An exclusive chat with Amanda – check out her look of horror when she stands next to her lifesize “before” photo!

Find out how Amanda is getting her body back with Jenny Craig.

Amanda explains how Jenny Craig works and why our clients love us. Check out the wall of fame featuring some of our real life success stories AND our very own consultant Angela!

Month 2 of my Jenny Craig mission and I tried my jeans on. They’re still a bit tight but there is a definite improvement. The muffin top is shrinking and seeing real results like that is such a fantastic incentive to keep going. I’ve also decided to weigh myself at the same time every week once a week and not keep hopping on the scales every day. I’ve noticed my weight fluctuates and if I get on the scales and haven’t lost any it’s really demoralising. This way I can keep a true and honest record of how I’m doing.

That’s the totally brilliant news.  I’m getting compliments daily now as I’ve lost enough weight for other people to really notice, not just me!  This is really keeping me focused and more determined than ever to keep going – it may sound vain, but what’s not to like about lots of people saying that you look fab!!

The less brilliant news is that I’ve not actually lost anything for the last couple of weeks.  Apparently this is called plateau-ing – and despite being really frustrating and annoying, is very common as my body is adjusting to my new eating regime.  Infact, Danielle tells me it happens to nearly everyone and the last thing I should do is worry or give up (although there’s no chance of that – see above!)

As I’m now at around the halfway stage, Danielle is going to gradually wean me off having Jenny Craig food all the time and help me to incorporate my own food into the diet.  Some people apparently get a bit nervous at this stage, but actually I feel really confident about making the right food choices and – just as importantly – eating the right portion sizes.

I’ve just finished shooting my first Jenny Craig TV and press ads.  I was really stunned when the photographer asked me to stand next to a life size photo of me before I went on the diet – blimey, what a difference!

It shocks me because even at the start of the diet, I didn’t think I was really THAT overweight.  Denial is such a powerful emotion – standing next to Chubbs (as my before photo is immediately named by the film crew!) is a real eye-opener.

Overall, it’s a really good day.  I have some lovely dresses to wear and genuinely do feel incredibly glamorous and pampered.

I’m well on my way now.  It may sound strange, but I’m actually looking forward to continuing the diet  – not dreading it in any way.  At the risk of sounding cheesy, this has been such an enjoyable and painless experience – with such brilliant results – that I will miss Jenny Craig food and REALLY miss my chats Danielle ...!

Wish me luck – and don’t forget to ask any questions!

Hello again.  It’s been an interesting three weeks – loads to share!  I’m now so totally into Jenny Craig (they called it being “fully engaged”) but I’ll start at the beginning.

I found the first few days being on the Jenny Craig Programme brilliant if only from a lazy point of view.  Not having to worry about what you’re eating for breakfast, lunch or dinner on the first few days of a diet is incredibly liberating – and it makes my life easier whether I’m running around at home after Willow or working.

The food is genuinely tasty, too – and filling.  I can honestly say I haven’t been hungry at all, which I have to confess was a bit of a worry at the outset.

So far, my favourite dishes are beef tortellini, roast chicken with mash and the chickpea tagine.  There’s nothing on offer that I won’t eat – and I have been really pleased by the variety and the quality of the dishes.

I’ve had a manic diary in the last few weeks– lots of travelling and lots of filming – and was worried about going off piste, but encouragingly have found that Jenny Craig is actually very easy to stick to when you’re not at home, as long as you take a little time to plan things.

If I’m out and about or travelling over lunch or dinner, I steal Willow’s lunchbox and just take my food with me.   And for dinner, I supplement whatever I’m having with loads of veggies which Sean has with whatever he’s eating.  Simples!

Now onto the other main aspect of Jenny Craig, the personal consultant.  Mine is Danielle, who used to work at Jenny Craig in the US and is frankly nothing short of a marvel.

We have 15-20 minutes on the phone every week and these calls without a doubt are the main reason for my success so far.  Danielle is supportive and encouraging – but can also be quite firm when I’m wavering (I have had a couple of wobbles!)

The difference these calls make is amazing.  Danielle now knows me so can give me really personalised advice.

I’ve also tried to up the amount of exercise I’m doing.  In theory, this means more sessions with my personal trainer although in reality it’s not happened as much as I’d like because work has taken me away from home so much recently.  Then when I get back, all I really want to do is hang out with Willow (and give Sean a break from the childcare!) rather than hitting the gym.

I have more energy and I think my face looks a little thinner.  I’m now totally into Jenny Craig – Danielle calls it being “fully engaged”! -  so it doesn’t feel like a diet and it certainly doesn’t feel like hard work.

Watch this space!

Hello, my name’s Amanda Lamb and I’m fed up with feeling overweight and unhealthy.

There – I’ve finally said it.  I’m sure I read somewhere that admitting you have a problem is the first stage in fixing it and that’s where I am right now.

I may be familiar as the Scottish Widows lady – or as the Place in the Sun presenter – but although I’m in the public eye, the prospect of losing weight – and actually doing it – has been just as daunting for me as for anyone else.  So I’m writing this blog to share the highs and lows of my progress (they call it a weight loss journey at Jenny Craig!)

The funny thing about putting on weight is that you never quite realise it’s happening until it’s snowballed out of control. For ages now I’ve been telling people (myself included) that the reason I can’t do my trousers up and that my belly hangs over the seatbelt when I’m driving is because I’ve had  baby.  But Willow is now 2 and walking and talking, so I’ve reluctantly been forced to admit I can’t use her as an excuse anymore!

My x-moment – one of those “I wish the ground would open up and swallow me whole moments” happened not so long ago in a café that I have been going to for years.  My daughter Willow was about 15 months old and I was just about to pay for my cappuccino and muffin when the girl behind the counter gestured to me and ask when I was due!! I was utterly mortified and bitterly regretted the blueberry muffin I had just scoffed. I found myself making an excuse about the shirt I was wearing not being very flattering and fled!! I then realized something had to be done.

I think I became the Queen of denial and very good at covering up the bits I didn’t like!! I looked in my wardrobe and saw row upon row of leggings and empire line tops. My 2 secret clothing weapons.

I’m not suggesting that I’m seriously or dangerously overweight.  But I have made my living firstly modelling and more recently TV presenting, so the way I look is absolutely crucial for me, not just for the same personal reasons that we all have, but for my career, too.  Rightly or wrongly, the industry I work in cares about what people look like, so it’s even more important for me not to let myself go.

So – after a long hard look at myself naked in the mirror (not a comfortable experience, but I would recommend it to anyone who needs that final push!) I made a life changing decision to embark on Jenny Craig and get my body back.

I have a pair of jeans that I bought several years ago that I have never really been able to get into they now sit languishing in my drawer and I am determined to get into them. Every woman I know has this Holy Grail piece of clothing. The one that we all swear we’ll be in before the summer/Christmas. These jeans are going to be my weight loss test. I’ve decided that on the 1^st of every month I’m going to try and get into them and with Jenny’s help I will achieve it!!

I will be updating this blog with my progress so wish me luck!  And please do feel free to ask me any questions or send me any messages!