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I took the liberty of copying Es's last message here:

"Printed off the Weight Watchers International Internet message board:

Quote:

"There are now two options. The Flex Plan as we know it, and the new option is called the Core Plan. That is the one that you don't need to journal or track points. You just eat certain foods from food groups. Still the same 5 fruits and veggies, still the same water, still the same dairy servings, and still the same vitamins.

The foods in the Core Program are:

Whole wheat pasta
brown rice
no sugar added cereals
soups (non creamy)
You also have 35 flex points if you want to use them for foods that are NOT on the Core Program list.

If you do not want to change, you will still have the Flex Plan. WW is now offering 2 plans to choose from depending on your lifestyle, and you can flip back and forth, from week to week, if you choose. Members will absolutely love it, and the fact that you have a choice is the greatest.

All the new materials are wonderful, and new products are very exciting. WW is the best, and the best is yet co come. Stay tuned for the week of August 23rd."

Can't wait till Monday. I'm going to join so I can find out what's going on."


I'm confused! Is that the complete food list, besides the fruits and veggies? It certainly does sound as though they're trying to perk things up a bit. The elimination of counting points and journalling are a huge change! I'm interested in seeing how this plays out.

I had dinner last night with my friends from my old job. We all worked together, beginning 22 years ago. There are 5 of us, only 2 still work there. It was a wonderful evening, with alot of laughter. Seeing each other's children grow up, and now hearing the bragging about the grandchildren was a blast.

Have a great weekend!
~Jen

Ruth,
I was upset that Will got out. I really am not liking the twins anymore.
I know who is nominated cause I got the live feed but I won't spoil it for you.
I know about the food challenge. It is funny.
I love walking and riding bikes. I started Bowflex last week and will do the ball this week too.

Es,
Britts loved that. She said you can have her autograph.
Did you not get the hint with the word energy. AWW! That is so funny.
I hope you aren't too tired now.
Hope you enjoy Brandon. Don't let the co-workers take Sammy. I know it will be tempting.

Jen,
I am glad you had a good time. That sounds like a lot of fun.
I don't know why WW would encourage no journaling. They are ALWAYS telling us to write everything down. We must have to write something somewhere. I will hear a lot from my internet groups. If I hear anything I will let you know.


Here is what I found in another group about the new plan. We can keep the point program or use the new one.

"There are now two options. The Flex Plan as we know it, and the new
option is
called the Core Plan. That is the one that you don't need to journal
or track
points. You just eat certain foods from food groups. Still the same 5
fruits
and veggies, still the same water, still the same dairy servings, and
still the
same vitamins.

The foods in the Core Program are:

Whole wheat pasta
brown rice
no sugar added cereals
soups (non creamy)
You also have 35 flex points if you want to use them for foods that
are NOT on
the Core Program list.
The following items are No Count Foods. If you don't see a specific
food on the
No Count Food List, it's not allowed as a No Count Food. If in doubt,
leave it
out. NO EXCEPTIONS!

This works by limiting food choices. Whenever you want to step
outside the
No Count Foods, you must make a choice - use your Flex Points
Allowance (at its
full POINTS value) or don't eat it. For example, fat-free Cheddar
cheese is a
No Count Food. Opt for an ounce of regular Cheddar and it carries a
POINTS value
of 3. The same goes for any food combinations or recipes you make. A
cup of
chili from your favorite eatery has a POINTS value of 8.

When combining foods, to consider the finished product a No Count
Food, all foods
on the No Count Food List must be combined only with other foods on
the List. If
any other food is used, the entire product should be counted within
your
Flex Points Allowance.

Meats - Beef, Lamb, Pork, and Veal
Choose visibly lean cuts and trim any excess fat.

Beef
Bottom and top round roast
Bottom and top sirloin steak
Eye round roast
Flank steak
Organ meats
Round steak
Round tip steak and roast
Sirloin steak
T-bone steak
Tenderloin roast and steak
Top loin steak
Top sirloin roast
Ground Meat
Any type, 7% fat or less
Lamb
Leg roast
Loin chop or roast
Organ meats
Sirloin chop
Pork
Canadian-style bacon
Ham
Loin chop or roast
Organ meats
Sirloin chop
Sirloin cutlet
Tenderloin roast
Veal
Cutlet
Loin chop or roast
Organ meats
Round steak
Sirloin steak
Poultry - Limited to Chicken and Turkey
Trim any visible fat before preparing and remove the skin before
eating.
Chicken
Fresh, frozen, or canned
Ground poultry
Chicken or turkey only, lean or extra-lean
Turkey
Fresh, frozen, or canned

Fish and Shellfish
Canned varieties must be packed in water, broth, or tomato juice (not
oil).

Fresh, frozen, or canned, any variety
Meat Substitutes
Dried beans and lentils
Tofu, any type
Vegetarian burger, fat-free, frozen
Eggs and Dairy Products

Egg and Egg Substitutes
Egg, whole
Egg substitutes
Egg whites

Dairy Products
For items marked with an asterisk (*), 1 cup counts as 1 serving milk
product.

Cheese, fat-free
Coffee creamers, fat-free
Cottage cheese, fat-free or 1% fat
Cream cheese, fat-free
Dairy shake, reduced calorie*
Milk, fat-free or 1%
Pudding, fat-and sugar free*
Sour cream, fat-free
Yogurt, fat-free or 1% fat, plain or artificially sweetened flavored*
Weight Watchers Smoothies
Diary Substitutes
Soy cheese, fat-free
Soy milk, fat-free
Soy yogurt, plain

Grains, Cereals, and Starches
Refer to other page for an explanation of what qualifies as a
wholegrain food.

Grains
Barley
Buckwheat
Bulgur
Cornmeal (polenta)
Couscous (semolina)
Kasha
Popcorn, air-popped or 94% fat-free microwave-popcorn
Quinoa
Rolled oats
Rye

Cereals
Ready-to-eat cereals cannot be frosted or sugar-coated, must be eaten
with milk
or yogurt, and are limited to one meal a day.

Cooked (hot), any whole-grain variety
Ready-to-eat (cold), any whole-grain variety

Starches
Macaroni, any type
Noodles, egg
Pasta, any type
Rice, any type
Spaghetti, any type
Starchy vegetables (e.g., all potatoes, peas, corn)

Fruits, Vegetables, and Soups




Fruit
Canned fruit must be packed in water or juice (not syrup) and drained
before
eating (e.g., unsweetened apple-sauce is allowed but sweetened
applesauce is
not).

Fresh, frozen, or canned, any variety (Note: fruit juices are not
allowed)

Vegetables
Vegetables cannot contain ingredients that are not on the No Count
Food List
(e.g., regular refried beans, pork & beans, corn in butter sauce,
dried tomatoes
packed in oil, French fries, and sweet pickles are not allowed).

Fresh, frozen, canned, or dried, any variety including white and
sweet potatoes;
dried beans and lentils; and tomato paste, puree, and sauce (Note:
Vegetable
juices are not allowed)

Soups
Choose fresh, canned, frozen, or homemade soups made only with
NoCount Foods.

Bean soup
Bouillon
Broth-based soup
Tomato soup

Beverages, Fats, and Condiments

Beverages
Beverages containing alcohol are not allowed.

Club soda
Coffee, black, without sugar
Hot cocoa, instant, sugar-and fat-free
Seltzer, plain or flavored, unsweetened
Soft drink, diet
Tea, without sugar
Water or mineral water

Fats
Margarine, fat-free
Mayonnaise, fat-free
Salad dressings, fat-free

Condiments
Baking powder
Baking soda
Capers
Cocktail sauce
Extracts
Flavorings
Gelatin (unflavored and sugar-free flavored)
Herbs
Hot sauce (pepper sauce)
Ketchup
Lemon juice
Mustard
Nonstick cooking or baking spray
Soy sauce (shoyu)
Spices
Steak sauce
Sugar substitutes
Taco sauce
Teriyaki sauce
Vinegar
Worcestershire sauce

Luv y'all,
Terri

Terri, thanks for the info. It's much clearer now. Do you know if it starts tomorrow? The bar is called a Balance Bar then it small print it says for energy. I took Sammy & they went crazy over him. He was loving it. Points Police came out of her office to tell me how f***** ugly he is. She calls him Fugly. I felt like smacking her. I told her not to look at him & to go back in her office.

Jen, you're doing WW online right? Nice to hear you had fun with your friends.

Maybe since the plan is changing Zoe will come back.

Hi Dianne, Ruth, Janie & Sandy

Have a great day my Buds.

Love,
Es

Es,
My Italian blood is boiling. I can smell jealousy clear over here in Alabama.
She sounds like a class A Bi##. How in the world can anyone do that to someone? Even if Sammy was ugly to me (Which he is not) I would say "He was so ugly he is cute". To me there is no ugly dog in this world. They are all adorable. Hug that pup for me and tell him "Auntie Terri thinks he is absolutely beautiful." Tell the Points Police... Aw Never mind I am getting ready for Church and I don't want to have to ask for forgiveness.
TTYL,
Terri

Es,
Unbelievable, what a witch. That is completely uncalled for. You did well, telling her to go back to her office...though I'll bet you wanted to tell her to go somewhere else! She probably doesn't have many friends, does she?

~Jen

I love you guys. I really do.

Jen, I did want to say something else but I knew if I did we would have gotten into it. I joined WW. The new plan sounds so good. I'm starting it today.

Terri, some people just don't know when to shut up. She's just plan evil. I loved what you said about church & forgiveness. I will give Sammy a hug from auntie Terri & a hug back at you from me. Oh, and she said that phrase that people say about being so ugly he's cute, she can't understand that.

Getting ready for work. If I'm not back later that'll mean I got arrested for punching the b****! Kidding!

Love,
Es

191/189.5/150

Es,
I hope they have computers wherever you are going.
I see that your weight is in another decade. CONGRATS!!! I loved when I went from like 190 to 189. It looks so good.

Terri

Hi Girls

It was so busy at work today. We took one of the attorney's out to TGIF for her birthday. I had fish & roasted vegetables. They all had ice cream. Now you all know that is a red light dessert for me & I am amazed at myself. I TURNED IT DOWN. They kept pushing for me to have some but all I said was no thank you. I feel so good.

Terri, thanks for congratulating me. I remember when I was 170 & I thought I was so heavy. I'd love to weigh that now. I'm taking one day at a time.

Have a nice evening.

Luv,
Es

ES,


THAT IS WONDERFUL ES!!!!!!
Terri

Es, mi amiga, Congratulations on your will power (can you send me some, PLEASE???) Also having the fish and roasted veggies, YUM!

I'll be back later -- hi everyone!

Hugs,
Dianne

Hey....miss me? I'm home. I was discharged from Burke Rehabilitation Facility Monday. I'm still in alot of pain but I have meds for that. I walk like a 99 year old lady; actually a 99 year old lady walks better than me! I had a rough go of it in the hospital cause my pressure kept dropping and I kept fainting!! Spent 2 nights in ICU; quite a place!

This is going to be a long rough road. I have a home therepist until I can make it to an outpaitent facility and a lab tech comes in twice to monitor the bood. I'm on a blood thinner so they have to keep an eye on things.

I've definately lost weight, but can't think of staying OP now cause I'm healing.

I'll try and get back on occasionally but it's hard since I can't sit in a regular chair not can I sit very long.

But I wanted to say Hi and let you all know that I'm home and it's over!!!

Talk to you all soon....

Hi everyone. I just joined today and I am a WW member. Will be going to learn about the new core plan later this week. Do you mind another gal in your group? I am 46(47 on Sunday) married with 2 teenage boys. I live in Davenport,Iowa.
Lana57

Linda, welcome home! I'm so glad your surgery went okay and you're back home. Now it's an uphill road all the way. Take good care of yourself and concentrate on healing. I hope your pain lessens each day.

Lana, hi! and welcome. Another Midwesterner in our group I'm from the Chicago area. Good luck on your WW journey. This is a very supportive group, as you'll find out. Happy Birthday!

Es, you had a great trip to TGIF! I know how you love your ice cream, that was a big victory!

HI to all
~Jen

Hey Linda!!!!! Welcome Home So glad surgery went well. Sorry to hear about the pain, though and hope it lessens each day. We did miss you mucho! Take care of you, sweetie!

Welcome Lana You'll find good friends here - I have. I'm 51 am I really??!! OMG, I just scared myself! They changed the name of this group from Fabulous 40's so they wouldn't have to kick me out Now some of the ladies have caught up to me Good luck on your weight loss journey.

Jen - That dinner with your old friends sounds like fun - lots of catching up, I'm sure. How's the weather - have you been able to use the pool lately. Its been cool here in NY, but it feels good.

Es, amiga - I can't believe that witch/b***h of a points police lady! OMG, I probably would have told her to go look in the mirror before calling sweet sammy fugly - what nerve she has, good lord!

Terri - when I saw your post to Ruth about "Will getting out" , I thought you had a new dog or cat who ran away Didn't realize you were talking about Survivors!

Well, after making our pros and cons list about moving to Staten Island, the pros won out and we're gonna take the plunge! I have mixed emotions about leaving, but I know it will be better for us. Darren and Lisa are happy about it too (sure, they probably see the word "BABYSITTER" stamped on our foreheads ). So, we are going to start packing this weekend, mostly non-essential items. One of the major pluses is that we'll be about a 5-10 mins drive from "The Jessa" , so you know how that makes me feel! Alana goes back to Binghamton this Sunday

Hi Ruth, Janie and Sandy - how are you guys? Hi to you too ZoeGirl - come back and say hi WOMAN!

Well, gotta get back to work. Hope everyone has a great day.

Hugs,
Dianne

Hi Guys,

I'm at work but I have 10 minutes left before my lunch hour is over.

Linda, sorry to hear about all the pain you're in but I'm glad it's over. Miss you Buddy.

Dianne. you really crack me up. You are too funny girl. What you said about Will getting out! Points Lady is on my last nerve believe me. Talk about BANG ZOOM. I'll send her to the moon all right!

Welcome to our group Lana I'll tell you more about myself later.

Hi Jen, Terri, Ruth, Linda, Sandy & Janie.

I have Darth Vader walking around. Gotta go.

Hugs,
Es