Jenny Craig Weight Loss Winners and Losers

Posted on Jan 12th 2010 2:00PM by Nicole Dorsey-Straff

"Seinfeld" star Jason Alexander has signed on as the newest face of Jenny Craig. Alexander hopes to shed 30 pounds as the diet program's spokesperson. "It was a deadly combination of I'm fat and they work," he told PEOPLE magazine about his decision to try the program. The former KFC spokesperson says he was attracted to Jenny Craig after watching footage of his own overweight appearances in film and television. Alexander hopes to lose what he's called "sympathy-weight" after gaining 15 pounds during each of his wife's two pregnancies.

Alexander isn't the first celebrity to get behind the diet. Over the years we've watched as many celebs -- from TV stars to musicians -- lost weight using Jenny Craig. But while some of the famous spokespeople have been able to keep the flab off for good, others packed it right back on (yes, we're looking at you Kirstie Alley!).

As Jenny Craig's most successful star, Valerie Bertinelli, can attest -- the hardest work begins once you've achieved your goal weight and you try keeping off the pounds permanently.

Click on the gallery below to see which stars found success on the scales using Jenny Craig, and which fell off the weight-loss wagon.

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Jenny Craig Winners and Losers

Kirstie Alley

The two-time Emmy-award winning actress claimed to have lost 75 pounds using the Jenny Craig program. A spokeswoman for the diet program for three years, the infamous yo-yo dieter made it down to a svelte size 8 and even stripped down to a bikini and a sarong to show off her success on "Oprah" in 2006.

Stephen Shugerman, Getty Images - Lester Cohen, WireImage

Getty Images North America

Jenny Craigs Weight Loss Winners and Losers

Stephen Shugerman, Getty Images | Lester Cohen, WireImage

Recent photos, like the one seen here, indicate that Alley has gained back every single pound lost on Jenny Craig, plus an additional 10 to 20 pounds! Making her, well, not the best example of how successful the Jenny Craig program works! The Golden Globe winner has also been reluctant to exercise consistently, which is part of her ongoing weight problem. Perhaps in retaliation, Alley has launched her own "phitness site" where she Tweets about her ongoing battles with flab, and wants to inspire other obese people by "giving phitness a phacelift." She said, "I'm going to lose 80 pounds. I'm going to be in a bikini again!"

Jill Johnson, jpistudios.com

Valerie Bertinelli

The once-chubby actress was 50 pounds heavier during her tumultuous divorce from rocker Eddie Van Halen back in 2005. On December 5, 2005, the self-proclaimed emotional eater filed for divorce, and chose to make her life healthier in many different ways. While her present companion and soul mate Tom Vitale went on the record saying he'd love Valerie no matter what she weighed, the Italian-American, pasta-loving actress gladly signed on as a Jenny Craig spokesperson in 2008 to transform her life -- forever. In one year, the 49-year-old actress lost 50 pounds on the Jenny Craig program.

Mike Guastella, WireImage | Jon Kopaloff, FilmMagic

Today, the much-publicized weight winner is not only slim -- she's confident, gorgeous and super-fit! "Exercise has become a huge priority for me since I've lost the weight. I ran a half-marathon this year and I plan to run a full marathon in the spring. Training with Christopher -- the coach who got me in bikini shape and is also leading my exercise DVD -- has been grueling. He makes me run over 20 miles a week!" she proudly blogged.

David Livingston, Getty Images

Queen Latifah

The Grammy Award-winning singer signed on to Jenny Craig in 2007 and after a rough start, she shed 25 pounds. The plus-size actress also famously went under the knife for breast-reduction surgery to feel more comfortable in her own skin. "It took me about a year and half to really do it [get the surgery]. I didn't want to get it. But I had lost 25 pounds and my breasts didn't go anywhere!" Recently, Queen Latifah, 38, said, "I joined Jenny Craig again to learn how to make healthier choices. With their help, I've also lowered my cholesterol by 20 points."

John Shearer, WireImage | Toby Canham, Bauer-Griffin

Slow and steady weight loss wins the race! The Cover Girl role model is sticking to the Jenny Craig program for at least another year to see if she can drop an additional 20 pounds. She's also maintaining her fitness sessions (cardio and hardcore weights) with her longtime celebrity coach, Jeannette Jenkins. "We are proud of Queen Latifah's achievements and are excited to continue the relationship," said Scott Parker, VP of marketing for Jenny Craig. "Queen Latifah embodies the healthy lifestyle principles and character that Jenny Craig stands for and we look forward to another great year," Parker said recently.

Astrid Stawiarz, Getty Images

Phylicia Rashad

Best known as matriarch Claire Huxtable on the long-running "The Cosby Show," Rashad decided to do something about her weight after getting winded while walking up stairs. The busy thespian signed on as a Jenny Craig spokesperson last summer hoping to drop 30 pounds. After losing her first 15 pounds last year, Rashad said, "The greatest change I am noticing is my increased energy level and ability to breathe more freely. The greatest change for those around me have noticed is my overall lightness of being."

David Livingston, Getty Images | Jamie McCarthy, Getty Images

After sticking to a 1,200-calorie-a-day diet for the better part of a year, Phylicia Rashad has lost 35 pounds. "For me, the wish to lose had nothing to do with appearance, especially with the roles I have been playing. It had to do with the way I felt and the way I was feeling inside." Filling the shoes of past spokeswomen Kirstie Alley and Valerie Bertinelli, the 61-year-old said that exercise is a vital component to her mind-body transformation. "I mix it up. I still ride a recumbent bike, I do some weight training, and regular Floor Barre exercises whenever I can. I also walk frequently. Jenny Craig is a lifestyle change, not a diet."

Paul Morigi, WireImage

Aretha Franklin

The Queen of Soul has been in the throes of body weight battles nearly as long as she's been famous. Franklin was actually "highly insulted" after joining Jenny Craig as a spokesperson two years ago. The 69-year-old singer briefly dropped 25 pounds on a 1,750 calorie-a-day diet. After quitting the program months later, she complained that she was "always starving." At that time Franklin stated, "I lost 23 or 24 pounds to begin with, but it's kind of a strain ... it's a strain because you're eating the Jenny Craig-type meals, which are very good. But you can only eat them for so long before you want some barbecue ribs or some pig's feet. Once you get off that Jenny Craig and start eating what you've been eating, it's all over."

Jesse Grant, Getty Images | Bryan Bedder, Getty Images

It's no secret she's had serious struggles with body weight. But she's been known to power walk and do some serious time on the treadmill when she's not touring. Alas, the Queen of Respect has some serious weight loss work to do these days – some claim she's topped the 300-pound mark. The one thing Franklin won't do, however, is head under the knife for gastric bypass surgery. "I would never, ever do that. I know many women who [had gastric bypass surgery] who are having a bad time now, unfortunately. It's nothing I would ever consider," she said.

Kevin Mazur, WireImage

From the latest star to drop the post-baby weight to which celeb is packing on the pounds --we've got the hottest celebrity diet news.

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Tags: celebrity diet, jason alexander, Jenny Craig, JennyCraig, Kirstie Alley, valerie bertinelli, weight loss, WeightLoss

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

EmilyB 1-16-2010 @ 2:12PM

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intheass2u 1-12-2010 @ 8:53PM

Kirstey is a nasty looking mess! She needs to get spychological help. How can she get so damn fat? What is she thinking?

Linda 1-12-2010 @ 9:00PM

You need to go back to school and learn how to spell... what were you thinking?????

Gloria 1-13-2010 @ 12:23AM

Intheass2u and Linda need to learn proper spelling and punctuation for clarity!

hookmrl 1-12-2010 @ 8:56PM

I think if these people gained weight on this useless crap nutra system go give the money back,it is simple eat in moderation and exercise

Kimberley 1-12-2010 @ 9:00PM

I gave Valerie credit in the beginning, but now I am sick of hearing about her "hot body". How much lipo was involved? I happen to know that a woman cannot lose all that weight and not have saggy baggy skin...so what did she do with hers? To me, unless you are fit from the beginning and just a few pounds overweight, looking like Val and not having dipped into the lipo deal is no real accomplishment. To me it is all medical cosmetic surgery or enhancements. Besides, she still looks like a fat pie faced girl like she always did.

cathy rohrscheib 1-12-2010 @ 9:04PM

kim she also is hooked up with a body trainer hehe when thats all you have to do is work out an play its all good

Jake 1-13-2010 @ 10:35AM

Actually, it was part of her contract with Jenny Craig that she couldn't have cosmetic surgeries and lipo. Jenny Craig is about showing real results. It is true that she had a personal trainer, but if you are serious about being healthy and looking good, then you've got to do what you've got to do and if that means hiring a trainer to show you how to work out correctly then all the power to her and the millions of men and women who have them. Jenny Craig is not a diet program. They are a weight management program. They teach you how to eat and losing weight is most people's desire but really its one of the bonuses of the program. They teach you the things that you need to make lifestyle changes and how to make the right decisions when you eat out. They even have a "Dining Out Guide" that tells you what you SHOULD eat when you go out to a specific place.

cathy rohrscheib 1-12-2010 @ 9:03PM

i used the subway diet long before gerod was a hit a turkey salad or cold cut every afternoon some fruit in the evening a sammy one time a week an sencable eating on the weekend lost about 10/15 in a month .just eating right an exercise about 2 a week

Lynne 1-12-2010 @ 9:23PM

I love Kristi, wish her the best..... she is beautiful

drea 1-12-2010 @ 9:28PM

This is so annoying. I'm not a fan of Spears, but she was never fat. She went from being uber skinny to being normal sized and then back again. I hate how people act like it's so shocking when a famous person is a normal size.

Philip 1-12-2010 @ 9:33PM

I am sick of seeing and hearing fat people on television! I work with fat slobs. They are lazy, they smell and they always have an excuse why they can't do something. The excuse is always has to deal with their size. They made themselves fat! It's not my fault! It's not anyone's fault but their own. They LOVE to eat! Fat people are just disgusting to look at and be around! I HATE FAT PEOPLE!

Joella Mortimer 1-13-2010 @ 6:08AM

Philip, dear Philip. I hope I am around when you need CPR or some type of medical intervention. I am a fat NURSE and would not aid or assist a judgmental creep like you. Believe me when skinny idiots like you are sick, somehow my FAT does not matter. You just want to feel better. You make me sick wiht your attitude.

c smith 1-12-2010 @ 9:47PM

i eat on a regular basis and drink lots of ice water and i have lost 45 lbs in two months i keep on the same diet you would think jenny craig and other diet programs would put people on their commercials that are not famous or stars to show that it is real some people can lose weight and keep it off a lot of it is exercise and sure i gain and lose like everyone other normal human being cause for one i couldnt ever afford jenny craigs program esp if it didnt work

Doc 1-12-2010 @ 9:57PM

Kirstie is ugly inside & out , while Valarie is
just a beautiful inside as outside... Within 15
minutes of the Oprah show Ms Allie was dumping Jenny
Craigs program , saying she was starting her own which
would be so much better... As usual Ms Allie failed
to see how tough Maintanence of dieting is...When
you have a goal weight you have something to strive for , plus everyone is telling you how great you look...Once there you forget & start cheating thinking you can lose back that 5 lbs, unfortunately
that quickly becomes 10 & then 75 lbs like Kirstie
Allie...

Gia 1-12-2010 @ 10:01PM

I'm so sick of hearing that if your overweight you must have "issues'. Why can't people be overweight simply because they like tasty food??

J 1-15-2010 @ 9:37PM

Only diet that can REALLY work for ALL

Eat less--exercise more---do it forever !

veronique 1-12-2010 @ 10:31PM

wow jenny craig she look like a drag queen a pre op not a post op wow this is hedeous , most american people be honest eat garbage food in a bag in a can this is cancer the molecules are denatured no proteins companies lie everything they do is lie and mothers don't cook lazy busy picking up boyfriends instead than cooking a healthy meal what a shame look at the 50 and 60's people are svelte healhty no they they do anything marriage don't work nothing workd family fragmented fat obese people lazy women think they are the queen of the universe instead than cooking from the scratch they shop for trinkets useless eaters

patricia ramsawh 1-12-2010 @ 10:44PM

I really love Kirsty Alley. She had me glued to the sofa in the mini-series, North and South. I feel bad for her. Kirsty, maybe you can just follow a simple diet from your nutritionist. My daughter follows the Denise Austin's Book. I can't remember the name of the book. But the food is good and it works.

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