Jenny Craig Vs. NutriSystem

My mom is doing Nutrisystem, and I have to tell you that I think it still stinks. And she still has to buy a lot of food in addition to the $300 or something a month. I have done Weight Watchers online a few times over the past few years and it has been wonderful. It is, I think, the healthiest diet out there, and one of the most long term successful. Just my 2 cents. I don't know much about Jenny Craig.

I'm trying to lose baby fat too, but I waited longer than you to get serious about losing the weight (my daughter is 3 years old). I finally made the decision to get going on it and I chose NutriSystem. I began the their food plan on 3-15-07 and also started walking a minimum of 30 minutes a day, most the time an average of 45 minutes. As of this morning, 4-21-07, I have lost 15 lbs!!!

NutriSystem and Jenny Craig have many similarities, but I chose NutriSystem because of the added convenience and some of their promotional pricing that made it even more of a value. I like that ALL of their food is delivered directly to my front door and that it is ALL high-end technological...shelf stable packaging. I don't have extra room in my freezer or refrigerator to store addt'l food/meal products.

I also believe that AFTER I reach my weight loss goal, I will have re-established some awesome, lifestyle habits that will allow me to keep the weight off long-term. I personally respond well, as most people do, to setting goals and keeping track of those accomplishments in order to stay motivated and see progress. It's not just seeing the pounds come off or the inches (of which I've seen both...yea!), but it is in knowing and seeing that I'm getting enough water each day to keep my body & skin hydrated (and it keeps your body from 'holding onto' the water in extra pounds...because when you don't get enough your body preserves what you have as a safety mechanism), consuming the proper amount of fruits and veggies and really reducing my carb intake.

I feel more energetic and look healthy already. I feel better inside too, knowing that I'm doing something good for myself and for those that I love and I'm seeing the results in a fairly short time.

In regard to the taste of the food, NutriSystem has plenty of choices to keep everyone happy. Sure there are some meals that I didn't like as much as others, but I have TONS of choices for each meal occasion as well as the dessert, that completely satisfy me. And, within a short time you learn how to add-in things (be it your veggie or fruit allocations or other FREE foods) that are part of a healthy diet to enhance each eating experience.

Lastly, IF you do want to consider NutriSystem more seriously, please let me know and I can send you a $30 coupon (via e-mail) and provide you with the way to receive 2 weeks of FREE food when you sign-up vs. just 1 week of FREE food. I can also share how you will get FREE shipping everytime and another 10-15% discount. All these opportunities make NutriSystem very affordable at approx. $10/day or less.

I hope all this info helps. I wanted to make sure you had an overview from a happy NutriSystem user that is seeing results RIGHT NOW. Take care. Many Blessings - L.

If you must do some kind of diet, do weight watchers. This will somewhat implement smaller portion size meals and force you to eat veggies and fruit when you no longer have points left. Weight watchers, however, just like every other diet, is directly linked to cutting calories, but all in their own way. I would definately have to say that weight watchers is the most realistic when it comes to "retraining" your taste buds and showing you what you are getting in comparison to McDonalds hamburger to a veggie burger. A lot of it is packaged, but you also have options to make your own stuff too. My mom is on it and she lost 40 lbs. In her circumstance, it was a good thing because she was so overweight. But as time goes on, you have to ditch the diet and just go by the good old food pyramid. That's what REALLY works.

OMG, the Jenny Craig food is by far better than Nutrisystem.
NS comes non-refrigerated, mailed to your doorstep...so just the thought of seeing meat packaged in a container that did not need refrigeration...that grossed me out. I did it for about 2 months...lost about 15-20 lbs and couldn't stand the food any longer. I was going white-knuckled doing NS.

I did Jenny Craig longer and lost more weight about 30 lbs total in about 5 months.....but I also gained it back when I went off of Jenny Craig. But I know JC works for some.

The only thing that has worked for me...and has kept the weight off is Weight Watchers. Here, I really LEARNED how to eat in the real world. With real food....that I was cooking every day; and I learned about what I could eat at restaurants/fast foods places...just what my limits are when I'm not cooking.

JC really pushes for you to eat all meals with JC foods...at least for the first 3 months on the diet they do. That was hard for me to do...but I did it ...give or take one meal per week. I especially loved the JC foods that were frozen. (most of the dinners are great, very flavorful; i liked some of the breakfasts -- the french toast especially). But I realized when I got on WW that I could make this same stuff...just by shopping smartly and only buying the right kinds of foods (high fiber-low sugar cereals; whole wheat pastas; low sugar pasta sauces; FF puddings; etc.)

Anyway...NS is less expensive than JC. But if you're only gonna do it for 3 months or less go ahead and spring for JC...the food is worth it. JC usually pushes and requires you to buy a membership after you lose the first 20 lbs or something like that....it depends on the special they have going now. And those memberships are pricey!
Good luck! you can do it!!
-A.

I don't know about either of these, but I know for me, it was Weight Watchers. I have lost 40 pounds since September. I was very leary at first, didn't think I could do it, the points, keeping up with it all, but I did, and I LOVE IT. No lie. FORTY POUNDS. I am the same size now as I was when I got married. HOnestly, I weigh less now than I did then. And there is no food that you have to buy, which is a plus. But, like you said, if you do want the food, the smart ones frozen dinners are good. I have only found one or two that I don't like. It's just a great program all around. YOu can eat whatever you want, as long as you count your points. It's amazing. I couldn't be happier with the program. You can pay weekly or monthly, and they have a lot of online tools for you to use. I HIGHLY recommend it, if you are interested.

Leanne, I have not tried either program. I just wanted to remind you to implement in exercise program with a focus on cardio 4 times a week along with your new diet. As a fitness professional, loads of my clients try these products but put the weight back on afterwards. When you diet without the exercise your body burns nearly equal amounts of fat & lean muscle. So when you have less muscle it becomes harder for your body to burn calories the rest of your life. Say you lose 10 pounds through diet alone this might actually be 6lbs of fat and 4lbs of lean muscle! I hope one of these programs helps, but don't forget to exercise too. Good luck!

My Dad recently tried NutriSystem and the food must not have gotten any better. He literally could not eat most of it and he is NOT a picky eater. I don't know about Jenny Craig but after seeing and smelling some of his food I would not recommend NutriSystem.

Good luck!

I did have someone yesterday tell me that they do pilates (once a week) and fast walk (3 times a week) for exercise and are in the best shape ever so maybe finding a good exercise routine and cut back portions would work too.

I haven't persronally done either of those but I currently attend Weight Watchers. So far, I have lost 13 pounds in 2 months. It is so much easier than I ever thought it was going to be. I went out of town on business twice for a week at a time and ate every meal out and I still lost weight. It is more of a lifestyle/longterm solution. I have been cooking dinners and my family has enjoyed every meal and I have been able to stay within my points. Good Luck - we all know how difficult it is to lose that baby weight. I am in the same boat as you - trying to get down to a healthy weight in order to have a healthier pregnancy the next time.

Leanne,

I am currently using Jenny Craig and the food is good. But, I do not have a very discerning palate. My girlfriend did nutrisystems and said the food was not too good. I have used Jenny Craig 3 times in my life. The first time I wanted to loose 25 pounds. It worked and I kept the weight off for years. About 6 years ago, I lost control of my weight and gained 80 pounds. When I said enough to all that eating I returned to Jenny Craig. I lost my first 20 pounds with them. But money got in the way and I stopped and continued to loose 70 of the 80 pound with just proper diet and exercise. One good thing about Jenny Craig is that you do have to weigh in once a week. You are able to talk to your consultant and she gives good advice and encourages you to find good strategies during those munchie times.

But with any diet, you must exercise. When I lost my 70, I started by just walking around the block and then I progressed to walking around the neighborhood and taking hour power walks. I also invested in exercise tapes, since I am not disciplined enough to go to a gym. It took me about 15 months to lose the 70. I gained back 20 last summer and Have lost 15. (Can you tell weight is my issue!!?)

No matter what you choose, good luck to you. I encourage you to make it a family affair so that your children know the right kinds of food to eat.

L.

I did Nutrisystem a year ago and the food was awful not to mention expensive. They also don't tell you upfront that you still have to supplement their food with a lot of groceries thus your grocery does not go away just because you buy $300 worth of food from them. I personally wouldn't go with any prepackaged food plan. You need to learn how to eat correctly controlling portion sizes and what you are eating. Good luck with your decision.