Turned down by Jenny Craig: anyone else?

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Permalink Reply by Chris Stocker on October 31, 2009 at 3:30pm

That makes no sense what so ever. So now Jenny Craig is the new company to have a "pre-existing condition" clause in their contracts? I would have never guessed that Jenny Craig even had a health advisory board. Well, I guess their competitor, NutriSystem won't mind that at all, especially since they have a full line of food and options specifically for people with diabetes.

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Permalink Reply by Leona Peterson on November 1, 2009 at 5:09am

I think you ought to just use Dr. Bernstein's diet! I lost 10 lbs in 2 months, a nice steady pace. Choose a set grams meal target, forget fruit at first and be ready to lower your dosage quick. Glucose tabs in the pocket. lol
Going on with this theme, however.
Let's say I recommend that someone lose weight. I recommend they go to a nutritionist at the local diabetes education center, right? No, it won't work because the nutritionist believes she is covered by the ADA to say 45-60 gms carb per meal. So the person can't lose weight.
If I recommend someone lose weight, I already KNOW and make sure THEY can manage the changes in doses that will come, yes? I ENSURE they know how to manage the dosage reduction, both Lantus and Humalog, if they are on MDI. And I ENSURE they know how to and are recording the grams of intake, the times, etc. so they are on top of it, right? There will be NO hypoglycemia along the way. THEN I suggest they tell me what they like to eat. I suggest a basic of what will fulfill the diet. But I put it in THE PERSON'S hands to then change dose.
JC doesn't know about this part of the equation. And their lawyer has advised them of DANGER of weight loss and hypoglycemia. Costs money to have professionals advising them who know the ins and outs of diabetes. It's fine for pumpers to diet away; they've normally learned the ropes. JC doesn't know this, either.
But folks, there are a lot of Type 1s who have only been told to take 45 gms-60 gms per meal and take this/here it is, see it in this syringe/ amount of insulin. Especially in urban America. They've not been taught how to change grams of their intake nor have they been taught to change insulin -or which insulin - dosage. And they've gone that way for years and no one's said, hey, you've been gaining weight on insulin. Let's take a look at this. Let's get you so you know how to handle weight reduction and moderation of diet.
JC needs local advisers to inservice them about how to know the knowledgeable diabetic person and the one who has a set dose and does not know how to change.
The question they need to ask is: "Do you change your own dose of insulin?" It will be answered by the unknowledgeable person with a set dose he uses and never changes. The person who knows how to change dose and does it regularly will answer their question with a lot of variety.

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Permalink Reply by Manny Hernandez on November 2, 2009 at 8:29pm

Got an official communication from Jenny Craig, which does little to explain why do they turn down people with type 1 diabetes and/or insulin pumps:

"Hello Manuel,
Your request for information on enrollment in the Jenny Craig program has been forwarded on to me. First, let me thank you for your interest in the program. You are no doubt aware that the Jenny Craig program has helped millions of people work toward their weight loss goals.

Secondly, let me stress that the enrollment policies and procedures for the program are set to ensure safe and effective weight loss on a reduced calorie menu. The Jenny Craig Consultants who work with clients are trained in weight loss and in delivering the program; however they are not medical professionals. The esteemed Medical Advisory Board that provides oversight for the programs enrollment policies advises that certain medical conditions require medical monitoring during weight loss. These conditions include Type 1 diabetes, insulin pumps, complications from diabetes, and others. For this reason, clients with the specific conditions are declined enrollment at Jenny Craig Centres and at Jenny Direct.

The health and safety of client during weight loss is given top consideration for enrollment in the Jenny Craig program. Thus each and every potential client completes a Health Sheet. When a potential client indicates presence of any condition requiring medical monitoring, they are declined enrollment in the Jenny Craig Program and are provided a referral to a Registered Dietitian or to their health care professional.

Please feel free to contact me for any further information,
Regards,
Susan Budd


Susan Budd, MS, RD, LDN
Director of Program Development& Nutrition"

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Permalink Reply by nel peach on November 2, 2009 at 10:16pm

Manny , the response you received seems to me : JC does not want to move on the topic...is n't it like changing one's GP or other health care provider if the right connection is not made ??...the fact , that it is covered here on TU should make people think twice ...JC will be the looser ...this is were our strength lies ...by number and intelligent members , who know about diabetes, pumping etc. , what works, what does not work, for one living with the disease . The letter appears to me to be a form letter , not a personal one ....I could be mistaken .
PS I have not said anywhere , but here : ...I like the choice of BLUE on the site ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Gerri on November 2, 2009 at 11:57pm

Whoa, what a lot of double talk that says nothing! Medical monitoring? Oh, please. CYA.

Ironic that JC info cites the importance of losing weight for PWDs & they're endorsing the typical ADA guidelines anyway, yet they're declining enrollment.

I'd like to know who sits on their "esteemed Medical Advisory Board."

Infuriating.

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Permalink Reply by MelissaBL on November 3, 2009 at 8:26pm

No one with any particular credentials regarding Type 1 - here's the link to said "esteemed Medical Advisory Board"

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Permalink Reply by Gerri on November 3, 2009 at 8:37pm

Nope, no one with any expertise regarding diabetes. Think the "esteemed Board" should receive a letter.

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Permalink Reply by Sohair Abdel-Rahman on November 2, 2009 at 10:08pm

I had a 17 y old diabetic girl who wanted to go on diet,I started the plan for her,writing all what she eat in a week,then decrease it by around 500 calories with exercise,adjusting insulin dose to avoid hypoglycemia.Total insulin dosed was reduced and she lost her extra weight.

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Permalink Reply by Lois La Rose on November 5, 2009 at 5:31pm

Manny:

Yup! It happened to me too. I even had a full letter from my endo in support of joining the program. They didn't approve of the insulin pump. Talked some cr*p about control. I was more in control then than any other time!!! It's bull! I'm cutting up my lifetime membership to Jenny and they can go suck an egg!

Lois La Rose

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Permalink Reply by Cathy Jacobson on November 5, 2009 at 6:13pm

They accept diabetics, and why they didn't take you, I haven't a clue.

However, for all the hype they give and other programs give they are hesitant to say yes and continue with you if you don't show progress, they blame it on the diabetes not their programs.

I was "released" from WW'ers in June because they said they stopped their scholarship program, but I believe it was because of my diabetes....since one of the leaders had confided in me that because of the slowness of my weight loss due in part to my "D", that the company couldn't afford to offer me a weekly scholarship.....interesting.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on November 6, 2009 at 7:38am

Hi Manny,

I was about to log out for the day, but my wife looked over my shoulder and had to give you her $0.02. She says Jenny Craig and NutriSystem are both lame because they send you the food, and don't do anything to teach you about controlling your portion sizes. She is in Weight Watchers and that is what they do there. You are given a "budget" of food (based on your current weight and gender) you can eat, so it's up to you to devise/decide on what you are going to eat for your meal plan. It forces the user to decide do I want (1) low-fat turkey sandwich on fiberlicious bread, or (2) a teaspoon of decadent ice cream... It's a social thing too: (1) you can go out to eat at a restaurant, (2) you can eat the same meal as your family, etc. You just have to account for how much you're eating.

She's being doing well on it and just recently passed the 10% weight loss plateau (she's lost 10% of her starting weight). I can't say what the actual weight numbers are/were, for fear of wifely retribution!! :)

You'd still have to figure out your carb totals and all that, but it's a good method for devising a sustainable eating plan.

Cheers, Mike

p.s. -- I tried WW and quit in protest after a handful of almonds cost me a 1/5th of my days food allowance. For what it's worth... I'm back counting exchanges, calories, and carbs...

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