WW Core v. SB

fitntrim · Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:16 pm

has anyone done or compared these two diets, they seem a lot a like. which one is better, easier to stick to, any thoughts?

colliegirl · Fri Jun 24, 2005 7:08 pm

The Core plan is very much like SB (with a few exceptions like corn), but unless you are really able to control your cravings, you will get into trouble with the Core when it comes to the points foods that you are allowed. Points foods are the foods that you are allowed in addition to the Core foods.

IMO SB is a better plan in that it teaches you HOW/WHAT to eat without the possibility of sabotaging yourself with bad choices on the points foods.

If you are a person that will easily select raw veggies or fruit instead of a doughnut or candy, then simply compare the food lists and decide which you prefer. Another consideration is do you want to count and weigh what you eat? You will have to do this with the points foods.

SB does not teach us that we can never again have a doughnut, but it teaches us that there are much better choices and we want to make this a way of eating for the rest of our lives.

I am sure you will be successful with either program, but remember also that these boards are free and there is so much help here that it is hard to believe. Some have written that the WW boards (not free) were found to be intimating and sometimes right down snarly and I personally found that to be true. For the most part, the Canadian WW board is friendly and "cool", but not true with the US board. There are some very rude people using that board.

fitntrim · Fri Jun 24, 2005 9:23 pm

thanks for replying, you are so smart and right, I tried the CORE after I stopped losing on the points, I eat badly on points, I need more structure. However I did loose 28 lbs. in 6 months on points. But always hungry, (bad choices as in carbs) SB (been on for three days that's why I thought it was like CORE) taught me about bad carbs. I ate baked potatos every day!!! I never knew some foods were triggers like simple carbs, even lowfat ice cream etc. You are also right about the boards! Sorry WW, hope SB isn't like that. How are you doing with SB?

colliegirl · Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:50 pm

Baked potatoes were my downfall on the points system too. AND hot baked bread~!@!#$

I had my first year anniversary on the beach June 4 and have kept all the weight I lost off. I was on a medication last April that caused me to retain fluid and I had a struggle with that issue and have since quit the meds for other reasons. Even with that going on, I managed to stay within five pounds of goal.

NessaRelli · Mon Jul 18, 2005 3:05 pm

To clarify, there are no counting points or weighing out food on Core. You eat from a select list of foods that are approved.

The 35 weekly allowance points are "bonus" points that are optional. You don't have to use them.

Although the programs seem similar, there are many subtle differences. WW Core only allows fat free dairy (not 1 or 2%) and fat free salad dressings, for example. SB is more concerned with sugar and white starches. Core allows ALL fruits except fruit juices and dried fruits, whereas SB disapproves of certain fruits like watermelon and pineapple, again because of sugar content.

As the other poster said, you really just need to look at the food lists and see which you can fit into your life better. Both programs talk about a lifestyle change, not a DIET. Both are designed to offer 1-2 pounds loss per week,

soon2Bsize8again · Fri Aug 26, 2005 11:20 pm

hi there! although the replies here are correct, i just wanted to add my two cents in here. i lost all of my weight (60 pounds) on WW points and when core FIRST came out i was like, "hell no - i'm not doing that, that sounds STUPID and too much like south beath" (just for the record, for a long time i was against south beach because too many people i knew personally promoted it as just like atkins and they swore it was NO carb - no fruit, no bread, etc...now that i've read about it and made my OWN opinion - i know the TRUTH and i LOVE south beach)

anyways though - i DID do core a while back after gaining back 10 of the 60 pounds i'd lost and i actually lost 5 pounds on core. i LIKED it - but as someone else stated, the one thing that was hard is the fact that you still are "allowed" those bonus 35 points to use on treats during the week. i'm SUCH a sweet person and what i REALLY need is a program that explains why you SHOULD choose a healthier alternative over a sweet instead - which is what south beach does. and so, after about 2 weeks on core i ended up going back to my regular eating habits again and not only did i gain back those 5 pounds i'd lost but i found another 7! (17 pounds gained back total)...

as much as i LOVE weight watchers and DO think core is a good program - my problem after 3 years of being on weight watchers (and yes, i'm a lifetime member too...) i have become SO incredibly obsessed with counting points that i get so SICK of counting points i end up binging on foods and thinking, "the heck with it" and the fact that ON core i'm able to HAVE those extra 35 points - that means if i DO use them, i'm STILL counting.
but that's just me.

i truly believe no matter WHAT program you use - you're better off than eating the way that has gotten you to this point anyways. weight watchers core is good for people who have a LOT of self-control when it comes to those 35 bonus points as well as eating whole foods and south beach is good for those who really want to cut back on their sugar intake and know that they are eating whole foods with a combo of good fats / good carbs as well.

i think it comes down to personal preference of course. the question is, with the CORE program, do you KNOW that you can wiselly use (if you choose to of course) those 35 bonus points?

of course, too - for me on south beach (even though this is only my fourth day) - i do know in the future i'm realllly looking forward to eating fruit again and i will CHOOSE WISELY and NOT just eat as much fruit as i can but instead enjoy that first banana i eat in phase 2. and as far as "treats" go - i WILL have chocolate again as well as starbucks, but with having a "phase 1" where you "purge" your body of not eating sugar - it's good to know you can always go back to that when needed and it's ONLY "2 weeks" (or a little longer if needed).

hope that helped.

Courage2BThin · Mon Jan 02, 2006 3:09 pm

I know this is an old thread, but I just wanted to post a note. While the official WW boards might cost something, there is a free forum/message board out there where people can go for support with WW... they do have people on WW Points and Core program. I've never done the Core and have found that I'm less obsessed with food on SB. That free forum is:

www.dwlz.com

You don't need a log in ID unless you want to post a note. You can lurk forever at no cost, and the support is tremendous. Over the last several years, they've even gotten together once a year for reunions and have collect cookbooks of favorite recipes that have kept them OP (on program). They also have a restaurant list that already have the points listed for meals, tons of recipes, and lots of other things...

Good luck! :)

elizabeth702 · Sat Feb 25, 2006 1:28 am

Core was a craving nightmare for me. There is no detox and it doesn't speak out against potatoes or things that are craving causers. Also, it gives you 35 allowance points a week, which is roughly (give or take depending on fat and fiber content) 1700 calories to blow on whatever you want that's off plan.

I lost right away and then hit a major plateau that lasted 2 months. I couldn't stop splurging because the cravings were always there.

lalylun · Sat Feb 25, 2006 4:24 pm

In the core all the dairy products are extremly low fat (no 1% milk).
And I love cheese so...

elizabeth702 · Sun Feb 26, 2006 3:37 am

lalylun wrote: In the core all the dairy products are extremly low fat (no 1% milk).
And I love cheese so...

Oh yeah, giving up good flavored cheese on Core was really hard. Fat free just doesn't do anything for me.


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