Weight Watchers vs Jenny Craig (vegetables, weight loss, pounds, recipes)

[Bette]

I am where Valerie Bertinelli was before the weight loss. I just read her book and I know it takes a lot of determination and she was good at losing when she had a movie to do, etc.

The last time I really got to the weight I wanted was in 2003-2004. I'm guilty of going to comfort foods and I do not like fruit. Vegetables, yes; fruit, no.

My husband and I have tried Weight Watchers and he has done great - heavy as a kid but as an adult has kept to within 10-15 pounds of his goal weight. He just wishes he could exercise more, that's all.

I would like to hear from people who went on these programs and actually kept the weight off. I was thin as a young adult and it wasn't until I had my children that I got heavier.

I would like to lose a good 25 pounds. It was 15 last year and I know if I don't do it now, it could be 35 next year.

Also, let me know how you dealt with eating out, being at someone's home, family dinners (thin children), etc.

[firefightermom]

I love WW! Doesn't Jenny Craig require you to eat only their food? If so, it can't work as a long term plan, b/c as soon as you go back to "regular" food, you're bound to gain it all back.

Correct me if I'm wrong about the food thing...

[nascarnancy]

I was very successful at WW about 8 years ago. I agree with firefightermom regarding the food. Having a family, you all benefit from eating healthier because your making better meals. WW has some wonderful recipes.

WW has a restaurant book that lists points. Also, it's not an official WW website, but DWLZ.com (Dottie's Weight Loss Zone) has so many more restaurants listed with points, I printed out my favorites and made a little book.

Going out to dinner is hard sometimes, I knew when I went to our favorite Italian restaurant that I would get the lasagna, I looked up the points for a generic lasagna. When my plate came I cut the lasagna in half and that was all I was allowed to eat, the rest I took home.

Also, don't forget that WW has a wonderful magazine. I pick it up at Target since they offer their magazines at 10% off.

[firefightermom]

Originally Posted by nascarnancy

I was very successful at WW about 8 years ago. I agree with firefightermom regarding the food. Having a family, you all benefit from eating healthier because your making better meals. WW has some wonderful recipes.

Very true! My husband has lost some weight also, just because of the changes I made in our grocery shopping and how I prepare meals. I even got him to switch from regular sausage to Morningstar Farms Sausage Patties...he is a huge breakfast guy and makes his own version of the fast food sandwiches, so between this and light english muffins, it's better for him.

I'm much better at making sure we all get our fruits and veggies now, and we're all healthier for it. My kids still like the junk, but since it's not normally in the house, they ask for better things...my daughter steals my snacks of carrots and celery when I'm not looking! It's a good feeling.