Apple cider vinegar is a solution derived from the product of fermenting apples. The acids in it enhance digestion and discourage the growth of disease-causing bacteria in the digestive pathway. The minerals attach to the acids and counterbalance them when the digestive tract needs to be more alkaline.

Additionally, the acidic solution causes a fat burning effect to the person taking it. It also comprises of vital minerals, acetic acid, lactic acid, propionic acid, amino acids, enzymes and trace elements and vitamins and roughage specifically apple pectin and potash. The fermentation process supplies alcoholic apple cider that is merged with oxygen to create acetic acid. The pH of apple cider vinegar is highly flattering for the body.

Aside from the weight-loss benefits that this diet provides, here are some of the other health benefits that can be derived from apple cider vinegar:

? The fiber found in apple cider vinegar aids in facilitating regular bowel movement and proper waste elimination.

? It has remarkably high potassium levels. The potassium found in it, along with the other essences makes the blood less thick and thus will be of great assistance in the regulation of blood pressure.

? The excess in the dietary fiber contained in the solution is advantageous in regulating blood glucose levels, thus reducing the risks of diabetes.

? The vinegar is also helpful in alleviating flu or chest congestion. The application of this, mixed with pepper, can help ease congestion.

? The ingestion of the vinegar has been proven to relieve one who suffers from asthma.

? It has the ability to improve the functionality of pepsin and hydrochloric acid, which are essential elements in the efficient breakdown of foods during the digestion process.

? It is also useful in reducing cases of flu or chest clogging. The application of this together with pepper on the chest can help alleviate congestion.

? The diet provides minerals like calcium, iron, silicon, magnesium and manganese. These elements enhance bone mass and increase their strength.

Weight Watchers is a profit-making weight reduction plan that has three features: low-fat balanced nutrition, physical workout and group support. Apart from this it has always centered on long-term weight supervision and a dedication to a general healthy existence. The program is based on four basic standards: moving more, eating, building better habits and earning support.

This diet plan does not tell you what you should and should not eat. Instead, the program teaches some techniques you can use to combat hunger, and follow a personalized, calorie-regulated eating plan that best suits your lifestyle. The plan draws attention to foods that are rich in nutrients and you can make the actual selection based on your personal choice and the allocation of points.

The Weight Watchers Diet does not require you to eat less. Instead, it promotes smart eating. There are no foods that are disallowed by the said program. Each food is given points. The bases of the points are fat, fiber content and calorie. The Points System assists you in obtaining more value out of what you eat.

Below is an example of the allocation of points that the program has designed:

? No points for a cup of broccoli

? Two points for half a cup of cantaloupe

? Two points for a slice of bread

? Three points for a thirteen-ounce grilled chicken breast

? Four points for an ounce of chocolate

? Four points for a scoop of vanilla ice cream

? Five points for a bean of burrito

? Eight points for a sixteen-ounce steak

The point system designed by the program also aids you to avoid hunger.

This article reviews the Jenny Craig Diet program, discusses the associated costs and its overall effectiveness. I would like to say “Thank You” to my clients that provided input and shared their experiences with the Jenny Craig Diet program for this article. Without your input this article would not have been written.

The Jenny Craig Diet Program

A calorie reduction weight program that uses portion controlled pre-packaged meals to promote weight loss. They offer 1500 calorie and 1200 calorie plans. The Jenny Craig program requires a membership fee to join yet is currently running a promotion “20lbs for $20 plus the cost of food”. There is a catch to the promotion as you have only 3 months to achieve the 20lb loss of weight then you will have to join the Gold ($200) or Platinum ($300) Membership to continue. If there is a Jenny Craig center near you, then you can have a weight loss coach help you face to face otherwise you get the standard phone support. To acheive 20lbs in 3 months works out to 0.22 lbs per day or 1.6 lbs per week. When starting out on a diet program, these loss numbers should be achievable by everyone. Normal weight loss of 2-5 lbs/week is expected from many programs within the first 12 weeks. Jenny’s food comes in around $90 to $110/person a week. At 1.6lbs per week, that works out to $56.25 to $68.75 per pound of weight loss and that does not include your initial $20 to join. After three months you will have purchased in the range of $1170 to $1430 for Jenny’s food.

What did my clients experience with Jenny Craig?

Many of my clients that used this program commented that they hit a plateau within 5 to 6 months and then were put on the 1200 calorie plan. Within another 3-4 months they hit another plateau then the coach tried making changes to your food purchases and eating programs to keep them on the program but with little results. When they failed to continue to lose weight, the lifestyle coach accused them of not following the program correctly (cheating).

Clients Pros with Jenny Craig:

• Food is easy to prepare and the taste is not bad
• Plan is well laid out and easy to follow
• Nice to have a lifestyle coach to help you through the hard times

Clients Cons with Jenny Craig:

• Cost of the food
• Cost of the membership
• Lifestyle coaches are more like salespeople instead of a helping hand
• Exercise is not part of the program
• Phone support is difficult as you do not get the same coach each time
• Food can be salty at times
• Still required to purchase additional food from grocery store

If you stay with the program for 6 months and you will have lost between 25-40 lbs plus have spent in the range of $2340 to $2860 for the food, the initial $20 and either the $200 or $300 to continue. That works out to $3180! Now you see how Jenny Craig can afford those celebrity endorsements.

It is my opinion that this is a company that is using the “Weight Loss” umbrella to market and sell prepackaged diet meals. To be truly successful, the Jenny Craig diet needs to add TWO very important components to their program:

1. Add a tiered exercise program to help in the burning of excess calories and make your existing muscles healthier. Healthy muscles burn calories even when you are not active.
2. Teach clients how to eat using EVERYDAY foods from the grocery store. This is something that you can take with you were ever you go even if you go out to eat at a restaurant.

Like I tell each of my clients that are considering any product of this nature, “Pre-packaged food diet programs do not work for sustainable weight loss because you are not learning, you are just eating“.