28 replies to this topic

[Andjelija]

mindymdc, on 14 October 2011 - 05:19 AM, said:

Great thread! This is only my 2nd week but my 3rd time on JC (1996/2005/2011). Here's the thing: It works if you work it. I'm back because I stopped "working it" after I lost the weight. I need to look at this as a way of life, not a diet. Apparently I have an enormous problem with portion control.

This time around I am putting my food on a real live plate. I can't believe the difference this makes! Sounds silly but it's true. For me it goes with the looking-at-this-as-a-way-of-life-not-a-diet thing... Eating off a plate is just a civilized way of living...eating out of plastic is a diet.

The other thing I'm going to do differently this time is utilize my JC consultant more. Previously I've just gone to my center, gotten weighed, paid for my food, and left. Yes I lost weight, but I clearly didn't learn much. Did I mention this is a way of life not a diet. So this time, when Bev asks me what I have coming up this week, I'm going to let her help me (GASP!) plan concrete strategies for getting through any obstacles, like the dinner party I'm having tomorrow night.

Super important: MOVE!!! I have turned into the laziest slug imaginable. I am starting slow with a 30 minute beginner yoga dvd and a 30 minute walk with the dogs. If I do one of these each day I'm pretty darned pleased with myself. Yesterday I did both! Felt so good I will probably do both again today. In the past I've always jumped into a ridiculous exercise regimen that I hated immediately and gave up in failure. Not this time...baby steps.

Also super important: Come here and come often. Tremendous inspiration on these boards!

And finally, I'm learning with age that I need to come first sometimes! Putting everyone and everything else first for many years has simply left me not taking ANY care of myself. I'm overweight, underjoyed, and exhausted all the time. I'm no good to anyone else this way...it's a little counterproductive to put someone else first if I'm just going to be a fat old crab about it. This isn't part of the Jenny meal plan, but it's good advice even if you're not losing weight, so take it!

Mindy

LOL love the emoticons Mindy

My 4th week and 4th time on Jenny. I tried twice at the centre and once on the at home program. This time I'm back at the centre and will also "use" my JCC - great reminder, thanks I get so busy sometimes I forget she's available for advice.

I'm loving this forum, I hadn't tried this before and everyone is so nice and helpful.

[I Called Jenny]

Andjelija, on 14 October 2011 - 07:25 AM, said:

What a FANTASTIC post Phyllis, great advice. Do you work for Jenny? If not, you should
Thank you
Andj

LOL - No, I don't work for JC. And I don't think they would want me because I don't agree with everything they do and they KNOW that.

But I'm glad if you found those tips helpful.

Phyllis

[I Called Jenny]

Good post! Thanks! But since I've been on the plan quite a bit longer than you, may I make a couple of further suggestions to go along with the ones you made?

This is my fourth week myself and with speaking to my JCC and believe me they help greatly, I've found that if I begin to get bored with JC food, I'll eat outside the plan. See, I'm an extremely picky eater. I'd rather eat dirt than veggies (but be sure to eat them if you like them!) and I found that if I want to have a subway sandwich instead of a JC chicken sandwich (because these are the only lunch items I can stomach), I'll get a 6 in, wheat, turkey and mustard only. It's about the same as a JC meal calorie wise and it's something different for my body to process.

One of the wraps would be an even better choice calorie wise.

The thing is, you MUST MUST MUST(!!!) drink about 4 glasses of water to balance this out since it's a heavier meal than what the JC lunch items would be. You wouldn't think so, but trust me it fills me up quick. And yes, I've asked my JCC if I can substitute occasionally so I don't become bored with the food. The thing you have to remember is SMALL portions.

You do mean four EXTRA glasses of water, right? Because in total you're supposed to have 8 8-ounce glasses. The extra glasses of water is to make up for the sodium intake.

I'm a HUGE white rice eater. I can eat an entire box if my stomach would allow me to do so. You have to keep the non-JC foods to a tiny portion. For example (I haven't had one, but this is just an example), if you haven't eaten lunch yet, or forgot your JC meal and they have pizza, ONE slice is all you're allowed to have until 3 hours later.

I agree but you have to be VERY careful. If you are having a slice of pizza - and occasionally it's okay - you do have to keep in mind a couple of things. It either needs to be a plain or veggie pizza (no meat toppings). You also should take some napkins to absorb all of the extra oil by blotting the pizza.

You also have to, and this is a little tricky, be careful of the size of the slice. I've seen pizza slices that were more than double of what an acceptable size would be, so don't fool yourself and say, "Yes, but I only had one slice." The only person you would be hurting at that point is yourself.

So when I'm at work, I find anything JC meal-wise that doesn't need to be frozen to bring with my to work for lunch, plus my two snacks. I'm the one who HAS to have a diet coke in the morning. It's my cup of coffee in the AM and I'd rather drink some caffiene during the day then get those caffiene withdrawl headaches.

Thing is, before you put anything in your mouth (off JC if you can't help it) you have to look at it and think 'okay what is in this item? do I want to have THIS as my snack/lunch/dinner or can I hold off until the approriate time and each my actual meal?'

The key I have found is when in doubt, call your JC and ask. Especially if you're on the road and can't bring your food with you. ALWAYS ask 'can I have this and how much can I have?'

If you're out of town, it does help to check before you go to see if there is a JC Center near where you're going because it's often possible to travel for work and find a JC Center near you. And MANY hotels will have a fridge (or they'll let you rent one by the day for a relatively small price) and often even a microwave, so you can stay on track. Otherwise, CAREFULLY use your Dining Out Guide so that you don't venture too far off track.

If you're at work, you can bring a cooler with ice to keep your food appropriately frozen - or close enough - to safely eat.

It works for me. DO, above all else, STAY on the JC plan, but if you have to go off once and a while, ASK first.

My two cents.

That advice was worth gold!


Phyllis

[Jen.M]

I Called Jenny, on 14 October 2011 - 12:26 PM, said:

If you're at work, you can bring a cooler with ice to keep your food appropriately frozen - or close enough - to safely eat. [/color]

For what it's worth, I bought one of those "PackIts" they've had all over the infomercials lately. I work about 1 1/2 hours away from home so I bring my breakfast and my lunch with me to work every day. I have to tell you - they work great! I keep my food in them all day long and even when I'm on my way home, 8-10 hours later, it's still cool inside the bag. I can fit a lot in there, too...this morning I had a breakfast scramble, a personal pizza, a Yoplait light yogurt, my anytime bar, my dressing and my snack all in there, snug but not smooshed.

Anyway, just thought I'd throw that option out there!

[kitschy]

I love everyone's advice and support. It's so motivating to hear from people who have stuck with it AND to hear from those who are new and finding their way like I am. I'm trying not to be impatient -- hard for me -- and to just, as they say, work it one day at a time! Wishing everyone good luck and thanks for being so generous with your advice and support.

[mamachill]

Great topic, wonderful suggestions. Thanks for sharing ideas.

[southerngirl48]

I really love the JC program. What's worked for me was that JC does the planning for me. I just ate what was on the menus and after 6 weeks planned on my own using JC foods. I am now close to halfway and just started doing my own breakfasts (1 cup of multigrain cheerios that I measure out in baggies for the week) and once a week I do Jimmy dean d-lights. I am also doing my own snacks now - fiber one bars and brownies, 100 calorie popcorn, reduced fat triscuits with laughing cow cheese, and baked cheetos.

I tried ww before but it didn't work for me because instead of making healthy choices I would use my points for carbs, etc. Under the JC model, I will keep having salad with lunch, fruit twice a day and volumize with veggies. I know what a portion should be now. At dinner half your plate should be veggies, a quarter protein, and a quarter carbs.

I have never felt better ..I try to exercise too...that's a weak point for me but I love how I look and hubby thinks I'm "hot" .... Pretty good I think for a 48 year old.

[lroseinjaxfl]

Awesome Thread with great advice

[cjtoth]

This is a great thread....I find that my best success is staying on plan, drinking the water, and joining friends like you in conversation.