Pharmacy & Healthcare

Rethinking the weight loss resolution roller coaster

Did you already abandon your New Year’s promises? Don’t worry — there’s plenty of time to get healthy with Jenny Craig at Walgreens. 
Walgreens Stories
The post-holiday gloom has officially set in. There’s a winter chill in the air, credit card statements are causing buyer’s remorse over that Black Friday shopping spree, and those well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions have gone the way of your holiday decorations — currently boxed away and collecting dust.

If you’ve already deserted your 2020 goals, you’re not alone. In fact, January 17th is referred to as “Quitters Day,” since it’s statistically when most people give up on their resolutions. But that doesn’t mean you still can’t achieve what you set out to do — and if, like 42 percent of Americans, your list of resolutions include weight loss, we’ve got your back: the new Jenny Craig at Walgreens locations are opening at 100 of our stores around the country, offering a brand new way to approach healthy eating.

To give you some inspiration to rethink those short-term resolutions as long-term goals, we invited Jenny Craig’s own Briana Rodriquez, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, to share her thoughts on why personalized support wins out over absolutes and extremes in the quest to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. 
 
Why do you think it’s so hard for people to stick to their New Year’s resolutions?
 
Briana Rodriquez: People often view the new year as an opportunity for a fresh start, to make big changes — and it’s an excellent time to commit to healthier habits! But it’s usually hard for people to stick to their resolutions if they make too many or set extremely lofty of goals. While there is nothing wrong with setting the bar high, when your goals are unrealistic, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, which can lead to frustration. The second you “slip up,” you might think it’s all over. But it’s not!

A good way to look at the new year is as a starting point: Set a goal and continue to reevaluate and make other goals as you go. So, let’s say this year you want to lose weight — great! Now, take that goal and break it down into manageable pieces. Maybe you focus on your nutrition first by getting a healthy meal plan, following it, and figuring out what works best for you. Then, once you start to feel good about making healthier food choices, add something else like exercise to your routine. Small changes can add up, especially if you stick to them.  
 
Jenny Craig has been around for decades, while so many other diet trends have come and gone. What has allowed this weight loss program to stay relevant and beloved throughout the years?

Rodriquez: Jenny Craig has been around for over 36 years because our program is not a trend or a fad; it’s a program that is rooted in science and focuses on providing personalized support from day one.  In fact, Jenny Craig was recently recognized for the tenth consecutive year as a top diet in several categories the U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 Best Diet rankings.

Jenny Craig is an easy-to-follow plan that provides members with everything they need to be successful. We understand that many people struggle with knowing what to eat, when to eat, and deciphering the amount of weight loss information that is readily available today. Our program takes the guesswork out of weight loss with a structured meal plan, smart portions and great tasting food — plus, a personal weight loss coach to guide you along your journey and motivate you every step of the way.

Do you have an opinion on diets that cut out certain food groups entirely?

Rodriquez: You don’t have to completely cut out any food groups to lose weight or live a healthy lifestyle. And there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss. Diets that completely restrict or eliminate food groups are hard to stick to and typically aren’t ideal long term. Depriving yourself of your favorite foods probably won’t make you happy — and it’s not sustainable. Our personal one-on-one consultations will help you learn smart portion sizes — so you can still enjoy the foods you love while working toward your weight loss goals.
 
Why is one-on-one, in-person support so helpful to weight loss?

Rodriquez: Personal support is crucial because you always have someone in your corner rooting you on. It is much easier to stick to something when you know there’s someone that believes in you! On top of that, when you feel like you may be losing sight of your goal or have questions, you have someone to provide motivation and solutions that are tailored to you. There’s no script or auto-populated answers — you’re getting real feedback from someone who cares.

How will the new Jenny Craig at Walgreens locations help people achieve their weight loss goals?

Rodriquez: We know that if your weight loss plan fits your lifestyle, you’re much more likely to stick with it. Jenny Craig at Walgreens adds a factor of convenience when it comes to weight loss and better health — which is something that can make all the difference in today’s fast-paced world. You’re already going to your neighborhood Walgreens to pick up things that help you feel good… now, you can set yourself up for weight loss success while you’re at it. It makes meeting with a weight loss coach and getting healthy meals delivered to your doorstep easier than ever.

Jenny Craig at Walgreens services are provided by employees of JC USA, Inc., a Texas company.  Such Jenny Craig staff are not associates, employees or agents of Walgreen Co. or any Walgreens subsidiary or affiliated company.

Jenny Craig® is a registered trademark. Used under license.

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