49 replies to this topic

[Pianogirl]

Hello,
I've never really done this forum thing, and hoping maybe the support will encourage me. First joined Jenny 2 1/2 years ago and lost 45 pounds (out of the 100 I needed to lose). Life got crazy, I was happier with myself and I gave up. Now I'm back, surpassed my initial starting weight by 10 pounds and I'm total discouraged. Last time I loved most of the food and was totally energized, enthusiastic and and SO motivated. This time, I'm overwhelmed by the amount of weight I have to lose, and I'm not really liking the food. Everything tastes bland and I'm starving - to the point of almost throwing up every morning. So naturally I'm discouraged. Any ideas to keep motivated? "Free" food tips to keep me going?
Thanks in advance for the support!

[passthepeas]

You are where I am! Lost 20 lbs last year and felt I could lose the last 10 by myself! Now I gained it all back because I stopped exercising. I am so embarrassed! Why not try adding more cooked veggies with onions on food. I likked the food last year so I hope I like it again! You can do it. I love the jello!

[I Called Jenny]

PianoGirl, if there weren't so many of us who had to return they wouldn't have given us our own forum.

Anyway, stop thinking about the big number and concentrate on smaller goals. They add up as your weight goes down.

As for the food, I'm sure there will be some dishes you'll like more than others but that's going to happen with pretty much any food.

Here are two links for volumizing recipes that should help a lot. Also don't forget to drink, drink, drink. You'll be surprised how much that helps fill you up.

Since it takes 20-60 minutes for your brain to register that you've eaten something, be sure to have a full glass of water before your meals, have one during your meal and maybe even after your meal. You'll be amazed at the difference that little trick makes. And don't forget to drink things like hot teas (they come in so many flavors now that you'll feel as if you're having a treat).

Anyway, here's the links. And, yes, posting to the boards frequently will help you more than you know. Just like it helps all of us.

http://community.jen...1377#entry31377

http://nothankstocak...like-crazy.html

You know it's worked in the past and it will work again. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

[happineff]

Hi PianoGirl! Sorry to hear about your struggle to get excited about Jenny again. I don't know how much the food has changed in the last 2 1/2 years, but maybe you just haven't had a chance to sample everything yet. There's bound to be something on the menu you really like! And there are so many creative ways to jazz up the Jenny cuisine, it might be worth it to pick up one of the "Creative Recipes" cookbook at your center. Also add LOTS of extra veggies to your meals, that's what volumizing is all about! I usually fill myself up with double portions of vegetable with my dinners and it tides me over. (Favorite is lots and lots of fresh steamed broccoli!) If you find yourself really horribly hungry after you've eaten everything on your menu, reach for a Sugar-free Jello cup; they are only 10 calories so it's considered a free food. I like to top mine with fat-free whipped cream (limited free) to make it extra yummy.

Hope you are able to find some motivation! We are all here rooting for you! Hey, you already lost 45 pounds once before, you can make it happen again!

[camelsrule]

In addition to the great advice from Phyllis and Hannah, there are things like salsa, ketchup, hot sauce, plain tomato sauce and so many other which are unlimited free foods that can really help the flavor on some of your not so favorite dishes. You can also use your 3 limited frees like fat free sour cream, fat free cool whip, etc to help as well. In the back of the Success Made Simple guide is a listing of all the free and limited free condiments. This can definitely be useful to review to help jazz up some of the dishes.

The link to the Success Made Simple pdf is here:
http://www.jennycrai...imple-Guide.pdf

[I Called Jenny]

camelsrule, on 12 January 2012 - 05:00 AM, said:

.

The link to the Success Made Simple pdf is here:
http://www.jennycrai...imple-Guide.pdf

Thanks for posting that! I didn't have that anymore and now I've bookmarked it.

[KylieH]

I know exactly how you feel!!! I have been on and off jenny for the last couple of years, when i first walked into jenny and got on that scale weighing myself for the first time in years, I remember looking at the number, being SHOCKED at how much i weight and my excitment to start the program instantly went to fear/sadness and anger at myself! I started feeling defeated before i even started. Walking in my initial "goal number" was 140 pounds... when i stepped on the scale and saw that i weighed 249 pounds i felt like someone had just punched me in the gut.. a big gut at that!!! How am i EVER going to lose 109 pounds?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!? is that even possible?!?!? I left with no confidence in myself that i could actually do this and what was i even thinking! Well the truth is it IS very doable! it just takes time! And the biggest thing i have realised over my journey is you CANNOT be fixaded on the number on the scale, it will derail you and probably ultimately end your weight loss attempts. I took it 10 pounds at a time and that has and is really working for me, looking at the big number and having over 100 pounds to lose was so overwhellming, but looking at it in 10 pound intervals was so much easier and before i knew it i was down 10,20,30,40,50 and now 60 going on 70 pounds!!! And now looking at the big picture doesnt seem so "big" this really really worked for me and i hope it can work for you too because i know how overwhellming losing weight can be!! I wish you all the luck in the world and you can and will do this! and we will all be here to support you!

[I Called Jenny]

Ditto to Kyle's sentiments!

I had to lose 45 lbs. and for me that also seemed overwhelming and shocking that I was that overweight. But it's only a number and if you stick to the plan, those numbers go pleasantly down, down, down.

You can do this and we're here to cheer you on and help in any way we can.

[Susanjt]

Kylie - that's a great perspective. I have focused on losing 5% of my body weight at a time. Even though I have a longer term goal, it really seems to help to focus on that smaller number. Susan

[Pianogirl]

Thank you so much to everyone that replied! Reading your responses this morning (sorry for the delay by the way...crazy work week!) have totally touched me. I know there are others along this journey with me and I will make it through. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the support. I think the overall takeaway is that it's important not to be overwhlemed and I am going to try to do this 10 pounds at a time. If I think of it that way it's not so scary. I just want so badly to lose this weight, I have battled with it my whole life...and at this point I need to be healthy, it's not just about how I look. I want to have children and I cannot do that at this weight. So far, my first weigh in I was down 6.6 and today I was down 3.2 - I'm almost to my first 10!! That definitely motivates me and so do all of you, your pictures and advice are amazing. Thank you so much for the support!

[RN Theresa]

Hi everyone. I just finished my first week on Jenny after (gulp) over 21 years! I was 20 when I started in 10/90 with about 40 lbs to lose. Now, at 41, I am back with 85 lbs to lose. Amazing what 21 years, 2 kids, working crazy shifts, and basically not caring for yourself will do! But....I am back and eager to see results where I start caring again. Good luck to everyone else out there fighting the good fight!

Theresa

[I Called Jenny]

Pianogirl, congrats on the great loss to date!!! And, welcome, RN Theresa to the boards and welcome back to the program. You can do it this time and make it your last time returning!

We're all here to cheer you on!!!

[Tluv]

I am back but not in full swing yet. I can't seem to get my act together. I have over 100 pounds to lose too (well 97 now). I like the 10 pound goal approach. That will keep it from being so overwhelming.

My first week back for 2012, I managed to lose 1.5 pounds between Christmas and New Year. My second visit (on 1/14) I gained that 1.5 pounds and .8 more. It was a little discouraging. I am going to give myself small rewards for losing at 10 pound increments.

10 pounds: spa mani/pedi
20 pounds: spa mani/pedi + facial

I will decide on other rewards as I meet the 10 pound goals.

Tracey

[I Called Jenny]

Tluv, on 18 January 2012 - 09:39 PM, said:

I am back but not in full swing yet. I can't seem to get my act together. I have over 100 pounds to lose too (well 97 now). I like the 10 pound goal approach. That will keep it from being so overwhelming.

My first week back for 2012, I managed to lose 1.5 pounds between Christmas and New Year. My second visit (on 1/14) I gained that 1.5 pounds and .8 more. It was a little discouraging. I am going to give myself small rewards for losing at 10 pound increments.

10 pounds: spa mani/pedi
20 pounds: spa mani/pedi + facial

I will decide on other rewards as I meet the 10 pound goals.

Tracey

Traci - that's a great attitude! You just keep moving forward and you'll be making that mani-pedi appointment before you know it.

[camelsrule]

I'm a huge fan of the little goals and rewards along the way. I've tried to focus on things that help promote my new healthier lifestyle so things I have done are a new sports bra, a kitchen scale, a massage, new running shoes, etc. That way I'm killing 2 birds with one stone, getting a reward and getting something to help me.

[GailGN]

I have a similiar, but different story. I have been a member for 3 years. I have not stopped, just used Jenny to maintain while going thru a couple of very stressful years. Three years ago when I joined I was 311lbs. I got my weight done to 255 by the fall, and then my world started crumbling, one thing then another. Now a couple of years later with the help of Jenny I can say I am still at 255, yes I went up and down, but even with whatr felt like the earth crashing down I have managed to stay in about a 10 lb range. If I hadn't kept going to Jenny during this time who knows where I would be. So I certainately can relate to many of the above posts.

All this time I had never used these online tools, now I will because I am finally about to challenge myself to a new goal - one a long time coming. I want to start 2013 below 200lbs, a place I haven't been since 1990 - before I was pregnant with my son who is now a Jr. in College! My eventual goal is 160lbs. And I like Hannah's quote from above (I hope she doesn't mind me stealing it):
"Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later win a little more."

Pianogirl, can we help each other? Anyone else? I'm doing it this year - go below 200!

[drjettrn]

GailGN, on 22 January 2012 - 08:02 AM, said:

I have a similiar, but different story. I have been a member for 3 years. I have not stopped, just used Jenny to maintain while going thru a couple of very stressful years. Three years ago when I joined I was 311lbs. I got my weight done to 255 by the fall, and then my world started crumbling, one thing then another. Now a couple of years later with the help of Jenny I can say I am still at 255, yes I went up and down, but even with whatr felt like the earth crashing down I have managed to stay in about a 10 lb range. If I hadn't kept going to Jenny during this time who knows where I would be. So I certainately can relate to many of the above posts.

All this time I had never used these online tools, now I will because I am finally about to challenge myself to a new goal - one a long time coming. I want to start 2013 below 200lbs, a place I haven't been since 1990 - before I was pregnant with my son who is now a Jr. in College! My eventual goal is 160lbs. And I like Hannah's quote from above (I hope she doesn't mind me stealing it):
"Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later win a little more."

Pianogirl, can we help each other? Anyone else? I'm doing it this year - go below 200!

Sounds like you are back on track with a positive atitude and that is a start. Plus you have managed to stay at a certain weight dispite all of life' problems. I love your optimism. I am back and it seems like a long journey again, but the positive people on this board make it easier, so I try to come back every day.
Best to you in your goals!

[MelissaMegan]

Wow such good advice and you ladies look FANTASTIC!!! I love coming here for inspiration!!!! Today is Day 3 for me and I'm actually loving it. I tried eating smart ones meals and lean cusines in place of Jenny and I didn't like them nearly as much. I do add veggies or salads when needed but I eat my yogurt and bars as in my plan and so far so good I've not been hungry at all and I have 100 lbs to lose myself. I think it's just finding the foods you like that is important. So far I LOVE all of them to be honest I think they taste more like regular home cooked foods then any of the other programs I've been on which is exciting for me!!! I wish you luck on your journey and take the advice of the ones who have had success on this program it is sure helping me! Blessings!

[Pianogirl]

Gail - YES! We can help each other! I am feeling so much better going into week 4. I'm down 11.4 and each week I'm feeling more motivated and you will too! I love everyone's advice and am so inspired by all of the stories of loss and health...I am on my way to my 2nd 10 and just keep thinking - I have to do this 9 more times, then it will be 8 more times, and so on. We can do it!

[GailGN]

I like that 10 at a time idea. I remember calling it losing another decade before. I have to do it 6 times before 2013. That sounds easy. I'm hoping to drop into the "4" decade a week from Thursday. And to help, I start a dance exercise class tomorrow after work.