No Discussion of Core at WW Meetings

[evy]

The instructor in the WW meetings I attend lost all of her weight using the Flex plan, and she doesn't seem very interested in or knowledgeable about Core.

After a few meetings, I asked a couple of questions about Core. I received a lot of blank stares, including one from the instructor, and no answer or comment other than a few hmms and hahs and then the discussion went back to strategies for success with the Flex plan.

Finally, about three weeks ago, I asked the instructor if she would include information about Core in her meetings. She said she would but hasn't yet.

I'd like to exchange ideas and problems related to Core with others in the group, but I'm not sure how to go about it. I know of one other woman who attends that is following Core, so I'm not alone.

Any suggestions?

[cydkitty]

In the meeting I attend about 25% are doing core ( a very rough estimate ) and my leader does flex. However she is very knowledgable about core. We don't really discuss either that much during the meeting, but more issues that are big enough to touch on both plans.

I would say talk to the other person on core, & ask your leader again, WW supports both plans so it is part of her responsibility to know both plans, of course you can always ask folks here, and read more info on the WW board.

[evy]

Thanks CYDKitty. I will talk to the other woman there; she is very new to the group, and I bet she has some questions she'd like to have addressed.

One of the reasons that I would like to have more Core related discussion in the group is that I'd like the others who attend to learn about it. They all seem to be on the Flex plan and their main focus is how to eat goodies while staying within their allotted points. There is no discussion of nutrition or excercise, which I believe is an essential part of not only losing weight, but keeping it off.

I believe it is a very good plan that will not only help with weight loss, but it will be a healthy one to follow for life. It seems to be very nutriionally sound. and I've been able to adapt it to my vegetarian diet.

So many of the group seem to be struggling, and I really haven't been that much. It would be good for them to learn about eating a balanced diet and incorporating some excercise into their days rather than about how to shave points off a Big Mac or which coffee house in town has the best low-fat Lattes.

Thanks again for your reply and also for welcoming me to the board.

[cydkitty]

One thing our Leader always emphasizes is that you can be within points and still not be on program, You HAVE to follow the 8 healthy guidelines.

I love core and when I do it right I lose weight. Even when I am not doing it right it has helped me to eat healthier, I just still sometimes ignore the fact that I should be counting my WPAs.

I have a great leader, but this is my 4th time as a WW and none of the previous leaders were as good. There may be another meeeting in your area, if so try it out it may be a better fit.

[evy]

What are some of the things your leader discusses in your meetings?

My mother was on WW 30 some years ago, and she was impressed with how informative the meetings were plus everyone was so supportive and enthused.

Unfortunately this is the only leader in town. She gives 3 meetings a week to 3 different groups.

I don't count the WWP's either, I found it too cumbersome. I keep in the back of my mind that I have 5 points a day to spend on non-core foods, but I try not to spend them. Sometimes I keep them in mind if I'm planning ahead for a special event or holiday, but otherwise I don't count them.

[cydkitty]

Our meetings are very interactive and we have a vocal group.

I think the leaders are given a topic and guidelines but then they add their own flavor to the meetings

Last week was on self talk and how negative self talk is defeating and how and why we do it and how we can change it. Jamie (our leader does maybe half of the talking in our meeting and gets the rest of us to do the other half)

A couple of weeks ago it was on how to get your milks in or any other food groups you were having difficulty with but mostly about dairy and weight loss.

We have discussed how weight loss requires having a plan much like building a house requires a plan. She emphasizes mindful eating and not "Comatose" eating

She often incorporates the concept of one or more of the 8HG
that "food is not the problem" our attitudes/emotions about food is the real problem and how WW isn't just a diet but requires a paradigm shift , the light bulb moments that go into our shift in thinking.

I am fortunate our leader is feisty and fabulous and can bring down the house with laughter with just a look. She does 13 meetings a week and apparently each meeting has a different personality. One of her meetings has mostly 20y/o in it ours is a more diverse group with ages ranging from college age to 70s.

[vita77]

My meetings are 90% plan-neutral. We focus mostly on behavioral strategies, which I like.

There are occasional diversions into uninteresting Flex discussions, like which low-calorie ice cream bar is the best. My leader is good about letting this go on for a few minutes, then bringing us back to topic.

She lost her weight on Flex, but eats a lot of Core foods and is reasonably knowledgable about Core. She's good about mentioning Core ("remember that you can eat that until satisfied on Core,") but we rarely have anyone other than me on Core. It's actually funny...my leader calls on me as the class Core expert, and refers to me as the "Core Queen." I recently found out that she's a tweaker when she recommended Kashi 7-grain hot cereal to me....it's got sesame seeds in it!

[katelight]

Core discussion is also limited in my meeting , but I think we are a pretty plan neutral group also. I was the first Coreby in my group and because of my determination for others to at least think about trying core I was pretty obnoxious about talking about Core ( I still am) Our leader utilizes both plans to fit what ever her needs are at the time. So she is knowledgable about both plans. Our former leader was more comfortable with flex, but she had a working knowledge of both plans.
I've learned that just speaking up in the meetings and saying things like "that's a core food", I've lost all my weight on Core, or Core rocks encourages others to try Core.
Become your group's best Core supporter and others will come around, so will your leader.
BTW great to have you here, hope to get to know you better as you post more.
Katie

[evy]

Hi Kathy, or should I say "Core Queen"?

Thanks for your post. I believe, after reading the responses here, that I have to become more active during our meetings.

Hopefully this will encourage other people following core to participate and ultimately force our leader to learn more about the plan. It may also pique the interest of people who are on the Flex plan.

I am curious. What is the definition of a "tweaker"? It sounds like a good term, but I've never heard it before.

Thanks again, Kathy, for taking the time to answer. Congratulations, too, on your weight loss. Wow.

Evy

[evy]

Katie - I like what you said about becoming a "Core supporter", and I plan to be much more vocal in our meetings.

As I said above, my hope is that this will force our leader to do her homework and become more knowledgable about Core. I don't mind hearing about the Flex, but often it doesn't apply to me.

It would be much better if the meetings were "plan-neutral", but I don't think that's going to happen without a little push in that direction from people like me.

I love your suggestions - "core rocks" that's great. I plan to use that at tomorrow evening's meeting. Wish me luck.

Thanks for taking the time to answer, Katy, and also for the welcome. I look forward to reading more posts and to learning more about Core.

Evy

[nightsinge]

Tweaking core just means that you flex the plan a little for yourself...and see what works. For instance, I might splash a bit of olive oil into a pan and not measure it. I might get a bit more than 2 tsps a day, but I don't count the extra.

Another person might use a whole wheat tortilla now and then and not count it as extra points. Like that.

Of course WW doesn't advocate that, but I think it's understood that we play with, or "tweak" the core plan.

I think the most important thing is to not do that much or often, and really check in with it. If it's not working, dump it! Good luck.

Glad you're being a core advocate too. Our leader had posted a ff bean dip recipe at the meeting today, and I went up and put a large, green check mark on it.

[evy]

Hi CYDKitty - Thanks for all of your input and the suggestions you've offered.

My meeting is tomorrow evening, and I hope by participating more in the discussions, I can shift some of the focus towards Core.

Your meetings sound really great. I wish our meetings were more interactive and our group more vocal, but I guess every leader has her own style. Maybe I can help to energize our members to exchange more information and ideas plus get a discussion about Core going.

I'd really like to hear more about this idea of eating until satisfied. From what I've read on this board, that seems to be something with which many folks struggle.

Also, you mentioned that your leader sresses how you can be within points and still not be on program. You said she emphasizes you have to follow the 8 healthy guidelines.

I think that would be a good topic for me to toss out during the meeting. It would be interesting to both Flex and Core followers plus possibly open a discussion on nutrition, which I think is really important.

Thanks again; you've been really helpful.

Hope to talk with you again, Evy

[evy]

Thanks Nightsinge - I guess I'm guilty of being a tweaker myself.

I like the idea of putting a green check mark by recipes at the meeting if they're Core. So far, I haven't seen one, but there's always hope.

The last one our leader presented was for blueberry cheesecake. I omitted the graham cracker crust and viola' - it was Core and it was very good. Maybe I'll mention tomorrow evening; it might bring attention to how "Core-less" her recipes have been.

As for being a Core advocate, yes I am, and I'm becoming more so everyday.

Thanks for your post, Evy

[nightsinge]

Good to keep hearing from you, Evy. I like your posts.
Going back to your original post in this thread, my leader does core sometimes. I love her, but she rarely talks about it.

The way I've handled it is by bringing it up often and calling myself "the official core advocate" or "core pusher." I laugh and joke about it so it doesn't seem like I'm on a rampage, but I get the message across. When the focus was dairy, the leader talked about lattes--and I reminded folks that sf ff ones are core. When we talked about summer being difficult for folks, I reminded people that it's a good time to try core because of all the fruits and vegetables around. And I occasionally mention my low, blood sugar levels which--as a diabetic--I believe I get on core much more than I would on points.



I don't talk about it constantly. Maybe once a meeting or every other meeting. But I've had other folks approach me after to ask questions "I'm a vegetarian too and was thinking about core; is it doable?" When a person confides in me that they're at a plateau, I always suggest switching plans and trying core. If they're *really* stuck, I suggest that they follow core AND count the points for a week.

Of course the best way to show how core is effective is by example, as you have all mentioned. When the leader announces that we've lost a total of ____ pounds, no reason not to insert a small, "yay core!" in with the applause! ;D

[nightsinge]

Sorry to go on and on about this, but I think you touched a nerve with the lack of core mentions at WW.

Have you asked the people at the front desk if there are any leaders who are more core or who incorporate core into their meetings more often? Or do you feel comfortable enough with your leader to ask her?

Even if the answer is no, I hope that asking the question serves as a gentle reminder that people would like their meetings to inform and support them about both plans.

Finally, I wonder if we might consider writing to WW as a group? Many of us are on Kippy's because we wanted a specific group to talk about core issues and support. Many of us have been frustrated by seeming confusion or lack of mention of core at group meetings. WW might welcome the feedback and, who knows? Remind their leaders or something...