*Weight lost on Classic Program. Members following our program, on average, lose 1-2 lbs. per week. Weight loss as of 5/29/19. Jennie received promotional consideration.

Ever wonder what it’s like to join Jenny Craig? Explore a day in the life of actual Jenny Craig members and read their inspiring stories as we highlight different journeys throughout the year. In their own words, they’ll share their favorite foods, activities and creative tips that help them develop healthier habits and reach their weight loss goals.

A Georgia native, Jennie M., is an aerospace engineer and a full-time working mom. Tired of struggling with her weight and negative self-talk, Jennie was ready to make a change. Although she was usually mindful about what she ate and exercised often, she had a challenging obstacle to overcome: oversized portions at mealtimes. Find out how Jennie ditched her old habits and lost 27 lbs.* with Jenny Craig!
 

5:00 a.m. Good morning!

My fitness tracker and phone alarm start going off — it’s time to get up for the work day. I have a long 40-mile commute to work, so I have to get up early to bypass traffic for at least one part of the day. Once I’m up, I shower and get dressed for work. 

I head down to the kitchen with my massive backpack full of workout clothes and my laptop. I get tons of comments at work that my backpack is as big as me! 

One of my favorite things about Jenny Craig is that I didn’t have to plan anything — all my meals were there waiting for me! All I had to do was add a salad and vegetables, which was so easy. By following the program, I realized that my portion sizes were way too big when I was overweight. 

I’ve always watched what I ate and I’ve always been an avid exerciser! I kept blaming my excessive weight on other things — post-baby weight; that my body was “too old” to lose weight; the stress of moving to a different state — I had so many reasons and excuses. I started Jenny Craig and the weight started coming off with hardly any effort. Jenny Craig helped save my body by getting it back in shape, which gave me a lot more energy, and gave me confidence I thought I never had.

Once I’m down in the kitchen, I pack up my meals and snacks. Since reaching my weight loss goal, I’ve been following the Jenny Craig Maintenance Program, so I eat a mix of my own foods and a few of my Jenny Craig favorites to help keep me on track. My breakfast typically includes a glass of milk (I love milk!), a simple cup of plain oatmeal and blueberries, and my must-have: a large mug of coffee that I brew before I leave. I add a tiny bit of coffee creamer and calorie-free natural sweetener to my coffee so it tastes like a sweet treat! 

The rest of the day’s food includes my delicious Jenny Craig Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch Essential Nutrition Bar, a garden salad with an orange miso dressing, a Jenny Craig lunch (I love the Romano Pasta with Chicken!), a cup of strawberries, and a dinner that includes a protein, lots of vegetables (broccoli is my favorite), and a small amount of starch. 

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Pro Tip: Portion out your meals correctly, no matter what! That is seriously what keeps me at the same weight day in and day out. There’s no need to eliminate any one thing from your diet — it’s all about portions!

6:00 - 7:00 a.m. Morning commute = breakfast and a podcast.

I make the most of my drive by drinking my cup of milk and having some coffee while listening to a podcast or music. It’s my alone time in the morning and the drive helps me feel fully awake by the time I get to work. 

7:00 - 11:00 a.m. Work begins.

I work a typical 8-hour day, and occasionally I get to be around my favorite things — airplanes! I work for an airline in the Technical Operations area. I’ll dive into the rest of my breakfast by about 8:30 — my oatmeal with blueberries — and continue finishing off my coffee.

11:00 a.m. Time for a snack — and a great workout.

By this time of day, I am ready to have my Jenny Craig Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch Bar (yummo!) as a snack before my workout! I eat the bar, drink at least another eight ounces of water, and then head to the gym at work to do my workout. 

My workouts include a range of cardio and strength training exercises: High intensity interval training, 3 to 5-mile runs, heavy weight lifting, and full body workouts with weights. I always finish my workouts with an ab routine to try to enhance my core strength! 

Once I’m done with my workout, I shower and get back to my day. While at work, I enjoy my lunch. After a delicious meal, I feel refreshed, energized and ready to work again! Throughout the day, I drink an herbal caffeine-free tea to help me feel satisfied. 

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Pro Tip: If I go out to lunch with coworkers, sometimes I’ll bring my Jenny Craig meal with me and will have a small garden salad with it. I also make sure the places we go have healthy eating options. 

4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Let the commute begin!

Time to pack up from work and take my commute back home in wonderful metro Atlanta traffic! On the ride home, I’ll eat my strawberries, drink water, and chat with someone on the drive home, typically my hubby, my mom or a close friend. 

5:30 p.m. Healthy portions and healthy choices at dinnertime.

Once I pick my son up from school, I cook dinner for my family. I prefer making meals for my family that I can enjoy, too. I’ll usually make a lean protein (like grilled chicken or beef), a smaller amount of starch (like bread, rice, potatoes or sweet potato tots), and lots of vegetables (my family loves broccoli, too!). 

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Pro Tip: I use small plates to get my portion sizes right so that I don’t overeat. I also avoid going back for seconds — I wait for my stomach to settle for 20 minutes or so and by then I usually feel satisfied! After my meals, I typically drink an herbal nighttime tea.

7:00 p.m. My last snack of the day — something sweet!

This is the time that I feel like I’m indulging because I get to enjoy one last snack (which is usually something sweet!). My favorites are the S’mores Bar, Lemon Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, and my absolute favorite is the Vanilla Buttercream Cupcake. My son usually wants a bite, but it’s so hard to share!  

9:00 p.m. Time for bed.

For me, a good night’s rest is a full eight hours of sleep. Right before it’s time to tuck in, I read to my son and then I’ll do some reading of my own, usually something that gets my mind mentally prepared for rest and calm. That’s it! Rinse and repeat for the next day!

Jennie’s story is a great reminder that the foods you eat and the portions you enjoy are so important to your weight loss goals! Having trouble deciding what to eat and keeping your portion sizes in check? We’re here to help! 

With Jenny Craig, you’ll get all the tools you need for weight loss: healthy, portioned meals and snacks, one-on-one support and dietitian-designed meal plans. 

Get started with Jenny Craig today!