General CORE Questions

[WWCarol]

Hey, Buddies! Isn't this exciting?! :D

THANK you to Denise. And thank you to Momma25 who presented the request to her~ :buddysmoo

Okay, if you have a general Core question that has not been answered, bring it here!

Let's get this show on the road! :bcbsalute

[Momma25]

Carol,

Why don't you outline some of the Core basics for those checking Core out?

[WWCarol]

A CORE outline...Okay.

The Core Plan helps you make wise food choices from a Core Food List with NO TRACKING. (That's the good part! ;) )

Core Plan Rules:

1. Eat as much of the Core Foods as you need to feel satisfied. (However, some foods are limited to once-a-day, or in a required combination, i.e. Core approved cold cereals must be eaten with milk or yogurt).

2. If you want to eat foods that are not on the Core Food List, use your weekly points allowance (35 per week).

3. Follow the 8 Good Health Guidelines.

Important: The basic Core Food List and guidelines are in your Getting Started Booklet. It's highly recommended to go to at least ONE WW meeting to get the materials you'll need, and to have it explained by the WW leader~ :)

Another important aspect of the Core Plan is to eat when you're hungry and stop when you're satisfied, remembering however that calories do matter in weight loss. Your GS booklet shows your Comfort Zone, and recommends you stay between 1) hungry, 2) getting hungry, 3) satisfied/comfortable and 4) full/not hungry at all, while avoiding, 0) very hungry/starving and 5) very full/stuffed! :p

You have 35 weekly allowance points for non-Core foods and the occasional treat. Some people save them for special occasions, while others spread them out evenly (5 per day) over the week.

I think it's important to plan ahead before beginning the Core program and have Core foods available in your fridge, freezer, and pantry.

There are many ideas/tips/suggestions that can make Core a fun and enjoyable program. That's why we've got this forum...so we can SHARE, and support one another in the program~ :) :bcbsalute

[tiffany76115]

I've got a question. Maybe you can help me out on Carol.

I had the Applebees Grilled Mesquite Chicken salad. It's 5 points with the dressing. Everything in the salad appeared to be CORE items, except the dressing. It had:
Lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, corn, onions, grilled chicken(didn't appear to have oil on it). So could I count it as a Core Salad? I didn't even have but maybe 1/3 of the dressing they brought with it. A little bit goes a long way for me.

What does anyone think? I went ahead and counted 5 of my WPA's, though I'm sure I didn't really have the whole 5.

[WWCarol]

Hi, Tiffany~ You're lucky to have an Applebee's nearby! :) I've read that they might start carrying CORE selections~

On the salad. Sounds CORE to me. I'd count the salad dressing (if it was full fat) as 1 WAP per tablespoon (since it's oil and sugar and vinegar and flavorings).

And I'd give the grilled chicken 1 WAP "just because" they might have marinated it or oiled it. In the future, though, ask the waitress. If she can guarantee it's "grilled only", you wouldn't have to count that point! :)

So I think you definitely didn't need to count 5~ :wave: Hope that helped~

[tiffany76115]

Thanks for the Info Carol. The salad dressing was bbq ranch. I may have had 1/2 - 1 tablespoon. I may call later and ask about the chicken to see if it was marinated. I really appreciate the help!!!! I'll take off 2 points that I marked and make it just 3 for the salad. Rather be safe than sorry!

I do hope they start a CORE menu there. It would make eating out so much easier.

[WWCarol]

I think eating out can be one of the real challenges on Core. Some people have it all worked out (grilled meats, baked potato, steamed veggies, green salads and fruits) but I was in a situation recently where I was having the HARDEST time finding Core choices! :eek: My WW leader had been to the same town, and had Core "horror" stories about "grilled" halibut that drenched her napkin in oil! :p

Sometimes it just feels "safer" to eat at home...LOL.

I do hope that restaurants realize soon that lots of people want "healthy choices" when they're out~ :) :bcbsalute

[tiffany76115]

You are so right Carol, about it being hard to eat out on CORE. Most of the time, friday nights are our 'eat out' night. Well the hubby and the kids do the eating out. I stay home and fix something. I have done the Wendy's thing once or twice (side salad, plain baked potato). My husband says, 'you could have had that at home and saved a few bucks'. Well DUH! I knew that already, so why did you make me come along?

Plus my family likes to eat out on sundays after church. Most sundays the kids and I just say no. It's just easier than trying to pick a place that isn't to expensive that have CORE items. I hate missing spending that time with my mom and step-dad, but I have to do what's needed to make this work.

[schlomcj]

Tiff,

You are a beautiful woman..your site is very nice. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. You are an inspiration.

[DreamWalker]

Tiffany! Wow, great pictures. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. You must be so proud! Seeing you gives me a lot of hope for my dream as well.

Regarding eating out... I love eating at Red Lobster. The baked Tilapia and vegies in a bag, or the shrimp and lobster romaine salad is fantastic. Just tell em to hold and don't bring on the cheesy biscuits! Also you can order extra sides of steamed vegies, or a double side of romaine. The grilled salmon salad is great too. (just don't have the dressing that comes with it).

[tiffany76115]

Thank you Cindy. That's so sweet of you to say.

Lauren- Girl you are going to give me a big head with all the compliments, LOL. Nah, I'll make sure I deflate it once in a while. Just Kidding, I'm not going to let it get too big, then it'd match my butt! haha. Left you a reply in the WATP-er threas

[judyjudyjudy]

I have to do what's needed to make this work.

Tiffany -- you are so strong which proves why you've been so successful. Keep up the good work!!

[WWCarol]

I agree, Judy!

That's the BCB attitude, Tiffany! :D :bcbsalute

[The Rollercoaster Stops Here]

I need some quick help buddies......


Being in the process of reorganizing my computer room, I can't seem to find my WW Turnaround booklet. I haven't been on CORE since before Christmas, and am returning to it this coming week. I have the following question needing clarification.

Regarding ground beef, does the beef need to be 7% fat, 93 % lean. For some reason 7% keeps sticking in my mind, and I need some clarification on this.

Thanks

Karen

[WWCarol]

"Ground beef with no more than 7% fat"...You're right, Karen! :)

[jillwbee]

My book says 95% lean but I can't find any that is that lean. I buy the 93% and I'm glad that is okay! :headover:

[sodacracker]

Is it true that if you cook up your lean ground beef ( I cannot buy it as lean as WW wants for Core), and after cooking put it in a colander and rinse it off, that you are removing even more fat? Perhaps making it Core friendly?
Curious in Canada....

[DreamWalker]

I've heard of that too (rinsing) for ground turkey as well. Doesn't hurt it especially if it is going into chili or something. I don't know if you can get away with that with higher fat meat though.

[WWCarol]

Jill~ The "no more than 7%" is from the Getting Started booklet, page 25.

Some people call it the Core "bible", and you can always count on it's information if there's a discrepancy elsewhere~

All Core people that go to meetings receive the Getting Started booklet; not all of them own the Complete Food Companion~ :bcbsalute

[Sus E]

How am I supposed to know if my "Lean Beef" is the right percentage or not? The beef I buy is from a Kosher market, and is marked "Lean Beef", but it doesn't identify the %age. Any thoughts???

[jillwbee]

Susie~Can you ask the butcher the percentage? He/she should know I would imagine.

Carol~Yes, I have the Getting Started booklet from the meeting, but it was when Core first came out in August/September and I thought it also said 95%. :confused: I have to dig it out. Anyway, I am happy to have the right info.

[judyjudyjudy]

Hi Core Buddies :bcbsalute Just to let you know that I purchase 95% lean ground beef at Trader Joes. Hope you all have one in your area. Don't know what I'd do without it!

[WWCarol]

Great to know, Judy~ Mine's an hour away... :p But I'm glad it's nearby.

I love the frozen artichoke hearts (just thaw for salads and other dishes), and Dr. Praeger's veggie burgers! The California is 2 points, and the Tex-Mex is 1 point. They are soooooooo different than other veggie burgers...They taste (and smell) like onion rings to me, and they are delcious~ (The name always put me off from buying; who wants the word "Dr." in their food?! :p ) LOL.

[jillwbee]

The nearest Trader Joe's is a bit over an hour from me, but I will have to remember that when I am in that neck of the woods.

Carol, where did you find those veggie burgers? I've never heard of them but they sound good!

[jillwbee]

I just searched them and their website says they are sold at ShopRite here in CT. :)

[WWCarol]

I have read, Jill, that some people can find them at Sam's Club or Costco (for better prices, of course) but I haven't found them at MY Costco yet~

But I'll keep looking! :)

Oh, and I buy mine at Trader Joe's!

If you try them, let me know what you think~

[DreamWalker]

I love Trader Joe's too. I buy the frozen (already shelled) edamame beans (soy). They are so good stir fried with shrimp.

Also have you tried their beans?? The curried chick peas are very good.

[hisgraceisenough]

I'm bumping this up for the newbies and the not-so-newbies

[kelleyp]

Our local Smart & Final also has 5% ground beef sold in those big 2 lb. tubes.