Katie posted this at another forum and I thought it may help 'us' here.

"Caution: may need to read this more than once!

Now, I'm in no way trying to "buck" the system here, but just trying to make sense of all that's being said about Core and proposed changes. And I'm going on the premise that what our leaders have told us about the changes to the program is true.

I started thinking about the fact that WW is (reportedly) now saying that "if you make something from Core foods, and it is a commonly-accepted trigger food, then it's not a Core food." You know....they're right!! It would NOT be a Core food per se to make ice cream or snack cakes or breads because those ARE trigger foods for MOST people. So, WW is simply telling us that creating those foods is a bad idea & encourage overeating/bingeing---period. And we know that, right?? Of course, it is next to impossible for them to say WHAT foods are trigger foods for each of us, so they're saying that when you "create" a food that is a trigger food, that is not in keeping with the intention of the Core program, which is designed for you to always only eat to the point of your personal satisfaction. And, of course, if we binge/overeat something (for example, inhaling several slices of Core bread right after it comes out of the oven), that is not in keeping with Core principles.

Now, in my book, saying "cornbread made from ground cornmeal is not, itself, a Core food" does not preclude us in anyway from eating it within the Core program, with our own self-imposed restrictions <interjecting my own thought here -- at least until we get 100% total clarified that the way I interpret and my leader interprets --- breads not core, etc --->. And no where do they say that we must count Points for these foods, and thereby take away from the "freedom" that the whole Core program is designed around. Now, if our weight loss stalls, then I'm sure the 1st thing we would do is look at our consumption (if any) of the foods that we've eaten that are not Core foods that we may have used overabundantly---used beyond the point of fullness (which frankly is easy to do with "trigger foods"). I believe that we've just been assuming that if they say "it's not a Core food" then we have to count Points for it, and somehow "move" it to the same status of the foods not checked in the CFC/DOCl.

The Week One book clearly states that, regarding restaurant food (& we NEVER know fully what's in THAT!) "Use your common sense when judging whether or not a dish at a restaurant is a Core food. If you find yourself dissecting the food [to determine if there are NON Core foods in it], layer by layer (think lasagna), consider using your Weekly Points Allowance to account for it." So...at home we KNOW what's in it. Then, to me, if we make a recipe at home, and it's made from Core foods, it's either a "Core food," or, if it's something we may tend to overeat, it's a "Trigger Food made from Core Ingredients." Big difference--emotionally-speaking!

So, in summary, nothing has really changed along the lines of Core and non-Core. Trigger foods that we make are NOT intended to be part of the Core program (they should have put that in Book One, right??) but that doesn't mean they're not MADE from Core foods, and can't be eaten on the Core PROGRAM--we simply need to use caution, as the foods placed on the Core program are each individually there because they are NOT common triggers.

Make sense?"

Eat it only if you count it or you are rewriting the core plan. This is not a mix and match deal where you bend the rules to suit yourself. I got to be overweight because I didn't know how to eat right - WW taught me and I trust them.

Susan,

No one is rewriting the program at all I think you need to go back and re-read and realize it is about the 'speculated/assumed' changes that some places have gotten and some have not.... There is so much confusion and this is basically what W/W is saying. Think about it!

Susan:
Our leader uses a WW'ism which basically means yes, you can adjust the program to fit your needs. It is okay! Just as with the point system - some people could eat at the top of their range and lose, some had to eat at the bottom, some used the flex points and some couldn't. If you feel that you have to be rigid - go for it. But Kelly is correct, you can adjust the program so that it works for you as you need to. 94% Kettle corn is not core for no other reason than some people overate it. If you can fit it into your program, use common sense and not overeat there is absolutely no reason not to. As with anything in life, you need to use common sense and be flexible.

Suzanne

And you know, there are no WW police! You can tweak the program all you want, and if it works for you - great! If it doesn't, tweak it some more, or go back and get rigid with it. What works for you works for you! Heck, my mom lost a lot of weight eating grapefruit and cottage chees 2 meals a day and a regular dinner. Kept if off for years - it worked for her!

Think i'd sooner shoot myself in the foot

I've realized after experimenting with CORE that I don't eat larger portions of most foods because A) I've been measuring things like corn and pasta forever and I'm now satiated with less food and B) the foods that are "red lights" for me are NOT on CORE. You can't make M&Ms out of CORE ingredients no matter how you combine them!

That said, the weight is coming off VERY slowly, only five pounds in nine weeks. But the program is painless and healthy and I can do it forever.

I'm a strong believer in doing what works for you, if you make comfortable, yet smart adjustments you aren't totally re-writing the program. We are adults and we should know what triggers us or not. In addition to others following CORE, I know what is a 'no-no' and what is not for me. I make CORE corn muffins and I don't binge on them. Potatoes are CORE and you can make mashed potatoes, but you know what I don't, b/c they are my triggers. This is not a sprint for me, but a marathon. I can deprive myself of enjoying my eating experience and being highly restrictive, but I would be entremely miserable and this journey would not be completed.