Hi all - my name is Cathy. I've been lurking here for a while and reading your wonderful & informative posts, but finally registered today because I'm getting ready to start either NutriSystem or Jenny Craig. I've searched the forums and read everything I can that compares the two, but I still have a couple of questions I'm hoping you good people can help me with.
JENNY CRAIG: I'm leaning towards JC mainly because the consensus seems to be that the food is much tastier than NS. And anything that will help keep me on any plan, including tastier (or at least less disgusting) food will surely help.
First question is, I wonder if some of you can give me at least a rough idea of price ranges for the program itself. I know there's something right now "6 weeks for $36" but what are other pricing plans? And if I do the 6/36, what will I have to pay thereafter for the program?
Secondly, can someone give me a rough idea of meal pricing? I know the shelf-stable items are cheaper than the frozen foods and that choosing more shelf-stable items is a way to reduce food costs, but I have no idea even what range of prices to expect.
I realize I can go to a center and ask all these pricing-related questions, but I'd love to have at least a vague idea of a range of pricing to expect before I get in there and get a high-pressure sales pitch! If it's a dollar figure that's completely out of the realm of possibility for me, I can save myself the grief of dealing with that in the first place.
Finally, I know you have to supplement with grocery store items, but is it possible to do with canned/frozen veggies & bagged salads? I literally have NO prep time available to me to deal with anything more involved. And on fruit, can I meet any fruit requirement with juices, applesauce or even fruit baby food? I'm one of those weird people who HATE almost all fruit (except the occasional banana)... it's a texture thing with me. Fruit literally gags me.
NUTRISYSTEM: I know NS is cheaper than JC because you're not having to pay for storefront overhead or the counseling time. And that the food is cheaper... but also less tasty. I've even heard some people say most of the food is downright gross.
So, first of all, is the food really that bad? Or are the cost savings compared to JC good enough that I'd be able to handle the difference in quality?
Secondly, same supplementation question as above re: veggies & fruits.
And finally, and this is a strange question... is "NutriSystem" printed all over the outside of the shipping box in huge letters? I would have to receive shipments either at work, where items are delivered to me from a central mailroom and all my coworkers would see the big box; or at home where it would be delivered in my absence to my apartments' leasing office, where again, the apartment office staff would see this box. While I don't mind those closest to me knowing I'm "dieting," the specifics of that are not something I want everyone else to know.
Thanks in advance to anyone and everyone who can provide me with any input on the above questions. I'm looking forward to either going to a JC center or ordering NS early next week.