![big grin :D](./images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Second, not everyone needs to do the MWL program to lose weight. I have never done it but when I stick to the concepts of the regular program - no oil, no animal foods, limited sugar/salt, whole grain foods, beans, fruit, and lots of veggies - I have always lost weight. Exercise helps, of course, but the right food triples my weight loss compared to exercise alone.
When I McDougalled before, I was averaging half a pound weight loss per day. This time around, embarrasingly a number of years later, I'm averaging just under 1/3 of a pound lost per day. That's including several brief plateaus, one lasting two weeks. My plateaus (or gains) have been due to stress and to eating too much rich food. I love to eat out and tend to not worry about the food having oil in it, even though I do try to get it lower fat. When that doesn't succeed, I still eat it. Bad Chile!
For now, just learn the basics, let them become your new normal, and then see whether you need to be as strict as MWL. Glad you are here!