BOSTON (CBS) – It’s the time of year for resolutions. If weight loss made your New Year’s list, you might want to tell your friends.

That’s how Karen Kofalt got real results. She lost 50 pounds since having a baby a year ago. “I think a lot of people can relate to getting back to work and being a full-time working mom and trying to find that work balance. Weight loss sort of slowed up,” says Kofalt.

Then she tried FriendshipWeight.com.

With the website, you’re not the only one tracking your progress. Your friends are with you every step of the way. In Kofalt’s case, her sister gets weekly online updates and is able to send her words of encouragement.

Inspired by his own father’s struggle with weight, Cardiologist Dr. Kevin Shinal created the website. “When he passed away suddenly in 2007, this whole problem became way more personal,” he says. “As a result, I became more passionate about it.”

Accountability is the key to program. Every week, dieters post how much they’ve lost or gained. “They need to know that as they walk this path that if they slip and fall, there’s someone there to catch them,” explains Dr. Shinal.

Kofalt is convinced she lost another 10 pounds because she knew her friends and family were watching. “There’s that little accountability piece throughout the week that keeps you pretty honest.”

It costs about $9 a month to join Friendship Weight and it doesn’t matter which diet or exercise plan you use.