Okay...so I joined WW yesterday. I figured getting up and going to meetings just might be a good thing for me. About 4 weeks ago I totally changed the way I eat. I'm trying to eat whole grains, lean meats, lot's of veggies, at least 2 fruits a day. I love the way I feel already, but I thought I could use a bit more structure...at least for a while.

So, off I went to my first WW meeting. I went to a morning meeting and at 42 years old....I was the youngest one there! I actually loved it, they all reminded me of my grandma. They were so welcoming ...they just seem to have so much fun. I got lot's of tips and recipes, the women all love to share their little "tips" on weight loss....it was great.

Then after the meeting, the leader met with me and went over the programs. She explained the flex and core plans to me.

So, here's my dilemma....I don't know which one to pick. I don't like the limits of core....ESPECIALLY THE FACT THAT THERE ARE NO PICKLES ON THE LIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG....I almost died. I have loved kosher pickles since I was a kid. So, I obviously won't be able to do the core plan.

Then, I look at the flex plan....all that weighing and measuring and counting? Again, I don't think I'm gonna like that.

So, here's my question....can I do the core plan and incorporate a few things that aren't on the plan? I love the way it teaches you to know the signs of hunger and being full. I think that is the absolute key to weight loss. I don't want to not eat if I am truly hungry, just because I don't have any "points" left. I want to live like this forever, I want this to be a lifestyle change, not a diet.

I know I sound like a stubborn baby, but I really want to make this work. I want to go to the meetings....I had so much fun yesterday. Besides, I don't want to miss out on the "pot luck" supper, my new (old) friends are planning!! This is one fun group of retirees!

Any suggestions? Am I just being resistant? Maybe I'm not understanding the program well enough. What do you think?

Sorry this is so long. I talk a lot.

When you're on core, you still get your weekly points allowance of 35, so you can still have pickles, pot luck food, etc. just make sure you keep track so you don't go over your wpa.

hi, I have the complete Food Companion List book and I show Kosher dill chips and Kisher dill spears, as core.

On the week one book it also shows unsweetened pickles on core. My leader has always said, dill pickles and olives are on core. She just told me due to sodium don't eat them the day before weigh in if I am sensitive to sodium, which it doesn't appear I am. If you type in the brand of pickle you are talking about I will check my complete food companion to see if it is core

Dill pickles are core...it's in the books. The sweet ones have sugar in them thus have points.

Thanks Kelly, I thought that but wasn't sure if some type wasn't core.
Thanks again

I only know cuz I do a breadless hamburger with pickles and onions on top when I am doing core.

Besides dill pickles are 0 points even on flex.

As the above people have noted, unsweetened pickles are core.

While Core focuses on the signs of hunger, it's not that they can't be used on the Flex side, too. In fact, as a points counter, I often decide during a meal that I'm satisfied with what I've eaten and don't go on. I find uses for Core tips within my Flex program. I try not to look at Core as "the other program", because there are useful ideas throughout.

I understand the initial fear of running out of points on Flex. But, the same thing may happen when counting calories, too. It's all about planning ahead of time, and using the points to their maximum potential. For example, many vegetables are 0 points. I go crazy adding them to dishes to bulk them up while keeping the points low. There are a surprising number of filling foods out there that are not very high in points. But, I'm not going to lie, it may some time to find them. Even so, I've found 1 point hot dogs & 1 point buns. I can have a hot dog on a roll with some veggies and a little mashed potatoes for about 6 points. And it's quite filling.

Flex still isn't for everyone, and I'm not saying it would be right for you. I'm just trying to assuage fears.

You sound like you're interested in giving Core a real honest go. That's great! And you don't have to miss out on every once and a while fun events at all. As other people have stated, there are the 35 weekly points that you can use if you want to. (You may not lose quite as fast, but they are optional and there for these occasions.)

You're right that this is forever, so you do want to feel comfortable with what you're doing. You may try out Flex, and then try out Core or vice versa. You may switch back and forth each month. (As long as you stick with the plan you're on for the week so that you aren't switching in between weighings.) This is about finding out what works.

My suggestion is this. Select the plan that you see the most promise with. Follow it for a week like they suggest. You'll know shortly whether it's something you can continue.

Best of luck!

There's quite a few zero-point foods you can have if you've eaten all your points and are still hungry. My newest fave: Progresso's Weight Watchers Soup. One serving is zero points and they taste really good. I especially love the Southwestern one - it's so spicy!