Jenny Craig Spokesperson Sara Rue Bares Her Bikini Body After an Incredible 50-Pound Weight Loss

CARLSBAD, Calif., April 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Jenny Craig, Inc., one of the nation's leading authorities on weight management, announced today celebrity spokesperson Sara Rue will be featured in a national marketing campaign baring her bikini body for the first time after her incredible 50-pound weight loss.* Rue, who currently appears on CBS's Rules of Engagement and co-starring in ABC Family's My Future Boyfriend premiering April 10th, struggled with her weight throughout her life until she joined Jenny Craig in December 2009, and achieved her 50 pound weight loss* in July 2010.  She's now gearing up for her May 2011 wedding to fiance Kevin Price, and looks forward to a fun, active and carefree honeymoon with her new beach body.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110406/LA78128-a)

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110406/LA78128-b)

"I can sympathize with women who avoid the beach because they don't want to put on a bathing suit," said Rue. "That was me for most of my life. I missed out on so many fun experiences because I was ashamed and embarrassed of how I looked in a swimsuit, but eventually I got to the point where I didn't want my weight to define me anymore, so I did something about it. Now I feel like there's nothing holding me back. It's a wonderful, freeing feeling that I never thought I would accomplish."

Rue stepped into a bikini for the first time in her life, for a national Jenny Craig advertising campaign, which will launch on Monday, April 11th.

"If you would have told me one year ago that I would be in a national commercial in a bikini, I would have thought you were crazy," laughed Rue. "But now, I feel so confident and comfortable. What woman doesn't want to feel comfortable in a swimsuit? It's incredibly empowering."

To prepare for the bikini shoot, Rue focused on achieving a balance of being healthy, happy and fit, while exercising in moderation approximately four days a week.   For a glimpse of her workout and more, visit jennycraig.com/chris for daily, weekly, and monthly challenges developed by Jenny Craig's fitness advisor Christopher Ross Lane.

"Any God-fearing woman preparing to get into a swimsuit for a national commercial would of course be more diligent about her diet and exercise, but I always work out in moderation and eat a healthy diet thanks to what I've learned on the Jenny Craig program," said Rue. "I strongly believe that it's not about being thin; it's about being comfortable in my skin. I love my curves, and I don't want to lose them by overdoing it. I still want to look like a real woman."

Rue looks forward to embarking on her honeymoon after her May 2011 wedding.  She even plans to wear some of the bikinis from the shoot, while celebrating her new marriage in a tropical, beachy location.

"Before the weight loss, I dreaded wedding dress shopping because I was worried about my size," said Rue. "Now, I am standing in front of America in a bikini, and I feel so liberated. I know I am entering my marriage as the best 'me' I can be, and that is giving my fiance such a wonderful gift."

A self-described "emotional eater," Rue struggled with the cycle of losing and gaining weight, slimming down with various fad diets throughout her teens and twenties, only to regain the weight she lost. Since losing 50 pounds in 31 weeks,* Rue feels confident she can maintain the weight loss for the rest of her life.

"Losing 50 pounds and maintaining it for eight months is the greatest feeling," said Rue. "There were times throughout my journey when I wasn't sure if I could do it because I had never been successful in the past. As I kept going, my perspective changed and I learned that Jenny Craig really is sustainable. You have a personal consultant who gives you a foundation to build your eating habits on, including a plan B if you slip up occasionally. This is the first time I've really been successful, and feel confident that I can keep the weight off for good."

Patti Larchet, CEO of Jenny Craig Inc., said Rue is an inspiration for many women who struggle with the cycle of yo-yo dieting. "Sara's story of success is truly inspiring. Not only has she surpassed her weight loss goals, but she is confidently maintaining her weight loss," said Larchet. "Sara serves as such a great role model for others, by setting attainable goals and achieving them in a healthy way."

*Jenny Craig clients, on average, lose 1-2 pounds per week.

About Jenny Craig

Jenny Craig offers a comprehensive Food-Body-Mind program designed to help clients manage their weight by creating a healthy relationship with food, building an active lifestyle and developing a balanced approach to living.

With its tailored YourStyle® program, Jenny Craig is committed to a personalized approach to weight loss by offering each client a one-on-one weekly consultation and a customized weight management plan designed to optimize individual success. With more than 80 delicious Jenny's Cuisine™ menu items, Jenny Craig's program is available in-centre and our at-home program, Jenny Craig At Home.

Jenny Craig, Inc., based in Carlsbad, CA, is one of the world's largest weight management companies, with more than 725 company-owned and franchised Centres in the United States, Canada, France, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Puerto Rico.

About Sara Rue

Sara Rue is a critically-acclaimed actress best known for the roles she played as Claudia Casey on the sitcom Less Than Perfect and Carmen Ferrara on the comedy-drama Popular. Born and raised in New York City, Sara spent most of her childhood backstage with her parents, who were very active in the Broadway theatre community. Sara's acting career began at age nine, when she was cast as Kevin Spacey's daughter and Burt Lancaster's granddaughter in the film Rocket Gibraltar. Shortly thereafter, she won critical acclaim for her television series debut, starring in the comedy Grand.

Rue has guest-starred on TV shows Will & Grace as Joyce, the sister of Grace Adler (Debra Messing), in Two and a Half Men, alongside Charlie Sheen and in The Big Bang Theory as Dr. Stephanie Barnett, the love interest of Leonard (Johnny Galecki). Recently she has appeared alongside Patrick Warburton and David Spade in Rules of Engagement, and as the host of Shedding for the Wedding.

Apart from her roles on TV, Rue has also acquired work on the big screen. She starred as Sigourney Weaver's cellmate in A Map of the World and appeared as a scene-stealing social misfit in Can't Hardly Wait alongside Jennifer Love Hewitt. Sara was also cast in Pearl Harbor as a tough-talking nurse. Originally there was no role for the young actress, but she so impressed Michael Bay that he flew her to Hawaii, threw her in the scenes with the nurses, and told her to "improvise and be funny," which she did. In addition to numerous theatre, musical and Off-Broadway appearances, Sara recently began producing film and television, selling her first movie to Dimension Films.

SOURCE Jenny Craig, Inc.