Karen Johnson, 38, a Learning Support Assistant from Barkingside in East London was desperate to lose weight after the birth of her second daughter. Although her diet wasn’t particularly unhealthy, she was eating massive portions and feeling sluggish and unmotivated. Exercise had taken a back seat and she was also struggling with constant cravings for chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate!
Sceptical about diets – especially faddy ones, food replacement ones or those requiring whole food groups to be eliminated – Karen was getting a bit desperate until a friend mentioned Jenny Craig.
Although her diet wasn’t particularly unhealthy, she was eating massive portions and feeling sluggish and unmotivated.
“The idea of eating real food appealed to me straight away,” says Karen. “I would never have been able to stick to anything faddy – and certainly not for any length of time. I’ve seen too many friends lose weight that way only to pile it all back on later.”
So in April 2010, Karen started on the Jenny Craig Programme and was instantly impressed with the service.
“The food itself was really delicious – and the fact that it was delivered straight to my house and came in microwaveable pouches was a real bonus. I was eating cereals for breakfast, tasty filling soups for lunch and casseroles in the evening bulked out with extra vegetables. On the whole I wasn’t hungry at all, but you’re allowed two snacks a day on Jenny Craig so that was never a problem.”
Cherry very quickly realised what made me tick and her advice and support were invaluable. She dealt brilliantly with my chocolate cravings by suggesting I had a low-cal chocolate drink every evening after dinner which would satisfy my taste for chocolate without the calories.
Karen was also really impressed with her Jenny Craig consultant, Cherry.
“Cherry very quickly realised what made me tick and her advice and support were invaluable. She dealt brilliantly with my chocolate cravings by suggesting I had a low-cal chocolate drink every evening after dinner which would satisfy my taste for chocolate without the calories. She was also fantastic when I started feeling ill a month or so in and – having discussed things with the Jenny Craig nutritionist – worked out that I was doing too much exercise and not eating enough calories. My food was adjusted and I started feeling better straight away.”
Now down to a super slim 8 stone 3lbs having lost 20lb, Karen looks and feels fantastic. “I’m now on the Jenny Craig Programme maintenance programme, still getting loads of support and advice from Cherry about how to keep the weight off for good now I’m eating real foods again. In many ways, losing the weight is the easy bit – it’s keeping it off that’s the challenge.
But with Cherry’s help, I know I’ve cracked it for good this time. I’m running three times a week, eating a really sensible diet with smaller portions and have bags more energy.
I can even have chocolate now – but Cherry has taught me it’s all about balance, so I don’t eat it every day and when I do treat myself, I just run for a bit longer the next day.”