You’ve decided it’s the right time to lose weight, and you’ve committed to a program to help you achieve your goals. You’re ready to start your weight loss journey! But even if you have all the tools you need to help you stick with it — knowledge, access to healthy foods, a support system — there’s one more critical thing you should do before you begin: find your “why.” 

Knowing why you want to lose weight in the first place is an important initial step to starting your weight loss journey, as it helps guide you when you’re questioning how to stay motivated to lose weight. Without a clear vision of what’s motivating you to lose weight, it may be more difficult to follow (and stick to) a program. 

Whether you’re just beginning your journey or have been following a plan for a while, discovering your weight loss “why” may help you reach your goals. Here are a few tips for finding your “why” and idea starters that can help you stick to your intentions when it comes to losing weight.
 

If you’re part of a busy family, you undoubtedly know that weeknights can get a bit crazy as you wrangle kids’ homework, extracurricular activities and sports — all while trying to get a healthy meal on the table that everyone will not only eat, but actually enjoy. And while it might be tempting to head to the drive-thru on the way home from soccer practice or piano lessons, eating out too often isn’t good for your waistline — or your health.

The issue can get even more tricky if you’re on a path to weight loss. After all, you don’t want to spend oodles of time planning and cooking meals that everyone but you can enjoy.

But don’t worry: We’ve got you covered. We’ve rounded up some easy weeknight dinners you can prepare for your family in a flash — and if you’re on the Jenny Craig plan, we’ve included complementary meals you can enjoy alongside your loved ones. (Because who wants to feel left out of those all-important family meals?) Read on for seven quick, easy, healthy meals that are sure to delight the entire family!

Each week, we’ll highlight some of our favorite healthy habits and the benefits behind them. We’ll also share a quick and simple tip from Heather Lake, a Jenny Craig Health & Lifestyle Contributor, to help support your weight loss goals and inspire you throughout the day! This 12-week series will focus on everything from how to stay hydrated to delicious ways to incorporate more protein into your meals.

Do you constantly hear nutrition and health experts talking up the benefits of protein? There are plenty of good reasons why! For starters, getting enough protein delivers big benefits when it comes to weight loss. 

Eating a diet full of protein can help you feel satisfied, research shows, and may curb your urge to late-night snack.¹ Your metabolism may even get a boost from eating a moderate amount of protein-rich foods, especially when you’re exercising regularly. 

Protein also might help preserve your muscle mass when you’re trying to lose weight. One review of research found that people who ate adequate protein, and incorporated strength training, particularly retained their muscle mass.²

But here’s the thing: You don’t have to eat meat to get the protein your body needs. There are a number of tasty, protein alternatives to meat. So, if you’re a vegetarian, are cutting back on meat or are just hoping to mix things up, try these protein replacements for meat that are good for your body and your taste buds.
 

It’s a common weight loss scenario: You’re eating right, working out and feeling great. But then, it happens: You find yourself staring at the office vending machine for an afternoon pick-me-up. You’re hungry — but you don’t want to derail your progress!

What should you eat? 

We all have that one friend. That friend who credits their fast metabolism for their ability to eat whatever they like, without seeming to gain a pound. For others, a seemingly “slow” metabolism might feel like a barrier to weight loss.

Many people are quick to attribute their metabolism to a whole host of things, from their weight to their appetite. But what’s the truth about your metabolism, and is there anything you can do to make it work in your favor?

Jenny Craig’s Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Briana Rodriquez, sat down with us to discuss common metabolism myths, facts, and what you can do to support healthy weight loss, no matter what “type” of metabolism you may have.