I’m Actually Not Hungry – Jenny Craig Week 1

Last weekend I introduced you to the fact that I’m giving the Jenny Craig diet plan a go over the next few weeks thanks to a competition win. The night before I started the programme I had pretty much already decided that I’d failed, but that I was going to try my best to get a lot from this experience.

Yesterday morning I stepped on the scales in our bathroom not expecting a great deal. While I’d been good during the working week, I let it go somewhat on Saturday and Sunday. The verdict, though, was a 2lb loss. That’ll do. I’m actually not sure if that’s good or not (I’ll check with my consultant when I speak to her next), but I’ll take it.

One of my biggest worries was feeling hungry. In my mind dieting = seriously reducing your calorie intake. And while it is (I’m on the 1200 calorie plan – thats waaaaaay less than I would usual eat!), I have not felt hunger much in the first week. I’ve been ready for my meals, but haven’t been rushing around because I must eat immediately or anything. It’s probably to do with eating breakfast and snacking regularly during the day.

The week wasn’t plain sailing, though. On Tuesday I had an all day event where lunch was provided (and no facilities to eat my own – it’s a bit rude to eat a packed lunch when you are at something like that). So I did my best and was really good the rest of the day. Also, thanks to a birthday tradition in the office, there was a plethora of cakes to feast on – and I actually managed to resist. Just.

One evening I opened my Beef Lasagne (I love lasagne) to find much of it black, fur growing, and a really disgusting smell. Euwwwwwwww!

It was a sealed tray meal and so must have been contaminated when packaged – it really was rank. It sounds silly but it was quite upsetting (note I didn’t actually cry!) – I mean, I was really looking forward to it, I was very ready for my evening meal, and instead I had to settle for the left over lunch I’d not eaten on Tuesday due to that event. Unfortunately I didn’t take a note of the batch number or anything before I got rid of it (believe me, it went straight in the outside bin!), and so Jenny Craig can’t investigate; I hope I don’t find another one of those. Yuk.

I’m enjoying the food itself. Some of it, particularly the lunch time potato pots, looks like mashed up baby food, but once I’ve got over the looks of the meals they are quite tasty. There is lots of flavour, which is good as I do like my food to be interesting. The little snacks are nice too – cereal bars and crisps, they are nice with a cup of tea in the middle of the afternoon. And I have to say I’m liking the breakfasts too; instant porridge made with water was not something I was looking forward to, but it’s nice.

Something else I’m coming across is how much of a faff it is to cook two lots of meals. LincsGeek and I will normally sit and eat together, it’s an important time in the evening after a long day at work. Cooking is normally my responsibility, and I will prepare meals that we both enjoy. This month I am having to cook separate meals – more time, more preparation, more pans. It’s only short term, but I can see how this is going to get weary – it’s also very easy to be tempted with what LincsGeek is eating, although I’ve not stolen any of his dinner yet! I would suggest the  Jenny Craig programme is definitely easier if you live on your own.

So here goes week two. I started it by going out for a very early birthday meal – and I thoroughly enjoyed my three course dinner without feeling guilty. Back to it now though, and kind of looking forward to following my menu and making the most of the little pouches of food I’ve been sent. The menu for the week looks a bit strange though – one day I have pasta salad for lunch and then pasta bolognese for dinner; not exactly the varied menu I was expecting. But I will continue to do my best and make the most of my competition win – I’m hoping for at least two more pounds lost next Monday morning.

Please feel free to comment with your tips and suggestions – I’ve got three weeks of this left and need all the help I can get!