There is no 'official' newbie thread - you've done it just right :)

It always amazed me how well the program did work when I actually worked
it.  You'd think I'd have learnt after three years that if I really want
to lose weight all I have to do is eat my points and track....

We're glad to have you here too.  Here's our welcome notice to get you
started in the group.  The group provides invaluable support to me - I'm
sure you'll enjoy it too.

Welcome to this great newsgroup where you'll receive lots of support,
advice, and encouragement. Once a week on Sundays, I post a list of
links that newcomers to asdww might find useful. You may want to look
for that later in the week, or do a backwards search for last Sunday's post.

In the meantime, here's our FAQ:
http://www.didian.com/asdww/
our welcome notice:
http://www.geocities.com/welcomenotice/index.html

Frequently seen acronyms on this NG:
NSV = Non-Scale Victory
WOE = Way of Eating
WOL = Way of Life (Living)
OP = on Points or On Program
DH = Dear or Darling Husband
DS/DD/DGD/etc = Dear or Darling Son, Daughter, Granddaughter, etc
WI = Weigh-in

Amberle3's Challenges:

Totally Groovy exercise challenge:
http://www.angelfire.com/me4/travelgirl/tg.htm

Choose to Lose weight loss challenge:
http://www.angelfire.com/me4/travelgirl/ctl.htm

Weight Loss Challenge Summary:
http://www.angelfire.com/me4/travelgirl/summary.htm

Other acronyms:
http://www.wwlissa.com/dwlz100+/100+acronyms.htm

Here's a short synopsis of the USA Flexpoints program by Joyce -

How many points you can eat is only based on your current weight, as you
lose weight those points allowed will decrease (logic is that your body
will need less to operate).   At 183 pounds and based on the new US
flexpoints system, you will have a set point target of 24.  In addition
to this you are allowed 35 flexpoints to be used throughout the week ...
as well as any activity points you earn on a particular day.  When your
weight drops to 175, your target drops to 22 points ... weight reaches
150, target once again drop to 20 points.  3 servings of dairy of
recommended per day, 5 servings of fruit and veggies, minimum of 6
glasses of water.

The basic plan is easy.  Eat at least your minimum daily number of
points.  Points do not carry over from day to day.  You are allotted 35
weekly flexpoints to be used at your discretion ... can divide them up
and use daily (would be an additional 5 points per day) or save them and
use them for a special occassion during the week.  Activity points are
earned based when exercising, but can ONLY be used on the day they are
earned.

Joyce
WW starting weight: 228.8 - 2/5/02
current weight:  133.3
Lifetime: 4/4/03

And here's an explanation of Core/No-count by Laura -

It is a great plan. You DO however need to make sure that you are eating
at your normal Flex plan target number of points. This can be difficult
for some and you WILL stop losing.

Here is the summary of the plan: http://ahwww.home.comcast.net/summary.htm
Here is the detail list of foods:
http://ahwww.home.comcast.net/wwcoreplan.htm

Basic rules:
1. Eat as much of the core foods as you need to feel "satisfied" (not full).
2. If you want to eat foods that are not on the core foods list use you 35
weekly points allowance (WPA).
Note: use these points on healthy foods and not junk.
3. Activity points are used to supplement the 35 WPA for Non-core food items
only. They must be used on the day they are earned.
Note: most people find that they will increase the amount of core foods
because they are hungrier due to exercising.
4. 2 teaspoons of heathy oil daily is required.

~Laura

Please note that if you live in onther countries (UK, Australia, NZ,
Europe), the Points plans are different.  The UK and Australia/NZ
calculate points based on saturated fat and total kilojoules.  Most of
Europe calculates based on total fat and total kilojoules.  The desktop
calculator above can handle all of these programs.

Disclaimer: As an unmoderated Usenet newsgroup, asdww is unusual in that
most of the people who participate are respectful, considerate folks who
freely share their experience with and knowledge of WW, weight loss, and
maintenance. Yet occasionally, spammers, trolls, and flamers show up to
post advertising, false information, insults, and the like. Nearly all
of the time, people like this are just trying to yank someone's chain.
Most of the regulars on this newsgroup offer their experience as a
suggestion to try if you're stuck, but are quick to advise that each
person has to find what works for him/herself. If someone posts
something that doesn't sound right to you, ask the newsgroup, ask your
WW leader, or ask your health professional.

Much success on your weight loss journey! WW works!

Hi there I'm new here too :o)
I find even if I'm falling off plan abit, if I write down everything that I
eat and drink I can pull it off for that week .......most of the time, not
sure why, maybe writing burns off those extra calories?!? who knows!! and on
that note I should take my own advice! I'm not doing well at all at the
moment........ cant get my head in the right frame!!

Jo :o)

Hi, Lucy. Yes, for some of us (me including) counting is the only way of
being honest with yourself and getting results.

For me, I just cut out the middleman (points) and am directly counting
calories now. But it is the same thing.

Conservation of energy works - so if we stay within our calorie/point
limits and exercise we *will* lose weight over time. It's just a matter
of sticking with it and making it a part of your life. It will happen!

doug

Day 47
kg: 126.5 / 118 / 69?
lb: 278.3 / 259.6 / 152?

welcome and good luck, I tried core, its not for me, but points are, Lee