Linda,

It sounds to me you will do fine at WI. By being on the CORE program you are not eating processed foods which in my opinion are what really put on the weight. Tonight I baked two potatoes and then I fried them in a teflon pan with a little olive oil and my husband and I were very impressed with the end result. I also served salmon which I did in George Foreman's grill and also mixed veggies. You are so correct eating until you are satisfied and eating good wholesome food sure does make a difference.

I also went to the mall today and I took along two of those baked oatmeal cookies or whatever you want to call them, a peach and two prune plums. Ordinarily I would have headed for one of the fast food places. I have been on CORE for one week today and have lost 3 lbs. Of course, this is my first week on program and that could account for the loss. I will be anxious to hear your WI results.

Take care,
Anita

Good EARLY Saturday morning.....
Well fellow Core followers.............here's mys story, SAD but TRUE...this is what MY scale tole me bright and early this AM............ +.5
Now granted I did not meet my points target Sat - Wed (Hurricane Frances) and Thur and Friday I did Core........eating things (portion control) from the Core list, but things I would NEVER eat otherwise...like 94%FF popcorn, using Cornmeal to coat my fish, Brown Rice, Couscous, plus I usually w/i on Sunday so I will do that tomorrow....was very courious this AM..and couldn't wait. I am ok, with it, but had thoughts of NOT doing Core and just going back to Flex, but as I sat here and thought and thought, really CORE is very good for us....it DOES allow us to make much better choices....I managed to pick things I would not normally eat just because we could....bad choice on my part. I am NOT giving up.......I have 3 lbs to my WW goal, and have fought long and hard these past 12 weeks to get back to where I should be. I am a lifetime member who fell off the wagon, something I SWORE would never happen to me!!! I think the Core (for me) can still work, I know now what I must rearrange and what to stay away from and have learned in two short days that just because it is on the Core List....doesn't me I have to eat it!!
I will continue my journey and look forward to a successful w/i next week.
I will w/i tomorrow and let you all know what the scale told me.
I have printed out the corrections made to the CFC which is very useful and important information for all of us.
Well as I contiune my journey today I wish you ALL a great OP day and week, and successful weigh ins........Please let us know how you all do.....after all we are in this TOGETHER!!!...............L.J
My log in has changed I am now Sunny734 !!! but that's me!!

I am so glad to hear that you are going to give Core a chance. A full week on the program should show you better results. You are right about not having to eat ALL the Core foods and just because strawberries are on the list doesn't mean I have to eat the whole pint at one setting

It gets easier as you go along--if they just wouldn't keep complicating it for us

Have a good day!

Janette

LJ, I almost could have written what you wrote, I too am a Lifetimer who got off the wagon and am trying so hard to stick with Core, as I realize it's much better food choices for me. I am really working hard at portion control, still, as that is something I don't think ww stressed enough during the meeting when the announced core. Though, if you were attending meetings beforehand, you would have experienced a few "pre-core" meetings that were meant to teach us more how to handle Core.
One meeting was something like "how to eat well (meaning well for us not tons of stuff) at a buffet, the other was recognizing when you were truly hungry, etc. They are trying teach and train us how to eat properly and the right amounts!
Today (is it emotional eating as today is the 9/11 anniversary?) I am being SOOOO tempted and want something really rich, sweet and creamy - the ultimate comfort food scenario, I think.
So, I made Flan for my husband and it's only 80 calories a serving and I can have one serving tonight and use 2 of my flexpoints. I will satisfy that urge. Plus, as it's Core, I made sf, ff Jello chocolate pudding and had a serving right away. I am feeling better and still have 21 flex points left before my wi on Tuesday morning.
I've been journalling this week and have kept, on Core, in the old point ranges for my weight up until today. I wanted to "practice" eating Core in the right proportions, it's worked for me.
No, I don't see that the scale has moved so far this week and I have to stop obsessing about it. Each day, day in and day out the scale will change. It's the overall results I am going for, not immediate. Immediate is nice, we all know there are extreme diets out there that can give more immediate results, but this is safe, healthy and what one can truly live with for a long time.
I'm going to check points on a few low carb bread machine mixes when I shop this week. I am craving "real" bread and don't want to give my flexpoints up for that!
I still am not sure why whole grain lower fat breads can't be Core....however, I am totally going by the rules!
I have Bran cerial this moring with skim milk and a half banana. I didn't measure the cerial, I just put in what I wanted and then I was shocked - I couldn't finish it!
I had a grilled, lean, hamburger patty for lunch with black eyed peas and string beans. I love black eyed peas, they are so high in fiber and 1/2 cup is only 1 point, not a bad choice! Totally Core and totally good for me!
One more thing to say, LJ, abou the .5.... my ww leader warned that after a few days on Core that one might see a slight gain as we are increasing our fiber intake a great deal and slowing down our digestive tract. She joked that "once things get moving again" you will see the weight drop. That kind of makes sense, so don't give up!
Eat some fruit, it will "keep you on the go"!
Linda in NH

Very good advice Linda. I was a little worried about giving up my Raisin Bran as I have always depended on it to keep me on the straight and narrow but I found that all the fruits make up the difference.
I just love veggies--that's why Core was tailor made for me!
What you said about the overall result is something we have to keep in mind as it is sometimes hard to watch those hares when you (meaning me) are a turtle, but turtles have hard shells and can withstand the distance.

Hi all you CORE folks,

I, too, am one of those lifetimers. I have been having a problem with 5 to 8 lbs. trying to come back. However, after one week on the CORE program I have lost 3 of those lbs. and have only 3 more lbs. to get back to the two-pound limit. I, too, am eating a lot less this second week than the 1st. Also because I have totally changed my way of cooking my husband, who is a diabetic, is keeping his sugar under control. I am really excited about this because we all know that being a diabetic can play havoc with your overall health. I ate my Old Fashioned Oatmeal with 1/2 nectarine and a half banana. I also served a quarter piece of cantolope and, of course, my cup of coffee with coffeemate (1 pt.). I then went shopping and never really got hungry until I returned about 1:00 p.m. I am also into making those oatmeal bakes that I found on the CORE recipe board because they are something I can take along when I am away from home.

Ladies since I am probably one of the oldest person on this site I can only say this is by far the "very best" program that WW has ever put together.

Take care,
Anita

Nita, you go girl! Sounds like this is meant for you!
Also, Janette, I was surprised that raisins weren't a core food, but I guess it's all the sugar in them? Raisin Bran does have sugar in it, probably lots of it. I also saw that dried fruits (I think???) were not core foods, so my dreams of mixing dried cranberries with a non sugar added cerial for a "taste sensation" isn't going to happen.
However, I think whole fresh cranberries are probably core (will have to look them up) and I have this idea of making something with them.... spent some time this morning looking up recipes in my Frugal Gourmet Cooks American cookbook by the late, great Jeff Smith.
Have to add that Jeff Smith died of heart disease last year, poor guy. So, I guess a lesson to be learned is that all that wonderful food he cooked probably wasn't all that good for him. May he rest in peace! I loved him and his cooking show on PBS and have, I think, all his cookbooks. I began looking for "core" or core adaptable recipes through that book today and didn't see all that much, maybe why he's not around anymore, poor guy!
At any rate, there was an old New England recipe that caught my eye called Cranberry Fool. It uses ground cranberries, sugar and whipped cream and you blend them and serve them in tall wine or champagne glasses. Sounds tasty and elegant.
I began to think that I could cook (micro?) fresh cranberries, if they ARE core (still have to check) and put them in my food processor with Splenda and then mix them with either plain yogurt or a combination of plain yogurt and lite cool whip (which would add a point or two depending on how much one used?) I also gave thought to mixing with ff, sf, Jello vanilla pudding and layer that and the cranberry mixture like a parfait?
Also, in his cookbook were a few chili recipes that would work or be adaptable to Core, but lots of his recipes just wouldn't adapt all that well, sadly. Like I said, guess we know why he'd dead now of heart disease!
We shall take what has been learned about healthy eating, and learn from his demise, I guess? I sure don't want to die from having clogged arteries at 58! I'm 49 now and this is IT for me, I've got to make this happen and be healthy. Look at what's happened this past week with Bill Clinton, they said he was making "fast food" runs for burgers and fries in the middle of the night! Well, more than likely it was the Secret Service making those "runs" for him! At any rate, something we can all learn from.
I love fast food and "bad" things as well. I have to learn and this Core thing is teaching me better than flexpoints ever taught me HOW to make a few things that are "like" what I love to eat, but how to do a better job taking care of me!
Good luck to all!
Linda in NH

I hope that you all don't mind, but I would love to join in your board. My name is Shelley and I am 51 years young.

I have been lurking for quite some time. I have found some great information from all of you. I am trying to switch to Core somewhat. I am actually combining the 2 plans. I am a runner, and eat all my AP's. I don't attend meetings, I lost all my weight with the help of WW online, and the McSkinnys Loozing Floozies board over here. I am going through the change right now, and my hormones are all over the place. I really like the Core plan, because fruits and veggies are my favorite, although I must say that I am a carb addict at heart! Since trying to convert to the Core plan, I have had no candy, which is another big love of my life!

I live in Fl, and right now am fearing Ivan. I know that someone else here is from Fl. also, and had Frances to deal with.

Shelley
Thanks for posting...........................you have a great attitude including being 51 years young! I have you beat on the age and count everyday I am alive a blessing!

I did want to make a suggestion about your combining the Core & Flex Plan..........WW suggest that you do one or the other and not mix them..if you want to try both they suggest one week at a time. I would personally think it could be a bit confusing.The fun of Core is not writing down anything except the 35 Weekly points and good health habits ( and activity)!

As far as activity...it is great you already do that. The points you earn can be eaten the day you earn them and should not interfer with your eating.

Remember this is just a suggestion for you...................since you dont attend meetings I didnt know if you knew that or not.

Again........WELCOME!

Cin~

Thanks, Cin. I do know that, just from reading the posts on this very informative board. I guess I am just trying to ease myself completely and slowly into Core! It takes me awhile to jump into something new. Thanks for the warm welcome!

Good morning, Linda,Nita,Janette,CIN, and welcome Shelly and Hello everyone else on board!!
Well I weighed today like I said I would and sorry to say the scale still showed that !@#!@@!# .5 lbs. I am ok with it guess, and after reading that the change in the two programs would do that to my body I was happy. I battled ALL day yesterday...to Core or NOT to Core!!!!! ughhhh. I guess for me it is because I am a dessert person not such a big fruit eater, but I do like my Red Grapes and Bananas. I felt the two days I did Core that the weight was just sticking to me, felt very ver full to the point of uncomortable!
I did Flex yesterday and wound up with 24 pts for the day, and if I were doing core I than used 11 Pts allowances for the day......what to do, what do it.....it is so overwhelming for me. Guess because I want this DARN 3 lbs NOW 3.5 OFF, OFF OFF. My husband says I am a Points person right down to the Core
I already had my breakfast and it was more Pts than Core. An Alternate bagel with 4 slices FF Turkey = 2pts I already planned out my day, and most are Pts as opposed to Core selections. I am SOOOOOO confused. I am thinking maybe Core is not for me. If I can lick this dessert thing I have going on inside me then maybe I have a shot, but then again many of the allowables on Core I normally don't eat, like the Brown Rice, Pasta, farina, couscous, etc. Somebody save me from myself, I am making myself NUTS Today would be the start of my new week so what do you al think. Finally able to go to the grocery store and actually buy some neccessities (sp?) If I use today as my start day for CORE again!!! then I have used 2 of my 35 PA and I can change my other meals, but I was sooo looking forward to my FF hot dogs and 1pt bun, and my NOT Core soup for lunch.........see what I mean, I am making myself nuts (hahahha)
Well I will go through the rest of my day and take it minute by minute, BUT if I do CORE and the scale shows another + again, I know me, I will ber very upset, and then what, fight to then take off maybe another lb???
You all have been so supportive and I am glad I have all of you. We certainly are all feeling the same way about one thing or another. For those of you with the losses from Core these past few weeks...that is fabulous, but let me ask you was it after one FULL week on Core??
Keep us posted, and Shelly best of luck to you.........BTW, I am the one on the East Coast of Florida only been here 5 years, so this is our first incounter.....I wish you and all over on that side God's Blessing. This has been really something, and even here, all up and down our coast it is STiLL awful. Well friends, take care and lets stay connected.
Talk to you all later...........L.J.

CIN.......I meant to ask...........why can't we do both meaning...keeping track of the pts that we eat on Core? Is that what WW's means NOT to do?

Or do they mean something else?? Your input is as always very appreicated

Thanks......L.J.

Good Morning
I believe your hubby has a POINT!
You should not feel so torn.....stick with what you do best and am happiest with!

Husbands KNOW us well too!

Cin~

Sunny-I agree with Cin. Do what works best for you. I am not 100% Core either. We just have to do what works best for ourselves. For me, just not having any candy for the last week has been a miracle! What I have been doing is Core for the early part of the day, and using my AP's for the later part and night time, which is my worst time. I ran 10 miles today, so I have 10 points to use. I will probably use those points to have sf ff fudgsicles tonight and some ff cool whip. BTW, how often are you weighing yourself??? You should be weighing only once weekly. I used to be a twice a day weigher, and now I try to do it maybe once or twice a week. That way, the disappointment of not losing or gaining isn't such heartache. Take care!

The whole idea of core is that "freedom" to you is you can choose from a wide variety of food and eat as much as you need to be satisfied WITHOUT having to track anything except the foods that are not on Core.

If you are going to "point & record" everything..........why not stick with Points?

Of course you are free to do whatever works well for you..................I just view it as defeating the purpose but that is a pesonal opinion.

And pesonally I love not thinking about points.except my weekly ones which are easily managed to about 5 per day.

Cin

Baking cookies,brownies & cupcakes this afternoon. NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWthat is a challenge! (without tasting them)For teens Youth group tonight!