Sara Rue for Jenny Craig

Everyone has had a moment in his or her life that can't be forgotten. Be it the moment the driving instructor said, "Congratulations, you passed!" or the moment you received the acceptance letter from the University you dreamed about ever since you were little. Everyone has that special moment that seems to last a lifetime. I'll never forget my moment; it was the day I stepped through the doors at Jenny Craig. It was June 2005 and I had made a decision that would change my life forever. I had done my research by looking at all the weight loss programs and decided Jenny Craig would fit my lifestyle. To be honest, I was terrified. I was terrified about being a guy and walking into Jenny Craig, since my perception was that Jenny Craig was geared only towards women. When I walked into the Centre, I was reassured that there are many successful male clients on the program and I was not the first! That same day I was given the opportunity to actually meet a male client during my initial Jenny Craig visit. And we actually became friends at the Centre. I was convinced there was no other way! I committed myself to not giving up. I was going to do something about my size. I dove right into the program and began my lifestyle changes. I bought measuring cups, cleaned out my cupboards, organized my life, and started the journey. When I first lost over 10 lbs*, I thought to myself, "That ain't so bad" so I kept going! I looked forward to my weekly consultations, getting my latest update, and seeing the usual friendly faces at the Centre. My new friend (the other man I met) and I always cheered each other on, and before I knew it I had lost 50 lbs*. The weeks went by and people began to notice the positive changes in my appearance as well as attitude. My confidence was growing. The comments I would receive were, "Mark, you look good"..."Keep going, don't stop". Any form of positive feedback was fueling my motivation. Today, I have surpassed all my weight loss expectations. I went from 321 lbs to 204 lbs*, which is a total loss of 117 lbs*!! I have never been happier in my life. There's also a very nice side effect of Jenny Craig. The success you start to feel as you lose the weight starts to rub off on all the other aspects of your life. I decided to quit smoking and I'm happy to say I have not had a cigarette in over four months. I have also enrolled in night classes at the local college to further develop my skills. I am nearly 30 years old and it feels like I'm getting another chance at my youth! I am venturing on to new and exciting experiences that I thought I would never be able to accomplish. I now have the confidence to feel comfortable in situations and places that I once would shy away from. I feel successful every day and that has everything to do with feeling good about myself. The formula to my success is quite simple; the Jenny Craig program and activity that I enjoy, determination and my personal team of cheerleaders! My life has now changed for the better, and I'm happy to say that I will never look back and only look forward to future goals. I owe this life changing experience to Jenny Craig and her team, as well as to my newfound friends also on the program. Thanks for helping me get there Jenny!

-- Mark K. - lost 117 lbs*

Going to the pool or the beach is a favorite pastime for my son and me. I really wanted to take a swim class with him, but I was too embarrassed to put on a bikini. I finally decided to take action and I joined Jenny Craig. With some dedication and hard work, all my weight began to melt away. Today I have lost 42 lbs* and am not only comfortable in swim class, but I am wearing a bikini and I have never looked back! The best part is that Jenny Craig taught me balance, lifestyle change and Volumetrics. I never felt deprived or hungry. In fact, the Jenny Craig food was tastier than some of the foods I was eating before joining the program. I learned to recognize my eating habits and incorporate some healthy changes. For instance, I traded my late-night high calorie snacks for late-night free foods like a yummy veggie stir fry and soup. I still felt full but avoided the extra pounds! The program was so smooth and easy. I never felt overwhelmed with information and I never felt like I was on my own. My Jenny Craig consultant was there for me throughout my whole weight loss journey. The food is delicious, easy to prepare and I never got tired of it! Even though I have reached my goal weight I still love to eat Jenny's cuisine as part of my long-term maintenance -- I especially like the French toast. Jenny Craig has changed my life! I have more balance in my life and more energy than ever before. And I think I look better in a bikini now than I did 15 years ago! Thank you Jenny!

-- Jennifer K. - lost 42 lbs*

A long time ago, a dream was constructed deep in the imagination of an eight-year-old girl. The dream was simple yet exciting. I can remember walking through the hall with the old white curtains from my mom's office, gently laid over my head portraying a veil. Mr. Bear was fully ordained and willing to perform my dream wedding. Deep in the haze of imagination, I knew what I wanted. I have envisioned my wedding day since Santa Claus was not a dream and the Tooth Fairy was a princess. The day I learned I would plan my own wedding finally came, and the excitement was exhilarating; exhilarating but short lived. I began to have the feeling that my day would never fulfill my fantasies with the extra pounds I had put on since high school. I have never been a thin girl; instead a little stout and muscular but not overweight. It was just since high school that I began to add a few pounds here and there. A few pounds...one size...Oh I can handle that, I thought. However, those few pounds changed into 10, then 20, and finally one day I was at a weight I said I would never be. It was time to do something drastic, or so I thought. I immediately felt comfortable at Jenny Craig, and wanted to believe that this time, somehow, it would work for me. I have tried diets of all types but always to no avail. I had given up; at least given up on believing that something would work. I thank my lucky stars today, that I still had some form of hope, maybe hidden, but ready to come out. That day I started Jenny Craig, not expecting much, and hiding the hope that just maybe I could be a beautiful bride with only six months to do it. One week before my wedding day, I met my goal; 33lbs lighter* and a new person altogether. I felt great and for the first time in my life, I felt beautiful. I started my journey at a size 12 and am currently between a 2 & 4*. Jenny Craig works. It works because hard working people have set up a program designed to motivate and change your lifestyles. I would never have been able to achieve my goals without the help of my consultant. She's a friend now and I think often about how she helped motivate and drive me! I owe a lot of my happiness to her. Through this experience I have learned many things. Most importantly, dreams do come true! Many of my dreams came true. I had the wedding of my dreams to the man of my dreams, and I felt beautiful on my day. None of this would be possible without Jenny Craig. As my wedding came, my mind was filled with one BIG problem. As many brides do, I worried that I would not fit into my dress. However, because of Jenny Craig, my seamstress said she had taken my dress in as far as it would go and prayed that it would fit, as it should! Now talk about a dream come true! Thanks Jenny Craig.

-- Lauren K. - lost 33 lbs*

I am a 63 year old guy who has been through every weight loss program imaginable. I have achieved short lived success on each one, but quickly gained back all, or more, of the weight that I had lost. Last September (2005), my wife and I were watching one of your commercials and said "Let's do it!" The next day we went down to our Jenny Craig Centre and found our consultant. She has been wonderful! With her I have lost over 50 pounds* and my wife has lost over 30 pounds*. I have maintained my weight now for over 7 months* and we dine out twice a week! Your program fits into our life style very well. We own a business and don't get home until after 8 pm each night. Luckily, we have a microwave at work. We eat a "Jenny dinner" for lunch and a "Jenny lunch" for dinner with fruits and snacks in between. Thank you, Jenny for a life long livable program.

-- Joel K. - lost 53 lbs*

*Clients following our program, on average, lose 1-2 lbs per week.