What's Your "Ideal" Size?

Have you seen the new Jenny Craig "My Ideal Size" campaign? The company's having a contest (the prize is appearing in a commercial with Valerie Bertinelli) in which contestants -- all Jenny Craig clients -- are asked to name their "ideal" size. I don't know much about the Jenny Craig method; I'm generally skeptical of organized "diet" programs (We can all thank Melissa, my Shape dietitian, for that. She was adamant that the best way to lose weight and keep it off for life is by learning to plan and understand your own food intake.). But I spent some time on the site recently, reading through the contestant entries, and I came to an interesting conclusion. I felt like I could pick out the people who were going to be successful at losing and maintaining, just by reading their description of their ideal size.

Let me explain: Size "Fit for Me" has success written all over it. Size "Hot for My High School Reunion?" Not so much.

I'm not saying that an event or another person can't be a great motivator. Sometimes, that's just the incentive we need to begin to make healthy changes. But "Hot for My High School Reunion" isn't just an end goal -- it also sounds like an end. If you've ever lost weight and tried to maintain it, you know that there is no end. A healthy, fit body is a lifelong commitment. What we tell ourselves, about ourselves, is an enormous part of that commitment.

It's tempting to say that labels don't matter. But they do. Telling yourself that you're healthy, strong, fit and committed is half the battle to long-term success. Following through is the other. Besides, what's hotter than being fit, strong, healthy and confident?

I've been thinking a lot about how I'd label my own ideal size, Jenny-style. The best I can come up with is size "fit and forget it." Doing what I need to do to keep myself fit, healthy and strong -- and letting go of everything else.

What's yours?

Comments

[Therapeutic Ramblings]

Being able to workout, feel healthy, and look decent.

[WeightingGame]

I'd say, "Long, lean and storng" for me. I vary so wildly with numbers - some stores, I'm a six, others a 12. Isn't Queen Latifah getting a ton of flack for this campaign? I think they tried to smooth things over by having her say something like "Size Me."

[Sagan]

Melissa sounds like one smart cookie.

I'm all about Size Happy/Healthy, myself.

[Roxanne]

Well, the mantra I use in the morning goes something like this:

I already have everything I need to be happy, healthy, successful, fit, and lean.

So, my size would be something like healthy/fit, which isn't necessarily "thin" by other's standards.

[Dara Chadwick]

Love these! Thanks for sharing everybody...

[Jessica]

Love these Ideal Sizes! What are you waiting for, you guys should join the challenge! http://www.myidealsize.com/Contest/Default.aspx
I agree with the comment about losing weight for a reunion. It IS a lifestyle change.

Ideal Size is meant to be a way for you to define your realistic weight loss success. Instead of telling people they need to get down to a certain size or number, Jenny Craig provides an easy way to control portion size and make smart choices for every meal.

As for Queen Latifah, her goal was to be a "Size Healthier" - and she did it! She's proud to have achieved her weight loss goal of 20 lbs. AND her cholesterol dropped 20 points.

Jessica
Jenny Craig Online Community Manager

[Dara Chadwick]

Thanks for stopping by, Jessica. Queen Latifah looks healthy and happy -- the ideal size for anyone!