If I decide to do the Core, when you eat like the fruits, meats and whole grains (rice, pasta, bread) how do you know how much of that to eat with your meals?

The Core has always confused me, so if someone could explain thier version of how they do it that would be great.

Loraine

With the Core Plan you are supposed to eat until you feel your hunger is satisfied. They way the leader explained it, this does not mean that you eat until you feel stuffed. You want to feel full enough so that you aren't looking for something else in an hour but not so much that you feel bloated. She said it takes time to develop that skill - to eat until you are no longer hungry. Most of us eat until either 1) we've finished everything on our plate or 2) until we stuffed or almost stuffed.

As long as you are eating strictly core foods - you do not have to measure anything. It's when you eat something that is not "core" for example a glass of orange juice instead of an orange - that you have to measure it, calculate the points and subtract them from your weekly optional points allowance. You can also earn extra points - "activity points" by exercising regardless of whether you are ding the flex or core plan.

Probably the best way to handle it would be if you plan your meals out for the week, keep a list of the core foods. If there's something that's not on the core list - like LF salad dressing - mark it so you'll know right off the bat that you have to measure it and record the points. This will also help you see if you're exceeding the weekly points allowance and make adjustments if needed.

When I started, I really hated the planning and preparing and scheduling and tracking but... every leader I've ever had said fail to plan = plan to fail and it really is true. If you want the program to work for you, you have to work the program and that means there is some preparation that has to go into it.

Hope this made things a little more clear. Good luck!

Happy explained it beautifully! I would add that I start with one serving equivalent of whatever I'm eating. If I get satisfied before I finish it (usually doesn't happen) then I don't eat it all. If I need more to be satisfied, then I have more. I don't worry about eating too much fruit and veggies since I know that isn't how I got fat. I try to be careful with the protein and the starch. Somedays I eat more than others. I don't worry if I eat a lot for a couple of days in a row. It usually levels off. My worst adjustment was stopping at satisfied. I personally love to be full.

On Core, I've learned to eat every 2-4 hours. It helps knowing that I can eat again without waiting for a full meal time. WW has new rules about food in between meals. I try to stick to the list if I can.

Good Luck! I hope you both join us.

Thank you both very much for your help. Your suggestions have cleared it up a lot for me. I am starting WW on the 24th of this month.

Good luck! I lost the weight and maintained the loss with Flex, but I occasionally use CORE (like this week) when I know I've been eating crap. With Points, I generally make good food choices, but not always. With Core, my food is generally healthier and includes more lean protein and more produce.

What are these new rules? about eating between meals?

Well said Ladies! Vickie Ive always wondered about the eating extra veggies or fruits.I always think If i have a second helping of broccoli,is this bad? lol thanks for saying that!

The new guidelines about eating btwn. meals are a bit more restrictive. Fruits, veggies, ff dairy products, WW fruities. I used to have a bowl of ff yogurt with sliced grapes and Shredded Wheat. Now I'd have to either cut the cereal out, or count the points for it.

Correct me if I am wrong, anyone, so I don't put up misleading info.

thats actually a very good question.I'm only on my second week of Core so I dont have the answer to this.On one hand you think its ok cause its all Core food but now they are tightening up on what you can have for snacks.I'm curious too!