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Jenny Craig Expands For Slim Down

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By LAURA KINSLER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 2, 2008

NEW TAMPA - That ubiquitous New Year's resolution to trim down in 2008 just got easier with the opening of New Tampa's first Jenny Craig Weight Loss Centre at Preserve Walk shopping center.

Known for using celebrity spokeswomen, such as Kirstie Alley and Queen Latifah, Jenny Craig is expanding its presence in the Tampa market. The company already had stores in Brandon and Carrollwood.

The New Tampa store opened Dec. 18, and the company is considering adding locations in Port Richey, Citrus Park and South Tampa. Each location sells Jenny Craig products and cookbooks and has full-time staff, many of whom are former clients.

Laurie Knirimen, who manages the New Tampa branch, said she joined the program after struggling to lose her "baby weight."

"I was 102 pounds. Then I get pregnant and gained 71 pounds," Knirimen said. "I couldn't lose it, so I started Jenny Craig. It was my 9-1-1 call."

Knirimen used Jenny Craig after her second pregnancy to get back to her original weight. Now she helps tailor the program to clients' individual needs and tastes. "We have a program that works for every lifestyle," she said.

The system uses prepackaged meals to reduce the customer's calorie consumption and to teach about portion sizes.

"Most people have no idea what a proper portion size is, especially when they go out to eat," corporate spokeswoman Gail Manginelli said. "We have a dining-out guide to help them make smart food choices."
Staff consultants help clients design their menu and monitor weight loss. The goal is usually 1 to 2 pounds per week or 1 percent of the client's weight. "We're looking for safe weight loss," Manginelli said. "We want to teach people to embrace a healthy lifestyle."

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 865-4844 or lkinsler@tampatrib.com.

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