About sharing the new WW Core program...

[fiftieslady]

Suzanne, thank you so much for giving us a board to discuss the Core program. We really appreciate all you do for us. I only began posting a few months ago but I have been a visitor since you first started. This board is so important to so many people. Good job!

[Zoe]

Well, my WW meetings are on Saturday monrings. I went yesterday and was all for this new CORE plan. I tried it yesterday but quit by late afternoon. Ok, not to worry.....it's too soon. I'll start Sunday. Today is Sunday and I once again tried to do the CORE.......Bong....wrong answer!!! I'm back on flex points in the morning.

I just can't do it.

[andreaphilip3]

zoe,
i dont blame you.. i like the idea of core but personally i feel they shouldnt be endorsing fat free stuff except skim milk& i also disagree wh eliminating light high fiber bread(limiting i coul see) but yet they allow ff yogurt which is full of sugar. dont know....

[Sheila53]

Just to clarify because you may have gotten some misinformation, they aren't eliminating light high fiber bread. You can have bread every day as long as you count it in your 35 additional points. Regarding yogurt, you can have the regular kind, again as long as you count the points.

[andreaphilip3]

ty but i meant in terms of it not bein core food.

[Zoe]

Hello again.....ok, so I tried the CORE twice and failed in the same day. I heard from others here that those who did it for a week has significant losses of 5, 6 and 7 lbs!! I am going to give it another "old college try" but this time, I'm going to plan and be prepared ~ the one thing I didn't do the first two times.......keep your fingers crossed.

[spryng]

Zoe, when you say you failed can you explain what happened?? I mean you do get those 35 weekly pts to use if you eat off the list so I'm sure you were OP but using some pts right??
The day I started core I fumbled a bit too, lol... I made red beans and rice and thought, wow! Core! Then I remembered (after I had eaten it) that white rice wasn't core (which is what I used) so I had to sit down and try to calculate the pts.... and then on top of that I made spaghetti bolognese for dinner that night (which is 100% core) but then I remembered I made hashbrowns for breakfast and couldn't have both potatoes and ww pasta in the same day, so I had to use more pts.... but I didn't let that get me down.. I just added up my pts and went on, everyday I understood it a little better and got better about planning my meals. And yes I think planning a menu ahead of time is key to success on core. Let us know how you do and if you really want to give core a shot, don't give up!!! :)

[Zoe]

Hi there ~ I think I was so excited about the CORE plan, thinking, wow, I can eat that and not count any points......holy cow, what a great life. At any rate, not being prepared was my downfall. I mean, just fumbling through the day, looking the the list of CORE foods.....I figure that I just need to prepare myself first. Yes, I get those 35 pts but how much good are they if I eat them all in the first day??? :lol: but like you, it's something you have to just get used to and think about......I have one question...on those foods that say "only one meal a day", that means if you have potatoes at breakfast or lunch, you cannot have another serving or pasta for dinner....I get that...but what about the amount? Is it still "until you are satisfied" or is it the serving size they list?

Thanks a bunch for your advice. I need all the help I can get. :)

[spryng]

Nope, no specific portions on the limited items... just eat until satisfied! And you are right, when you first begin it may be hard to do core if you eat all your weekly pts right away, lol... not impossible but hard. I'm out of weekly pts for the week myself, (did a little celebrating the last couple of days, lol) and I don't WI until friday so I just plan on getting some extra exercise in to earn some extra pts to use if I need them. But I have my menu for this week and everything on it is 100% core so I shouldn't need them anyway. But we'll see. When are you re-starting core? If you need any help I'm here for you or you could pm me if it's easier! :)

[Zoe]

I am going to do some planning today and possibly.....possibly start today. I've already had points this morning in the way of a bagel but I don't think that will hurt me. I hope to get on with it today though because between waffling back and forth between FLEX and CORE and the fact that I just started with a personal trainer (building muscle and all), my weight is NOT going down. :(

On my way out the door to church.....I'll let you know how I get through the day. haha.

thanks again.....wow, ww pasta, as much as I need? too good to be true. :)

[dannyb]

I just started WW last week and went to the Core plan - - it was what attracted me to it in the first place.

My suggestion to someone who "blows" through their allotment of 35 points early in the week is to stick w/ it but to give yourself a few extra pts each day to help you get through. I'm finding a single slice of WW toast at breakfast a real good use of a point!

I've made a couple of miscues - bought some bran flakes and realized afterwards that there is some added sugar and it is not 100% bran - so I add a point for each small bowl.

Here are a couple questions - are soynuts core? What about soynut butter? I would think that they are.

I REALLY like the rationale behind this program and am very excited about it.

[spryng]

soy nuts and soynut butter are not on the list, sorry! I double checked for you. But I'm sure they can't be high in pts.

[Riblet]

I'm glad to find a Core Plan board and this is my first post to this site. I've been on WW for almost 4 years (3 yrs 9 mos to be exact) and maintaining my goal weight for a little over 2 years now.
I am prompted to write specifically because of the posts created by Andrea and Zoe. I believe you are saying that WW is focusing on Fat Free products but my understanding of the new Core Plan (which I've been on for about 3 or 4 days now) is that the focus us on "whole" foods rather than "fat free" foods - even though, yes, there are many fat free foods listed as core.

My own experience this week is that I am eating foods I would not even think about eating before and am really enjoying the flavor of my food which in turn is slowing down my eating time. My sugar cravings are basically gone - which totally surprised me and I'm using about 2 to 4 flex (or whatever they call them now) points a day.

When I researched this plan - which I didn't think would work for me because I am a big bread eater - I realized that portion control is the key and making sure I eat a balanced meal with "enough" food - rather than overeating.

I hope this isn't too vague - but I don't want to repeat the plan verbatim - and I wanted to share my understanding of the plan.
I feel really good and am noticing my body and mind are reacting as well by not not thinking about food all the time, and having more energy.

I hope this is helpful in some way. If Core doesn't work for me, I'll go back to the Flex plan but I'm hoping it does because I feel good for all the reasons noted above and more.

Stay well and Good luck.

[andreaphilip3]

hi rib,

glad you like core. im not sayin that ff is the focus but i dont like the fact that its either eat ff cheeses and ff dressings or use points thats all. again.... just my op:)

[Riblet]

I have the same gripe - mostly because I love my Babybel Cheddar Cheeses (2 pts) - but I'm determined to have them every so often because I'm stubborn and refuse to totally give up anything. That would be like saying I'm never going to eat pizza again - (heaven forbid).

[Riblet]

Oh MY! Just saw my reply - sorry about all those icons -

[Riblet]

I can see that - I'm having to realize I will do what I can and then have that Pizza when I want it. (responded to your last post but it was lost. this is a make up reply).

[Riblet]

This is a test - have sent response twice to no avail.

[andreaphilip3]

hi rib,
i love pizza too!!!!

[chezz]

Hi
I am writing from UK and have been a WW member for 5yrs. I am 9lbs over my gold weight and would love to try this core way of eating to get rid of it. Our leader only knows what she has read in the papers about it! I understand that we don't get it till Jan and was wondering if someone could give me a hint or two how to do it. I know this is naughty but I am a member so maybe it's not quite so naughty.
I hope I havn't done the wrong thing in asking and please forgive me if I have.

Chezz

[chezz]

I found a list of foods and what and how much on the web :D I don't have to worry about getting any of you in hot water now :grouphug: I have my weigh in tonight and we are on holiday all next week so I can sit and read it all for when we get back.

Look forward to reading all your success stories when I get back :coffee:

Chezz

[busdriver]

:) Hi: Could you give me the e-mail address for the core foods? I started WW last night but feel the booklet doesn't list all of the core foods available. Thanking you in advance.


Busdriver

[Kelly_S]

If you are online paid member the list is at W/W and if you are a member there is a Complete Food Companion you can purchase to use in addition to the Week 1 Booklet.

[lighter]

I did buy the Complete Food Companion and thought it very helpful.

After my first 5 days on Core I had used all my 35 points. Some of that was eating things up in the refrig.
Week 2 I was a lot more careful and had a few points left by the 7th day to eat out. Week 3 and 4 I have had 20 points left on day seven to eat out.

I have used 1 or 2 activity points each day.

As a lifetime member, above goal I didn't think this would work for me but decided to give it a try. From Jan 1 until Mar 31 doing Flex I had lost 6 pounds. Why?? because I love sweets and incorporated them into my daily point allowance.

I started Core the day it was introduced and as of today I have lost 6 pounds. (plus 3 more pounds with Flex in August)

I do not get hungrey in the mid afternoon and don't even long for desert in the evening. This is a program I find easy to live with. I'm eating beef again instead of chicken or fish every night.

[derrydaughter]

HI guys, hope I can join in here. I have been on CORE since the day it came out as well, but totally blew it going away over the Labor Day holiday weekend, lost control, etc. But, for me, the scale is not budging much at all and I've been dissappointed, a bit. However, I must say that I was eating quite "well" before going on core, meaning in a healthy way.
I have been trying to stay on track and save up my flexpoints for weekends, as we like to dine out frequently. I am having a hard time finding resteraunts that have much to choose from, on core. Anyone having any successes with that?
Linda

[cateyes]

HI! My name is Teri and I just started weight watchers Thursday night. I originally thought I would do the flex points as I have done before, but now I am considering the Core plan. I would love to hear of any great recipes or tips!

Thanks!
Teri

[andreaphilip3]

welcome teri! :)

good luck on ww! im on my own low fat plan&started a special thread on this board. feel free to jump right in. right now its just myself and a friend of mine who is also on ww.
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47670

[zesa4]

I just started the Core Program. I was amazed by how good I felt so soon after beginning.I had been on the Flex plan for months, but am enjoying this program. I have several questions however, because I just went to a weigh in and not a meeting. I do need some help as far as whether or not the foods are only to be eaten at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. What about snacks or if you get hungry between meals. Help would be greatly appreciated.

[fergusonvt]

You can only have either potatoes or brown rice once a day, ie: if you have a baked potatoe for lunch you can't have either potatoes or rice for dinner. Couscous is allowed multiple times a day. For snacks I have either a piece of fruit or a container of FF plain yogurt with splenda and either vanilla, almond or maple extract. It's yummy and very good for you. 94% FF popcorn is also allowed and makes a great snack. My typical day's food is something like this.
B - Oatmeal with splenda and extract, or eggbeaters with veggies or a multigrain e-muffin with ff creamcheese mixed with splenda (yummy like a cheesecake topping). The emuffin and creamcheese take points.
S - Yogurt or fruit or popcorn
L - Core soup or leftovers from dinner the night before
S - Yogurt or fruit or popcorn
D - Some type of meat, veggies, couscous (I love couscous) or a potatoe, or brown rice.

Kathy

[pringles]

I started WW this past Saturday. If I had cold cereal for breakfast can I snack on Shredded Wheat cereal during the day. I am following the Core program. Is it unlimited or must I count it as points.

[myboy'smommy]

How does exercize work on Core? Can you count the pts against your 35?

[fergusonvt]

Cereal is limited to 1 meal a day and must be eaten with ff milk or ff yogurt. Any other that you have for a snack (if you had it for breakfast) must be counted as points. Exercise points earned are added to you 35 a week total whether you are doing core or pts.

Kathy

[myboy'smommy]

I don't get why you can have whole wheat pasta but have to count whole wheat breads -- aren't they essentially the same thing?

[Vickie]

I don't know if she is right or not, but my Leader told me that you are supposed to use your activity points on the day you earn them.

[fergusonvt]

I had heard that about the exercise pts. also. Frankly I don't always use mine because I would be making myself eat when I'm not hungry which is why I am doing this in the first place. The reasoning behind the bread being not core and the pasta being core is that bread is a trigger food for many people. Since the pasta is limited to only 1 serving per day I guess WW figures you can't do too much harm with it.

Kathy

[Italy2076]

I have to say, I've been on CORE for 6 weeks now and I've lost a tiny bit over 12lbs. I'm on fire!! :flame: I love it.

The easiest thing for me is to keep my morning snack and breakfast the same almost every day (it doesn't bother me) and make a big dinner on Sunday and use it for left overs on Monday and Wednesday. I try a new receipe from the WW Core Recipe threads or turn a flex recipe into core (if I can find proper substitutes) No matter if you're doing Core or Flex another key is Working out!! :tread: I've found through, searching on other threads that people are trying to turn core into flex foods but not counting points. There has been much controversy about "abuse" of Core. It's ALL about portion control. If you're serious about loosing weight you'll give up the sweets and non Core food to see results. It doesn't mean giving them up completely though. Use your flex points, they are there so USE them!! It'll satisfy a craving that could otherwise turn into a binge and ruin all your hard work! I have found that I'm really not hungry anymore, sometimes I have to force myself to eat.

We're all in this together, we wouldn't be on these threads if we weren't!!!

Good luck to all, I have my weigh in tomorrow, keeping my fingers crossed!!

[Returnee]

Hi Kathy: I'm new on Core (first week down 3.8#) but I didn't know about using exercise points. I go to Curves 3x a week but don't count anything for exercise. How does this work? Do I get extra points? Thanks for mentioning this. If I don't see a response on this board I'll remember to ask next week.

Nora

[Vickie]

Nora, I think WW says you don't get to "earn" activity points until week four. In week four, they give you a slide rule (similar to the points finder) which lets you plug in your weight, the type of exercsie, and the amount of exercise you do. The result is a number of activity points. My Leader told me that you are supposed to use your activity points every day and must use them on the day you earn them. These would be in addition to your 35 weekly points.

[fergusonvt]

Nora, she is correct, you must wait until either week 3 or 4 (I'm not sure which) but it is when you get the slide calculator to calc your exercise pts. I figured curves as 2 pts. a day and I have been going 4 times a week. I haven't been eating them though. I am down 14.6 pounds after my 5th week WI.

Kathy

[Candy21608]

How can I do the Core plan? What is it???? I've been on weight watchers, but i stopped it because I was moving to a new home and had to clear out my pantry..which was full of junk...i need to start up again and wnat to do core! what can i eat?

[Kelly_S]

Wrong! W/W gives you the info in Week 3 and it isn't limited to start earning them then. W/W does that so you are not overwhelmed buy all the changes the program has.

[jules4free]

Hi, I hope I'm posting on the right board! I have decided to try to start basing my eating on the CORE program. My mom brought me the book from Weight Watchers, where she's been a member of for a few years. I haven't really looked at it yet, but my aunt lost most of her weight that she wanted on it and likes the program. I lost 60 pounds two years ago by exercising and following the Weight Watchers program. About a year ago, I went on the Depo shot and almost instantly gained 20 pounds even though I was eating healthy and exercising. Since then, I've gained another 20. I'm very discouraged right now and disappointed in myself. I don't know what to do to motivate myself to be better. Therefore, I thought that if I wrote on the forum and asked anyone to give me a few tips as to how to start the CORE program, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, I am leaving in a week to go out to Arizona to visit family. We are going to go out to eat a lot and was wondering how to eat appropriately while eating out. My family is very big on eating out and we are eaters, so if I could understand that better, I think that would help a lot! Thanks for any info or support that you can give me!

[Katpo]

Jules, join us on the support thread (I think the current one is called EnCORE ...). Another thing -- browse thru the posts and you'll see what all we've been eating. And ask questions if you have them!! We're here to help!

[AAliceI]

Hi! I am new to the forum. I think it would be a bad idea to say I can eat all the WW pasta I want once day. I think you need to consider what is a portion- 1 cup?- and strive to stay with in that range. You may need cup and 1/4 the be satisified but don't need 3 cups! Core is learing the difference between hunger-satisfied and stuffed. That is just my understanding of the program. Eating all I want of anything is not core.

[Katpo]

Hi, Alice! Join us on the support board if you'd like! We discuss this type of thing all the time ... and believe me, we agree with the satisfied vs. stuffed thing. We all know how much it takes us to feel satisfied and for some it's more than for others.

Welcome!

[somethingtogive]

Hello All,
Boy am I glad to find this thread. At one time I went to WW meetings, it got too expensive, though it was very successful for awhile, then I stalled, then came the holidays and I gained. So instead of going back to meetings, I did it on line. Again awfully expensive, and only a little sucess. Then I used the free forums, I wanted to try Core, but there wasn't very much support on line for Core. Now I'm here. I admit, I'm modifying Core. I simply can not support eating low-fat, fake anything food.Yuk. Our bodies were not designed to digest many of the foods touted as healthy for us. The debate is on I realize regarding real vs. low (artificial) fats. I am finding if I simply stay away from processed flours, and sugars I am taking off the weight. Pretty effortlessly, (boy I wish this had a spell check). I keep a tally of the 35 flex points, but find that I don't have cravings for sweets so much and none for baked goods. If I do indulge I stop and check if I really do want it, frequently the answer is no. So I've lost 6 pounds this way so far, and we'll see if it keeps coming down and it still feels this good.