If counting calories and measuring food gives you math anxiety, consider a meal replacement program like Jenny Craig, which has been touted by such celebrities as Carrie Fisher, Mariah Carey and Delaware’s own Valerie Bertinelli.
“Jenny,” which ranked first in a 2011 rating by Consumer Reports, features more than 80 prepackaged, proportioned foods. You add fresh fruits and vegetables. Members buy the meals at the “Local Centre.” (The program is international—hence the fancy spelling.) There are locations in Newark and North Wilmington.
Don’t expect group bonding over low-fat snacks. “Our program is based on building relationships between a consultant and a client,” says Stacey Brokenbough, Philadelphia’s market director.
Members meet with a counselor, who helps them transition to regular food and break behavior patterns. They may also suggest products, available for an extra fee.
No center in sight? Jenny At Home delivers meals to your door, and you talk to the counselor via phone. All members utilize the online tools for free.
Jenny-Set-Go gives you a 28-day taste of the program. Premium Success is for those who want to lose more. Metabolic Max adds a physical activity tracker to the mix.
Prices range from free 30-day trials—limited offers—to up to $399 for an annual membership. The food is extra, usually between $12 and $18 a day. One former member griped that she was paying more for less food, but she did lose weight.
Jenny was a boon for Gaby Wilson when she was a workaholic in New York. She ate the meals at her desk and was too busy to snag the Jenny snacks. “I lost 30 pounds in a year,” she recalls. She gained it back when she moved to Delaware and was unemployed. Without the income, returning to Jenny wasn’t an option. Another former member plans to re-enroll to lose some of the weight she regained. (jennycraig.com)
