Kirstie Alley: Weight Loss Success?

My theory is that the cost for the food is worth it if it keeps you on the diet. I always figured that when I was doing my worst eating, I was easily spending $100 a week on crap.

What I've found a bit interesting is how they started pushing her as a "success" when she was (is?) still clearly pretty chunky in the middle.

But she is such a pretty woman, it is nice to see her back closer to her "Cheers" figure.

Good for Kirstie she is getting better media attention and does look much more attractive, but is probably still on the road to more success in losing the weight. She can afford the route she is taking but I see it is lower calories and an exercise regime So what else is new? There is no fat acceptance in this world.

Goodness! I eat a lot better than that! I'm never hungry, and I've lost 45 pounds. I'll stick to my daily walking, and my balanced diet, thank you.

I watched that first commercial about "raining men"... hmmmm.
If I lose it, they will come.
Nice.

My wife was once on Jenny Craig and quit because it was to expensive and there was no obvious out at the time. It seemed that you would be eating Jenny Creaig foods forever. I suspect that this has changed and that there is probably some kind of maintenance plan now but my wife is much happier on weight watchers and having total control over her diet.

Jenny Craig is AWESOME and it WORKS!! Yes, it is expensive but it is the only program that has worked for me and trust me, I've tried almost everything short of bypass surgery (which I refuse to do).

The food is excellent. It doesn't taste processed or frozen at all. I don't like to cook (no time) and I like that every meal is thought out for you - just add a piece of fruit, a low-cal or no-cal beverage and some veggies, and you're good to go! Plus, you get snacks to munch on in the evenings. They're all yummy and don't make you feel deprived.

I've lost 30 pounds so far and I have about 70 more to go, so I will be JC'ing for a while. It will cost me a lot of money but I consider it money well spent.

$100 per week on food? I eat better than the crap she is eating, and I am talking about fresh veggies, fruits, etc. And I only spend about $35-45/week on groceries. As long as you have a healthy diet and exercise about 30-45 mins per day, you should be good to go. You will lose weight (if you are overweight) following a plan like this and will eventually turn it into a lifestyle.

If you read the details of the JC diet, it should be easy (and cheaper!) to copy them without actually joining.....It looks like 1400 calories a day and 6 small meals a day, plus 40 minutes of excercise. There you go, thats the formula.

i do find the Kirstie Alley Jenny Craig ads incredibly triggering....or "motivational" as a non eating disordered person would say. i bet they are making a ton of cash off her, and this will boost her career. Looks like a win/win situation for both JC and Kistie Alley.

It makes so much more sense to go to your supermarket and buy healthy food that you actually enjoy. I was on JC and I gotta tell you that food sucked! I lost 40lbs eating healthy and exercising while being true to a healthy way of life in the same amount of time I lost 27lbs with JC. You see I "cheated" on the JC plan because the processed food tasted that horrible. I know JC works for some but not for me. By the way, how much was Kirstie Alley paid to be a spokesperson and follower of the JC plan? I think she lost the weight out of a necessity to fullfill the JC contract no doubt. Sorry for sounding so harsh but I do question the reliability of products hawked by celebs paid big bucks.
Jonquility

I totally agree with those questioning the food you eat on the JC plans. However, I am not only concerned by the cost but also the nutritional value of these foods.

From following a friend of mine who was on JC a while back, she appeared to eat microwaved food almost exclusively. Surely this cannot be good.

I understand why it works for people because it gives the routine and takes the decisions about breakfast, lunch and dinner away (and therefore reduces the liklihood of temptation or ditching the diet) - but the actual state of your health could be deteriorating by eating refined and processed foods day in day out.

I agree 100% with Lana: It looks like 1400 calories a day and 6 small meals a day, plus 40 minutes of excercise. There you go, thats the formula.' Why not substitute in the fresh food with the $100 per week rather than the JC meals?

It would have certainly been interesting to see what results Kirsty Alley would have got on a fresh fruit and veg diet + exercise.

...and you have to wonder if JC paid for a personal trainer??? Who knows, maybe they put a "secret" ingredient in her entres or maybe they paid for a secret surgeon to give her a lapband. After the milli-vanilli and Ashley Simpson scandals I wouldn't put anything past Hollywood. : )

Yes.. I eat way more than that too and I lost over 40lbs in 6mths.. But I don't care how healthy you think you're eating.. You still need very good supplements to keep you going.

I think she has done a wonderful job of loosing her weight! No matter what anyone says about weightloss,it's not easy.It takes alot of will power,energy and determination! I've lost 82 lbs in 10 months by eating heathy and alot of exercise and beleive me it wasn't easy.It is getting easier everyday but there is always that temptation.I say good job to all of those people out there who is trying to get heathy by diet,exercise because it doesn't matter if your famous or not it is still not an easy thing to do!

I think it's all about portion control. Whether it is Jenny Craig food, Lean Cuisine or any other purchased 'diet' food, you will notice how small the amount of food you're getting. Bit different to a much larger helping you would normaly eat on your own dinner plate at home. For me too, the justification of spending $100's for Jenny Craig, etc. would keep me on track and not likely eat any 'forbidden' foods. Waste of time and money, otherwise.

That looks like very little food for 1,400 calories. I'd be starving on that. I've eaten around 1,500 for weight loss and it was a lot more food. I need soup, large salads, etc. or I'd go crazy with hunger.

Yes, I agree. Cut your calories down to 1400 dailly, exercise daily, and you WILL lose weight. I never doubt that! It's what MAKES me STAY at 1400 calories a day, yada, yada, sigh. I always applaud weight-loss by anyone, and KA is doing well! But I did try the JC food a few times (from a friend) and it was awful! I prefer Lean Cuisine or heck, some of WW's meals. A friend of mine lost 62 pounds doing all Lean Cuisine and WW packaged foods to total approx 1500 cal. a day. I agree with Ross, that there must be more in the way of FRESH food.

I would probably last not even a day on JC. I crave fresh foods and I eat very little processed stuff. I have to wonder about the JC "chocolate cheesecake" or "macaroni and cheese". Macaroni and cheese isn't my idea of a healthy meal, no matter how many calories are in it. 1400 calories a day, 40 minutes of exercise a day is reasonable but I agree with the other posters...definitely substitute that processed food with fresh stuff. You would probably be a lot more satisfied and it'd probably be cheaper.

If Kirstie likes JC, fine, it's her prerogative as far as how she chooses to lose weight. But I disagree with her "It's Raining Men" commercial. It perpetuates the stereotype that you have to be really thin to get men to notice you. That's the last thing women need to hear in an age of emaciated celebrity role models.

She makes money off her weight coming and going. First the fat TV show, and now the weight loss publicity. I will be surprised if the weight stays off.

http://ww.antiagingatlanta.com

One thing they don't tell you is it's $100/week for the food...but you still have to buy your own bread, veggies, fruits, etc. If you have a family you also have to buy food for them...

Yes, for celebrities cost is no factor. They can also afford the personal trainer to drag their butts out of bed and into exercise!

Young or old, thin or fat, I STILL think Kirstie Alley is, and always shall be (ST ref...?) a beautiful woman.

I think she has a genuine problem with weight, and I applaud her in trying to lose. If she's making money off it, even better for her.

Spectra, you've never had my "macaroni and cheese". 1.5oz whole durum wheat macaroni, 1 cup julienne carrot, 1 cup julienne zucchini or chopped green beans, 3 oz shredded chicken breast, sauce made from 1 cup skim milk, 2 tsp white flour and 1 slice low-fat American cheese. Delicious. Because of the slice of cheese I only have it once a month or so, I'm such a cheeseaholic I have to control myself. I make the same thing with tomato sauce all the time, though.

But yeah I agree with your point, it seems that this food is just tiny amounts of unhealthy food.

I find her "It's Raining Men" commercial to be insulting and degrading. As if men will fall out of the skies if we lose weight for them...would they feature the opposite scenario? I think not.

Wow, Jan, your mac and cheese recipe DOES sound good! That's what I call "Mac and cheese"! None of this powdered-cheese crud. The main thing with the JC stuff is that it just teaches you that you can eat 2 pieces of JC pizza and lose weight. But then if you go off the program and want pizza and you eat 2 pieces of Meat lover's...you gain weight. JC obviously changes the formulation of foods (putting in less fat, adding veggies, using more fiber, etc.), but they don't give the consumer any info about how they change the foods. So then it's that much harder to prepare the stuff yourself if you ever wanted to. I think programs like Weight Watchers do a little better at that aspect of it.

I agree with you, as it seems that JC is all about their own food, and not about real food. I think WW is a pretty good plan, except that I think it is too few calories (I went to a meeting when I was already losing, and they told me to eat around 500 cals less than what I was eating - thanks!).

If you think the food is good for you look at what is in it! It is all the stuff you should not be eating but in smaller portions so of course you lose weight but is all that processed stuff good for you? NO! The employees are not trained (except the ones who see Kirstie and they are flown in to advice her) Think twice----

I just read Sara's comments and went to the freezer to read my JC cuisine. Hydrogenated oils and high fructose syrup!!! Lots of other stuff I know is not so good.
I have a great counsultant who states they are trained in selling the products but make very little base pay so their earnings are on selling the food and other stuff.
She is a sweetheart but the other "girls" in the center are immature and not so sweet. There is a huge turn over and I can tell most employees are unhappy. I am lucky to have a great counsultant. Second thoughts on the food.

I agree with the first comment. I think that if you are dedicated and really want to lose the weight then the money should be pretty secondary (within reason). I have spoke with many people that have been through Jenny Craig and really liked it. But like any weight loss program you get out of it what you put into it!!

I have seen KA's commercials and I like them. My sister went on Jenny Craig and lost a lot of weight, however, when she went off, she gained it back and more so it was sort of money down the drain.

I'm trying to eat on a program that I can use for life. So far lost 9 lbs. (couple of weeks). I eat normal food and eat in restaurants and am choosy and don't usually eat the full serving (in restaurants). I'm just beginning and hope this works.

Jenny Craig sounds great, but it is very expensive. If your a movie star, great as who cares about the money. I have followed weight watchers years ago, and lost 90 pds in a 6 month time frame. If you eat vegies fresh, salads, no breads, no carbs, and less meat and more tuna, sardines, and a half of grapefruit after every meal, you will lose, as I am close to 500 pounds, and I have lost at least a good 75 pounds in the last 3 months. I can barely exercise, due to my health, but I am losing, and without JC. You can do it also.

I was in a car accident almost two years ago. Rec'd a spinal cord injury that prevents much in the way of sustained activity of any sort, even walking. The many meds they put me on all report weight gain as a side effect.... BUT I just bought myself a real strong juicer and I love it!! Oh my gosh you guys, fresh vegey and fruit juices and mixes are so different than from the stores. Anyway, guess what? I lost eight pounds this week!! Just from juicing, and yes, I'm still a carnivore...I also bought one of those little trampolines to sort of pad around on without the shock going up my neck....anyway...I cant just sit and eat vegeys and fruits even though I know I should, but this juicer is great. EIGHT POUNDS, and 32 more to go!!

this is to Jackie....U LOST 75PDS IN 3 MONTHS...THAT IS NOT HEALTHY! was it for health reasons..surgery..or just becasue you wanted to lose weight...either way its not healthy JACKIE!!!!!!!

Those who are talking about the JC food being unhealthy, unbalanced, or processed microwave food are forgetting the JC food is only a portion of what you eat. You ARE eating fresh healthy foods, and lots of them! You have to supplement the JC foods with your own fresh fruits and vegetables, skim milk, yogurt, even bread and other things. I sometimes get to add crackers with cheese and ham as a snack. I have never eaten so healthily in all my life, and I think that's why it's working for me. I love the JC program, and in general the food is really good. Could I come up with a balanced program on my own and not use their foods? Maybe. But if I could have, wouldn't I have by now? Having their dietitians develop balanced menus for me that I just have to follow is much easier.

I have Lost 38 lbs. in ten weeks. Eating ish Chicken Vegetables. and a grapefruit, Also Dring green tea,and Lots of Water

Ihave loss 67lbs in 10 months....in between taking small breaks to steady my loss and to make sure I am getting an understanding about maintenance. This is really working for me. I have just focused on changing my habits. I used to be a mayonnaise and butter freak and now I do not even miss them. It takes time..it is no quick fix...it is really aboiut changing your life and not being on a diet. It is not easy...and it is really important that you realize that you will have times when you are just goingto choose to do the wrong thing...is it the worse thing that can happen to you? no!You just do not beat yourself up and you move on and you behave realistically...knowing you cannot gain back the ten you lost by eating a hot fudge sundae! I think it is about being good to yourself and having the samepatience you would have with someone else with yourself! Mostly...believe in yourself! Think of your health....your life....breathing and living easier and healthier! It is about really, really loving yourself! Go for it! I am right there with you ...and succeeding and you can too!!!

you don't need any one,any pills,any companies to lose weight.Don't make them rich.

I just turned 50 and the only vegetables I've EVER eaten are potatoes, peas & corn. That's it. I have tried others in my search for better health but if I can get them into my mouth, I almost vomit. I just can't do it. For most of my adulthood, my diet generally consists of beer and chicken wings. And I don't over indulge in either. (Usually about 12 wings and 3 light beer once maybe twice a week) I honestly don't eat a whole lot of food...I know it's what I eat that's hurting me. I've thought about hynotism. But I wonder if it would really work. I really would like to change my eating habits without making myself vomit. Any suggestions are appreciated.

kirstie alley is a big fat liar
she has stated that at her biggest she was 206
this was published in two national magazines
now she gets on national television and states that
she has lost over 65 pounds
hey fat ass that would mean you why 135 ish
stevie wonder can tell that you why at least 175
jenny craig should be sued for letting you lie to
the over weight public
i feel soory for your kids their mother is a liar
admit it fat ass your biggest weight was at least 322

Good on Kirstie Alley for loosing more than 55 pounds.

"Randy Smith January 25, 2006 07:40 AM

She makes money off her weight coming and going. First the fat TV show, and now the weight loss publicity. I will be surprised if the weight stays off."

It's not like she got paid to put weight on. After periods of time without acting work, she was bound to put on weight without the pressure of media.
She's made the effort now to get back to healthy. I doubt she made money off losing weight, but even if she did, wouldn't it be better she lost all of that weight rather than be a walking-heart attack? Use logic. She was 220 POUNDS. Not miligrams or whatever- she was extremely over-weight and joined that Jenny Craig program for her own benefit.

I agree with some that Jenny Craig is a waste of time though. You can still lose weight without having to eat packaged/already made meals. But, that's just my opinion. Whatever diet plan works for someone, that's the way to go. YOU have to be happy with the program.

Good luck to everyone out there who are losing weight.

Nina - you have to read - she said she is/was around 500 pounds during that loss. It's VERY easy to lose that much, in that short amount of time, when you're that overweight. And it's not necessarily that unhealthy. Well, not in terms of anything critical, that is.

When I was up at 260 the last time, I lost 30 lbs in under 3 months. Double that body weight, and you'd see that 90 in six months really isn't that bad. It's the people who are 160 and want to lose 20 lbs that need to take it slower, because that's how your body works. You can't make a drastic change when there's not a drastic difference in your current and goal weights.

That's why people who have gastric bypass surgery tend to drop a LOT of weight quickly, often within the first 3-6 months. They're getting the nutrients their body needs (with the aid of vitamins) but not the calories their body thinks it wants.

It's true that Kirstie lied about how much she weighed in the first place. I think she's about 5'7" or 5'8" and said she was 220 pounds. At my heaviest I was 220 pounds at only 5'3", and let me tell you, Kirstie appeared a LOT more overweight than I did! It's a shame that she felt she had to lie about her starting weight, misleading many would-be dieters.

That sample diet above doesn't look healthy at all - too few calories and not nearly enough protein. No wonder we've since seen photos of Kirstie where she has obviously regained much of the weight - proving yet again that "diets" don't work. You need to change your attitudes and your habits for life!