The answer is...you and your body decide.
Whatever plan best fits you is what you should stick with.
CORE: You have a list of select foods called CORE foods that you can eat without counting points for them. However it's
very important that you remember to stop eating when your body is SATISFIED, not stuffed. Stuffed is what we're used
to being, bloated and full...but we can learn to listen to our body. When our bellies feel satisfied, like it has a
good amount of food in it but it's not a "stuffed" feeling, that is when we must put the fork down.
A good idea is to EAT SLOW and take breaks in between, especially when eating pasta(because that expands in your stomach.)
You get 35 WPA's(weekly points allowance) to use on foods that are not on the CORE list. WHen you are in maintenence,
you can add up to 28 extra points to that number per week, depending on how well your body maintains the weight loss.
You still must eat four or five servings of veggies and/or fruit a day, and three servings of dairy.
FLEX: you can eat whatever you want on Flex so long as you track it. You still must eat your daily requirements
of veggies/fruit and dairy. But you get a points target that you must stick to. You are encouraged to eat all
of your daily points or your body could go into "starvation mode" and you will not lose quite as well. You still
have 35 extra WPA's per week to use on anything you want. ONce in maintenence, you can increase your daily points target
about 4 points, and the WPA's per week stays at 35.
I resisted Core for about a month because it seemed so restrictive....what do you MEAN I can't have bread?
AAAA! I have to use some of my 35 WPA's?? I was used to using them for extras on Flex. I loved the freedom
of Flex, allowing me to use my daily points for even things like wine, which I allowed myself about two or three glasses at
a time(in moderation of course.)
However, I couldn't seem to move out of the 150's and later 140's....it was so hard! Plateau city. Everyone
told me that it was always hardest losing the last few pounds. I believed it. I hung in there, eating all my target
points, and drinking my water....the loss was slow but it still happened. Finally I just plateued at 140 and couldn't
move. I said, enough, I am going to try Core.
I remember I posted on the WW site saying i was going to try it. Well I did...and i was totally shocked at how
much easier it was than I thought it would be. Imagine being able to go to a diner and eat grilled chicken, a baked
potato, a salad and mixed veggies...and not have to worry about the points! Whoa!
Within a few weeks I made my projected goal! Core was the best thing that had happened to me in a long time.
But I recommend whatever plan suits you. One thing I will say is...if you're a binge eater, Flex might be the best
thing. On Flex you must pay attention to portion control, as in measuring out portions so you can count points for them.
On Core you are unlimited as long as you stop when satisfied. A lot of people have trouble gaging whether they are "satisfied"
or "stuffed" and have tended to treat Core like an "all you can eat" plan. It is not that at all. THe way to lose
on Core is to listen to your body. On the Weight Watcher's site there are "comfort zone" numbers you can pay attention
to. Decide how hungry you are before you begin eating. Plan ahead as much as possible.
Overall, you will know. Try both plans out, see which one is the best. You can only find out by trying!:)
