Category: Jenny Craig

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before and after Jenny Craig

Actual unretouched photos of me!

Most people don’t know that I was a star of stage and motion pictures. Actually, I didn’t either until I saw myself on the silver screen! I was far too close to the handsome fellow on the left in the beginning and … unfortunately, the dieting hasn’t done anything to offset my short legs or my ‘crown of marble’ !  😉

However, allow me to indulge in giving a plug for Jenny Craig. Laura and I have been on ‘maintenance for nearly 4 years and Laura has never varied more than 2 or 3 pounds from her goal weight. I have  — let’s just say, I have had bigger swings– but thanks to the routine, I always pull things back into line. So , you ask, why don’t people lose weight when they know the benefits of better health, elimination and reduction of harmful medications , reduce depression,  and gain more confidence and energy are the result? Here are just some of the excuses I hear:

1) I never start diets on a Thursday ( or pick your day)

2) It’s all in the genes, I am supposed to be this size! Besides, everyone I know is just like me… a healthy large!

3) None of the programs work for MEeEeee !!!! ( the last word must be said in a whiny voice)

4) I have to give up all of my favorite things: lunches at the all-you-can-eat buffet, a bottle of wine and a few shots of liquor every night …and the quick stop off from work at the local cheesecake factory for a ‘ 5000 calorie snack’!

Actually, there are  only true 2 thing that are true above: number four and the fact that most chubby people have chubby friends which keeps the vicious chubby cycle going. So what do you do, what can you do? Ask yourself how important it is to be slimmer? If it’s important, Jenny should work for you. If it’s not important to you… live with it and smile when you pay for two seats on the airlines… but know that there really is a better way. It’s not easy, but it worked for me.

Good Luck… and I really mean it,

Roger

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feels more like the year of the cheetah

is this year going by quickly?

Various ‘Old’ people once told me that time passed a lot faster as they aged.  And finally, one day they woke up surprised to seeing an old person looking back at them in the mirror. I never thought of this as particularly comforting. My ‘belief’ was that age was a state of mind, and I still think it is… for the most part. And although I do admit that  one year does seem to fold into the next rather seamlessly , I  think there is a sensible reason for this. Most people enjoy the predictability of life when it comes on our terms and we find comfort in the routine. When life is routine and predictable , time passes quickly and hopefully more happily for each of us.

So many of my routines have always centered around food, oddly enough. So much so, that my daughter Karen after reflecting on my life exclaimed with astonishment that I was a ‘foodie.’  It’s fun when one can still astonish any member of the family. I have adopted a new comforting routine of a Sunday midday meal consisting of a  Spanish Tortilla that always seems to bring a smile. When one smiles, time does often feel like it passes faster and leaves us a bit happier.

Nothing brings family together better than a good occasion with great food (l to r) Laura Freberg, Leroy Sievers and Loraine Sievers (1980)
Nothing brings family together like a great occasion and good food! Left Photo (l to r) Laura Freberg, Leroy Sievers and Loraine Sievers (1980) Right photo: Kristin

So, find the routines — and food — you like and enjoy the journey and smile a bit more. This just may make you happier.

Roger

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Tortilla Española

serving size is 4 per pie and 336 calories (excluding Avocado) per serving
Nothing satisfies more that a Spanish Tortilla and still keep the calories under control!

Laura wanted the Tortilla Española or Spanish Tortilla to begin her week on a happy note. So what’s a guy going to do  ,after all,  I enjoy it too! I added a bit more garnish and some of my own black bean and sweet corn salsa … and it was delicious!

Here , again, is the recipe!

A recipe that our family loves:

a happy satisfied customer!

I hope you enjoy your day as much! Besides, Jenny Craig just might understand this recipe!

Roger Freberg

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Jenny Craig and resolutions

KSBY interview at Jenny Craig
3 years ago, our family started on a unique journey, we joined  Jenny Craig. Today, one of our local television stations — KSBY — caught up with us to interview folks about their new year’s resolutions. Between us we lost a rather large football player. Although this holiday season I jumped up a little bit in weight, I am still a shadow of where I started… and a long way from the original 427 when I was lifting. Of course, Jenny will help me take off this year’s holiday indulgence.

Laura talked about how much fun it was to wear a size 4 rather than a 16 and Karen likes to be mistaken for a basketball or volleyball player rather than the All-American and Southern Cal record holder in the women’s shot put. Kristin likes the fact that Jenny helps keep her weight under control to meet or exceed army standards. I like the fact that my ‘fat pants’ are size 36 rather than 46.

Once we reach our goal weight and find a comfortable range to stay in, then ‘maintenance ‘ isn’t much of a problem and Jenny helps with that as well. Jenny isn’t as much a resolution as accepting a more healthy lifestyle… and we enjoy our indulgences so much more!

Being on Jenny means you still can have wonderful meals... and you'll enjoy them more!
Being on Jenny Craig means you can still have feasts... just not as often and you will enjoy them far more!

Roger

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fatties and the chubbies who love them

0000aaaFATTIES

I remade the chart above in a monochromatic style as the original set by the CDC was not very clear. One can easily see the progression in increasing obesity rates in America. I haven’t been to Mississippi since ’84, I am sure I would be surprised! There are a lot of  Disney ‘Wall-E’ people out there!

Whether the increase in obesity was brought about by an aging population, changes in our diet or additives or by other environmental influences… the time to address this issue is now…. while you are still ambulatory ( while you still can walk). Here are a few suggestions to aid in making a better and lighter life for yourself:

1) follow a plan…

Initially, follow any plan to lose weight and stick to it ( I like Jenny Craig… someone once told me that it was ‘expensive’… but I will remind them that it is a lot less expensive than blood pressure, diabetic medications and the other foo that was given to me… now, I take nothing)

2) do it with a buddy.

According to the map above, the chances are that each of us have a few chubby friends… some of them may  like to lighten up. Ask them to join you in losing weight and you can do it together. Talking to someone who understands makes it easier.

3) the secret to a great program is to ‘stroll.’

No expensive gyms, heavy exercise or memberships are needed.  You also need not ‘power walk’ as that is not sustainable and boring. I like to walk to a coffee shop every afternoon for a break… and once after dinner… that’s all you need to do…. really!

4) don’t give up the culinary treasures you enjoy.

Just upgrade your culinary treats… but have them less often. Wouldn’t you enjoy your Thanksgiving meal more if you weren’t worried about how you’d feel or look afterward? Our larger meal is lunch and we have our finest on Saturday.

So, here are a few ideas to think about… that is if you want to live a happier, more active and satisfying life… but then, who wants that?

Roger

PS. I have been there,too.