Nutrisystem vs Jenny craig

[mom2twinz3]

Anyone used either or both? I'm thinking of doing one or the other to lose some weight before summer.

I went to the websites to compare the two but would like to have feedback from people who have actually used the programs and have been successful (or not).

How do they compare as far as cost and what you get for your money?

Thanks,

Mary

 

[chris1gill]

I used Nutrisystem to lose 15 pounds, and it was quite easy... I followed the program to the letter & finished in about 2.5 months. That was a year ago... I've gained about 3 pounds since then, so I'm putting back to use some of the things I learned then...

The cost was about 270 a month & the food wasn't too bad IMHO... I stayed away from the chicken products though

 

[mom2twinz3]

Thank you. I am glad it worked for you. I haven't decided which to try yet, but hearing your experience helps a lot.

 

[k_null81]

Have you posted this on the WISH board? You may get a better response. Plus I would like to hear more thoughts on this also.

Kristin

 

[dvcnewgirl]

IMHO I could not eat nutrisystem food. Jenny Craigs food was much better.

 

[dg39]

I also couldn't eat the NS food. While it is much cheaper than JC, I found JC's food to be pretty good.

JC is more expensive,it cost me alittle over 100.00 per week, plus, you have to go their weekly for the consult. Although, they do have the home delivery plan and the consults are by phone, I think the delivery charge for the food is expensive.

All in all, I did lose on JC. I think its a pretty good diet.
NS works also.

Probably my post isn't very helpful, because I think there both decent diets, I just found that JC food was better.

 

[jackdis]

Hi. I just signed up for JC. I didn't get the food yet, so I'm not sure how it is. I have heard that it isn't bad. I did the 20 pounds for $20 plus the cost of food. It was about 100 bucks a week for food, a little more. I ordered for two weeks. The shipping was expensive.....but it's FedEx and some of it is on dry ice, so that makes sense. For me, the nearest center is over 30 minutes away, not on the way to home, work, or anything, so it's just so much easier for me. I'm also curious to hear what other people have to say.

 

[Teacher510]

I did NS back in 2003 and lost almost 40lbs and went from squeezing into a size 8 to wearing a size2-4. I ordered a la carte from the website for lunch and dinner only. I had my own snack at night. It was a really good way to adjust my way of thinking about what a portion should be. It's helped me to keep it off.

 

[mom2twinz3]

I did NS back in 2003 and lost almost 40lbs and went from squeezing into a size 8 to wearing a size2-4. I ordered a la carte from the website for lunch and dinner only. I had my own snack at night. It was a really good way to adjust my way of thinking about what a portion should be. It's helped me to keep it off.

That's a good idea! I hadn't thought of doing it that way.

Thanks to those who posted on Jenny Craig as well. The feedback on the food quality and expense is exactly the kind of info I am looking for!

Mary

 

[creativeamanda]

I liked the Nutrisystem food. I joined NS in May and lost 46 pounds. I dropped from a size 18 to an 8. Also, I ordered everything ala carte and chose things I knew I'd eat. Two of my friends have also been on NS. One has lost 82 pounds since Feb and the other 60 since Feb.

 

[creativeamanda]

Forgot to mention this: Nutrisystem food does not have to be refrigerated, but many JC foods have to be. Storage was a big concern for me.

 

[steph-in-ky]

I know this wasn't one of your choices, but have you thought about weight watchers as an option? I joined in October and love it. I have lost 32 pounds so far and find their program so easy to follow. Also you don't have to buy their food you can shop at the grocery and make your own choices. I pay $12 a week and go to a weekly weigh in/meeting. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

 

[suprgrlx]

I know this wasn't one of your choices, but have you thought about weight watchers as an option? I joined in October and love it. I have lost 32 pounds so far and find their program so easy to follow. Also you don't have to buy their food you can shop at the grocery and make your own choices. I pay $12 a week and go to a weekly weigh in/meeting. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

I second this. I did WW a long time ago and lost quite a bit of weight on it (about 60 lbs). Admittedly, I did gain more than that back because I stopped the program. When trying to get that weight off, I tried Jenny Craig because I thought it would be easier, but honestly it was a lot more work and I remembered thinking it would be easier (and probably cheaper and more varied) to do WW and just buy Lean Cuisines at the supermarket.

When I did Jenny Craig, I found it was a lot of work and I didn't enjoy the microscope of the weekly meetings. In addition to the $100+ every week for the JC food, you also had to buy extra dairy, fruit and vegetable servings, making it even more expensive. Also, there was a lot of planning and work buying all the food at the weekly meeting (no car so transport was difficult). Plus the storage difficulties a previous poster mentioned.

I saw an ad for NS on TV today (Shopping Channel) and I know they mentioned that you had to add the extra food to that too. I don't know anything else about the program or food quality though.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Teacher510]

I know this wasn't one of your choices, but have you thought about weight watchers as an option? I joined in October and love it. I have lost 32 pounds so far and find their program so easy to follow. Also you don't have to buy their food you can shop at the grocery and make your own choices. I pay $12 a week and go to a weekly weigh in/meeting. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Actually what I liked about NS was NOT having to make choices and deal with portion-size, etc. I just ate the meals and supplemented with fruits/vegetables and milk. No meetings with online ordering.

 

[rcraw45425]

I did JC 15 years ago in Birmingham, lost weight, thought the food was pretty good (back then, probably better now). It was expensive back then. I'm a "lifetime member" wonder if I'd have to pay to start back now that they've gone "online"? One thing I remember was I did great while eating their prepackaged stuff, but when I had to rely on my own portioning it slowed dramatically. I remember paying like $75 a week for food stuff back in '92, plus the weekly weigh in/meeting was a pain.

 

[mom2twinz3]

Actually what I liked about NS was NOT having to make choices and deal with portion-size, etc. I just ate the meals and supplemented with fruits/vegetables and milk. No meetings with online ordering.

That's what I am thinking too. I live in the boonies and can't do meetings. I'm afraid if left to make my own decisions I will give into temptation. I think I would rather start out with their lunches and dinners.

It sounds like a la carte is the way to go, budget-wise.

 

[Robinrs]

I was a spokesperson on my radio station for JC about 17 years ago, before my son was born. I lost about 40 pounds and loved it until I started PAYING FOR IT!! Uhh, nevermind! I was a vegetarian at the time and the price was still about $90 a week for food and I just couldn't afford it.

I agree with the Weight Watchers endorsement. I have always loved that plan. It works without a lot of money spent and anyone can do it anywhere.

 

[Lintasare]

Another vote for Weight Watchers here. I joined 2 weeks ago and have already lost 6 lbs. I don't go to meetings and I do everything online. It is only $65 for the first 3 months online and $16 a month after that. The website helps you set goals and meal planning. It even gives a calculator to figure out points values on many of your favorite things to eat. I like that I can eat what I want and like with moderation and still stick to the plan. I say give it a try.

 

[kfeuer]

Just did a search to find this thread, I remembered seeing it but didn't get to read it.

Anyway, I wanted to tell the OP that QVC has a Nutrisystem "weekends off" program for around $200/mth including shipping and tax. I'm waiting for it to come in right now. DH and I are both going to try it, and I think I'll be able to keep us within our same food budget (especially since we won't be eating out).

I just need something to make eating right easy for awhile. I need to lose about 70 pounds, but even losing just 20 would make me feel so much better. If I like the food, I hope to do it for at least a few months.

 

[mom2twinz3]

Thanks all! I think after researching and the feedback here, that Jenny Craig just costs too much for my budget. Thanks to the previous poster who told me about the QVC Nutrisystem. I will definitely check that out and will also look further into Weight Watchers because that seems the most budget friendly of all.

Mary