Star Gazer Posted May 28, 2007 Posted May 28, 2007 YEARS ago my mom used Jenny Craig to drop a ton of weight. Since then, she's put it all back on. I gently inquired about her going back, and she got upset with me saying it costs too much. I'd like to buy her a gift certificate or something to get her to go back. I've tried contacting her local center, but they won't discuss price with me because it depends on HER goals. Does anyone have any idea how much it really costs? I know they have this deal where you only pay a small fee for the membership, but what is this "cost of food" deal? How much is that, really??
alphamale Posted May 28, 2007 Posted May 28, 2007 Does anyone have any idea how much it really costs? I know they have this deal where you only pay a small fee for the membership, but what is this "cost of food" deal? How much is that, really?? i don't know exactly but I know its a lot. They make all their money off that food which is basically lean cuisines repackaged in J. Craig boxes and they charge quadruple for it. Thanx to their TV ads i now realize i'm still in love with Valerie Bertinelli after 25 yrs, fat or skinny.....
Author Star Gazer Posted May 28, 2007 Author Posted May 28, 2007 Funny you should say that, Alpha. I've always thought my mom resembled Valerie, and she loves her too.
green-eyed beauty Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 i don't know exactly but I know its a lot. They make all their money off that food which is basically lean cuisines repackaged in J. Craig boxes and they charge quadruple for it. Thanx to their TV ads i now realize i'm still in love with Valerie Bertinelli after 25 yrs, fat or skinny..... You're like, the 3rd guy I've heard say that about Valerie. I have read elsewhere that the food is about $100/week. I spend about $250/month on groceries for myself....so it is rather expensive for the food, IMO. Of course there are also the fees. But....you're getting personalized service. If you're significantly overweight, I think these plans might be the way to go, since the portions are really controlled.
Tony T Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 You'll find a lot of information about Jenny Craig here: http://weightlossinternational.com/otherprograms/jennycraig.html As with any weight loss program, getting off is only the start. You need a major plan for keeping it off. Eating right and exercise doesn't stop when your weight loss goal is achieved.
Author Star Gazer Posted May 29, 2007 Author Posted May 29, 2007 This is for my mom, seriously. Not me. I know what it takes to lose weight and keep it off...and because of my mom's size, I'm very, very cognizant of my weight. As far as I know, Jenny Criag is the only thing that has ever worked for her. Apparently she lost 10 pounds by working out at Curves, but my grammy told me she quit when I failed to notice and compliment her.
Lizzie60 Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 This is for my mom, seriously. Not me. I know what it takes to lose weight and keep it off...and because of my mom's size, I'm very, very cognizant of my weight. As far as I know, Jenny Criag is the only thing that has ever worked for her. Apparently she lost 10 pounds by working out at Curves, but my grammy told me she quit when I failed to notice and compliment her. As far as I know, Jenny Criag is the only thing that has ever worked for her. I don't think so... because she gained it all back... As far as I'm concerned, all these plans are gimmicks to become multi-millionnaires on the backs of vulnerable people. Only one thing works, eat healthy and exercises... there is absolutely no miracles out there... only 'money traps'. Curves, J. Craig, Weight Watchers...that's all BS... Unless someone is prepared to spend the rest of his/her life on such a program... they will gain all their weight back... that's 100% guaranteed. So don't waste your money on such programs...plus she is NOT ready to go back....so get her a treat she'll enjoy... a day at a spa, facial, manicure/pedicure, etc.
green-eyed beauty Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 I kind of agree with Lizzie, don't spend the money if she's not committed to doing it. It sounds like she's not really into the idea. That said, I lost 20 lbs. last fall from simply eating less and exercising....for free. well, sort of. I was already a member of the Y and healthy food tends to cost more.
alphamale Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 As far as I'm concerned, all these plans are gimmicks to become multi-millionnaires on the backs of vulnerable people. Only one thing works, eat healthy and exercises... there is absolutely no miracles out there... only 'money traps'. Curves, J. Craig, Weight Watchers...that's all BS... I agree totally. 98% of people on these programs gain the weight they lost back eventually. And they end up heavier than when they started. People need to change their food and exercise habits permanently.
Author Star Gazer Posted May 29, 2007 Author Posted May 29, 2007 I'm concerned about my mother's health. She has Type II diabetes and desperately needs to lose the weight. I know that Jenny Craig has worked for her in the past. It took her nearly 15 years to gain all the weight back. Even if she gains it back, it's better for her to lose it now than to remain the way she is (or worse). She's just not going to do it "on her own." So, while I understand your disagreement with Jenny Craig, that's not what my original question was about. Please stay on topic.
green-eyed beauty Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 The website that Tony T. gives really does give a good idea of how much Jenny Craig costs. I agree that extremely overweight people would benefit from the support and the controlled portions. Some people really need the accountability and coaching. So I don't think it's a bad idea and might motivate her again.
Citizen Erased Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 My mother has been with Weight Watchers for years. Initially she did it just to lose the weight she gained having kids, but she is still on it and the youngest of us is 16. To really keep the weight off, your mum need to stay on the JC program. Honestly I don't see why she should have the pre-packaged meals etc because with the right recipes, she can make better more balanced food herself. All the food I ate growing up was from weight watcher and other nutritionally balanced cook books and I never knew until recently when my mum told me. I just thought she was a really good cook If people go into diets with only the mind frame of losing weight then it will not happen. It has to be about living healthy.
josie54 Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 I see your dilemma, Star Gazer ... While I agree that Jenny Craig is WAY too expensive, if that's what worked for your mother, even if she did eventually regain, that's what worked. Even though JC isn't being straight with you about the cost, I think you can be reasonably certain that the program costs approximately $70 to $100 per week. With that as a ballpark figure, perhaps you can get a lump-sum gift certificate for your mother that you know will get her through a certain period of time (i.e., $200=2 weeks, maybe a little more, if you're lucky). Another suggestion, if the lump-sum idea to Jenny doesn't work, is to offer your mom gift certificates to both a nutritionist and personal trainer--one who can visit her in her home and help her take control over her own kitchen and diet, so that she doesn't need to rely so much on a commercial service, and a kind-but-firm personal trainer who'll guide her through an exercise routine and help her become more self-motivated. Again, both may cost as much as or even less than the Jenny Craig option, but give her more ownership in the process. Also, with this option, you may also be able to take part in it with her, which might make it easier for her. Good luck!
Tangerina Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 I know how you feel, people in my family gain weight so easily and my mom used to be really motivated to keep it off and would exercise and do Jenny Craig and WW and it worked pretty well, but now she is on anti-depressants which have really turned her life around in positive ways but has also caused her to lose the worried feeling that made her feel motivated to work really hard at weight loss. I try to be supportive and gently try to get her on whatever my fitness kick is but she has a hard time really staying interested. I just thought I'd share because I personally have had to recognize that ultimately her success or failure depend on her no matter what I do. It is kind of hard to see her not hold herself to the same standards that I hold myself, and I want her to be healthy and happy and live forever!! but in the end it is her body and likewise if your mom has lost motivation it is great that you are supportive and want to help but don't take it on yourself to solve her problems if she is unwilling to do so for herself. A gift subscription is a great idea! but don't get too attached to the outcome. Having said all that (sorry if that is too much "advice," lol, it is just something I've been thinking about with my own mom).... you could try to get her involved in something healthy and free. I've lost 10 lbs with Sparkpeople.com so far and I love it. It is totally free because, believe it or not, the guy who started it did it just because he wanted to share his healthy habits with people, the website is paid for my minimal advertising and merchandising. I am really self motivated, but if you aren't so much then there is a great supportive community with forums and groups to join and you can meet really nice people. The catch is if you never sign on or use the website then it can't help you, whereas if all you have are JC dinners you have to eat them. But anyways, I am totally in love with Sparkpeople and it has so many good features to track your food and nutrient intake and exercise, and you fill out a profile and it gives you a plan to follow and you can either use their prepared menu or just enter in your own menus. It really helps you to make healthy changes and learn how to stay healthy on your own. You should maybe check it out and see if your mom would be interested in something like that... it is free and if she actually stuck with it it could help her a lot in the long run since it focuses on developing good habits and maintaining them after you lose weight.
sunshinegirl Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 Hi SG: I think it's great that you want to help & motivate your mom. What do you think her reaction would be to a JC gift? Any chance she will react negatively? I know that if someone gave me some health/personal growth gift that was unsolicited, I might be a little insulted, especially if I wasn't already personally motivated to work on that thing. I assume the last thing you would want to see happen is your gift to go unused, and/or for your mom to be upset that you gave it to her. Do you know how she is likely to react?
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