So tomorrow I start Jenny Craig.
That means tonight was the last supper. And the last donut.
Not the last cronut – I had that on Sunday. Let’s just take a minute to admire that beauty. Donut/croissant hybrid filled with custard. Do you hear the chorus bursting into “Hallelujah?” It was, by the way, my first one ever – and now my last for at least a month. Sigh.
This morning, I went for my first meeting with Jenny Penny, who was awesome and supportive and didn’t blink an eye when the scale registered a number that makes me want to throw up. She shared her personal story about losing 65 pounds on the plan, asked me lots of questions about why I was motivated to start now (Anthropologie’s fall line), what foods I can’t live without (dessert) and what my biggest obstacles have been (sitting at the computer in my kitchen 12 hours a day).
I’ll tell you all about the plan as I document my journey over the next month, but here are just some of the goodies I left with. We put together a menu for the week and Penny packed up all the items we agreed upon, including Sesame Chicken, Fish & Chips and Triple Chocolate Cheesecake. Yes, I will be just fine.
Penny taught me the tricks of the trade, including how to “volumize” your meal by piling on vegetables and creatively using fruits and other limited free foods. I left, feeling hopeful but a little overwhelmed.
Then I came home to this package at my door from, of all places, The Fruit Company! I get lots of stuff that publicists want me to review. But fruit? Now? Someone was definitely watching out for me. Thank you to the aptly-named-for-how-she-made-me-feel Serene Pelletier. I will be devoting a post next week to the gorgeous peaches you sent me – not to mention devoting most of my fruit allowance to them.
After stuffing my freezer with my new Jenny foods, I went to Vons, where I almost didn’t recognize my order on the check-out line. I have to admit it’s much prettier than the beige/brown/white color palette I’m used to.
I filled my fridge, enjoyed my last supper (if Chipotle stock goes down this month, I’m sorry) and lingered over dessert. I did not take a picture of that last donut because, well, weirdly enough, it seems kind of lame now.
The Cronut, though? I think that’s worth one last look.
Hope you are victorious.
Thank you! xo
way to go YOU! Change is never easy, but I figure most of us can do anything for a month. wishing you peace, strength, resolve and cronuts at the end of your journey. do they deliver to Oregon? xoxox
Ha ha! Thanks, Kristine! You’re obviously not the only Oregonian waiting for a cronut! xo http://www.oregonlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2013/06/cronut_impostors_pop_up_throug.html
I started nutrisystem last month. Not my greatest success. But I signed up for 5 months, so I’m hopeful. Nice to meet you. I look forward to reading more.
Let’s do this together. Feel free to email me if you need a little pep talk. Trust me, I’m a little freaked out over doing this, too. Thanks for writing, and I know you can do it!
Dear Lois,
I love your attitude and humor around all this. Even more, I love that you are embracing a change in your life. Best wishes for a great start.
Thanks, Jessica! The morning started with Jenny Craig cinnamon rolls so I’m good, so far! xo
Good luck, Lois. I tip my (invisible) hat to you. But I know you’ll do well because you’re motivated! When I see you next, I will wish I could be as thin as you. Hmm..
Can’t wait to hear about your journey.
Big hugs…
Cathy, I’m hoping for 10 pounds by the time I see you. Thank you for all your support, my friend. xoxo
I’m 100% certain that it will be a success because as far as I can tell, you are a person of strong will Lois!
P.S I know exactly how you feel as I adore chocolates,ice creams, donuts…that’s why I never have them at home, so whenever I seek them I have to walk or drive which gives me time to regret it! 🙂
Mary, I can’t keep them at home either — that’s my biggest downfall. Thanks so much for your support. It means a lot to me! xo
Good luck, beautiful-at-any-weight Lois!
Love you, Helene! xo
I sooooo get you.
Thanks, Elissa! Will be a fascinating journey!
You can do it! Sweets aren’t my downfall; it’s other carbs such as breads and potatoes.
But I remind myself I’m losing weight and changing my nutrition for a longer life. Please keep us updated.
I love bread, too, but since I won’t be going out for meals like we usually do, it should be easier to keep away from it. Good luck with your goals, too — we can do this together!
Good luck, Lois! Losing weight is a big challenge but with the right attitude and self-discipline, it can be done! You sound like you have the right attitude.
Thanks, Pam! Fingers crossed!
I can’t wait to see your progress my friend. Loving the Cronut still. Does this mean you can’t indulge with me–I’ll have to eat my Cronut all alone. The shame. The Shame. Only kidding. I’ll um, manage.
Estelle
Oh, we are having that cronut in NY no matter what! We’ll just have to walk there! xo
Good luck, Lois! You’ll do great. I’ve done Jenny Craig’s program a few times in the past 20 years (yes, my first time was in 1992!!), and it always works. Just eat ALL the food they recommend, and you will not be hungry. Losing those pounds feels soooo good!!
P.S. I’m so excited – – my WeMontage is in the mail, on the way to me! I’ll post a photo as soon as I get it up on the wall.
Thanks, Pamela! And I’m as excited as you are about your WeMontage. Can’t wait to see it!! xo
Good luck Lois. I did Jenny back in 2005 and am sure you will do wonderfully. You have that great spirit and drive. Might re-up again myself.
Ooh, we can do it together, Rae! My first breakfast this morning was cinnamon rolls so I’m off to a good start! xo
Good luck, Lois – I know you’ll succeed! Due to health reasons I’ve given up white flour and sugar – it’s been 5 weeks and I’ve survived – it wasn’t easy at first, but now it’s no problem.
Thanks, Sharon. I can’t even imagine giving up white flour and sugar. I’m so impressed, and hope you’re feeling great. xo
You will start feeling SO much better!!! Before you know it you will be craving fruit and veggies!!
Julie, that would be a miracle! My donut craving has been part of my life forever!
Well, Lois, I am looking forward to taking this journey with you!!!
Yay! Glad you’re here, Joni!
Well done Lois!! I find this inspiring, to aproach it with humor and passion. I now make my commitment – that I made last night after a very lovely dinner party with copious amounts of vino… Onward ho!
Brava to us all~
🙂
Yay! So happy you’re joining me! Post/email/scream whenever you need support! xo
You can do it Lois! We’re pulling for you!
Can’t wait to start Jazzercise this morning, Nicole! Thank you so much for getting me out of this chair! xo
You can do this… you have all of us behind you and the Fruit COmpany, LOL
Ha ha! So awesome! Thanks, Shauna!
what can’t i live without? Desserts? Biggest obstacle? Blogging for 8 hrs a day on a computer and not liking to exercise. Yeah, i could use a big push in the right direction. I like that you got to meet with a person to help get you aimed in the right direction. I look forward to hearing your updates.
PS>.never heard of a cronut before…but now I want one.
I am so with you. Do NOT look up cronuts — you will curse me forever.
Good Luck!!
I did Jenny Craig for a while (they stopped trading over here so had no choice but to stop) and I actually found it really tasty 🙂 I hope you like it as well!
Love the look of the cronut!
Breakfast and lunch have been very good so far. Am trying to avoid looking at the cronut picture!! Thanks for commenting.
That donut looks delicious but I am sure that the weight loss will feel better!! Good luck!!
Thanks! I think you are 100% right!
Lois – I did Jenny Craig a few years ago and it was great! The food was actually good!! You can do it! But does that mean our coffees with Pam are out?? :(:(
As long as I can still have my Starbucks iced tea — which I can — we are good to go! xo
Me Too! The annual medical results show that my cholesterol had jumped 40 points over the past two years. A real midlife wake up call. The Doc has given me a challenge for the next month – two days a week of healthy liquids (not alcohol). Looking forward to beating this. Lets compare recipes!
Those midlife wake-up calls are not fun. Let’s definitely do this together — email me or leave a comment whenever you feel like giving up on it. The good thing about Jenny Craig is that I won’t really have any recipes because the food is already prepared. I just have to add fruits and vegetables, which is perfect because I don’t cook!! Good luck and let me know how you’re doing. Will be thinking about you.
Lois, I’m looking forward to laughing with you through this experience. And thanks for educating me about cronuts. I promise not to eat them while reading the blog! Buona Fortuna.
🙂
Good luck Lois!! When you get the sugar out of your system and feel good it makes you think about it. Also, cravings go way down! I know you can do it….. Can’t wait to hear about the NEW you!
So far, it’s been pretty easy because the Jenny food is surprisingly delicious. Thanks so much for the support, Vicki!