stay on track and not "screw it up". One meal won't destroy your life, unless you eat 10 pounds of potato chips (LOL) but there are tools to plan ahead and stay on track.

Good luck and we too survived Hurricane Irene with minimal damage.