How CLOSELY do you follow the program? Are you VERY strict? Do you find that you see results even if you're a little off plan? Just Curious about how people out there treat core, especially those who do not attend meetings like me!

Noussa-I'm so excited for you! A 20 pound loss is a huge accomplishment. I, honestly, do not follow the plan strictly enough. Sometimes I am hard core for days and other days I am soft core. Occasionally I have an "eat anything you want to" day. Following the plan in this pattern makes losing slow, but it has worked for me. I am happy with my eating most of the time, although I do get frustrated occasionally. I don't attend meetings either. I feel like the chicks on the core board are my group, and they keep me going. I'm really glad to hear from you. Keep posting!

Noussa, I do follow it and track my wpa's for the most part. I find when I track it all I do much better. I use the etools for that. But occasionally I have a week where I don't write things down and tend to eat more than I should. I don't tend to lose those weeks, sometimes gain. I do best when I do track it all. HTH.

Congrats on the 20pds!!!

I agree with Paula. If I stick to the plan closely, I tend to lose more than if I don't. I try to follow the plan and track my points, although when I didn't, that's when I had my problem and gained. So following the plan very closely will get you the best results, although I have found that with cheating here and there you can also lose weight, just not as quickly.

my whole household (4 adults) are doing core and we are are not strict. We do try to eat lean meats, fresh fruits and Fresh veggies and we try to make new recipes, but unfortunately we go out to eat 3-4 times a week. Since March 2008 each of us have lost 50-65 pounds, and we all have over 100 each left to go. I will say though, even with the "cheating" we are making good changes, eating smaller portions and learning that healthy foods really do taste better than McDonalds. (I cant even stand the thought of fast food anymore). I do know though, that if we were 100% on program we would have all lost even more than what we have. We never miss a meeting, and we go to the gym 3-4 times a week and we have each other for support. I am taking my lunch pretty religously something i never have done before. So, dont beat yourself up if you cheat, just plan better next, always learn something from your mistakes.