*Members following our program on average lose 1-2 lbs. per week. Mike 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.

Mike M. has worked in the pest control industry for 20 years, but pests weren’t the only pesky things in his life. Ready to lose the weight he’d gained, Mike started his journey with Jenny Craig in 2005 and lost 80 lbs.* following the program! Mike spends plenty of quality time with his family and pets. He enjoys being outdoors and especially likes taking early morning hikes on the weekends. It can be challenging to find a balance between work and play, but he makes it work! So, what does Mike’s typical day look like? Here’s what works for him – and his busy lifestyle.

5:00 - 8:30 a.m. Getting an early start and a delicious breakfast

It isn’t easy waking up at 5:00 a.m., but it allows me to get ready in the morning without rushing. I shut off the alarm and head straight for the scale to check my progress. I don’t obsess over the number, but I use it to hold myself accountable. I write it down on my Jenny Craig menu as a reminder. 

I don’t worry about how much I weigh – it’s more important for me to focus on the way my body feels and the way my clothes fit. It is truly amazing how “in tune” you get with your body once you start paying attention to it. 

After getting dressed and ready, I enjoy a healthy breakfast: cereal with milk and a side of grapefruit. I eat my meal and scroll through social media for a bit. Before I head out the door, I pack my cooler with the food and snacks I need for the day. I’m currently following the Maintenance Program, so I use my 1700-calorie menu Monday through Friday.

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Pro tip: I use my Jenny Craig menu as a guide to help me include all the foods I need to maintain my weight. I usually work outside of an office and travel in a commercial vehicle, so choosing foods that are portable is important to me.

9:00 - 11:30 a.m. On the job

I arrive at my first customer’s home to assess the situation and provide a solution that will solve their pest problem. The best part about my job is that I get to help people and they often express their appreciation for what I do. 

Pest control isn’t a glamorous job, but there is a real need for the service I provide. Sometimes I have to climb into an attic or crawl under a house to perform an inspection. Losing the weight on Jenny Craig has made my job so much easier and allows me to fit in tight places that I never could have gone before when I was heavier. 

Between breakfast and lunch, I’ll have a protein bar and a serving of strawberries.

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Time for lunch

It’s lunchtime! I always look forward to eating lunch around noon. I like heating the Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo and putting it into a container so I can take it to the office. I’ll also bring along an apple or some baby carrots and tomatoes for a quick, healthy snack.

After I finish my lunch, it’s back to work. I try to end my day around 5:00 to get home in time for dinner with my family.

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Pro tip: Not only did Jenny Craig help me figure out what to eat, the program also helped me understand when to eat. Eating Jenny Craig meals taught me about portion sizes and how to read food labels for the nutritional value. It didn’t happen overnight, but I’m extremely grateful to have learned healthier habits.

6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Dinner with the family

My wife and I usually prepare dinner at home and we eat together as a family. We enjoy our family conversations at the table and each person gets to talk about their day. I can have what my family eats for dinner – I just serve myself the right portions. Jenny Craig gave me the knowledge and confidence to eat any meal (no matter what’s on the table) and make healthier food choices. 

The Fresh & Free Additions keep my meals interesting – I like adding Brussels sprouts or broccoli as a side. When I’m having a pasta dish, I’ll sprinkle a tablespoon of Parmesan cheese on top.

One of the best things about Jenny Craig is that I can still enjoy dessert! One of my all-time favorites is the Triple Chocolate Cheesecake. The rich chocolate flavor and creamy texture is absolutely delicious! 
 

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Pro tip: When dining out, here’s what I do to make good choices: I’ve learned to scan restaurant menus for healthy items. I also pay attention to the calorie information to understand how the meal will fit into the rest of my day. 

8:30 p.m. Ending the night with exercise

I’ve found that staying active is a key component to good mental and physical health as well as maintaining my weight. I have a treadmill at home that I walk on: It’s a low impact form of activity, it’s relaxing and it makes me feel good. Walking and hiking have always been favorite activities of mine, but recently I became interested in jogging. I just completed my first 5K race in March 2019!

Some of the changes I’ve noticed since losing the weight include sleeping better and not waking up in the middle of the night with acid reflux. I no longer wake up with backaches. I feel better about myself and I feel healthier at age 55 than I ever did at age 40. The transformation mentally and physically is truly incredible. 
 

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Pro tip: I like to walk on my treadmill in the evenings while watching a TV show or a news program to catch up on an episode or to stay informed about current events.

I’m so thankful for Jenny Craig and how it changed my life. 

Not only did I lose 80 lbs.* on the program but more importantly, I learned how to keep it off! It was a process to lose the weight and it took some time, but it was so worth it. I met with my consultant once a week, followed my menus, ate nutritious Jenny Craig food and got active. 

The one-on-one time with my consultant makes all the difference and Jenny Craig’s food makes it easy! No gimmicks. No fad diet. No diet pills. Just healthy and realistic weight loss. 

Jenny Craig doesn’t feel like a diet. I’m so thankful that I made it to my goal weight and continued with the program on monthly maintenance. The education, support, accountability and encouragement that I receive from my consultant helps keep me on track and keeps me coming back. I’m proof that the program really works. I am completely satisfied with my results and I hope I can encourage others to start their Jenny Craig journey like I did.   

Need a little help maintaining your weight? Mike shared eight of his best maintenance tips with us – check them out below!

Tip 1: Stay committed to a monthly maintenance program with Jenny Craig. 
Losing the weight was a big challenge and keeping it off is very important. Meeting with my consultant and weighing in each month helps me stay motivated and keeps me accountable. At my consultations, I discuss my challenges and set goals that help me maintain my weight. 

Tip 2: Use the Jenny Craig menu to plan meals each day. 
The menu is so easy and simple to use. It’s a roadmap to weight management success each day! I eat my breakfast at home, pack my lunch and snacks for the day when I go to work, and then I come home to eat dinner with my family. It takes all the guesswork out of maintaining my weight. 

Tip 3: Watch your portion sizes.   
I learned to eat the “right size” portions just from paying attention to the size of the Jenny Craig meals. It was a very natural transition and so easy to do. Now when I make a meal, I pay attention to how much food is on my plate. I don’t have to avoid any foods as long as I’m eating an appropriate portion size. 

Tip 4: Use a smaller plate.
Using smaller plates is a good trick for making food portions look larger. It works and is very satisfying. 

Tip 5: Stay active. 
I get some activity from my job, but I really enjoy walking and hiking. I have a treadmill set up at home that I like to use, and I like hiking on weekends when time permits. 

Tip 6: Share a meal or pack up half of it when dining out. 
Dining out at restaurants has always been a big challenge for me. The temptation to eat all the food on my plate can be too great to resist, so here’s a way to enjoy the experience without overeating: Ask the restaurant for a to-go box and pack up some of the food when it first arrives. Or, share a meal and ask the restaurant to bring an extra plate so you can split the items with a friend, family member or significant other. It’s a great way to remove the temptation. 

Tip 7: Read food labels on packages and nutrition information on restaurant menus. 

I know that sounds boring, but it’s important! The information helps me make better food choices and allows me to maintain my weight. 

Tip 8: Add a green vegetable as a side dish to any meal.

I love green vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts or green beans. They’re very easy to make (either steamed or roasted) with lots of flavor and they help me feel full.

Tip 9: Every day is an opportunity to make a healthy food choice.
This little mantra of mine has seen me through all types of weight loss challenges. I’m not perfect, and I’ve made a few unhealthy choices over the years, but for the most part, I’ve stayed true to the Jenny Craig program for both weight loss and weight maintenance. If something doesn’t go right today, tomorrow is a new day.

*Members following our program on average lose 1-2 lbs. per week. Mike received promotional consideration.

Feeling inspired by Mike's story? Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a weight loss professional.