Valerie Bertinelli for Jenny Craig

I am writing to you to thank you for helping me to reclaim my life. Before losing weight on the Jenny Craig program, I had disqualified myself from all the things that I loved in life. I no longer enjoyed travel, the seat belt was too tight and I spilled over into the next seat, even the tray table couldn't be level because of my fat legs. I didn't enjoy going out with friends to social functions, I had nothing to wear. I hated shopping for clothes, the only thing that I considered when shopping was does it cover up my fat rear end and not ride up? I didn't want to meet new people or do new things because I feared that others would judge me by the way I looked. I was in a downward spiral - hating myself and not knowing how to break the cycle. I joined Jenny Craig because of my husband. Not because he was embarrassed by my looks but because he was also overweight and knew that we both needed help. So, my husband called Jenny Craig and dragged me along to the consultation. I was reticent to join because I didn't want to fail again. I didn't want to lose the weight and then gain it all back, plus some. I reluctantly sat through the consultation and joined the program with my husband. But I wasn't going to do anything above eating the food to lose this weight. Low and behold, I did lose weight. I was encouraged by the weight loss I saw the very first week! I also found that I had a new friend, my Jenny Craig consultant. I had someone to talk to who knew what I was feeling, what challenges I was facing, the fears I had that I wasn't willing to voice. My husband lost his weight and went into maintenance while I was still losing weight. I've continued on the program because I've found that there are so many food choices that even after all this time. I'm still able to vary my food selections enough to not get totally bored with the flavors. I really like the ease of the program -- not having to plan a balanced healthy meal or think about food that much. The personal consultations and the Jenny cuisine have kept me motivated and given me the avenue to lose the weight and keep it off. I have lost weight many times in the past only to gain it back. Before I'd always been interested in losing the weight quickly but then I'd regain the weight just as fast. This time I've decided that I need to work on the reasons that I've abused food and gained the weight and to treat the whole experience as a new life style. The Jenny Craig program has allowed me to work on my stuff and to get the results I hoped for... a full life with friends and new adventures.

-- Barbara N. - lost 81 lbs*

I want to express my thanks and appreciation for all that your program has done for me. A year ago in June, I bought my wedding dress for my wedding coming August of the next year. The dress I purchased was a size too small as I was planning to lose weight and I had a year to do it in. That Summer/Fall was one of the most stressful times of my life and I put on over 30 pounds. Christmas time, I became very scared that I needed to lose close to 40 pounds before August so I could fit into my dress and feel good on my Wedding day. I don't know how heavy I was at my heaviest point because I was too scared to step on the scales. I know it was somewhere in the 170's. I tried losing weight on my own first, but it was very difficult. I had been battling my weight all my life. However, once I became a Jenny Craig consultant, my weight loss turned around and I felt like I had hope to fit into my dress. Changing not only meant my diet, but my attitude and activity. Those, along with the portion controlled meals and consultations, have helped me reach my goal. Being a Jenny Craig consultant myself means that I have heard positive stories over and over from my own clients, which has helped to continue to motivate me. Last Sunday, I went to Alterations I was 4 pounds short of my goal, and the dress fit. The seamstress even had to sew extra bra cups in the dress to stop it from falling down. I am very grateful to the Jenny Craig program. I know I couldn't have achieved this on my own.

-- Christina C. - lost 13 lbs*

Can one be considered a "Jenny Craig Poster Child" at age 83? My father, Don Grubb, though an unlikely poster boy, has completed a miraculous journey, with the help of Jenny Craig. At 83, I watched my previously energetic father lose his steam. He suffers from high blood pressure, diabetes, degenerative disc disease and a cadre of other age related conditions. He has always considered himself a "healthy guy" despite it all, but time was taking its toll and, like many seniors, his budget included "pills" lots and lots of pills. Four different pills for his high blood pressure, 3 pills for his diabetes, arthritis pills, and pills for his stomach because all the other pills mixed together, gave him stomach pain. As a relatively recent widow, cooking was hard and without much awareness, his waistline grew. Shortness of breath, a cane, and the final straw, the threat of insulin shots spurred my "take charge" father into action. In August of 2005 he joined Jenny Craig. Like most men, he had early success losing 13 pounds in the first week*. But with nearly 60 pounds to lose, perseverance was the key. Now 5 months later, and 57 pounds lighter*, the pep in his step has returned. His medication list has shrunk by more than 50% taking only 2 blood pressure pills and 2 diabetes pills*. Insulin is not in the cards. The cane has taken up residence in the closet and for the first time in many years he is buying new pants, not because his old ones "shrunk in the wash" but because they are falling off. While no one hopes to diet at age 83, most feel age related changes make exercise and weight loss more difficult with age. My father is living proof that it is possible to be successful. His loss really is his gain-as he reaps the health benefits. This is an addendum to the attached letter. It was written by my daughter Debbie who is an ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practioner). She also followed closely my weight loss and provided me with lots of encouragement as the weight disappeared.

-- Don G. - lost 57 lbs*

It was the happiest time in my life - I was pregnant with my first child. I had been thin all of my life and when I was pregnant I thought I could eat anything I wanted to because I was "eating for two". Boy was I wrong! After I had the baby, I never realized how hard it was to lose the "baby weight" and then some. I was watching the Oprah show and Kirstie Alley was talking about the weight she gained. She mentioned the program at Jenny Craig and that is what inspired me to make the call. The very next day I called my local Jenny Craig Centre. After meeting with my consultant we determined that my goal was to lose 25 lbs*. The program taught me how to control my eating habits by watching my portions and making healthy choices. It also encouraged me to maintain a regular exercise program. I looked forward to my weekly meetings with my consultant who always made me feel so good about my progress. Her advice and encouragement kept me focused and motivated in order to achieve my goal. Thank you Jenny for making me feel and look great again!

-- Jennifer K. - lost 22 lbs*

Three years ago I weighed 330 lbs. I had given up on diets - or so I thought so. As I was leaving a shopping center with a friend and we passed a Jenny Craig Centre. I remember thinking, "It's only for women, it's only for rich women, I will be embarrassed". My friend told me to give it a try; all they could do is turn me away! It has got to be one of the best happenstance moments one could hope for. It turned out Jenny is not just for rich women and they welcomed me with open arms! The program was quite simple. I never felt starved and the pounds were just melting away*. I actually looked forward to jumping on the scale each week and the support I felt from my consultant was very motivating, not to mention the support from the entire Centre! Prior to Jenny Craig I tried my first diet at age 11, Weight Watchers. I couldn't take it. I would shove down food when no one was looking because I was so hungry. Then I tried diet aids, starvation, laxatives, running in 90-degree weather with sweats on. Nothing was working... up until I came to Jenny Craig. I could tell that my life was increasingly filled with more doctor appointments and my job was becoming more difficult. My blood pressure was so high at one point that I was removed from my position at work until I could get my blood pressure down to a safe level. My back, hips and knees were constantly aching and the doctor said at this rate, I could be dead by the time I was 50! I would start wheezing at remedial tasks. I would look at older men in my career (truck driver) and seem them struggle to take in enough air. I knew I couldn't end up like that. I had no choice, quit truck driving or start eating right. I found that I loved truck driving, so if this is the case, I had to start eating right or my future was looking grim. When I was a kid, I remember a dream I repeatedly had; if I ran fast enough, I would start to hover over rooftops and I could fly. Today, at my goal weight, I am pretty close to that dream! I can run on a treadmill! I'm now more competitive than I have ever been and I look forward to trying new things. I never even knew certain muscles existed in my body because I could never see them! I am sleeping better, my blood pressure is reduced* and I am more confident. I no longer feel uncomfortable in large crowds. I can get on an airplane without people giving me looks or disdain when I sit next to them. I know for a fact that I can climb half Dome and not be exhausted. I can swim without feeling like I am drowning. And I know for certain that taking 95 lbs* of weight off my body is going to give me the chance to live a long healthy life. After all, it's better than the alternative! Additionally, I think Kirstie Alley is a great choice. The tabloids seemed so vicious. I would love to be in a commercial with Kirstie- the guys at work would be so jealous!

-- John C. - lost 95 lbs*

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