I've been doing WW for almost 2 weeks now

[anastasia]

and it's going "okaaaay" but damn, I'm hungry all the time! I'm on the flex plan and they alloted me 21 points a day plus 35 weekly.

I'm finding their recipe and food suggestions less than helpful because they rely heavily on artificial sweeteners, fat-free versions of things, and soy protein (as in power-bar-type things). I don't do soy because of my thyroid, I don't do artificial sweeteners, and I don't do fat-free adulterations unless they don't have added crap—which leaves out most of them. I also don't do a whole lot of dairy, but have started eating a bit of fat-free natural yogurt.

I'm trying to use this plan as a lifestyle-retraining guide, and not just a weight loss plan. It has been great for reminding me what an appropriate portion size is and what foods I should be eating more of than others. My veggie intake has gone up dramatically, now that I am taking the time to prepare them for myself during the day.

But I am always hungry!!! Veggies just don't fill me up, and I can't seem to make filling meals within my points budget. I'm saving my weekly points for date night with DH... maybe I should spread them out over the week instead? But then the nice dinners out we enjoy once a week would be a lot more limited... and I really enjoy those. :-(

I've thought about switching to the core plan but #1 some of my absolute favorite must-have even-if-only-a-little foods are not on the list and #2 I'm afraid I'd just eat too much, plain and simple. The nice thing about Flex is how it makes me pay attention to portion sizes and I really need that.

So, enough blathering. Anyone experienced with WW have any input for me? Should I switch? Should I stay? What natural, low-point, whole foods can I eat that will fill me up?

[Nancy]

Try Core! I know I sound like a broken record about this plan, but it really does work, with no hunger. You are alloted a certain number of "free" points every week, so those must-have foods ARE allowed, so long as you count them.

The reason I have a problem with flex is that I believe there is too much emphasis on low point, high bulk, essentially empty foods. Whoohoo....you can eat 21 cheese nips....and you're hungry 20 minutes later. With Core you can eat a handful of edamame anytime you like, as much as you'd like, you can grab fruit anytime, etc. The foods you can eat really satisfy you, and cut your cravings out.

I say switch for 2 weeks and compare. Eat your forbidden foods in small amounts and count them, it's legal. You will regulate your eating because the foods you are allowed really fill you up, they aren't empty.

[BlueMama]

When I'm hungry and can't afford to spend the points, I'll have the Progresso Light soups. They're zero points per serving, although I count it as 1 point because I eat the whole can. Dairy uses a lot of points, so if you'd like to just opt out of those servings, do it - just take a calcium pill. I've also switched from organic cereals (for me, not the kids) to the Special K cereals - I can eat a cup of that for a snack and it's only about 2 points (no milk). I also like the Special K snack/granola-like bars.

We've been using the WW cookbook - My Turnaround Program. It's got good recipes, and I haven't come across their recipes using artificial sweetners - I find that in a lot of the prepared WW foods like yogurt, ice cream, etc, so I just don't use the WW food.

I say stick it out with the Flex. I've been on it since Feb1, but those first few weeks were extremely difficult. Too much information, I was completely overwhelmed, and had no idea what I could eat. I have a lot of weight to lose, so I've compromised some of my food "values" such as organics, for now. I hope you're able to find a way to be happy with what you're eating while on the program. I tend to find something that works (like the Progresso Light soups) and just stick with those until I just can't stand it anymore lol.

[Tangwystl]

and it's going "okaaaay" but damn, I'm hungry all the time! I'm on the flex plan and they alloted me 21 points a day plus 35 weekly.

I'm finding their recipe and food suggestions less than helpful because they rely heavily on artificial sweeteners, fat-free versions of things, and soy protein (as in power-bar-type things). I don't do soy because of my thyroid, I don't do artificial sweeteners, and I don't do fat-free adulterations unless they don't have added crap—which leaves out most of them. I also don't do a whole lot of dairy, but have started eating a bit of fat-free natural yogurt.

I'm trying to use this plan as a lifestyle-retraining guide, and not just a weight loss plan. It has been great for reminding me what an appropriate portion size is and what foods I should be eating more of than others. My veggie intake has gone up dramatically, now that I am taking the time to prepare them for myself during the day.

But I am always hungry!!! Veggies just don't fill me up, and I can't seem to make filling meals within my points budget. I'm saving my weekly points for date night with DH... maybe I should spread them out over the week instead? But then the nice dinners out we enjoy once a week would be a lot more limited... and I really enjoy those. :-(

I've thought about switching to the core plan but #1 some of my absolute favorite must-have even-if-only-a-little foods are not on the list and #2 I'm afraid I'd just eat too much, plain and simple. The nice thing about Flex is how it makes me pay attention to portion sizes and I really need that.

So, enough blathering. Anyone experienced with WW have any input for me? Should I switch? Should I stay? What natural, low-point, whole foods can I eat that will fill me up?

I think you may be needing to eat more protein. I also find core way better for not being hungry. I find flex hard because I don't eat atificial sweeteners either.

[laurata]

I did really well on Core. Because I was also vegetarian, I did allow myself unlimited hummus (even though the oil technically makes it not core) and 2 servings of nuts a day. I did not do much soy and no dairy- my focus was cooked veggies, and beans, with some fruits and nuts. A fav meal was a lb of sauteed greens, plus leeks and 1c black beans with flavored vinegar or lemon juice. OMG, my mouth waters just thinking about it.

Even if ou stick with flex, look at the list of core foods for ideas. Also, I like FatFree Vegan for recipe ideas. Many are "core" although some have high points for flex because of the beans focus. (But I lost weight really well eating lots of beans and greens.)

[Nirinjan]

How's it going now Tasia?? I will put in a plug for the Core plan too. What are your absolute favorite must have foods? EEEK! I'll have to come back later - it's bedtime for the kids.