Adding up ALL calories?

I've been adding up EVERYTHING that goes in my mouth on the calorie calender. I'm wondering about the "free unlimited foods" and if I should be adding them. I think I SHOULD because I'm eating them and they obviously have calories but if they are are on my "unlimited" list how can that be? Same with low sodium V8, I was told by my JCC to drink as much as I need for a snack....but that adds up. I called my JCC and I don't think she really knew what I was talking about and said we'd discuss when I came in on thursday.

I ask because I'm HUNGRY and I'm afraid to eat anything else, even if it's a "free unlimted item" trying not to go over 1200.

I don't know anything about Jenny Craig, but if you're eating it and it has calories then you're consuming calories.

1200 calories per day is really the absolute minimum you should be eating.

Sounds similar to Weight Watchers, which I did a few years back. Initially, it worked to lose weight, but once my weight started plateauing, I found myself eating massive amounts of baby carrots, tomatoes, cukes, and sugar-free jello. Not exactly the healthiest of diets. And when they tell you they are "0" points, that is for ONE serving. So - 6 servings of baby carrots later, I really would have been better off having a piece of chicken and getting some protein in my diet!

And, if you are HUNGRY, you should eat. Make sure you are eating 5-6 small meals, with a good mix of healthy carbs, fat, and protein. Also, for me, I find drinking calories doesn't help fill me up (such as one of the diet shakes or something like V. You might be better off having water and a piece of fruit and some cheese.

In the end, you need to find a diet that works for YOU. Yes, Jenny Craig does work for a lot of people, but it may not be the right diet for you. Trying to load up on a lot of 0 point foods might lead you to not have the right breakdown of nutrients.

One more point - a lot of people say 1200 calories is the "bare minimum." This is also a personal thing. First really determine, by your height and current/desired weight, if 1200 calories is really your goal RDI for weight loss (you can also go to a doctor to figure out what your real calorie burn is, or invest in one of the little bodybugg or fitbit gadgets). If you've been eating significantly more than that, work your way down to 1200. Few weeks at 1600, then 1400, etc.

Thank you for your replies! I am just starting out with Jenny Craig...used Nurtisystem a few years ago and was really successful, I have put back on about 20 pounds in the last year or so...too many margaritas and fatty foods with my girlfriends! Just trying to figure it all out. Thanks!

5'8...153