The Jenny Craig Weight Loss Program - Pros and Cons

Obesity is a sickness that can affect anyone at any time. An estimated 65% of adult Americans are obese, and this percentage increases every year. Even children are not exempted, especially with todays fast-paced, convenient lifestyle and the influx of computer and video games. This is why many people are turning to weight loss programs to help control their weight.

Obesity 101
Obesity is the accumulation of too much fat in the body. It is usually measured through the body mass index (BMI), or the proportion of one's weight to his height. A more serious form of obesity, morbid obesity, occurs when the person is more than 100 lbs. overweight and has a BMI of over 40. If left untreated, obesity can cause serious complications including difficulty in motor movement, heart diseases, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Finding the cure
An estimated $56 billion is being spent each year on weight loss products and programs, including diet pills, exercise programs, and even surgery. Sadly, though, of this amount, $6 billion is being spent on fraudulent and ineffective weight loss methods.

The stars are doing it
A lot of people are attracted to weight loss product because of the ideal body image presented by celebrities. Stories of Hollywood stars going through the knife and losing as much as 60 lbs on weight loss programs have inspired a lot of people to lose weight on their own.

One of the popular weight loss methods today is the Jenny Craig weight loss program. This program is known for serving customers like Kimberly Locke, Kristie Alley, and Valerie Bertinelli. Hollywood has monitored how these actresses have lost weight through the Jenny Craig weight loss program, which has led to its huge popularity.

About the program
The Jenny Craig weight loss program has been around for over 20 years, with over 600 branches in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico. The basic program has not changed over the years and is considered healthier and more efficient compared to diet pills. The Jenny Craig weight loss program focuses on providing a fixed diet plan to help customers lose weight. It provides customers with a reduced calorie diet through balanced nutrition (60% - carbs; 20% - fat; 20% - protein) based on the Food Guide Pyramid. The program also boasts of personalized interaction between trainer and client. This makes clients feel more comfortable with the program, since there is a friendly environment and encouraging company.

Pre-packaged meals
The Jenny Craig weight loss program focuses on the use of pre-packaged meals. The program provides you with a fixed menu to aid in your diet. One downside is that these pre-packaged meals are often very expensive for long term consumption. This is why the Jenny Craig weight loss program is mainly for those who have the money to spend and continue on with the program.

Other programs
Over the years, the Jenny Craig weight loss program has developed a variety of other programs for its members. Some of them are:

Jenny TuneUp a trial membership running from a month or two. It includes one-on-one personal consultation, planned menus, and personalized activities.

Jenny OnTrack this six-month plan includes the same procedures, plus a personalized profile and weight loss success manual.

Jenny Rewards a one-year weight loss program plus product discounts, weight maintenance support, and increasing discounts for ongoing participation in the program.

Problems with the program
Although the Jenny Craig weight loss program can be effective, experts have pointed out a few flaws. The program boasts of a do-it-yourself weight loss method, using planned menus you can prepare easily. However, once the program is done, the client is left alone with no means of continuity. This can be dangerous because the client can revert to his old eating habits and gain back all the weight they lost. The costs of the pre-packed menus in the program can also be a burden. Clients who cannot afford the menus can stop their weight loss altogether.

Phillip England is a weight loss expert and Author of the popular report "The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret". To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know, please see http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com/secret