Turned down by Jenny Craig: anyone else?

Food
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Thats the thing, human beings can be liabilities. Its within a company’s best interest - ANY company , whether you be Planned Parenthood or Jenny Craig to always play things safe and not put yourself in a place where you can get sued. They aren’t saying ALL people with diabetes who are on insulin cant be on the program. I have enrolled several. What their reasons are for declining some them? I have no clue. And I chose to take the side of not taking sides. I prefer to keep my job. I see the glass as half way. Not empty or full. I came here to bring some insight on as much information as I have working for the company.

As for what I can do? I can encourage everyone here to write, call the cooperate office (the more the better, bombard them). I am a mere peon with the company, so even talking to the regional managers will make little to no difference. However corporate on the other hand take in to account whos saying what. 1-800-jenny20 or 1-800-Jennycare (yes I know it has too many letters but it still works).

Id do the same thing and ask Nutrisystem why they do the same thing. They wont let diabetics be on their program at all. The only reason why I see it being tricky as far as signing a waiver - is it might not work the same in every state. Every state has a different laws they have to abide to - so many thats why they haven’t gone that route - or I could totally be wrong about that. Ive been wrong about plenty of things in my life :slight_smile:

62

Hmm you know there is a "ask the dietitian forum at the jenny craig website. Maybe they can answer why some people might be turned away.

63

I called their press office today (at 760-696-4160, which I found here), wrote a letter that I emailed to two different places, and am preparing a letter for their investor relations office. From my perspective, there is just no evidence that can support the claim that we would be liabilities for this company - any more than I am a liability to Toyota because I bought a Corolla. I plan to approach my endocrinologist and diabetes educator this week to ask for their feedback as well.

Heidi, being the non-diabetic on a diabetics’ support forum, please be careful about saying things like humans can be liabilities to a company. It’s not a cold, detached hypothetical for us - it’s our reality - and it doesn’t sit well coming from someone who doesn’t live it or face this discrimination daily, true or no. You cannot speak for Jenny Craig in an official way and we can’t ask that of you. And you don’t seem to understand our treatment regimens or health concerns, so you’re not going to be able to back JC up in a way that the majority of us will accept. I’m afraid you’re just making yourself an easy target for our righteous anger at these unfair, unbalanced, and unsupportable standards your employer practices.

64

Heidi,
I am sorry but you have your information about Nutrisystem wrong:
http://www.nutrisystem.com/diabetes

65

Did you notice they only say type II diabetes?

66

Wellllll! I wrote them and said that because of their action on this, I wouldn’t even recommend any of my non-diabetic friends and family.

I think with all the input we get on this site we can see for ourselves from others how they are losing weight. Take notes and observe and see whats right for you cause not all programs like JC and WW can assist you depending on your body tolerance.

Make a journal for 30 days to readjust your lifestyle, and see were the weight cupit is coming from. Anything from food, stress, exercises, and other habits.

Weight in everyday either in the morning or before bedtime. Record these numbers and compare week by week, and journal what kind of activities did you do.

Also, be good to yourself by spoiling cause no one can spoil you better than yourself. Like getting your nails done, a manicure. A pedicure is nice, they have the massaging chair that you sit in and its the most powerful massage you can have while having a pedicure. Besides, after the mishap with JC you need one of these.

Alot of options and roles play into your weight loss. Having a journal would allow you and your doctor to determine whats best for you.

For instance, the food you eat some foods not knowing it can and may have allergic reactions silently like a rash, acne, scores unexplained and of course weight gain.

Than of course, change your name and say you don’t have diabetes. Than if someone finds out, they can get you for fraud. But we should get them for false advertisement. I suggest that all our comments should be sent to the president of JC how this is upsetting.

And besides eating low carbs is just about everyones’ way of losing weight like the non diabetics as well. DUH!! Somebody needs to boycott them.

Anyways, ignorance on them. Patti

67

Though it may seem cold and detached to you, its all about how you read someones post and assume their intentions. I’m sorry me joining your discussion and presenting what I know seems to not of helped anyone. It almost seems your reply to me comes across as a “if your not with us your against us” kind of tone. I didn’t come here to pick fights. And maybe I haven’t been with my boyfriend long enough, but I have yet to experience second hand him being discriminated against because he has diabetes. I didn’t experience that with my aunt either. You cant look at someone and know they have diabetes.

68

I am sorry you came into the community at this moment, Heidi. The thing is that we did feel discriminated by JC policies for type 1’s or LADA in my husbands case, and when people feel this way they usually feel attacked and protective… and we had to pick up a side. It is personal for us, we have to stand up and talk or write about our side, this is what we do in this community.

69

Wow this is so wrong and discriminatory in my opinion. I’m disappiointed in Jenny Craig. To be honest with you, I think you’ll be happier with WW anyway. You’ll want to manage eating real food not pre-packaged expensive items. I wish you great success in your weight management. Shame on Jenny Craig!

70

That makes no sense what so ever. So now Jenny Craig is the new company to have a “pre-existing condition” clause in their contracts? I would have never guessed that Jenny Craig even had a health advisory board. Well, I guess their competitor, NutriSystem won’t mind that at all, especially since they have a full line of food and options specifically for people with diabetes.

71

I think you ought to just use Dr. Bernstein’s diet! I lost 10 lbs in 2 months, a nice steady pace. Choose a set grams meal target, forget fruit at first and be ready to lower your dosage quick. Glucose tabs in the pocket. lol
Going on with this theme, however.
Let’s say I recommend that someone lose weight. I recommend they go to a nutritionist at the local diabetes education center, right? No, it won’t work because the nutritionist believes she is covered by the ADA to say 45-60 gms carb per meal. So the person can’t lose weight.
If I recommend someone lose weight, I already KNOW and make sure THEY can manage the changes in doses that will come, yes? I ENSURE they know how to manage the dosage reduction, both Lantus and Humalog, if they are on MDI. And I ENSURE they know how to and are recording the grams of intake, the times, etc. so they are on top of it, right? There will be NO hypoglycemia along the way. THEN I suggest they tell me what they like to eat. I suggest a basic of what will fulfill the diet. But I put it in THE PERSON’S hands to then change dose.
JC doesn’t know about this part of the equation. And their lawyer has advised them of DANGER of weight loss and hypoglycemia. Costs money to have professionals advising them who know the ins and outs of diabetes. It’s fine for pumpers to diet away; they’ve normally learned the ropes. JC doesn’t know this, either.
But folks, there are a lot of Type 1s who have only been told to take 45 gms-60 gms per meal and take this/here it is, see it in this syringe/ amount of insulin. Especially in urban America. They’ve not been taught how to change grams of their intake nor have they been taught to change insulin -or which insulin - dosage. And they’ve gone that way for years and no one’s said, hey, you’ve been gaining weight on insulin. Let’s take a look at this. Let’s get you so you know how to handle weight reduction and moderation of diet.
JC needs local advisers to inservice them about how to know the knowledgeable diabetic person and the one who has a set dose and does not know how to change.
The question they need to ask is: “Do you change your own dose of insulin?” It will be answered by the unknowledgeable person with a set dose he uses and never changes. The person who knows how to change dose and does it regularly will answer their question with a lot of variety.

72

Khurt,

Regarding your quote: “Our Jenny Craig Consultants are not medical professionals and are not qualified to provide such education or advice related to diabetes management.”

They ask you to have your medical professional know that you joined the program so, if you are supervision of your medical team and they approve that you can be on the program why would they still deny you? I understand the liability thing but, I think as long as you are in contact with your diabetes team through the whole diet and maybe JC has you sign something covering any liability issues that you should not be denied. Why do they ask you to contact your doctor in the first place. I really think in the end, it is discrimination.

Ugh, should I fight this? LOL

73

Got an official communication from Jenny Craig, which does little to explain why do they turn down people with type 1 diabetes and/or insulin pumps:

"Hello Manuel,
Your request for information on enrollment in the Jenny Craig program has been forwarded on to me. First, let me thank you for your interest in the program. You are no doubt aware that the Jenny Craig program has helped millions of people work toward their weight loss goals.

Secondly, let me stress that the enrollment policies and procedures for the program are set to ensure safe and effective weight loss on a reduced calorie menu. The Jenny Craig Consultants who work with clients are trained in weight loss and in delivering the program; however they are not medical professionals. The esteemed Medical Advisory Board that provides oversight for the programs enrollment policies advises that certain medical conditions require medical monitoring during weight loss. These conditions include Type 1 diabetes, insulin pumps, complications from diabetes, and others. For this reason, clients with the specific conditions are declined enrollment at Jenny Craig Centres and at Jenny Direct.

The health and safety of client during weight loss is given top consideration for enrollment in the Jenny Craig program. Thus each and every potential client completes a Health Sheet. When a potential client indicates presence of any condition requiring medical monitoring, they are declined enrollment in the Jenny Craig Program and are provided a referral to a Registered Dietitian or to their health care professional.

Please feel free to contact me for any further information,
Regards,
Susan Budd

Susan Budd, MS, RD, LDN
Director of Program Development& Nutrition"

74

I had a 17 y old diabetic girl who wanted to go on diet,I started the plan for her,writing all what she eat in a week,then decrease it by around 500 calories with exercise,adjusting insulin dose to avoid hypoglycemia.Total insulin dosed was reduced and she lost her extra weight.

75

Manny , the response you received seems to me : JC does not want to move on the topic…is n’t it like changing one’s GP or other health care provider if the right connection is not made ??..the fact , that it is covered here on TU should make people think twice …JC will be the looser …this is were our strength lies …by number and intelligent members , who know about diabetes, pumping etc. , what works, what does not work, for one living with the disease . The letter appears to me to be a form letter , not a personal one …I could be mistaken .
PS I have not said anywhere , but here : …I like the choice of BLUE on the site :wink:

76

Whoa, what a lot of double talk that says nothing! Medical monitoring? Oh, please. CYA.

Ironic that JC info cites the importance of losing weight for PWDs & they’re endorsing the typical ADA guidelines anyway, yet they’re declining enrollment.

I’d like to know who sits on their “esteemed Medical Advisory Board.”

Infuriating.

77

No one with any particular credentials regarding Type 1 - here’s the link to said “esteemed Medical Advisory Board”

78

Nope, no one with any expertise regarding diabetes. Think the “esteemed Board” should receive a letter.

79

Wow! that wore me out watching. Oh, to be young again.

80

Manny:

Yup! It happened to me too. I even had a full letter from my endo in support of joining the program. They didn’t approve of the insulin pump. Talked some cr*p about control. I was more in control then than any other time!!! It’s bull! I’m cutting up my lifetime membership to Jenny and they can go suck an egg!

Lois La Rose