I was provided a free Jenny Craig Weight Loss Starter Kit. However, the opinions expressed are entirely my own. I’ve always struggled with my weight. At 4’11”, even 5 pounds is significant enough to affect both my appearance and my overall health. My Puerto Rican heritage compounds the issue since I have a body type that is best described as curvy. I’ve mostly come to terms with the fact that I’ll never be model-thin, but the images portrayed in the media make it difficult not to engage in the comparison game.
Before I had kids, running counteracted my generally healthy diet and my efforts to maintain a consistent weight were successful. Unfortunately, a combination of age and motherhood have made it very difficult to lose weight. With aging comes a slowing of one’s metabolism. However, there are several things you can do to combat this slowing and even hasten weight loss.
I know the feeling of discouragement when I don’t see results in the midst of serious effort. Sometimes, all I need is motivation…to know that what I’m doing is working. I’m not a proponent of fad diets or unproven weight loss tricks, which is why I was intrigued by Jenny Craig’s Weight Loss Starter Kit, available exclusively at Walmart. If you’re a weight loss newbie or you’ve struggled to keep up with complicated programs, you’ll appreciate the structure provided since the program is very easy to follow.
The Jenny Craig Weight Loss Starter Kit includes 3 days of food complete with menu ideas, a grocery list, a weight loss guide, and $50 to spend on food when you become a Jenny Craig Member. For just $45, you can try Jenny Craig to determine if it’s the weight loss solution best fitted for you and your lifestyle.
My kit included 3 breakfasts Cranberry Almond Cereal, Cranberry Almond Barscotti, Mixed Berry Bar), 3 lunches (Chicken Salad Kit, Swedish Style Meatballs, Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder), 3 dinners (Rotini Pasta & Meat Sauce, Turkey Chili, Cheese Ravioli), 3 snacks (Cheese Curds, Lemon Cooler Cookies, White Cheddar Popcorn), 4 Chocolate Dream shakes and 7 Chocolatey Peanut Butter Anytime Bars. Each of the food items are labeled and color-coded to clarify which meal they are to be used for.
To begin, simply follow the 3-day menu plan provided. You won’t need to purchase many items (primarily fruit, vegetables, milk, and cheese) since most of the food is included with the kit. Generally speaking, you can swap any of the Jenny Craig foods out as long as they are for the same meal. For example, if you feel like today is a soup day but the menu includes Swedish Meatballs, just swap the two out. You can also use the Jenny Craig Meal Planner provided to pick out meals you’d like to eat in the future if for some reason you don’t like sweet foods for breakfast. Since I’m a vegetarian, I found it helpful to identify food items that fit my lifestyle and the Menu Planner provided even outlines those meals that contain beef, poultry, seafood, or are meatless.
For many, time is the obstacle that impedes weight loss. So many of my friends have told me how they run through a drive-through in between soccer practice and homework because they simply don’t have time to cook. Each of the meals offered by Jenny Craig are shelf-stable and easy-to-prepare in minutes, which makes it easy to eat on-the-go.
While I haven’t tried many weight loss programs, my main complaint has always been eating foods that I wouldn’t normally eat. Fortunately with Jenny Craig, the meals resemble the prepared meals you might already purchase. The difference is that they are portioned out so that you don’t have to worry about counting calories, points, or figuring out serving sizes.
Generally speaking, I have become accustomed to eating light so I didn’t find myself to be overly hungry. The snacks help sustain you until the next meal and there are plenty of free foods you can indulge in guilt-free. And in addition to the foods offered, you can check out Jenny Craig’s custom recipes online.
The Jenny Craig Weight Loss Starter Kit includes a free one-on-one consultation to help you set your weight loss goals. Some of the things a consultation can help you do include creating a personalized menu (even if you are a vegetarian!), providing support and guidance weekly to help you achieve your weight loss goals, and teach you how to transition to your own food when you’re ready (valuable for keeping the weight off). If you like the interpersonal component of meeting with your consultant one-on-one, you can visit one of Jenny Craig’s Centers. For those who simply don’t have time for an in-person meeting, Jenny Craig Anywhere offers comparable support via phone or Skype. You can even download the free app to track your progress, review daily menus, record your food intake and activity and more.
Overall, I think that the Jenny Craig Weight Loss Kit can be used to help begin the journey towards weight loss. I like the simplicity of the program and the support received from Jenny Craig experts. While I do think that there are sufficient vegetarian options, people with specific dietary restrictions (i.e. gluten) or allergies may not be able to participate in the program. If you fall into this category, I recommend first speaking with a Jenny Craig consultant.
In addition to utilizing a meal plan as a temporary weight loss solution, here are 5 Tips to Start Losing Weight Today. When I am consistently doing these things, I see results which motivates me to continue working towards a healthier me.
1. Replace your soda and juice with water.
2. Sleep at least 6-8 hours every single night.
3. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
4. Strive towards consistency.
5. Engage in at least 30-45 minutes of aerobic exercise and resistance training.
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